The HPI Challenge WM in Southern France or
On adventure holiday with „the wild Hilde”
This small report refers not very strongly to actual running, but rather around the occurrences therefore. One should regard this text also with something humor and not take everything too seriously. This only in front, so that no wrong impression develops here. Everything clearly? OK ONE, the feather is pointedly enough, therefore it can start.
To 2. - 4.11.01 it should be finally so far. The first HPI WM in Europe, more exactly said in Southern France, stood on the plan. Then finally also 46 crazy RC-Car driver (inclusive companies) came together, who took and after Southern France wanted the strains voluntarily on itself. After some discussions was clear….the German team drives as „a TEAM” to France. And which would be there better than a nice small bus travel after orange/Southern France. Fortunately we had Karlheinz Scherer, who worried about the complete organization of the bus travel. In this way would like I me in names entire German teams again „Kalle” to thank you, even if not everything really perfectly ran, which was however not because of Kalle but rather to „the wild Hilde”, how the bus woman driver and at the same time also the owner were called by „Hildegard's travels”, affectionately by us. With it we should be carted then also to France….to be seen as in the title: It was an adventurous trip.
Anyhow it was constituted that all German drivers should meet on Thursday around 14Uhr at Ruesselsheim. This folded also except for two small exceptions, with which we do not want to deal here further. Anyhow the planned departure of the author of this small history from at home was selected nevertheless somewhat scarcely probably. Now yes, after we had stowed all away our luggage in the bus and to a beautiful cosy travel became we adjusted us unfortunately completely fast again by much too according to screeching female voting into the reality brought back. Our first contact with „Hildegard”. One is to make certain nevertheless kindly that one does not make so much dirt and only no crumbs on the corridor common. The cleaning even costs 2000 Marks and the bus a million Mark, whereby we could not really determine whether now the too close seats, which scratched doors or the much to soft shock absorber for that perhaps „something” at high price of this vehicle were responsible. WOW! Thus one makes oneself friends!
To loud Gegröle of the present RC-Car enthusiasts continued to be then direction border crossing Mühlhausen and from there to orange/Southern France. The trip became eventually a quite informal round and it was talked much, laughed and from time to time also times which alcoholic was drunk and/or „eaten”. The brothers S. had the glorious idea to shift a Wackelpudding with vodka which was taken up by present people with joy. Naturally only of the adults! The hilarious to be together was interrupted again and again suddenly by nevertheless somewhat the strange driving fashion of the bus woman driver, who probably meant that the three traces of a motorway in regular intervals and one would have to be crossed from time to time also times strongly brake, with it „the carbon brake disks” „1 million Mark” of the expensive bus remains warm and not cooling. I call something like that „unrhythmisches driving”, but we do not want to be unfriendly.
After 12 hours of trip and approximately exactly the same much granting break, we arrived at night at 2 o'clock in our hotel at Southern France. Fast the beds were referred, since at 8 o'clock direction hall should be in the morning.
On Friday tomorrow then gradually all drivers at the breakfast table arrived and in such a way could it punctually at 8 o'clock start. Before one could observe however still „the wild Hilde” in its bus, how she put a crass show to hot folk music rhythms on the parquet. Thus then also the nickname of Hildegard came off, which somebody chucked into the area. It should show itself still several times as direct hits.
In the hall arrived the places already reserved were referred and old acquaintance was welcomed by the European final in Ettlingen.
The schedule should begin on Friday with the edition of the material and 4 free trainings advances. With one hour delay happened this then also. In the morning there were still few problems with the group and the quartz organization, which dragged on into the afternoon. Possibly the organizer should make certain next time that with a world championship at least one person in race management can speak another language except French. By Patrick (the French HPI importer) the problems could be solved in the long run still and all were content.
The further process of the training was quite more unspectacular. Each driver tried to find a good setup for its car and zeroed in on the distance. The distance was actually very large, in addition, very wavy, which required completely different chassis attitude than in Ettlingen. Most of the German drivers came however very well thereby rightfully and all were very optimistic concerning the 4 qualification runs on Saturday. In the evening it went again with the bus back into the hotel. At the gourmet restaurant „to the golden M” a short stopover was inserted, which in the later process of the evening still than gross error should prove. Unfortunately the author can tell about the later process of the events in the bus, since he decided itself to go to foot on the search for a pizzeria these to not very much also found and the stomach fully plugged themselves. Anyhow it must be highly worked in the bus, since a majority of the drivers carried its meal forward and this had not fallen „the wild Hilde” too well. After violent discussions and the not really nice comments of two „black sheep”, which roared from the rear from the bus, the relationship between bus woman driver and RC-Car was driver on the low point. Fortunately Kalle with its negotiating skills could the thing still sort out and we had nevertheless not until Germany to then run. Thus then all drivers went on Friday evening reassuring to bed and prepared mentally and physically on the coming day.
When on Saturday tomorrow at 7.15 o'clock was departure at the hotel, all drivers appeared themselves also punctually. Everything? No, not all. Decided to do not hear the bell (in form of a mobile phone) and the bus without two meant people drove off two drivers in such a way. Now yes, after 25 minutes footpath arrived then also the author with the second person at 8.30 o'clock in the hall. Anyhow we could regard times the city center of orange somewhat more near.
