Footdown

The Land Rover Owners' Club (below) will today announce details of its 2005 China Sichuan Charity Tour and discuss past expeditions, between 2.30pm and 4.30pm at the Hong Kong Aviation Club (31 Sung Wong Toi Road, Kowloon City), says Maggie Wong of Land Rover Hong Kong.

She says 22 of Hong Kong's most rugged Defenders, Range Rovers, Discoverys and Freelanders will roll up for the meeting in expedition gear, ready for the club's 6,092km trip between September 17 and October 2. 'Most have added off-road accessories,' she says. 'Some have tuned their engines.'

About 55 enthusiasts will take part, and Land Rover Hong Kong will send two technical support staff, in a Freelander and a Range Rover, on a trip to raise funds for a primary school under the Project Hope charity, Wong says.

Disneyland is an easy, well-sign-posted, 24km drive from the Western Harbour Tunnel. All you do is follow the Mickey Mouse signs on the airport run and take the first left after the toll booth on the Lantau section of the Expressway. Then you follow the signs to the resort's car park. The space is vast - and costly, at $120 for cars and $40 for bikes - and seems a hike from the bus station and attractions. We couldn't see a shuttle bus, so we suggest you take a space as close to the action as you can, or delay taking the elderly or young until the weather cools - or you hear better reports about queues for rides. If you plan to picnic enroute instead of paying for the resort's food, bag all your rubbish on board and dispose of it at home.

The resort's new roads are well-manicured and were deserted on Saturday, but we were impressed with the police presence. A sergeant on a bike came out from nowhere, lights flashing, when we stopped the MX-5 to take photos, and moved us on politely.

The nearest petrol station to Disneyland seems to be the new facility in central Tung Chung, so you might fill up before you go. Tolls can mount up, too, with $30 for a return to Hong Kong on the Airport Expressway and an outward and return trip in the tunnel of your choice. So, if you're taking the Western Harbour Tunnel, budget an extra $110 for your trip.

BMW Concessionaires (HK) hosts its BMW show at Ocean Terminal, Tsim Sha Tsui, this weekend. 'We will be showcasing the BMW M5 [above],' says spokesman Newman Tsang. 'Other BMW models will also be exhibited during the show such as the new BMW 3 Series coupe/cabrio SE, X5, X3, 5-Series and new 3-Series.' The show's open from 10am. See you there.

Finally, the Hong Kong Automobile Association celebrates its 88th year today with a free open day (2.30pm-6pm) at the Clearwater Bay Golf and Country Club. The body's offering memberships at the gate for a one-off $88. There'll be lots of classic cars, bikes, face painting and fun for the family. Happy Birthday, HKAA, from all of us who've needed a tow in the rain.