Club Arnage

So I've already started preparations for 2017.

I've booked nearly 3 weeks off from the Thursday before the race till July off work, bought a solar panel to go on the car for power and few other odds and sods.

Granted i booked most of the time off to work on the mothers house in France but still be interesting as I think I maybe on my own (unless a mate joins me) Me & Mrs Mk3 (Kelly) are no longer together so she won't be attending.

Still no idea which car to bring to this year  ::)

Anyone else started?

Kev i tend to make sure my livers always in training. Upping the pace early May to build up for the peak. Then the long slow warm down.

Its an ongoing process, but last week we had a planning meeting, paid for the tickets and booked a ferry.  Solar panel was sorted last year, but needs a test once the sun comes out, and I'm still looking for LED lights.

Portimao 4 Hours was discussed.  Bit far.

Ryan air and hire car makes Portimao easy doable find cheap digs on net so you dont need to camp.Go for it.

Portimao 4 Hours, weekend of my 60th, options being looked into.  ;D

I've also booked N24 for 2017 to it seems  :angel:

I have started cleaning the grass and mud out of the car from this years Le Mans just now.

Getting closer

 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Started planning for next year ... could be busy  ;D.

Le Mans
All European WEC races + Austin and Bahrain
ELMS full season (except Monza, but really looking forward to Portimao)

Might have to choose between Sebring and WEC/ELMS prologue at Monza, could be a tough one.

What a hard life  ;D

What used to be a pride and joy has not been cleaned since prior to LM16 - absolutely disgusting I know, but, I found a new love veg gardening something which kept me really busy over the summer and autumn. Ok I had a few holidays away and an extra 20 days holiday from work as I gave them a years notice but life is busy at work as well. And now... I have bought a little fishing boat so the last four weekends I have been working on it to get it ship shape - finally on Sunday I launched the 'Sea Horse' with my 9.8hp four stroke motor, what a flyer, and I caught a fish on my first trip, well not quite because it came off the hook but it was a good size.

So old chap just cleaning under the arches in seven months is a little lazy get a grip and find yourself a real excuse to not do the polish on polish off technique...

>Martini...LB
Honorary member of the Pugwash training group and Monty Don appreciation society

Sometimes ...   ;D
It's great to be at all those races right in the middle of the action, but at the end of the day everything has to be paid for (flights, hotels, cars, gear ...). And so far, all of this isn't generating any income. Budget planning is key to get everywhere but more & more difficult each year.

Hi Dottore,
                If I looked at a BUDGET I would not have been anywhere  ;D
Phil

Ticket and camping permit booked. Other kit mostly (but not all) assembled. Still some stuff to do, but well on the way to readiness.

Yes, our plans are well underway. We have booked 21 ferries out of Portsmouth on the Tuesday, did this about 8 weeks ago and they were nearly full!

Our gites are booked, we have 4 this year, two in Pontvallan, 1 in Le Lude and 1 further South in Noyant, but you hardened campers will probably frown on that :)

Anyway if you see a trail of noise Maseratis blasting around the circuit, thats probably us.

The only thing we are looking for is a new place to hang out around the circuit. We have done Arnage town to death for 10 years plus and need a new place but the lack to bars open is staggering. There is one in Mulsanne but thats tucked right out the way.

My mum is between Le lude and la flèche which is where I'll be staying for a few weeks apart from race weekend so I'll keep my eye out!

Just trying to organise my parties travel from Le man home via trains as I am staying on and they are in work the next week also ferry times for me now

I'm now booked thursday morning out from Portsmouth to Caen as I can't be dealing with another 6 hour delay at the Tunnel and also because I've recently got another Frogeye, so don't yet know how relaible it is. back Monday PM Caen to Portsmouth.

I'm on the Wednesday night boat from Newhaven

Arrive on BN early afternoon then probably

Shopping, must remember to get the beer in  ;)

Looks like Team LeMansZone will hit the show early this year. An advance party is planning to arrive on sunday evening on BN, so watching the 2nd part of scrutineering on monday in the city centre is the plan :). Which will probably be followed by a decent pub crawl in the town. >:D

I should be the happy shepherd waiting for the flock (where the flock did that come from?) arriving early Monday evening if dry, if not will find a hotel for the night.

