2013 Saab Festival 31 May - 2 June Trollhattan, Sweden

[paulh]

I know a couple people from here were at the festival in -07, dunno if everyone saw the announcement that they're having another one this year http://saabfestival.se/english/index_en.htm . Should be interesting to see how the festivities are affected post-bankruptcy, but I'd imagine it'll still be a fun time. We're planning on heading over for a week or so, and we've been looking into ro-ro shipping rates . Anybody else going?

Paul

[burnsside42]

Yeah - chances are looking good I'll be able to gather the funds to attend this time. Unfortunately I think it's going to be just me and no wife :/ but I'll make due. I got the first $500 collected today - just need to budget/locate another $2000 :D Next step is updating from a passport card to a full blown passport.

[paulh]

Yeah you should get on the passport situation ASAP, best to get that process started early in case something goes wrong.

Paul

[burnsside42]

So WHEN does the group plan to depart and return?

[gmreider]

After looking over the 2010 festival photo's, my wife and I are seriously interested in going. I'd appreciate any travel hints on this trip that anyone has to share. Did you rent a car, where did you fly into, where did you stay last time etc.

[Geoff]

My wife and I went in 2007 for the 60th anniversary.
We flew Iceland Air which stops over in Iceland. You can elect to stay a few days in Iceland either on the way to Sweden or the way back and it doesn't cost you any more for the plane ticket, just hotel, meals, car rental etc. That was fun but it's an expensive place.

We flew into and out of Stockholm (Arlanda airport) and rented a car. Driving was simple, similar to the US but with international road signs (learn them, print out a cheat-sheet or you'll end up in a bus lane - which is OK because when you do the cops don't pull you over, they just glare at you). We visited Stockholm, Uppsala, made our way up to Mora, down to Karlstad, down to Trollhattan, down to Gothenborg, back to Trollhattan, over to Lidkoping (for the track day), back to Trollhattan, and back to Stockholm. I forget how long we were there (maybe 7 or 8 days) but that was too much driving around. If we were to go to the SAAB festival again we'd fly into Gothenborg and tour around a smaller area of the country.

If you're in Gothenborg, the Volvo museum is pretty neat too.

Staying in Vandrerhems is a good way to save money. Some are quite nice.
http://www.visitsweden.com/sweden-us/Accommodation/Accommodation-guide/Hostels/

Also, Birdie's thread Project Sveirge is a good read for general visiting info
http://saabrally.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=2397
also more here:
http://www.uksaabs.co.uk/UKS/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=81196
He has stayed at some farms, an interesting and lower cost way of visiting.

During the festival, many of the Europeans stay at one of the area camp sites. It's a good place to go see many of the cars you won't see at the festival.

The Swedes are very nice and many of them speak English. I do however recommend learning some basic Swedish before going. I find that when visiting another country it is helpful to know as much as you can about the country before arriving, including some of the language. Even if you're sure you can find someone that speaks English it's a nice gesture to attempt speaking their language and it's a good conversation starter (because many people there are excited to talk with you because they want to practice their English).

The 2007 festival was a weekish later, June 7-10
That Saturday(?) morning, real early (you might call it Friday night) there was some sort of graduation (high school?) and starting WAY too early in the morning (or late at night) the locals started driving around groups of the graduates in the back of big trucks and in wagons towed by tractors through the streets of Trollhattan. There was a lot of alcohol and cheering and noise. This kept us up most of the night and made us really tired and cranky the next day. Bring earplugs or research when this violation of noise ordinances is scheduled to occur

I didn't read it all but Ryan E. typed a whole lot about the 2007 festival here
http://www.saabhistory.com/2007/07/08/the-60th-anniversary-saab-festival-2007/
It might have some good info.

[burnsside42]

work complications and funds MIGHT keep me away yet another time. We'll see. I have the "airfare" portion in cash - just need the rest . . .

[ReinO]

I will try to attend this, even though i need to get rid of some workshifts. Anyone who want to, is welcome to Uppsala for a visit and a fika. Just send a PM if it would be of interest.

