SCOTTISH ELISES AT TUT TOWERS 2001

PICTURES AND VIDEO

Author : Kelvin Hughes

Vicky and sproglets are away to Spain to see her folks this week so I have had loads of time to type up a very long report of the weekend. Anything to avoid the long list of chores she has left me. (-:

What a fantastic weekend, Vicky and I had a great time. I've been on a fair few runs with our group over the last 2 years and this was one of the best and certainly most memorable. Massive thanks to Tut (and
helpers) for all the organisation and of course special thanks to Verian for all her hard work (and the kids who were on dish washing duty)  It was also great to meet so many Elise owning new friends from all over the UK. Also special mention to one of Tut's kids and his Whoopee cushion. He got someone in the dining room "frrrrrrp" and almost pee'd himself laughing. Made me giggle a bit too (-:

Great night on track at KH if a little busy at times. The 2 Scooby drivers and Skyline driver (although less so) were completely out of order. The move they pulled on Robin at the hairpin was ridiculously
stupid and it was only Robin taking avoiding action that saved an accident. There were a few spins around the place (I think Mr Lovie span at every corner over the 2 hours twice in front of me (-:) I was
well impressed with some of our Southern friends who were going round at a fair old lick given it was their first time at KH. Judging by the big grins all round everyone had a great time. As John Stewart pointed out, it was great to see 40+ Elise's and a few Scooby's on track 'cause it's normally the other way round. I had a great time as always, very well organised Tut given the numbers. I never tire of KH learning something new every visit.

As I predicted Vicky and I didn't get out of the house until gone 9am on Sat. Usual mayhem trying to get the kids fed, watered and dressed (twice in Ben's case as he barfed all over his dungarees - we sing Ben the Barfer to the tune of Bob the Builder in our family) As a result we didn't leave my mum's until well after 10.30am. Rather than try to catch up with the pack (fat chance) I decided to try and intercept them en-route and figured that either Grantown-on-Spey or Tomintoul would the best place going up via Braemar stopping into the Invercauld Hotel for lunch, which was the lunch stop on the route down on Sunday.

We went up the A9 turning off at Greenloaning on the A822 via Crief then onto Aberfeldy, back onto the A9 pulling off again at Pitlochry onto the A924 towards Tarvie. We then pulled off onto the B950 at Kirkmichael and then North onto the A93 towards Braemar. The B950 was an excellent little road, lots of left right twisties and roller coaster up and down sections, the kind of road the Elise was made for. It's only few miles long, which was just as well as after 2 miles of this Vicky started to feel very car sick and we had to pull over for 15 mins. She was also getting a bit annoyed at the speed I was driving at (which wasn't that fast as she later discovered (-:) As a result, I had to slow right down on the A93 up to Braemar where we stopped for lunch at the Invercauld Hotel. We actually set the hotel staff into a panic when we burbled into the car park as they thought they had got the days wrong! A quick call to Peter established that the pack had also stopped for lunch at the Isles of Glencoe. Looking at their route plan after the lunch stop, I figured we had time for a leisurely lunch and still be able to go all the way round to Grantown to wait on the convoy at Speybridge. After lunch Vicky felt much better and gave me permission to pick up the pace again (-:

The route North from Braemar to Tomintoul (A93, B976, A939) took us up the road everyone would be coming down on Sunday. What an absolutely stunning series of roads. The blind crests on corners are a real test of faith and the long sweeping bends are simply sublime. As I said, Vicky was feeling a lot better and started to enjoy the drive. We arrived in Tomintoul much earlier than I had anticipated (mainly cos I was allowed to go a bit quicker and no traffic) so decided to keep going to Grantown to wait on everyone. The route (B970) brought them out at a t-junction on the A95 to then head South on the A939 to Tomintoul and as luck would have there was a perfect place to park up and wait. About 20 mins later, away in the distance,we could hear the familiar sound of an Elise Sports exhaust in it's full throaty symphony, then another, and another until there was an almost constant rising and falling series of exhaust notes. It took a full five minutes for the first car to appear around the corner quickly followed by a couple of yellow cars (one with 2 green stripes running the full length of the car) Over the next 10 minutes 20+ plus cars appeared, raced up to the junction, paused (looking at the map no doubt), signaled then shot off. About half turned right and half turned left (-: Peter B followed shortly thereafter and let me know that the rest of the convoy had actually turned off the route onto a local road further back to join the A939 further down.  After 10 mins or so we joined up with the rest of the pack and what a fantastic sight it was, with only Del's red Esprit spoiling the continuity (-:

