Job Discussion Forums

[Grrrmachine]

Im certainly not trying to beg money from all of you guys, Im merely trying to provide some unusual entertainment for your students:

http://www.syrenasquad.com

Next month Im driving a Syrena Bosto to Mongolia as part of the Mongol Rally. If you want to mention this in your classes, feel free.

Of course, if any of you want to donate a little something, it'll go to charity of course, and if you teach in a business, mention the sponsorship to them

Aside from that, just wish me luck. These Polish motors really are astounding to drive. And for all those Warsaw-based, pop round for a cuppa and I'll take you for a spin...

[Tumteetum]

HAHA, Brilliant. 2 questions:

1 How do we sponsor you?
2 Will you have Internet access to keep us updated on the way?

Well ok, just one question

Best of Luck!


EDIT: Ok I see the sponsor link on your site!

[Pollux]

The thing is awesome! Probably won't have to worry about it being stolen.

[Grrrmachine]

Just to keep this fresh, the Syrena Squad will be appearing in the next edition of the Polish-language "Classic Auto" as well as the English-speaking "New Warsaw Express", in case any of you feel like checking it out

[Alex Shulgin]

[Grrrmachine]

not quite sure I get you, Alex

[Grrrmachine]

Anyway, for anyone interested, the Syrena will be leaving Warsaw on Saturday for Prague, and then coming back to Poland on Monday. The route splits in two directions, with some teams (inc me) going to Krakow for the evening, and some going to Warsaw. So keep an eye out for a squad of right-hand drive badly repaired bangers rumbling around a city near you.

[Pollux]

Can you give an update on the trip?

What happened?

Did you run out of oil somewhere in Ukraine?

Would love to hear the story. Don't let the truth get in the way.

[Grrrmachine]

Well, I got to Russia, but the Syrena wasnt so lucky. It was perfectly healthy driving down to Checkpoint 2 in Prague, but the one-way system and flyover ramps on the way out were too much for the gearbox, which eventually jammed itself in 2nd.
Eight Prague garages refused to touch it, so I tried to nurse it to a mechanic back in Poland, still in 2nd, until the engine gasped its last somewhere between Prague and Nysa. So I ended up hitching rides with other teams to continue the rally for myself (silly to waste 200 quidsworth of visas, after all)

It seems that on both sides of the Czech-Poland border, the "nie ma" attitude prevails - people were only prepared to help if I waved zlotys in faces, and after a while (including the tow truck quote that leapt from 600zl to 2000zl to trailer the car to Wroclaw) it just got too much and the Syrena had to be abandonned. I'll definately do it next year, although not necessarily in a Syrena, but the car did win the "Crappest Car" award, which on the Mongol Rally equates to "Best Car."

[Pollux]

I'm glad that it was a mechanical failure and not a failure of spirit.

Next year's trip might bring about some sponsorship for a good cause if you advertise early. You had the right idea but it was late in the season.

Should you come up with a reasonable proposal, you should get some sponsors .

I, for one, would like to sponsor you, or join you if possible.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrr

[Grrrmachine]

I actually approached sponsors in March, but got a Polish amount of interest (I hereby suggest "Polish" as a quantifying adjective.) I have a huge amount of options this year in terms of vehicle - I'd love to promote the Clic car if they will provide the vehicle; otherwise it might be a Wartburg, a Haflinger or even a Multicar M22.

And if you want to join in (and have a bit of mechanical knowledge) you're more than welcome!