| Author | Message | ||
| TomD (Tifosi)
Intermediate Member Username: Tifosi Post Number: 2322 Registered: 9-2001 |
I worked in public accounting at the time for Coopers and Lybrand - I was three years out of school so it was great - I now work in the dervatives area | ||
| Amar Inam (Amar360)
New member Username: Amar360 Post Number: 46 Registered: 10-2002 |
Tom, you were lucky indeed about the '95 summer; unfortunately that was the summer I was mostly heading in the opposite direction to a consulting client in New York and kept getting told about the great weather I was missing! What work do you do that brought you to a client in the UK (if you don't mind my asking)? | ||
| TomD (Tifosi)
Intermediate Member Username: Tifosi Post Number: 2321 Registered: 9-2001 |
working with a client - out in Windlesham - surrey - I lved in Twickenham right by the richmond bridge. Loved it over there - it helped that 1995 later summer to fall was like the best weather ever in London -60s and 70s and sunny every day (it rained a little) but I know some Brits still talk about that summer's weather being extraodinary | ||
| Amar Inam (Amar360)
New member Username: Amar360 Post Number: 43 Registered: 10-2002 |
Tom, nice to meet another soccer fan! It's great you get to watch so many matches there now. What were you doing in the UK in 95? Steve, the Torino-Chambery drive is fun though nothing beats Route Napolean from Grenoble to Cannes - that could really get your girlfriend scared! There was a lot of snow around so I decided not to do it this time. In London I rarely park the car outside after nearly having it keyed once in Mayfair: saw the guy from a distance and chased him away. | ||
| Steve Holden (Sf_348)
New member Username: Sf_348 Post Number: 13 Registered: 10-2002 |
Amar,sorry i'm always a bit late with the stories as i have no internet at work for the time being , reading your story bought a tear to my eye ! We must have taken the same routes , Chambry - Turin and stuff.It was raining in June when i took the 348 over , leaving a Toll booth in Turin i accelerated in a straight line , but went sideways - much to the amusement of the two guys in an Alfa beside me (my girlfriend didn't see the funny side though)Turns out my rear Bridgestone was like a slick on the inside edge! That explains that then. By the way , some loverly person shot the back window out of my 911 over xmas , with an airgun , this is the latest passtime of youth in the uk at present according to the cops so beware where you leave your babies mine was only parked on a private drive for 4 hours .Good job it wasn't the 348! | ||
| TomD (Tifosi)
Intermediate Member Username: Tifosi Post Number: 2294 Registered: 9-2001 |
I am a true american born in NY and lived in CT and now NJ and my wife was also born in the USA but parents hail from italy. We go to italy usually once or twice a year. I lived in the UK for 6 months back in 95 and that combined with my wifes family has converted me into a European soccer fan. I am a Juve fan, my wife's family prefers lazio (her cousin is one of lazio's trainers). I went to see Roma v Real last year here in the US and watched every game in the last world cup. I usually watch serie A each week and sometimes the premiership - soccer fans are few and far between here in the US but we are still fanatical.  Totti's had a rough go of it lately in italy but that's typical of italian fans - one day you are their hero another day you are the goat | ||
| Amar Inam (Amar360)
New member Username: Amar360 Post Number: 40 Registered: 10-2002 |
Tom, you know your soccer/football well! I see you live in New Jersey but where are you from? Totti's 360 was nero with what looked liked a red interior, and in fact he waved back when my girlfriend waved to him! | ||
| TomD (Tifosi)
Intermediate Member Username: Tifosi Post Number: 2290 Registered: 9-2001 |
Thanks for the summary, sounds like a blast - funny that you ran into totti - did he give you a wave? Is is car in the giallo rosso colors? | ||
| Amar Inam (Amar360)
New member Username: Amar360 Post Number: 35 Registered: 10-2002 |