Ian decided that the time was right to fit his home made video camera mount to capture some of the action and what a mount it is, none of your suction cup rubbish. I'll let him elaborate if he reads this far. Tut lead off and the lead group included Cammy, Mike, Peter, Paul, me and a couple of others. This was the first time Vicky and I had driven in the convoy and more importantly the first time Vicky had been in any Elise convoy. The pace was predictably fast if not a bit frantic and I could see Vicky in my peripheral vision getting very tense and holding her breath at times (and maybe shutting her eyes). On this part of the run I was immediately behind Paul who was chasing Peter. It was interesting to watch how both cars handled the bumps. Peter's car was very planted and secure with very little bouncing whereas Paul's description of his "boingy" rear suspension was spot on as he pogo'ed over every little bump. Although, he stiffened up the dampers on Sunday which cured it. After 45 minutes of this Vicky had clearly had enough and told me to slow down which of course I immediately did. I slowed down to average around 80mph I guess maybe less and within a mile or so most of the others had completely disappeared never to be seen again until I arrived at TT. Anyway, the rest of the journey was uneventful although we got a bit lost at Huntly. Despite Vicky having a map and the route plan I was convinced that we should go straight on at a roundabout because I recognised it rather than turn left. Turned out the reason I had recognised the roundabout and the subsequent 3 miles of road was because I had gone wrong here once before, at least I'm consistent.
We stopped to allow me to eat my humble pie and headed off in the right direction and onto TT.

Not surprisingly TT managed to get 40+ cars in the grounds. There must have been close on a million quids worth of motors parked around the place in all colours, the odd Exige, an S2 Elise and a few Scoobys (plus a Ford Focus and an old camper van (-:) The evening of course was excellent, lots of car talk, tales of the days events, great food and good cheer. All too soon it was over and time to say cheerio. I had been warned that the Police were hanging around the area (can't think why) Sure enough, trundling through New Deer I passed a traffic car. Fortunately, they were busy with someone in an RS Turbo. Our hotel was down in Ellon and we arrived safe and sound just before 1am. There was a full on "disco" going on in the place with all the latest sounds from the 70's. Clearly this was the place to be on a Sat night in Ellon. Now you would think that this was the end of the excitement for one day but no such luck. No sooner had we got into the room and unpacked all the chains, whips and handcuffs than a fight broke out in the street below our window. Some poor sod was getting the sh*t kicked out of him in the middle of road. Being the upstanding type that I am I went downstairs to tell the blokes on the door who weren't at all interested so I phoned the Police and an ambulance instead. The mayhem went on for another hour or so with Vicky giving me a running commentary. I sure know how to show my a good time huh!

On Sunday we took the quick route to Braemar and the Invercauld Hotel and waited on everyone arriving to say cheerio for the last time before heading for home. Turned out there were a couple accidents on the way down to Braemar one of which needed the services of an AA low loader. I didn't hear of any others.

Peter and I set off down through Glenshee in worsening weather (first rain all weekend) It was very slippy in places and there was a bit of traffic on the road to add to the interest. Vicky also had her first airborne moment in the Elise. With the Elise's short wheelbase and stiff chassis, you'll all know how easy it is to get all 4 wheels off the ground. Hit any reasonable hump in the road at 60mph+ and your airborne. Unfortunately I saw the bump too late and it was too wet to hit the brakes. I hit the bump at 80mph and grabbed some air. Beside me all I could see was Vicky's arms and legs flailing around, her bottle of water shot out of her hand and for a nanosecond she looked weightless. Suffice to say she was a bit pissed off! God only knows what the people in the car I had just overtaken thought.