BUT, before then a whole life changing experience - I am very fortunate to be retiring, shock to you all I know, thought I was twenty years younger I know - all to do with my athleticism I know - never sat still, always on the go I know. So I fooled you all :)

Can't wait...

>Martini...LB
The Hunter Gatherer

Why don't you go to LM now.  I'm tempted, nothing much else to do etc etc.  I'll be on site for 8 days - no panics, and a week to settle in.

Hi Werner,
               Are you part of this advance party? Is BN actually open on Sunday night? Might need a plan "B"of where to stay just in case.
Tom & I did scrutineering a few years ago. It is a rather slow process. More of  a procession than a parade. It is an excellent opportunity to see the drivers and cars close up. Closer to the time there is a schedule of which teams are being 'displayed". I would suggest you pick what time/s  you want to attend. Tom and I had a lovely lunch and a wander in town between the cars we wanted to see and fortunately met up with Smokie and Debbie too so yes it is an excellent social occasion.
Phil

Hi Phil,

thanks a lot for your advice. Yes, BN is open on Sunday. We did this already 3 years ago, so it will our second visit to the scrutineering. I hope to be part of the advance party - but cannot guarantee yet. My current project is coming to an end, so in June I will have most likely a new client/project - and no clue where that might be and how much free time I will have around race week. What's you plan this year?

Dam it there goes my quiet sunday evening  ;D

Hi Werner,
               Actual arrival day still to be decided. Will be travelling with Tom, so details to be decided in Sebring over a beer or two  ;D
Phil

If there's a beer in it, you can ruin my Sunday evening too.

Camping & Eurostar sorted. Just have to wait until April to book East Coast & TGV tickets.

New ideas for easy camping is disposable wooden cutlery and heavy duty paper plates. That will help the fire in the evening!

We've been doing that for years.  ;D

And the ferry is booked (£40 dearer than last year Grrr) Out Saturday 10th for a leisurely drive down and back Tues 20th.

Sounds like a plan for Monday evening  ;D

Leave has been authorised - 15th June - 30th June

Camping and GA - Booked and Paid

Ferry............. thats the next task as not sure how long to spend over the water  ::) ???

2 of my group who said no to 2017 have now asked to come  >:( to late sorry!

Maybe we'll get that beer this year Kev! 30 of us booked onto Houx Annexe again, heading down to Portsmouth on the 13th and should be there for around lunch on the 14th, can't wait already.

we MUST this time and I'm on HA to ;)

DFH will be there in 2017 as well.

Tickets booked.

Houx it is.

maybe we have to change our name this year.

Jan Lammers is driving again but not as Racing For Holland.  ;D

Racing for Guernsey... :)

>Martini...LB
Hunter Gatherer

watching ferry costs still but Ive been able to extend my leave so near 3 weeks now!

Mrs understands apps and things and as the date for 2017 was confirmed during the race in 2016 - she booked our ferry crossings for 2017 on the ferry on the way back...

...I wouldn't have a clue!

Ferry Booked!  ;D

DFDS -

Thursday 16th June 4:10am Dover Calais - Out
Friday 30th June 15:30 - Home

Nice work  8)

Just need to book 2 return train trips from Le Man to London on the 20th June for 2 of the group as I am taking them out with me.

TGV only let you book 3 months in advance  ::)

Chunnel now booked, out on the Wed's and back Mon afternoon. All sorted now, just food to worry about.

Final payment from Just Tickets paid.

Tickets for Camp Carnage paid! 133 days to go.

Oh yes - counting down  8)

You will know where we are then, we are actually in Disse Sous Le Lude, about a mile or 2 South. There is a sort of man made lake with a beach over in Le Flèche isn't there?...sounds like its crying out for some topless English petrol heads, a few BBQ's and some beer?

Your next to the Zoo entrance as our place is literally IN the village small world ( want to buy a house btw :D )

 Hi all, been away for a long time - no, NOT at HM's pleasure!!  ;D

Our 2017 LM is now booked and (finally) paid for.  The last gite (Chigne) was great but too far to be convenient so have managed to find something a fair bit closer.

