Club Arnage

Well that was a great Le Mans week.

Highlights for us were meeting other Club Arnages, Friday's Brethren Party (and getting back to our tent safely), The Race (of course), Classic British Welcome, how friendly Le Mans race goers are generally, getting to dawn (Tristan's first).

Lows, just two; it's a long time until next year's race and the sadness that next year we will not be able to drive the Indianapolis and Arnage corners.

What was it like for other people?

Aricus + Tristan

I must of missed something but how come you wont be able to drive them?

Expect another grammar correction Kev mate!

As I understand it, there will be a new public road that takes the trafic away from these corners and goes through the Arnage campsite.  The circuit will still have the corners, but we will no longer be able to in road cars, assuming the proposal goes ahead.

see this thread.....

http://www.clubarnage.com/forum/index.php?topic=12170.0

Aricus

A great week with mates.  On the upsides and memorable moments:

1)  A good run out and back with no dramas and pleasant places to stop off enroute.  With the new bridge completed, the Rouen tunnel was back on our route, so the opportunity to play car sound track tunes again was enjoyed greatly.
2)  Many thanks to Russ and the rest for the Brethren Party and to Dave for nurturing Big Irta.  As always, a brilliant evening to catch up with lots of people and the wedding was just surreal.  We all suffered to a great or slight less than great extent the next day; one of our number significantly broken beyond coherent thought, speech and bodily control until the day after the day after...
3)  The number plate of the TVR on BN.....
4)  Meeting CAers that I've "known" for ages on the CA forum, but had not met face-to-face before.   
5)  A good race in the usual many ways, and the Porsche/Audi toing and froing for so much of it was a pleasant surprise.  Nissan showed promise despite the issues they have had and roll on them getting their full package together for next year.  Hopefully Toyota will actually do some development work....   
6)  Thanks to Brian/Norway Nick for finding a set of jump leads to get me going again....

No real downsides, other than the usual queues/lack of hot water in the bogs/showers on BN from Friday onwards.  Sad to see MB site as a former shadow of itself and the removal of a large section of the banking there is a shame.  The weather on the Friday was a shame, as it put rather a damper on the usual afternoon enjoyment of the CBW at St Saturnin.     

MG Mark

A great week as ever, although seriously considering changing my forum name to 'Notinanelanman', however even more determined to be there in the '68 car next year .  The Brethren party was awesome and for the newbies with me that was when Le Mans really took off for them, I freely admit that it made Saturday more difficult than I probably really wanted .

More Showers and Toilets on BN would be good, but I was pleased they were cleaned up after the state they got in following the Friday rain.  Also a greater sense of security at BN would be achieved if the site was better fenced along the roadside, that said we thankfully remained incident free this year.

Looking forwards to next year already, gather the dates have already been announced as 18/19 June?

Not seen anything announced yet, other than the dates for next year's Le Mans Classic.

MG Mark

Anyone see the grand marnier crepe place this year or was it replaced by the ladies pavilion or one of the seventeen nissan stands.

Great weekend.

Plus points.
1. First and foremost, meeting up with old friends and meeting new ones.
2. Colin getting to the Brethren's party. Great to meet him.
3. The Brethren's Party
4. Driving there and back in a 57 year old car
5. The race
6. Knowing that I'll be doing it all again next year
7. Seeing Purdu dressed up as a clown in an outfit clearly designed for a small person
8. The Sanef Liber-T motorway tag
9. Clean sheets and a shower on Sunday night after a lovely meal with friends.

The only downside on the way home was letting my sat-nav rule my head. I wish I'd had Alec Guinness wispering in my ear "trust in the force".

Of our 9 visits this one certainly the best for us...We had a great time.
Pro's
Meeting Andy and Barry on the Ferry over and having a few sherberts together
Tribune Tickets for the first time courtesy of Dean (clk) having spares- A real boon, Tribunes all the way from now on - Nice to meet Dean & Co, real nice guys.
A none Audi winner - No disrespect Audi, fantastic over the years but was getting a bit samey.
Porsche winning with the No 3 crew (Hulks gonna think this Le Mans business is a piece of p*ss!!) All three of the boys did a stirling job.
Corvette winning Pro - Sorry Aston, I am a big fan, but the last man standing got the job done and they still just sound the dogs do da's.
Drivers Parade - Once the rain had cleared at about 6 o clock we had a hoot.
Con's
Weather - OK for us as we were in a caravan, but some of the poor blighters across from us got a real flooding out - Not good
Noisy Neighbours - Its ok to have a good time but not at the expense of all those around you especially when someone goes over to diplomatically ask them to reign it in a little and they are basically told to f**k off!
Tram- Breaking down 3 times on the way back from the Drivers Parade, emergency brakes applied each of the times and sending everyone flying, funny the 1st time, not so later on, apparently one of the doors wasn't shut properly, driver walked down the tram, had a twiddle with something and off we went....