Although Vicky had a fantastic time (she likes a good party and meeting new people) I'm not too sure she will want to come along on another Elise "rally". 700 miles in 2 days in the Elise was about 650 miles too long for her(-: However, she got talking to a few of the other partners and they all agreed that they should "borrow" the cars one weekend and all get together in an expensive hotel somewhere. 

It was a great weekend, roll on next years (what do you mean this won't become an annual pilgrimage to Tut and Verian Towers? (-:)

Author : Peter Bennett

The whole weekend was brilliant, Verian was amazing and I doubt anyone was left hungry or thirsty on the Saturday evening.

We did our own thing on the way back, met everyone at Braemar then headed south with Kelvin.

Heard of a couple of incidents one (silver car from London?) was a tow away job after arguing with an Armco and another hit a verge but otherwise nothing startling despite the numbers and speeds. The road south of Braemar was quite greasy so fingers crossed that everyone drives accordingly. Other than that it may be worth watching the local papers as I'm sure we caused quite a stir (one way or another!)

Anyway, time to sit back and relax and wait for the stories to come flooding in (Jacuzzi's, near misses, irate public and police will figure strongly I'll wager).

Author : Mark and Emma Bennett

Some of you may know I've recently moved up here from the Midlands and you are the first group of people we have met since I moved up. Most people would join the knitting circle but Emma's not into knitting so she decided to blow the best part of £20k on a motor, that just happens to have its own social circle. Cool!

Thank you all very much for the friendly introduction and we hope to get to know you better, now that we can put names to faces, as more meets take place.

A special thank you to Tut and Verian for their hospitality, and sharing there home with us. Well actually is was more of a take over, but still greatly appreciated. A special big thank you and hug to Verian for looking after us while Emma was trying to extract all the oxygen from Scotland shortly after residing for the evening. Unfortunately Emma had an asthma attack last night, hence our absence today. I've never seen her have one before and I must say it was a very frightening and upsetting time. (a bit like her driving really, but its getting better by the day) She's a little better now and is resting in bed. Speaking of bed that's something I haven't seen since Saturday morning, well only when they were full of oldies at the hospital, nor the shut eye experience so guess where I'm going?

Thanks again folks and looking forward to our next adventure.

May the force be with you

Author : Cammy

Author : Iain Thomas

There are so many high points to the weekend it would be impossible to list them all.  It was great to meet so many new faces and the entire weekend went off without any major incidents (car-wise that is).  Mark, its a relief to hear Em is on the mend again, best wishes to you both.  

The weather was very kind to us, apart from slight drizzle at Fort William (where it rains 9.5 days out of 10 anyway) there really wasn't any cause for complaints.  Which meant that roofs were off *most* cars all day.  You know who you are you wimps :-P   

Most noticeable high points for me were:   Getting some excellent pointers from Gordon Sheddon @ KH, after just 3 laps I felt much more confident.  

 Lots of looks from other motorists/passers-by (most of them admiring ;-)).   

Nearly splitting my abdomen in half laughing after trying to get into a top bunk really only meant for a small child, with Mike in Tuts motor home, (I got out later, tried to balance myself across the drivers/passenger seats, but then after waking @4am I abandoned that plan and joined Paul in the double).  I'm so monogamous (as Cammy was quick to point out)...   

Fantastic roads, must be the best in Scotland (Dukes pass twice with Mike & Cammy - what a blast, playing with some bikers).  I missed the Glenshee road (my personal fave) but the roads looked a little greasy for my liking so I left from Braemar back over the Lecht.  1 hour 20mins, Braemar to home (15 miles N of Inverness), a personal best.  The weekends concentrated driving paying off methinks.  

After getting a bit lost...I managed somehow to hook up with the Scoobies.  That was an education and a half.  Flat out everywhere, no holds barred, dust and shail about 3 inches deep in my footwells.  Later I found out that we were actually not headed for Tuts, but Simon's house...  Still, I had a very welcome cup of tea from Helen and a chance to calm down before *trying* to follow Michelle in a P1 to Tuts.  What a driver!  And she said she was going slow...   