Having had to miss last year's race - I'm already getting the packing list for June! (I know, sad.......but enjoyable, at the same time!)

Ferry booked, out of Pompey on the overnight to Caen on  02/06, back on the overnight on 20/06.

18 days!
Nice!

Yay :D stickers bought!

Ferry booked, newhaven- dieppe Sunday night. Tertre rouge campsite booked and paid for.
Just need to order beer!!!!!!

stickered up for lemans?

I bought them in the sale last year then just before Le mans they dropped the price again the swines so I am waiting this year lol

new boots fitted to the bmw today & sevice booked for next month. The project wont be ready to take and I dont fancy bedding it in going to Le Mans so this weekend checking the camping gear to see if I need anything to get.

Nice email from Jules today - Just need to wait till monday to book train home for one of the party

I'm waiting 'til the train arrives before I tap the till... :D

See definition 1  - http://www.dictionary.com/browse/till?s=t  ;)

Yeah, stickered up, as always. The price may drop, often does, but they were offering a 10% discount on week one orders and I couldn't resist - another step on the way  ;).
Gone quite 'low key' this year, all colour coordinated and subtle(ish). Had to stick a little circuit outline on the back of the wifes Clio this morning, she hasn't seen it yet but wont mind.  :)

British and French train tickets now sorted.

Le Man - Lille - London - Shrewsbury train tickets booked (£92 total) Not to bad I think.


One of our party is taking a car over to France this week and leaving it so after Le Mans he is off on a road trip so enjoyable times a head

We are not in La Flèche, no, we are in Disse Sous Le Lude (just South of Le Lude). Last year we had a visitation from the local plod, apparently making too much noise outside the Mayor of Le Ludes house.

The next time I went past, I turned my car off and just glided past in silence :)

(http://www.sportsmaserati.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=37446&d=1466520589)

ahhh my mistake I know roughly where you are now!

Does anyone have a surplus camping pass? Ferry booked, van serviced, new boots and MOT. Even washed the push bike. Forgot to buy camping pass. What a helmet.  :-[

Well at least you thought about it now, rather that when you got there!

I think the agencies still have some, but better if you can get one off of here at face value.  Depends where you want I guess.

Si, I've sent you a PM.

Sorry for the late reply Steve (and Jules). I have been off grid. ;D

One of my lot has had to pull out as his dad's been made redundant so is now paying the house bills alone sadly but he'll be back 2018

camper now moves back and forwards - well at 20ft up and down the drive - so gears sorted

So booked the ferry today

Just got to get Insurance, Road Tax, Mot, Breakdown cover and test the camper (at least 200ft)

So everything crossed - we (Evil Sam & me) will be there this year

I trust you have a friendly MOT station?  Plenty of time to get it all sorted, it's still 7 weeks to race week...

Don't forget your bike locks :(

Martini...LB

7 Weeks

sh*t - better pull my finger out them

LOL

Only need 1 bike lock - still have not replaced the last one  ;D

That means I have 10 weeks to finish my astra   :o

Newhaven-Dieppe on Thursday AM.
Driving to Limoges to stay with a pal, then back up, early(ish) on Saturday. Return on Monday PM.
Off circuit camping booked.
Can. Not. Wait.

Only thing left is for the race ticket and camping permit to arrive.

Outward: Portsmouth-Caen, 0815, 09/06/2017.

Return: Roscoff-Plymouth, 1500, 21/06/2017.

Camping on Expo and will be there from opening.

The tickets have arrived!

Newhaven ferry was booked months ago, and breakdown cover just done.  Now looking at a Coleman Event Shelter, as the old gazebo is well past its best, and we nearly threw it away 2 years ago, but the double skinned roof does keep the sun and rain out.

Those Coleman event shelters are very good.

For a dome, they work out quite square and hence big.

What are they like in heavy rain, and with evening sun (do you need the sunwalls?)

Speaking of abodes, are there still any Expo cattle sheds with doors on them?

Had one for years and swear by it. They are a bit leaky in really heavy rain due to the air vents at the top of the dome. That said even in the heaviest downpour on the Sunday night in 2011 the water just ran down the poles, we stayed dry.

