Arrived at Bruntingthorpe and realised I didn't have any cash, how far out of the way is that place! Hoped that I could find a petrol station with a cash point, after driving around numerous villages and towns with no joy I asked a local, about 10 miles down there in Market Harborough!!! or the village shop does cashback if you spend a fiver, sorted.
So back to the testing ground, now nearly 45 minutes after the agreed meeting time, driving in I noticed lots of Dacia banners, my favourite was 'Beware Penguins Ahead....................Only Kidding', not sure why but it did make me chuckle (Oh and it was STILL there after I left).
So I'm expecting the crowd from Dacia Forum to be all set up and waiting for me but no I was the only one there!
Pulled up outside the main building for a quick photo or two before finding where we were supposed to be setting up.
The gang finally turned up and we set up.
Well what a brilliant day, lots to see and do. Test drives, Twizzys, off roading, the Rugby Dusters and the aircraft museum.
We think there were over 300 Dacias there on the day and many with multiple occupants meant there were loads of people about, also meant queues for the test drives, off roading and Twizzys. I'd originally booked to test drive a 4x4 Duster, but thought as there were so many people wanting to drive them I'd let someone else take my slot.
Also lots of visitors to the forum stand kept us all busy, chatting about the mods to Dave, Geriants Stepway and Stus Duster. The day flew by and we had a fantastic time.
When everyone started drifting off at the end of the day it gave us chance to try out a few things, I had wanted to take Dave around the test track but was told due to insurance issues I couldn't, however I could take one of Dacia's Stepways around, I asked instead if I could try the Duster 4x4.
So i was given the instructions, filter out using the coned lane, 5 laps, maximum speed 50 mph (cough). So off I went, the Duster drove brilliantly, love the six speed box, not sure if the brakes were power assisted or just new compared to Dave as the first time I hit them the car stopped on a sixpence. Back to the test drive, second lap, time to see how the body roll compared to Dave, a nice wide track so 75 through a couple of the sweeping turns felt stable despite the roll. Chucking it through the twisty turns showed how well it handled and I could hear the tyres protesting slightly. That six speed box meant three digits were attainable on the long runway. Would need to get used to the gearing though compared to Dave as I changed down a couple of times at slightly too higher speeds to benefit. So overall I'm impressed with it, but Dave won't be leaving for a long time.
Did I mention Twizzys earlier......for those that don't know they are Renault's two seater electric town car.
Now the Twizzys were being test driven around a small go-gart circuit, I had a quick go first thing before the show opened but the track was wet following a heavy shower and although fun, I wanted to try them in the dry. Come the end of the day however, despite various recharges most of them were flat.....except the little yellow Jolyon Palmer Renault Racing liveried one.
So four laps later, using the rumble strips and as much of the track that there was, oh and lifting a wheel a few times I returned to the pits. We're still not sure if the burning smell was the tyres or the electric motor!
So after a fabulous day, everyone went home, but before I left I did what Dave does best and got him into some great photo locations.
So all in all a brilliant day out, any of your Dacia owners who missed out, make sure you get along to the 2017 event (s) and finally a massive THANK YOU to Dacia UK for organising things.