Boy did I need that drink when we got there.  Superb food/drink/craich at TT, and although I didn't join Mike and the imaginary girls in the jacuzzi, it did look wonderfully relaxing.   

I wonder if the dust clouds have settled yet...a few cars were much the worse for wear, looking like they had been shot blasted at the front, needing headlights and driving lights to boot!   

A few near misses (Cammy...) meant driving was always on-the-boil and entertaining.  

On the whole, a most excellent adventure and one which will be very hard to beat.   Once again, thanks Tut, without your organisation it would not have been anywhere near as much fun!  How long before the house recovers?  Campbell said he will get in touch about having the picture framed - you were a bit busy on Sat night to have it all explained, but I hope you liked it.  

Iain (still getting the grit out of my hair)  

Author : Michael Brown

Well what can I say but fantastic, many thanks Tut for organising the event and to Verian and family for the hospitality and tremendous work they did (the jacuzzi was wonderful but I couldn't understand why nobody else would join me!). The mobile home was great fun and hey guys thanks for a wonderful evening, you know who you are! The driving was the greatest I must learn not to follow behind Cammy, my 8 month old car has now aged 10 years, 2 broken driving lamps and 1 head lamp and shot blasted front and windscreen and when I was at MM this morning they noticed some damage to the under trays ( that must have been me doing a Colin McRae impersonation).

See you all soon

Moggy, M'bro, 

Thanks must go to Verian for putting up with the mob for the weekend & for all the hard work you put in along with no doubt other helpers behind the scenes . from Moggy & little Debi
Ps It's one way to see Tut on a weekend , here's to Tut towers mark 2

 Paul, Leeds, 

I agree - THANKS Tut, and big THANKS to Verian and the family.

Am just home - round trip of 1,050 miles

Need a new set of tyres, a respray for the front, two centre bosses for the wheels (thank you to bastard or bastards unknown in Queensferry) and, of course, after 450 miles today - a new ar*e.

Great to see old friends and make new ones.

Time for bed, said Zebedee...

jt, london, via tut's house

Yes, a big thank you to everyone who made the weekend possible.

Just got in myself, round trip 1492 miles today 618, with a few scary sideways moments between Breamar and Perth (nearly time to ditch the Perrellis).

Hope the rest of you had a safe, fun day, and safe trips home.

cheers
jt

MarkD, Hemel

Just like to add my thanks too. What a weekend.

Tut you are a mad ba$tard.

cheers

Jimbo

Cheers Tut you old git,

Bit sad that I missed the fun on Sat and Sun, but the run up on Friday, KH and meal e.t.c was Excellent. Have to apologise to whoever was behind me coming out of the chicane at KH when I ran onto the gravel and most likely pebble dashed their cars - Soz lads !!!.

Becky is now a convert - after refusing to get in the car for 8 months, and being scared stiff for the first part of the journey she had a tear in her eye when we waved everyone off on Saturday morning.

Good driving, good company, and good drinking.

Thanks all
Jim

Paul, Edinburgh

I want to say thanks too. I could only make Knockhill but if that was anything to go by the weekend must have been great.
Thanks
Paul
6DA

Tony X631 EGP, Petts Wood,

A big thank you from me and my mate Steve - we had a brilliant time, and if tut towers II happens, we'll be there.

Also, very good to put faces to names of people who I always see on this BBS, and to meet new people too. Besides all the people I've met already like Kev, Ruggs et al it was good to meet others - Paul Hogan, Chris Timson and the gang we met in Leeds. Also good to meet Kevin from Scotland, Tut himself (how fast do you drive!), Inferno, MarkD from Hemel (Good following you down those roads you mad bastard) and all the others who I've forgotten in my tired stupor.

Graham (Tut's mate from New Deer) must get a special hello. Good to meet you mate, and cheers for showing us Peterhead nightlife. Despite having to tackle some little sh*thead who nicked my wallet it was a fun time.

