The First Trip To Dax

Having ordered the chassis, suspension kit and brake kit in April the time had come to make the long trip from Banchory, Scotland to Dax in Harlow, England in order to pick up and return with my first part of the Tojeiro jig saw.

Like a pilgrim about to venture forth on his long trip to Mecca I equipped myself with the required essentials for such a journey, an M3 player stashed with favourite tunes, flasks of black coffee, Map of UK and several boxes of Mcvities Jaffa cakes.

I picked up the Luton 3.5MT box van from Practical car hire in Aberdeen. Having noted the shape of the van I soon realised the journey was to be long and ardous as the forecast was for high winds and rain and as all will know the Luton is as aerodynamic as a brick.

I left Banchory at 1500hrs and arrived in Harlow the following morning at 0800hrs (17hrs). Total distance to Harlow was 500miles Therefore including stops, wind resistance and traffic jams my average speed was 29mph!

Even so I was a fully fledged member of the wide awake club as I ventured through the main doors of the Dax Headquarters fuelled by the adrenaline of seeing the first part of my Cobra.

I was met by Simon who ushered me through to the workshop to glimpse the chassis for the first time. That was when the reality hit me that I would have a bit of work to do as I gazed on the chassis and mound of boxes sat beside it containing all the associated parts to build the rolling chassis.