Cider Bashers Meet - Somerset

[Mad Ax]

UPDATE!!

Date now chosen: 24th August

Location: Ham Hill, Stoke-Sub-Hamdon, TA14

MAP to location: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&...mp;t=h&z=17

OK peeps it's time for another SOMERSET MEET for all us cider-luvin' westcountry types, and because we're a friendly bunch, EVERYONE ELSE is welcome too, EVEN if you don't bring any cider with you. You only need to bring a keen and healthy interest in off-road RC and some vehicles capable of handling the terrain.

First-up we need some date suggestions. Probably best to arrange this one for a weekend in AUGUST. Sundays seem to be better for most people (I can do sats or suns) but if you have a particular date you'd like to suggest or any dates you can't possibly make, throw them down and we'll do our best to pick a date that everyone can attend.

30th/31st Aug is not good for me but any others should be fine

Secondly we need a location. This is our usual place:

HAM HILL, YEOVIL, deepest darkest Somerset

Pros:

Excellent grassy areas for all off-road vehicles

Steep hills and banks for mud-crawling and power-climbing

Some rocks for rock-crawling

Some paths for scale trailing

Some small tarmac for drifting / the obligatory M-chassis race!!

Toilet facilities

Free parking

PUB!

Cons:

Can get very busy with walkers on sunny days (although we've never had any problems or complaints and the public always show a keen and respectful interest)

No nitros (it's a country park and I imagine people would get upset)

Parking can be busy (although there are overflow car parks that we've never needed to visit)

Can be very exposed in cold / windy weather

Long journey for the South Wales Fraternity (they have to pay to go home, too)

However I'm open to further suggestions if anyone has anything nearer Bristol or Bath (a more central location for all Cider Bashing Members and more importantly, where I live). Needs to have good parking for a plethora of full-sized vehicles, and ideally some fun off-road terrain. (I dunno if it's just me but tarmac just gets boring after a while!)

I'm also open to ideas for semi-organised "events" (depending on numbers) - we usually just arrive, unpack and bash until we've run out of packs, but it might be fun if we had some kind of voluntary "structure" to the day - so for example we can start with a buggy race, then have a monster jam, then a lunchbox bash, some hill-climbing contests, a shell crush and an M-chassis tournament. I'm just throwin' stuff out so if anyone has any ideas (or would just prefer to turn up and bash) then throw them on the table

[Lemming]

Hi all,

Unfortunately we're off on holiday on the 30th for a week, so can't make it then.

Also, we're at a famiy bash on the 16th (Saturday) so probably takes out both the 16th and 17th.

On that basis I think maybe plan this meet without us (first one we will have missed) as that only leaves 2nd/3rd, 9th/10th and 23rd/24th.

All the best

Steve

EDIT: Just thought I'd add that I love the planned running idea. I have a peg board prepared from previous meets, and having the same sort of vehicles running would enable me to take more video/photo's of more vehicles rather than running mine all the time! Might also get some footage of mine running for once. Good plan for the net one I make, even if it isn't in August.

[Mad Ax]

Hi Steve there's still 3 weeks that you are able to attend, so if others can make those dates you might still be able to come along

If you'll trust me with your video camera (I was once a semi-pro stunt photographer ) I'll try to get some footage of your vehicles in motion.

If anyone is still in touch with Hillman666 or DJDerk then give them a shout, haven't seen them at a meet for a while

[Rabiedmushroom]

The last weekend in August is really bad for travelling in Somerset; its packed with holidaymakers and caravans over the Bank Holiday period.

1st weekend not good for me & Alex cus we're off to a weekend long Mini show camp-out.

But middle of the month sounds cool to me

I've got those little orange cones for laying a course. Plus the battered Mini shells for Monster Crush.

Has anyone got or can make a ramp?