Mine and Steve's Tut towers experience was superb. I learned a lot about the car and how to drive it over the weekend. It was excellent to have an expert driver sat next to me while I was going around Knockhill which was amazing. Then 2 days of nutty driving around Scottish roads taught me a lot. Sadly, our Tut towers ended at midday on Sunday when the car collided with a steel barrier after sliding on gravel. The front suspension is knackered and the car was un-driveable straight away. We came back to London with the car on the back of an AA recovery vehicle, and us in the cab because I couldn't get a hire car as I only had the plastic part of my licence. We got in at 4:30 a.m. this morning after a 16 hour journey down from Scotland in a tow truck that never really went above 50mph.

My car is now on my driveway in a dismal state. I've spoken with the Insurance company, and the car is going into HR Owen on Wednesday. I will be without my Elise for 3-4 weeks. Initially I was really pissed off cos I missed out on the last couple of hours of tut towers, but I've tried to think of as many positives as possible which I've listed below. If anyone can think of anymore please feel free to add to the list.

1. Saved milage on the car back from Scotland.
2. Saved money on Petrol
3. Car will be cleaned after being fixed.
4. I will appreciate Elise even more than ever as I am borrowing my mum's Nissan Micra for two weeks when she goes on holiday tomorrow.

Yes, a pretty pathetic effort. Never mind.

Thanks again to everyone who made this weekend possible, and I look forward to the next event.

Stripey Si, Cleveland, 

Tut,

Just a quickie to say thanks to you, Verian and family for one of the most entertaining weekends of driving.

Off to cry again at the stone chips.

Stripey Si (and Lee)

Suelee and Delboy, Sussex

FANTASTIC WEEKEND. Many thanks to the Tut Towers team and all the rest of the group for a really memorable weekend.

1700 miles on our week long trip and well worth every mile!

Great to meet everyone and no doubt be seeing some of you on future runs.

Sue & Derek

Andy & Hetty, Oxon & Germany

Must re echo the praise for Tut, Verian and family for all the hard work put in to make a fantastic weekend. Had a great time and will take the memories with me. Thanks to everyone there - especially those pebble dashed by the Mk2 which you so graciously let lead you ;-))

See you in Yorkshire, if not before
Andy

Inferno, Nottingham, 

Thanks Tut and Verian for a great weekend. Just got home about two hours ago. Left Liam, Tomr, Rob, Chris, Simon and Andy on the M1 for them to head back down south. Each day has been great. We went thru the Lake district and side of the peak district today. Despite a wet start, it soon brightened up and we had a good run. Now I need some new tyres...:)

cheers
Gavin

Dave,

A massive thanks from Helen and I for an excellent weekend, you and your family are marvelous !

What a great bunch of guys and girls.

Please thank Verian for the curry, and the kids for all their hard work. And Thor fir cleaning up all the chicken bones.

See you soon.

Love

Helen and Simon

Hi all

Tut, thank you for arranging a fantastic weekend for us all it was wonderful, I know I thoroughly enjoyed myself :> That is an amazing house you have got. But where did you go on Sunday, were you afraid of the girlie beating you???
;->
I look forward to a show down between you, me and Paul on Knockhill.

Tut that was a splendid night at KH really good crack on the track and my car was fine apart from a broken air con hose.

John Fyda said its the most fun he  has had in a long time he had only raced before (Elans in the 70s) and that was his first track session he is itching to get back but we have to swap the tyres round first as the LHside are bald .Is anyone going to the track night on the Thursday at KH ? Or if you fancy we have a track day at Crail on Saturday .

Rgds

Willie

kevin, hampshire,

Thanks to everyone there, I think everyone's participation made for a great weekend.

Unfortunately my car returned back to Hampshire on the Back of an AA truck like Tony after my Head Gasket blew on the way back :-(

Vauxhall Vectra Driving Kev!

Ruggs & Theresa, Gatwick

Obviously just want to add to this. We got in 10 minutes ago after a stop off in Manchester to see a friend.

I can't believe what a fantastic time I had. BEAUTIFUL roads, a bloody well thought out route and gorgeous scenery (yes Milan I was going slow enough to see it).

Tut, we can't thank you enough for the hospitality and the brilliant atmosphere. Special thanks to Verian and the sprogs and mate you've got ONE MAJOR PAD.

