EURO2001 ROUTE BOOK

Welcome to Euro2001..! We hope that after the previous hugely successful tours (JJ99, Scandi2000 and The Haggis Hunt earlier this year), this tour will be every bit as enjoyable for all of you. There are only two things we need to do every day! One is to make sure your car starts in the morning and the second one is to have fun!

1. For the veterans of the previous tours, where the route books had been checked 100% and included tulip maps of every turn, you’re in for a shock. Although a large part of the route has been the subject of some very fast reconnaissance in some exotic machinery, the routes enclosed have been put together mostly using AutoRoute Express. While we acknowledge that AutoRoute produces pretty good instructions, our experience has shown they may not always be accurate. Therefore we strongly recommend that you use them as a guide, noting the major points that you need to pass en route, then refer to a good map.

2. The “Blay Foldex book map of France” available from local supermarkets is good and is the right size for use in a Se7en. The “Michelin France” book is also excellent but a bit of a handful in the wind.

3. Where possible we have tried to choose pretty routes that are off the beaten track and give a good mix of nice view as well as good Se7en type roads.

4. On the recce the locals were very friendly and it would be nice to keep it that way. While 1 or 2 cars making a noise and travelling fast may be acceptable, between 10 & 20 in a couple of batches can be a bit wearing. So please, WATCH THE SPEED LIMITS in the towns and villages and give a thought to the locals. We do not want to come the attention of the local police.

5. It is understood that if you are caught doing in excess of 40kph over the limit they will shortly change the law so that they can withdraw your licence. As it is the fine can be up to £600 so beware.

6. During the recce we nearly came unstuck on a couple of occasions when going fast over blind crest of hills. They have a habit of having minor road junctions just the other side and with a tractor or something crossing slowly it can be dodgy. So again, beware..!!!

7. Also although you normally have priority over traffic joining from a minor road on the right this is NOT always the case. So again, beware, and always drive with the expectancy that they will pull out. Although the regulations are changing, some of the older drivers ignore them!!!

8. For those of you not familiar with driving in France, the two road signs that are of most use when entering towns are TOUT DIRECTIONS and CENTRE VILLE. The first is obvious but if you still get lost in a town, follow the second and from the town centre you can normally pick up the signs you need again. Also look out for the "I" for Information as the Tourist Offices are normally in the centre and very helpful.

9. If you are stopping at a restaurant for lunch DO NOT leave it too late. The French tend to eat early and after 2pm the chef may have pushed off!!!

HAVE FUN!!! (Euro2001 Tour Committee)