If i can, i will bring my black 900 to Trollhättan.

[tweek's Turbos]

Should I google what a fika is on my work computer?

[Jordan]

Should I google what a fika is on my work computer?

Yes it is work safe

[DrewP]

I'm doing it at work right now.... 3rd time this morning actually.

[Geoff]

I hear the theme of the festival this year is "SAAB Sport and Rally" Now I want to go!

[BIRDIEMANGO]

WELL CHAPS,I WAS GOING TO FLY AGAIN THIS YEAR.........

UNTIL I FOUND OUT ''SPORT&RALLY'' THEME......

HOPEFULLY I WILL MAKE THE TRIP IN THE 'BLOMQVIST' 99 TURBO.......

IT WILL BE A ROUND A 2500 MILE ROUND TRIP........


TO GIVE MYSELF AN IDEA OF HOW STUPID(AN IDEA THIS IS ) DISTANCE WISE,HERE IN THE UK,IT IS AROUND 800 MILES FROM ONE END TO THE OTHER OF THE COUNTRY(LAND'S END TO JOHN O'GROATS..........ENGLAND TO SCOTLAND)


FROM LANCASHIRE TO DOVER(FERRY) 300 MILES 4.5 HOURS
£80 FUEL

FERRY DOVER TO DUNKERQUE
£80 RETURN

ROUTE 1
700 MILES ACROSS HOLLAND(MAYBE),BELGIUM&GERMANY,DENMARK TO GRENAA.... FERRY TO VARBERG,SWEDEN (JUST SOUTH GOTEBORG 4 HOUR CROSSING) £59 ONE WAY WITH CAR
£240 FUEL


ROUTE 2

750 MILES ACROSS HOLLAND(MAYBE),BELGIUM&GERMANY,DENMARK TO HIRTSHALS....FERRY TO LARVIK,NORWAY(JUST WEST OF SANDEFJORD 20 KM) £80 ONE WAY WITH CAR.STAY IN NORWAY A FEW DAYS?
£240 FUEL

EITHER WAY,THE BARE MINIMUM (IN TIME) TO CROSS EUROPE BY ROAD IS GOING TO BE 14 HOURS WITH 'PISS' STOPS,MORE LIKE 17 HOURS......
THE LATEST WE COULD LEAVE BY ROAD IS TUSEDAY 28 MAY AT 6PM,THAT WOULD GET US INTO SWEDEN AT 06.00 THURSDAY MORNING FOR A DAYS RECOVERY BEFORE THE FESTIVAL.(ASSUMING I GET THAT FAR !!!)



COMING HOME WE WOULD HAVE TO TAKE THE VARBERG-GRENNA FERRY WHICH LEAVES AT 19.45 SUNDAY NIGHT,ARRIVING AT MIDNIGHT IN DENMARK,THEN DRIVE THRU EUROPE OVERNIGHT TO GET TO DUNKERQUE...





I ESTIMATE THAT THE WHOLE TRIP,WITH FERRIES AND FUEL WILL COST ME AROUND £1000.THAT ALLOWS ALL FUEL,FERRIES EACH WAY, £100 FOOD EACH WAY BUT NO ACCOMODATION.

I WILL BE GOING REGARDLESS OF WHOM IS IN THE CAR.


HOPE THIS MAKES SOME SORT OF SENSE


JOOLS

P.S

I THINK I WILL PUT A SMALL TENT IN THE BOOT

[Crazyswede]

If it makes you feel any better there is an event I have gone to for the last couple of years that is 1000 miles away. Its a 16 hour non stop drive and it is on boring roads. We usually spend $500 to $600 for fuel and the weekend usually ends up costing around $1500 to $2000 by the time we get home.

[BIRDIEMANGO]

HELLO CRAZYSWEDE,

ANY MORE INFO ON THE EVENT....? I TAKE IT CAR ORIENTATAED?

BIRDIE