Hi Tom, Lot's of interesting stuff - had a busload of excited Czech students on the ferry, really fun driving on the twisty small roads in Provence (and a nice little race with a BMW M3), a short race with an F355 on the highway after Monaco who obviously knew the twisty roads well and sped off! Driving in Italy was always great (except when a German-reg Jaguar didn't like being overtaken and tried to hassle me for a while) and, after never having seen a Ferrari in many visits to Rome we ran into four in two days (a 348, 2 355s and a 360), one driven by Italian soccer international Francesco Totti. On the way back, driving Rome to Maranello was fantastic expecially the mountain roads between Florence and Bologna, and Maranello was great as usual; saw an Enzo inside the factory gate but couldn't get closer because factory was closed to visitors on Jan 2nd... so near yet so far! The mountain roads next day from outside Turin to Chambery in France were great fun needless to say and an Audi A4 managed to keep up pretty well. Later that day there was a real rain/snow storm between Metz and Brussels but it was a chance to check out the 360's tyres (Pirelli) and handling in the bad weather and all managed with poise and no slides - thanks Enzo. Hi Manu, thanks! Just checked out the PH thread and it's in my diary now, don't know that far ahead if I'm travelling but will hopefully be there. See you soon... Ciao, Amar | ||
| Manu (Manu)
Member Username: Manu Post Number: 606 Registered: 2-2002 |
Amar welcome back! Are you coming to this: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=24825&f=63&h=0&p=2 | ||
| TomD (Tifosi)
Intermediate Member Username: Tifosi Post Number: 2239 Registered: 9-2001 |
amar any good stories about the trip - other f-cars, snow? interesting on lookers | ||
| Amar Inam (Amar360)
New member Username: Amar360 Post Number: 34 Registered: 10-2002 |
Hi, Just got back to London yesterday from 3,000 miles (4,800 kms) of the most fun driving I've done in the 360 and with no attention from the police in the UK, France, Italy, Belgium or Holland. Bart, I think I did get tailed by one of the unmarked Belgian police cars you mentioned near Liege but eventually he passed me when I stayed resolutely at 130 kph. The small roads in Provence and Cote d'Azur were pure pleasure, driving in Italy in general was always great and taking the mountain roads back from Italy to France was a Ferrari dream! Can't wait to do it all again soon. Thanks again for all the information and wishing everybody a happy and fun 2003... Amar | ||
| Mark Collins (Markcollins)
Junior Member Username: Markcollins Post Number: 77 Registered: 7-2002 |
Art Please can I say you were driving mine next time they take my picture!!! | ||
| arthur chambers (Art355)
Member Username: Art355 Post Number: 851 Registered: 6-2001 |
Last time I was in England, 1999, I must have gotten my picture taken 20, 30 times by those damn ticket machines. You could see the flash when they took the picture. Doesn't effect my California lisence though. Art | ||
| bruce wellington (Bws88tr)
Intermediate Member Username: Bws88tr Post Number: 1312 Registered: 4-2002 |
it always helps to keep a gold family shield on your leg while sitting in the car waiting for the cop to approach you  | ||
| Craig Williams (Craigw)
New member Username: Craigw Post Number: 31 Registered: 4-2002 |
Thanks Tom, I'll remember that next time i'm in the US. | ||
| TomD (Tifosi)
Intermediate Member Username: Tifosi Post Number: 2080 Registered: 9-2001 |
Craig, if you get out of the car here in the us without being asked you are sure to be looking down the barrel of a 9 mm pistol. Most cops see that as threatening and will tell to to get back in the car | ||
| Amar Inam (Amar360)
New member Username: Amar360 Post Number: 40 Registered: 10-2002 |
Thanks, all, for the information. I haven't done a long cross-Europe trip for nearly two years and it seems things haven't changed much: be fairly careful in France and Switzerland, generally have a ball in Italy, and really watch the speed in Belgium and Holland if you don't want to risk leaving the Ferrari behind. I'll let you know how the trip was when I get back in January. Meanwhile, wishing everybody a very Happy Christmas and a great New Year celebration! | ||
| Bart Bosmans (Bel)
New member Username: Bel Post Number: 7 Registered: 11-2002 |
