Hi everyone
After delays caused by the complexity of the number of options available, Christmas holidays, man flu and waiting for the Porsche factory to get back to me I am pleased (and relieved!) to be able to finally let you know where I'm up to with plans for your visit to Dinslaken...
From the posts in this topic and experience from previous years the following has become obvious to me:
- - Most of you have made your own arrangements for hotels in Oberhausen (Dinslaken) and Stuttgart.
- I have always sold the entrance tickets at cost price. Collecting money for the tickets, administering the payments in my accounts, chasing slow payers, having to deal with refunds, etc. has taken me a lot of time for no reward.
- Including the chance to visit to Spa and Stuttgart has been popular.
So this is what I've come up with (there is a lot to read because there are a lot of options!)...
Overview
It's pretty likely that anyone reading this topic will already know what this event is all about but for other people who may not be a 911uk member I have set up
this page on my website.
Options
As I've said above, lots of people want different things so rather than try to do the impossible and satisfy everyone with one itinerary I have a created a list of things you can choose from. A proposed itinerary which includes all of the 'standard' options is
here and
here.
If you want to do something else on your way to or from Dinslaken please let me know and I'll be happy to help.
Behind the scenes at Spa Francorchamps
This has to be on Monday 29th because the rest of the week the circuit is closed while they get ready for the WEC weekend.
The costs of the tour are fixed regardless of the number of cars taking part so based on 2018 I have assumed there will be 12 cars. If there are less the price will need to be adjusted.
- 1 night bed and breakfast
- Private guided tour of Spa Francorchamps including 2 laps of the circuit
- Twin or double room per person £96
- Single room per person £129
The circuit want me to confirm the booking by 31 January. It will be possible to add people after that date but to guarantee the tour can go ahead please register your interest with me BEFORE 30 January.
Stuttgart
Some of you have indicated you want to do the Porsche factory tour on Tuesday morning and others on Thursday afternoon so I have booked provisionally reserved both.
The costs of the tour will not be known until we have final numbers. A private tour with an English speaking guide cost €60 + €8 for each person (so if 10 of you it will be €14 per person). The tours are to be paid for at the museum when you arrive so we will need 1 volunteer ON EACH DAY to collect everyone's €s and pay for the tickets.
The tour lasts 2 hours. The start times are TBC at the moment but, depending on availability when our numbers are known it will be:
- Tuesday 10.30 or 11.30. Hopefully we can have 10.30 to allow time for lunch in Restaurant Christophorus afterwards.
- Thursday 13.30 or 14.30.
Each group is limited to a maximum of 25 people.
Unfortunately Restaurant Christophorus is not open Mondays so if you are doing the factory tour on the Tuesday tour you will not be able to eat there, unless you go for lunch on Tuesday. Another option would be to eat there Tuesday evening then drive to Dinslaken Wednesday morning which will still give you plenty of time to see everything at the show (Stuttgart to Dinslaken is approx 4hrs driving time).
I have provisionally reserved a table at Restaurant Christophorus for 8pm Thursday for those of you visiting Stuttgart after Dinslaken.
If you want to take part in a factory tour please let me know by MONDAY 21 JANUARY so I can confirm the slot(s) with Porsche. I am sorry for the short notice! It should be possible to add people after Monday but it's important we secure the slot(s) before they go.
Dinslaken
In previous years the organisers have insisted payment is made up front to guarantee a parking/display area in the centre of the arena. However because they now trust me and know that if I say there will be 20 cars then 20 cars will turn up they have agreed you can pay in cash on the gate this year (€30 for 1 car with a maximum of 2 people).
Your parking/display area is in usual place - see bottom left of the arena in the following image.
What next?
Please let me know what you would like to do as soon as possible, especially if that includes the visit to Spa or a factory tour.
I know a list in this topic will be useful so you can all see who is doing what but you must also COMPLETE THIS SIMPLE BOOKING FORM so I have all of the information I need.
If you're still reading this then thank you for persevering! I hope it all makes sense... :wink:
If you have any questions, want me to help with your hotel arrangements for the above or any routes to/from Dinslaken you have in mind please feel free to ask here, complete
the booking form or
send me an email.
Cheers,
L'rs