Tony, I nearly had exactly the same happen to me in about the same place. They were harsh unforgiving roads mate and I'm was sorry to hear about.

Another thanks to Liam for planning the other bits and of course the rest of you for being such great company.

Special moment of the trip for me was either Knockhill or when the two convoys met each other on the outskirts of Edinburgh.

We must do that again. :)

PS, Kev Moloney is still tanking around in the very North of Scotland.

Geoff Bland, London, 

What a fabulous week-end! I had a great time. 1497 miles in total!

Mega thanks to Tut for organising it all and Verian for all her hard work and putting up with us all. Thanks also to "Tut's waitresses" - working hard enough to be worth £20 _each_ easily! <grin>.

If Tut really wants to organise another next year (i.e. he really is mad) I'm def. up for it!

Also thanks to Mark, Mark's sexy girlfriend (sorry, forgot your name?) and Milan for making the drive back down to London less boring. I enjoyed the impromptu Elise ballet display too!

More thanks to the owners of the red Esprit I kept finding myself following - they just seemed to turn up each and every time I was lost! (Sorry, again I forget your names!)

Finally, thanks to Scotland for having such wonderful scenery and some cracking roads

Ant, Pinner

Well what can I say..it has been the best weekend I have had in a very long time. I'd like to thank Tut and his family for being such great hosts and be awesomely hospitable. Thanx ever so much.

As for the trip.

Damage done.
Added 1389 Miles
Need SO2 tyres
Need Front clam resprayed
Need 2 driving lights

New Windscreen
Need Armourfend front covers etc..
Need plastic covers for driving lights
Need someone to wipe the grin off my face after having such a blast.....

Seriously though, Thanx to everyone for being there and meeting you all..it was great get to know you all better and meeting new faces and putting faces to email addresses. Tut, I'm really sorry about your old car, I realise how much your car means to ya and how much all of our cars mean to us all. I am sure you will enjoy your new one though just as much.

The Scots are so lucky to have such beautiful roads in their country. If only the UK had such awesome roads and so easy to access. Never mind..:(

Well I look forward in seeing you all soon but I'm gonna have myself a rest now cause its been a busy day at work and I didn't get much sleep last night either.

When I get the chance I'll post all of my photo's.

Simon F your car rocks man...

l8rs everybody and thanx again David for everything.:)
Ant

And the yellow facing the wrong way was me :-(

A whole weekend of following Tut and the other fast Scots_Elises, and then go and spin at about 15mph, and barely enough throttle to accelerate.  Unfortunately went backwards up a kerb, so one rear wheel has a 5mm split in the edge of the rim, and one of the vertical 'fins' on the undertray is slightly bent, tho' nothing a sledgehammer will not fix.  It was a hell of a surprise as we were taking it so steadily - I did not even get chance to turn in, all I could do was stand on the brakes while the lamp post loomed in the rear view mirror.  Spun through 270 degrees in the space of about 10-15 metres, that's how quickly it came round.  Still, myself and Gill
are ok, and the car will go in for a geometry check and opinion on the state of the wheel.

I reckon all the clam resprays needed will be more expensive than this - the yellow took it remarkably well compared to the darker colours. 

MarkD

 Hi Tut,

Just a note to say thanks to yourself and Verian for organising a wonderful weekend. Debbie and I both had a really great time and appreciate all the hard work that you both put into the weekend.

Hope you got the house back to normal easily enough!

See you soon,

Neil & Debbie.

PS - I'm sure the new N1 TUT will be even better than the original – if that's possible :-)

SCOTTISH ELISES AT TUT TOWERS 2001

Tut Towers pictures available at www.fourwheels.org/elise/images/tuttowers/ by Liam Crilly

Tut Towers pictures available at www.onyro.com/tuttowers/page_01.htm

Tut Towers pictures available at www.infernoelise.com by Gavin C. Westwood

Tut Towers pictures available at www.ctimson.freeserve.co.uk/Tut_towers/index.htm by Chris Timson

Tut Towers pictures available at ststag.revolver.com/sites/tootes/ by Thomas Tootes

Tut Towers video (2.5Mb - around 10 mins to download - automatic play - right click box to replay)