Amar, In Belgium the have anonymous police cars that can follow you or are parked behind bridges or inbetween the four lanes of the highway. Highway speedlimit is 120 you have to leave your car behind if you do more than 160. The fine for speeding for Belgiums is 2500 Euro for others it should be 100 Euro. This link will give you information where they are http://www.snelheidscontroles.be/Aangekondigd/index.html Bart | ||
| Craig Williams (Craigw)
New member Username: Craigw Post Number: 30 Registered: 4-2002 |
In the UK there are 3 basic ways that they catch you. 1. In person - Police standing at side of road (or sometimes hidden) using either a mobile radar unit or a laser gun. Alternatively by following you in a marked/unmarked car. 2. A fixed speed camera GATSO/TRUVELO(sometimes hidden) which bounces radar off your car and takes a flash photo if you are speeding, this is then sent to you in the post.# 3. A new system called SPECS, usually only on motorways, the camera records your numberplate & times you over a distance (I think up to 1 mile) to see if you cover the distance under the set time, again the ticket is then sent to you by post. With all of these methods the penalty depends on how much you are breaking the speed limit by. If you are actually stopped my only advice would be to be courteous and polite, make sure you get out of the car(they like that for some reason) apologise, its then up to you whether you try to give a reason for your actions or not. On motorways, most police would not usually stop you unless you were going in excess of 80-85mph (assuming you are not driving dangerously) With the cameras etc they will usually give a margin of error over the speed limit before they fine you. I think in 30mph zones this is about 38mph. Penalties for uk residents include points (if you get 12 you are banned), fines and bans. Ways of avoidance and detection: radar& laser detectors, I have a snooper s5, plates which can not be flashphotographed, laser jammers ie snooper 920, you can also try putting a small block of wood under the right hand pedal....Ok so I was kidding about the last one! Good luck. | ||
| Ton Visser (Lion315)
New member Username: Lion315 Post Number: 45 Registered: 12-2002 |
Amar, France is OK on the toll-roads. There is not much traffic and not much police. Chances of getting caught in Belgium are low, but if they catch you the fine is high! In Holland you have to watch your step. It is a small crowded country with a relatively high number of speedenforcement-officers. If they catch you +50 (km/h) you have to leave your car behind. Italy is cool. Especially on the toll roads. Don't worry about those Fiat's with a blue light. I have no good information about Switzerland. Take care Ton | ||
| Bart Boonacker (Sharky666)
Junior Member Username: Sharky666 Post Number: 112 Registered: 9-2002 |
Well, here goes for my experiences on the dutch roads First off all you always have to look out for the flashboxes (don't know how to call them in english). The boxes on a pole, taking your "mug shot when speeding. Then you got the police cars that are standing along the road. Sometimes they even pretend to have a problem, like an open hood or distress signals. I normally just brake, like most of the Dutch do. It's just stupid to be flashed when you did saw the car standing. Also look at the viaducts, sometimes they are standing there with laser guns, they clock your speed and then a officer is just waiting for you to pass by and arrest you. Further I think you shouldn't be speeding on the Ring's around big cities like Amsterdam or Utrecht. And Holland is the only country were it's legal to have a Stinger (a radar-teller) Well I'm sorry for the bad english but I just couldn't find out what some words ment in English  Good luck on your journey | ||
| Amar Inam (Amar360)
New member Username: Amar360 Post Number: 37 Registered: 10-2002 |
Hi, What are people's recent experiences of police, how stringently they enforce speed limits, and tips on avoiding getting stopped (other than always following the speed limit)?! I am particularly interested in the situations in: - UK - France - Belgium - Holland - Italy - Switzerland Thanks! Amar |