With something delay then the advances and it began to be immediately seen were that the German drivers were very strong in the electrical classes. The drivers in the Nitro classes had something initial problems and came in such a way it the fact that with the verb racer drivers more screwed than was driven. In the end the day it was certain however that the German team in all 6 classes has entitled requirements on the world champion title. In the mini class, Andreas Kruse had to submit only scarcely the Greek Fotis Akalakapopolis (or like always also one writes). It missed the TQ position with only 38/100 seconds. In the sport class the Englishman Ricky Copsey with 8 could! Seconds the TQ position for itself claim. After a short entertainment with the German sport drivers it was however clear that he should not have it in the final ones so simply (naturally not related to unfair drivers, but rather on it, which the German drivers some more could add). Second behind Copsey was our European champion Christian „Homeboy” Mertke. In the pro class an Englishman could likewise secure itself the poles, but the Germans were close it on the heel. Rudi „parking lot driver” Haupert could secure itself in the Nitro sport class the TQ position. Michael Hamann had something problems with his engine, could itself however nevertheless still as seventh qualify for the A-final super Nitro Modified. In the Nitro Modified class had to submit the author only scarcely the Greek Jon Sotiropolis. With 8/10 seconds landed it at place 2. the prospects were thus more than rosy for the Sunday, on which the final should take place. So all drivers could drive reassuring back into the hotel and prepare for the driver flank in the evening. Unfortunately only half of the German drivers decided to participate in the flank. For those, which were there, it became however nevertheless a hilarious evening. The French importer had rented a large hall and scarcely 20-member volume, which provided the throughout evening for tendency. Thus then or other glass wine flowed by the throats of the thirsty drivers and it with the drivers from the other countries also actively conversed. With increasing consumption of alcohol then also the communication difficulties and everyone sank had a hilarious evening. The meal was not co-ordinated probably with German conditions, and so there was the hors-d'oeuvre only around 10Uhr ...... fish. At 23.00 o'clock was then served the main course. Subsequently, still another little cheese, which interested however most drivers no longer all too much.
Completely interesting also the statements of Jamie Booth, the Product were managers of HPI Europe, which had nevertheless bad difficulties toward end of the flank to understand the English of a certain Liza Möhler (name of the editorship changed) which () is very well powerful otherwise the English language. Thus then Lalle became” and from Andy „AAAAAAAAAndy” also from Kalle „. Well yes, the alcohol just ....... he goes off!
At 0.30 o'clock the author decided to leave then, the party with the Englishmen, really succeeded, in order to go still on the search for a sip beer. At the exit still Patrick, the French HPI importer, expected us and asked us completely flabbergastedly, why we wanted to go. The dessert would not have been served still at all ....... in France is just all somewhat different. After successful search we found then still another small bar, in which we completely surprisingly still another few other participant of the German team met. Over the further circumstances in this small „red” bar I would not like to express myself. Anyhow we are trotted after a half hour of direction hotel and have ourselves on the ear.
Sunday tomorrow 7,50 o'clock ...... shits, already again the bus missed. And these headache! Fortunately it had not so strongly gotten me, as mean Swabian/Swiss room comrade, who let himself go the previous evening again strongly through the head. With hearing the somewhat strange noises from the bath was clear me: „That could last longer”. Thus moved, bag packed and the way the distance made. This time with the taxi….one learns from its errors. With the arrival in the hall one saw then also or other suffering-troubled face, which was to be attributed with security to the previous evening. Thus there were then also no special occurrences more in the morning. The lower finals were driven and the majority of the drivers concentrated to prepare their cars for the finals and not to move the heads too hectically. But which I wanted to still say you: The 30 minutes final of Nitro vehicles in a hall can condemned strongly at the nerves live! At 11.30 o'clock reached me then of SMS of my room neighbour. The original wording corresponded approximately to that the following: Also there „are in 20 minutes. Now my resolution is certain: Never more alcohol.” Now yes, after 30 minutes I am then times gone before the hall and there was actual he. Zusammengekauert on a chair he murmured something from the fifth time to run over soon after quite purposefully to the next hall wall and ...... good, which further part can one probably imagine.
Meanwhile the first passage of the electrical A-finals had run and it did not see not badly out for the Germans. Now the first large verb racer decision lined up. The Nitro stick A-final. After a furious race to catch up and an exciting fight for the point, our parking lot driver Rudi Haupert could secure itself the first world champion title of the day. Super Rudi! The joy in the German team was corresponding and large and with Rudi surely not the wrong one met. It continued to go with the next world champion title in the class Electric mini. Here Andreas Kruse could likewise secure himself the victory in the second A-final after a furious race to catch up. Surely also with the assistance some German drivers, who apparently knew still exactly, what on the European final with a certain Austrian happened there. Well, life is tough and small sins punishes the gentleman only later… or so similarly. One saw discussing in then in the evening however still with a part of the German mini team and home came he also well. Thus sponge over it. After the Andreas's first A-final had already decided for itself, it was certain thus already prematurely as a world champion. Hey, already two titles… to it one can get accustomed nevertheless.