[Mad Ax]

I can possibly make a flat ramp, I'll have a look at what bits of old wood my old man has got in his garage. However what is really needed is a proper curved ramp for proppa air. Dunno if I'll be able to make one of those without buying some fibreboard, and I only spend my money on RC goodness

[ryanbored]

Hi guys- I can make it all weekends bar the 3rd, as we're having our southern crawler bash that weekend. Would be great to put some faces to the gibberish we all type

Ryan

[HereBeMonsters]

I would definitely make the trip for this if I'm around. Trouble is I'm away 3 of the 5 weekends in August!

Is there adequate terrain for retro buggies? I don't think I'll have the Mini-Crawler by then.

[Lemming]

I would definitely make the trip for this if I'm around. Trouble is I'm away 3 of the 5 weekends in August!

Is there adequate terrain for retro buggies? I don't think I'll have the Mini-Crawler by then.

What weekends are bad for you?

I ran my Avante there, plus my Dyna Storm and Top Force go well on the short grass too...

Hi guys- I can make it all weekends bar the 3rd, as we're having our southern crawler bash that weekend. Would be great to put some faces to the gibberish we all type

Ryan

If people really want me there as well , then it looks like the 1st (Suzy being a pain ), 3rd (me, Richytanimal, parents, Ryan are busy) and 5th (me, MadAx and traffic being pains ) weekends are out.

Therefore, any thoughts on the following options:

9th / 10th

23rd / 24th

I personally prefer Sundays, as it gives me Saturday for running around (eg stuff for the missus) and battery charging

As usual, it would be me, the missus and baby Evan. Hopefully my parents and Richytanimal

Cheers

Steve

[Wrc action]

9th/10th and 23rd/24th sounds like a good one, However I work saturday mornings 9-1 however with the market as it is I might be able to get the final hour off so be dwn around 2 ish. I will be able to make it down and possibly Williamson Senior as well, that is if there isnt any green laning going on that weekend as I heard something about it from dad in mid august so I will check it out.

cheers

Ryck

[Lemming]

I personally prefer Sundays where possible, and with Ryck also working Saturday mornings then maybe look at the 10th or the 24th...?

Most people arrive between 10am and 11am, but people are welcome to arrive whenever. I normally make it about 12 as it takes 2 hours to get there and I have to get the baby ready first.

How are people fixed on those dates?

Steve

[Bag Of Badgers]

Either date is good, would prefer the 10th but we will go with the flow. Sundays are the best for us, work and all that (also time to get things fixed if we have a run on Saturday ).

Shame we wont be able to fly the Nitros but that leaves more space for the other cars!!!! Got a complete set of 27 MHz crystals now, so no conflicts of bands.

Mad Ax, did you used to work in the Dixons in Bath 4-5 years ago?

[Mad Ax]

10th and 24th good for me

Badger, I've never worked in Dixons in any location, although I have worked near Bath centre for the last 4 years so I have become something of a local fixture during my lunchbreaks. People come from the world over to take pictures of me walking past the Abbey.

[matisse]

Hi all,

back in the saddle, the later weekend in aug is better for me.

matisse

[Wrc action]

Shall we go for the 24th then, thats a whole week and a half after my A levels come out so hopefully I shall have recovered by then :L

What does everyone plan to bring?

Cheers

Ryck

[Lemming]

24th sounds good to me Can Bag of Badgers make it as well...?

I'm theoretically able to bring the following as they are supposed to be all working:

Onroad

M03 Mini - definite

M03L BMW Mini - definite

FF-01 FTO Brushless - definite

Kyosho Ferrari 250 GTO - possible

Offroad

Hummer - definite

TLT - definite

Brushless Top Force - possible

Dyna Storm - possible

Bonkers stuff

E-Maxx - definite

Others

Kyosho Mini Inferno - possible

RC18T - possible

Will see what happens as to how many / what I manage to bring along. Definite on the E-Maxx, Hummer and TLT. The rest will have to be checked and will see what happens (and how much room / how many batteries I have free)...