All in all a great year, 2015 will certainly stick in the memory bank, roll on 2016!!

Cheers
Paul

Neither had I but younger brother says the dates were announced over the weekend.

These guys seem to have inside knowledge, but may be speculating.

http://www.normandie-chambres.co.uk/le-mans.html

Can't find anything more official.

Yep a great week.   Every day
 ended with Phil and me agreeing that is had been a good day.

Sunday,  The Bunker in Ouistreham, Juno Beach, Arromanches, Bayeux CWG. Bonus finding that a bunch of Hotchkiss  cars on an "rally" were staying at the hotel.
Monday,  Going down to Scrutineering ( in 35 visits I'd never been) seeing Big Irta arriving on BN.
Tuesday, Château de Chenonceau (well worth the drive)
Wednesday,  At Leisure & meeting old Friends.
Thursday,  The museum at the Circuit. (Again never been in there.)
Friday,    Tank Museum in Samur. Meeting Colin. and of course The Brethren party (Thanks guys).
Saturday,  The Race.
Sunday, Meeting up with my Cousin who I'd never met before. The Race.  Getting to the Hotel, taking a shower where you don't have to hold on to the string or keep pressing the Button.

IMNSHO.  One of the best Races if not the best I seen.  Set me up for the next 35.  :-) :-)

T.

Super week, I can only echo what others have said about why. Debby also enjoyed it immensely. It was great meeting people old and new, and with four nationalities sharing the five pitches we were on, the "Internationalness" of it was brought home when Mike Carr from the US dropped by unexpectedly (to me anyways!).

Least memorable night was Thursday, but only not memorable due to the vast Low Flyer I downed in one :-)

Thanks to people for the advice and assistance with the car problems (during the trip I had a flat battery on Monday, a puncture on Tuesday - or was it Wednesday? - and the engine management light was on and the car was misfiring  for the whole trip - new coil arriving tomorrow but cat might be shagged).

My pet annoyance is having to queue for showers and loo at almost any time of day on Bleu Nord, but it's one I managed to live with...

Already planning 2016...

WoW - Just got back home - how long driving? (1100 miles trip)

Another year gone, will post more soon,

Great Year, Great Time, Great friends, Great Beer - and MORE GREAT DAM FOOD! (25hrs cooked pork - just WTF!!!!!  mmmmm)

Good bit, landed in Portsmouth today (pm) - Spitfire welcoming home flying display as we docked - Andy Z - did u see it?

Great time as usual,
1. Great to meet up with the usual members of Team Jedi.
2. Fri night party with the Brethren was great, (Sorry about the dress, last minute dot.com & I am not really grumpy).
3. Never smelt a stink like it in a tent, (Loftys Arse).
4. meeting and having a beverage with totally random bod's.
5. Blagging a great viewing position to watch the end of the race, (Over viewing Parc Ferme).
6. Clear run home on Monday, (Found a new route out of the circuit by accident).
7. Reading Colins updates on FB, I really am glad that you had a good time and as a result, have persuaded a disabled person in a similar position to attend next year. I did see you at the Fri night party but as usual I was somewhat distracted by a million and one things and regret not saying hello. Next year ;) .
8. Anyone know next years date's ?

A google search brings up this but i can't find it on the site .


And check the countdown clock. Looks officially  the 18th and 19th to me  :)


I also had a great time (again). Its great to see the same people you meet every year 'In a field, In France'. Long may it continue.

And one more reason for returning next year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVa4mlFZEmM

Thanks for a great pitch, GA and Aco pass Geoff although I only escaped the family Thursday it was a great time, good to hear you got home in the Banger and can get it sorted, still in Granville will post more details when I get back as Euro2016 is going to impact on the ferries next year and this could help.
Cheers to all I saw, apologies to all I didn't  or say good bye to.
Ian

[/quote]

.....  still in Granville .......

....... Euro2016 is going to impact on the ferries next year.....

[/quote]

Rhino/Ian - it was great to meet you.  Combining a family holiday and Le Mans is inspired!

Euro2016 looks like it could hit us.  Typically, I book Brittany Ferries - I've just checked - I booked 2016 the 5th Aug 2015.

Does anyone know when they actually go on sale?

Aricus

Another great week at Le Mans.

Camping on BN with Elanman and MGMark, always good to catch up with everyone.
The race was superb with some great competition within the different classes, although once again had to feel for the Aston Martin team. Just when will they win again?