And it should go also still further. In the Electric following on it sport A-final could secure itself Sebastian Fränzschky the world champion title likewise promptly and Dominik Bauer reads themselves rags and did not achieve in the second pro A-final its second victory and thus likewise the world champion title. Stop! Stop! Take in account….1, 2, 3, 4? 4! Exactly, four world champion titles were already firm in German hand. Still the Nitro remained pro and the super Nitro pro class. With Nitros Michael Hamann had the super unfortunately something problems with its engine, could however nevertheless still up to place three move forward.
Achso, the Nitro pro class….now well, the author meant it just well with his competitors and overlooks the Greek Jon Sotiropulos the victory in this class. There this dumb pit lane closing would not have been. Why the straight must stand, where I want to drive with my car.
Thus then also the final day without further special occurrences went toward to its end. With the award ceremony strongly was jubilant and one distributed massively prices and the winners. Possibly one should consider oneself before however as manufacturers of products and also sponsor of an event, what there one gives the drivers. Sometimes quality is just better than quantity. A Sanyo 3000HV would have been surely better than three old Panasonic P3000 cells in the blue heat shrink sleeve. But somehow the camp must be empty-vacated. The silver packing the quantity of the Competition including contents made itself however good in the cups of the electrical class winners then nevertheless quite.
After the award ceremony there was a small surprise then still for our organization miracle Kalle, about which he was then pleased also very much and was also obviously agitated. For all those, which were not thereby. Over Sunday the German little money collected and this on a freshpainted body (natural in Kalles new design) stuck. Additionally still all people of the German team on a T-shirt signed, which was then presented Kalle in a large box.
Now it to the return journey and everyone went already looked forward to „the wild Hilde”. After the additional building sets and other luggage were stowed away in the bus went it already in the rapid speed on the journey home. Travels home? Not completely, the suddenly reduced the speed of the bus and on the right side the football stadium of Olympique Lyon, shortly after the final whistle of a play appeared itself. Uppss….probably easily muddled, that the stadium lies already nearly in the city center of Lyon. After short confirmation from the front bus rows was clear: „We (Hildegard) proceeded ourselves.”. Normally thinking humans would come now on the idea, in an Atlas or a map for checking where it go along. The existed however not, but only one expression of the General German Automobile Association Routenplaners. Thus it arrived anyhow in the rear bus rows. 1 hour and 5 tollgates later were we then after a bold turning maneuver on a small crossing the correct motorway. , It only enters that in France to the correct motorway or two motorways in this area. It belonged thus already some at brains to proceed itself here.
Now well, it continued then more or less briskly and so slowly arose „an easy” sensation of hunger with the drivers. Thus we held at the first rest place, which then however as stupid parking lot turned out. The men emptied themselves, and it continued. 10 minutes later then stop at a gas station….juhuuu….MEAL! However the door of the bus was not opened for us. „This is only one stop, so that the female company of Mr. Z can. briefly on the loo. “Achso, well then. „However one can go to short nevertheless times into the tanks and which to meals to get. “, „NO! We want to drive on equal and to make in 40 minutes a large stop. “, „Grrrr .......”. 35 minutes later we reached then completely starved out the next rest yard. The complete German crew filled its stomachs and provided with food for the trip. Unfortunately the bus woman driver did not get her meal. After the request to give her the meal in vain since she is finally the bus woman driver, the operation took the plate again into the hand and placed it back into the kitchen. Well yes, long-distance truck drivers get the meal not in vain more cheaply,… Thus it went finding then again back into the bus and each tried over the night little sleep. At o'clock there were 6 in the morning then with Freiburg the last stopover and also a driver change. Already when starting this warm comforting feeling came on….finally someone, which can drive also bus. The driving fashion from two people nevertheless so drastically to differ can, nobody in the bus would probably have thought. Thus it came then also the fact that the majority of the drivers slept through the last two hours completely and not by any unnecessary brakings, track switchings or unrhythmischer driving fashion always the sleep was torn. Thanks again to the unknown bus driver, whose name unfortunately not until into the rear numbers of the bus penetrated.
At 8 o'clock we arrived then at Ruesselsheim. After we had to stand for still 10 minutes in cold weather and that remained verwährt for us access to our luggage (for „bus decrease” and examination of cleanliness by the wild Hilde), we could begin finally still the rest of the journey home. Some still pulled it to a breakfast in the Rüsselsheimer McDonalds. Unfortunately there were there no more forks, which the operation (only broken German spoke and which instructions after
in the back in Turkish language did not pass on) however particularly cared. So we had BREAK nearly to take the Big with a McFlurry spoon to us. For me as Rüsselsheimer nothing special, but the foreign people was surely nevertheless very startled that the prices were excellent not only in EUROS, but also in Turkish national currency.
Thus then an interesting weekend went in the end. If one lets the complete events happen again to revue thinks I however that the trip was quite worthwhile itself to France. Anyhow it has me a giant joke made and in such a way we on the next LRP-HPI Challenge running (for the group of center driver) or at the latest in Eppelheim to the TCM (for the rest) will again probably meet. This time however without wine….
Greetings
Andy Krämer