Steve

EDIT: Car list will be updated as "- possible" or "- definite" as I know more...

[Bag Of Badgers]

Yep!!

[Mad Ax]

24th it is !!

Will try to bring:

Onroad

M03 Acto-Powered Suzuki WagonR

Rally

Probably RZ-powered TB01

Possibly BZ-powered Suzuki Swift Rally

Offroad

Dark Impact BZ

Schumacher Shotgun 19t

F150 Crawler 55t

Bonkers Stuff

14.4v Dagger (if the CVDs hold together and the steering doesn't go vague again and I can solder the capacitors back on)

Might bring plenty of other stuff but don't know what yet.

[ryanbored]

Quality- I'll be able to make it for then!

Will try to bring:

Onroad

Mini M-03

Rally

Probably TA-02 Pilot cosworth if I still have it (currently in the "For Sale" Section)

Offroad

Hilux crawler (Current Project)

Axial Crawler

Bonkers Stuff

Losi Desert Racer

Let me know if anyone needs a lift from the Bournemouth area

[Lemming]

Quality- I'll be able to make it for then!

Will try to bring:

Onroad

Mini M-03

Rally

Probably TA-02 Pilot cosworth if I still have it (currently in the "For Sale" Section)

Offroad

Hilux crawler (Current Project)

Axial Crawler

Bonkers Stuff

Losi Desert Racer

Let me know if anyone needs a lift from the Bournemouth area

Be nice to meet you Ryan!

From memory, Shaun (Hillman666) is from down by you. Haven't seen him at a bash for some time. Will see whether he is up for this one

Steve

[ryanbored]

DJDerk is from my way too- I might see him tonight, I'll see if he's up for it

Also where will everyone be meeting? After a read thru I couldn't see a location. Is there a pub there?!

[HereBeMonsters]

Unfortunately I will be at Reading Festival on the 24th, having just got back from the Nurburgring.

Have fun guys, sure I'll meet you at some point.

[Mad Ax]

DJDerk is from my way too- I might see him tonight, I'll see if he's up for it

Also where will everyone be meeting? After a read thru I couldn't see a location. Is there a pub there?!

Map now posted at the thread start

Very easy location, just off the A303. The hill itself is clearly visible for miles around, you can't miss it.

There is a pub in the actual park itself which I've never been in, it usually looks quite busy of a weekend. Oftentimes peeps will call it at another pub on the way out of the location.

Recommended to bring a warm jacket even if it's a nice day; we've had some cracking sunshine there but if the clouds come over it gets a bit chilly. Bring some snacky foods and fizzy pops to keep you going; there are public toilets on the site too.

[Mad Ax]

Shame you can't be with us Monsters, hopefully you can make the next one

[chef_bikes]

Cool, I might even make this one!

In terms of alternative venues for next time, have you thought of Sand Bay, just north of Western-super-Mare? There is a good mile of open empty beach (for some reason everyone goes to the crowded Weston Beach), with sand, shingle, grass and sandy paths ideal for all sorts. At one end is a headland with loads of flat short grass, rocks and more, plus a hidden bay full of fantastic rocks, and at the other end is another headland with a woods with loads of great climbs and a hard packed sand BMX trackl (which I've never seen anyone use). To top it off there are decent car parks at both ends of the bay and one in the middle.

Chef

[Wrc action]

Quality- I'll be able to make it for then!

Will try to bring:

Rally

Probably TA-02 Pilot cosworth if I still have it (currently in the "For Sale" Section)

Well thats good, I am currently good for the following items.

- TB01 rally car, will put it in fully rally spec and perhaps give it a little rebuild as its seen a hard few months of gravel workout.

- Schlesser Buggy, hopefully with the new tyres that fusion are getting me from germany.

- Support truck - thats if I can get around to sorting out all the electrics in there.

For dad it will be his landy and the TB01 should he be coming, ow and in his landy most likely

Cheers

Ryck