Disappointed to see the banking had disappeared at MB, and really strange to walk through what was once a very busy campsite. I guess it is called progress.

Attended my first Brethren party which was a different approach to a Friday night and my son even got through the the chilli challenge. Very enjoyable and thanks to all the guys for putting it together.

So roll on next year, which according to RLM last Thursday as they were reporting on the ACO announcements they claimed that the test day would be the 5th of June with the race to follow two weeks later.

So just need to get the ferry booked as the first stage in the preparations.

.....  still in Granville .......

....... Euro2016 is going to impact on the ferries next year.....

[/quote]

Rhino/Ian - it was great to meet you.  Combining a family holiday and Le Mans is inspired!

Euro2016 looks like it could hit us.  Typically, I book Brittany Ferries - I've just checked - I booked 2016 the 5th Aug 2015.

Does anyone know when they actually go on sale?

Aricus
[/quote]
Good to meet you and Tristan too, not quite home yet will post more details when on Laptop rather than IPhone.

Good trip, the race did fizzle out a bit overnight from the manic start.

Drive there and back via the tunnel passed without incident.

Friday night in town was great, if you've not done it it's worth the effort, don't worry too much about the parade now though!

Houx annexe seems much calmer these days, loos and showers clean and queues short for the most part.

After last years thefts, security was at the forefront of our minds, but the additional fencing seem to have stopped the casual walk in and we had no problems.

It was good to see martini again, and thanks to d f h for the cold beer, most welcome!

The Sunday getaway was about 45 mins, a lot less than last year by all accounts and we arrived at our new hotel in good time for a few clod beers and meal.

Bring on 2016,,

Baaaahhh, humbug. With your post, it's already done. :nyah:   :)

...and that t shirt....."Challenge Accepted"

Absolutely beautiful!  ;D

Lessons learnt this year.

1. Don't bring any of the kids with you as you'll end up driving them to Paris Charles de Gaulle on Friday night in order to get rid of them. 300 mile round trip and £112 to get them home. Knackered by the time I got back to BN so went to sleep (ish) rather than partying with The Brethren.
2. The Liber-T peage tag is a wonderful thing and wish I'd had one years ago.
3. Keep taking the tablets so you don't feel like sh*t on Friday. In this respect I blame Barry for feeding me Cognac on Thursday night!
4. It's good to see someone other than Audi win. I think that in 7 previous visits Audi won every year except 2009 when PooJoe won. Challenge Accepted.
5. ACO membership isn't worth having any longer. Could not book own pitches, showers reduced in number, members compound full to overflowing.
6. The big wheel is now a bloody long way from BN.
7. GBW wasn't missed.
8. New location for watching driver's parade found.
9. €75 for a grandstand seat in Trib 14 was a good call.
10. I must thank everyone for making this year memorable!

Paul.

Yup! Wondered if you had too, how was the cabin? ;)

What a great week!

High lights :):

Great race, nice to see a different overall winner and well done Corvette, commiseration's Aston, that's LM.
Jo's attendance for the first time, she loved it, party on dudette!
Brethren party and a slightly surreal wedding.
Robbo's crew cheese & wine party.
Ribs & wings.
2 days in Bayeux afterwards, visiting the beaches and other sites.
Wedding reception, more beer and cider.

Lows :(:

2 hours to put up my tent due to high winds.
No Grand Marnier crepe stand, after 15 years hearing about it Jo was most disappointed it had gone.
French national anthem not straight after the British one, delayed till just before start of race. Ruined the traditional competition between the fans who could make the most noise.
Seeing the demise of MB.

All in all awesome.

Truly nice this year. I met Barry the monster. Loads of CA dudes i knew and loads of new ones! I managed to raise 300 euros for cancer research, fullfiled a childhood dream and tried on traditional laderhosen!!  Watched more race than last year saw the end from the gantry over parc ferme .Great fun time on friday thanks to the Brethren for putting up with me again. Good job Mr DJ sir the longest version of White Wedding EVER. See you next year. ttfn

More information please?

Aricus

Aircus at the end of the pits (village side) is a reaturant and on the left hand side a walkway that runs down a couple of steps then towards the track. The end looks over the end of the pit lane just where the cars come of the speed limiter. Suprising how many drivers are very carefull about not booting it too soon. At the end when the cars pulled in to parc ferme it was strange to some drivers getting out with their shoulders down looking totally knackered. I gues the adrenalin had all gone and the fatigue was setting in. Other drivers were hopping about squeezing everyone (bit like me). Made me feel hungry though looking through the window watching the rich people eating nice grub, so next time i'll take sarnies! Pat might have some piccies with luck.

Pictures from the Parc Ferme.