Cancervive diary
The Big CGUINNESS WORLD RECORDS ™
'4X4 WORLD RECORD ATTEMPT WEEKEND®
8TH-9TH APRIL 2006, TOWCESTER RACECOURSE
Well we DID it...!!! We went on what started out as a glorious sunny day and in between we had rain, hailstones, clouds, and even snow... yes snow!!
Tom has sent me the winning entrants in the competition and they are listed below:
RESULT OF THE “SPECIALIST LEISURE BEST DRESSED VEHICLE COMPETITION”
at Guinness World Records™ “Motoring World Record Attempt Weekend” ® Towcester
Racecourse, 8th – 9th April 2006
1. Kevin & Dilys Bond of Aberdeenshire ~ Land Rover
110 ~ Teddy Bear’s Picnic - featuring 134 teddy’s!
2. Paul Hobart of Chingford, East London ~ Land Rover SII
SWB ~ Monkeying Around
3. Andy Bird of Norbury, Staffs. ~ Mitsubishi Delica 4x4
~ The Easter Bunny
Event photos can be viewed within the Photogallery of http://www.4x4navigation.com
The Furry Monkey is there.....the photo numbers will be posted later....but we are there...!!! I'll also be posting our own photos of the day and our Rangie "Gerald" later.
Last but not least a huge THANK YOU to Paul Hobart of Chingford who rallied to the plea from Tom to raise money for the Furry Monkey and sent me £587!! Also thanks to everyone else from the 4x4 world who donated money. So far we have raised over £1200 pounds and I'm still collecting it all in. I'll let you know the total when we know.
BIG THANK YOU'S TOEVERYONE WHO SPONSORED US IN THIS EVENT!!!
LONGEST LAND ROVER PROCESSION, WORLD RECORD ATTEMPT
16-17 APRIL 2005, TOWCESTER RACECOURSE
Saturday Link | Sunday Link | Photos Link
On the weekend of 16/17 April 2005, the Furry Monkey (me, my brother John and Mum) all took part in the Longest Land Rover Procession World Record Attempt.
With only 2 weeks notice it was a real challenge. John then had the idea of raising money at the same time. So.....we went ahead and started creating sponsor forms and sending emails and asking everyone to help us.
I asked Tom McGuigan (of McGuigan Motorsport) who was the organiser if we could raise funds by sponsorship and he kindly offered us our place on the Procession. He also put our logo on ALL the stickers which is fantastic. Thanks Tom - you're a star!
saturday
An early start, we had a problem with the roof rack....finally we had to go with just one on but we hoped it would be enough to attach the monkey to. We had a car full of monkeys, the original Furry Monkey in the passenger seat and loads inside the car too. We also had monkey masks to wear and balloons, bunting and flags.
I'd made some posters and Info Boards so people would know WHY we were doing the event. Apart from have fun!!
We registered and got our official Pack and had a slow stroll (legs were aching badly) along the trade stands. I had a go on a tombola for the "Air Ambulance Service" in the hope of winning a toy (no monkeys left sadly). They asked why I was looking for a monkey and I explained. The lady disappeared and came back and said "would this do?" and showed me a gorilla. I said yes, all I need now is a winning ticket. Winning tickets had to end in 0 or 5 and I didn't have any. However the lady then gave me the monkey anyway and said "it's for a good cause so you can have him" which was a lovely thing to do. (He had pride of place on Sunday on the front of the car).
Next the Off Road Course. It was non-damaging, although just before we'd arrived someone had managed to roll their Land Rover and got themselves stuck!
We followed the "Leader" to start and then were left to our own devices. The mud-plug run was really enjoyable. I'd love to be able to drive through it, but I have a feeling I'd be laughing too much to control the car once I start :-)
When it closed we then headed off to our Travelodge. There was camping but we wouldn't be able to cope with that due to our dodgy pins. The rooms were basic but OK, all we really needed was a nice warm bed and a shower in the morning.
sunday
I went to John's room and knocked on the door. A quiet voice answered "Yes?" and I wasn't sure if it was John or not. I knocked again and the same voice. I was just going back to my room as I wasn't sure it wasn't his room :-)
Then a voice said "You're not sure are you?" and I knew it was him. "I'll be out in a minute" he said. So I waited....then the door opened and.....a monkey came out! It shocked me so much I screamed in the middle of the Travelodge! I'm sure I woke the whole corridor up! So then Mum came out and we had a good giggle. Specially when the door closed and of course he didn't have his electronic key! We had to ask Reception to let him in, and she got a shock although we did warn her first. She obviously wasn't listening too closely!
We packed our bags and went out to the car. John gave me a spare mask which I put on! I mean, it's quite normal seeing monkeys carrying a bag to a car isn't it???
An older couple in the car park of the Travelodge kept looking and smiling and asked what we were doing. they gave us some money too which was lovely. I think we made their day! After all it's not an everyday occurrence is it?!?!
Travelling to the Racecourse there were Land Rovers everywhere and everyone tooted and waved to each other. A very friendly bunch obviously. Even people in the town centre stood outside and looked as we went past.
We spent a while decorating the car with balloons, flags (5ft x 3ft and smaller ones including a Skull and Crossbones [which I wanted on there - I just liked it!] as well as the English flag of course!), bunting and monkeys everywhere. We had our masks and also bananas to wave out of the car window. John looked fantastic in his monkey suit and said "I don't know why but people keep laughing when I go past!" - I wonder why?!?!?
It's a time when you can basically act really daft and not be recognised and also get away with it! Really funny and great fun. It's not every day you see a monkey walking across the Towcester Racecourse is it?!?!
The Drivers Meeting was called and we had our instructions on what to do. We would be filmed along the way so had to make as much noise and attract attention as possible (shy as we are I think we managed it quite well!!). Something to do with bananas being waved and monkeys leaning out of car windows!
We seemed to wait ages and ages to get started - all these different types of Land Rovers lined up ready for the off. Some were decorated but I didn't find ANYONE else dressed up like us.
It was a fantastic wonderful sight to behold and we felt proud to take part in the procession. It was a lovely feeling of unity and fun.
If you'd like to sponsor us, it's not too late just email me to let me know and I'll add you to our list. I'll let you all know the final amount as soon as I know.
Thank you for your support!!
photos
Now here's the bit you've been waiting for....the photos....as promised!
Don't we look proud!
The beginning of the expedition...
Decorated and ready to go...!
Our driver for the event....arghhhh!
The gangs all here and raring to go....
Guess who sat next to me....The Furry Monkey!
Get back in the car...we're going!!!
It's going to be a hairy ride for some.....
Hitching a ride in the back!
On your marks....get set....go...!
So there you have it, our weekend exploits which helped to raise money at the same time. I'll let you all know the final amount raised when we've got it all in and counted it all up!
Thank You all so much for your support...I hope it made you smile!