I have all four walls as they are not expensive but a couple would do for shade or as windbreaks.

We have used them at shows and are really good. If you have the sides even better!

Tickets collected, New walking trousers bought, Boots I gave up looking for I have some other boots to use. Pre packing will start this weekend as I will be testing a few things at the Nurburgring 24hrs in a few weeks first.

Anyone know much about solar chargers as looking to get one.

No probs!
Square - or rather a dome with some edges trimmed - to make a square means you get the maximum space with the maximum height that fits on a traditional rectangular camping pitch.
'We haven't fitted the walls to ours (although I've used someone else's in the UK where they were a very useful windbreak!).
They come in 2 sizes and the sizes snuggle together very well to make a very usable protected area.  Even our slightly smaller one fits quite well with the other larger one in our group.

They seem to work, especially in direct sunlight.  I've just bought one of these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3-5W-6V-USB-Solar-Panel-External-Battery-Charger-For-Cellphone-Tablet-PAD-MP3-PA/   - loads with the same photo

Cost about a fiver, and mine took only a fortnight (5 weeks left) to arrive from China.  More of a toy, as you can always charge from the car

Yes, have used one for a while from these people https://www.powerbee.co.uk/portable-phone-charger/power-bank.html

Very pleased with mine - has numerous connectors to suit different phones and holds a decent charge.

If you want something a little smaller and cheaper than the Coleman's, we have one of these.

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/camping-shelter-with-doors-3mx3m-fresh-id_8353348.html (https://www.decathlon.co.uk/camping-shelter-with-doors-3mx3m-fresh-id_8353348.html)

Works very well, one person can put up and it stayed dry inside even in the Thursday night storm of 2015.

4 sides included in price.

I got one of these last year http://www.argos.co.uk/product/4833369 Trespass Camping Shelter, comes with sides, did the job.

Am a bit more organised than the year before last when I managed to book parking instead of camping, and failed to book the ferry!  Both are booked this year.

Thanks for the help on the shelter, the committee meet on Friday.

As for chargers, I saw Lidl do one, a solar cell with a 5000 mah battery, for £10.

Remember, the sun is twice as bright in Le Mans, till it rains, and if it rains all week, solar power gives way to generators.

Looking to get a solar panal to charge my phone pack as im camping / run the fridge when I am away from the car

Unless you get an industrial size panel I'd be surprised if you could run a fridge off it.
I would use the money and buy a gas fridge instead.

Think your right TBH - more money for beer anyway if I dont buy a solar block  :angel:

Ummm, I got a small solar panel from high street national chain who is normally pretty useless just to top up the deep cycle battery when stationary for a few days and it actually powered up the fridge on its own - I'll only say sort of as the lights can on and it hummed but I wouldn't say that would have done any actual cooling...
 
...I'll be testing the panel this weekend to see if it will power the slow cooker (just because I can!!!).  If that doesn't work then I'll power the cooker from the deep cycle battery  8)

There are solar fridges, if you've got a grand or two to spare, but they've not caught on here due to the weather, plus you have to leave them outside, so your beer, bacon and steak gets stolen.  And long nights are a problem.

One of our team does actually have a solar powered fridge, using a compressor (expensive/efficient) camping fridge, a car battery and about 100 watts of solar panels, the idea being that during the day, the sun runs the fridge and charges the battery, which then runs the fridge all night (there's only about 5 hours of dark at Le Mans).  If its a bit of a dull day, then the generator goes on.  I'll stick to gas.

Easy answer - we are on Houx -

We have POWER!!!!!!

I hope   ;D

Always a spare gerny for the fridge on wheels Niel  ;D

Googled, no success. 'Don't know the term "gerny" What that is??? :confused:

Isn't a gerny an American hospital trolley, named after the racing driver, Dan Gerny

:)

I thought it was a misspelling at first, but then the "fridge on wheels" wouldn't need a gurney so I thought perhaps "gerny" was slang for something else over there. ;)

What do I no? :D

I blame the current gernyration  ;)

Little Clio polished, now ready for sticker application. Final list of 'don't forget this' underway. Everything under control.  ;)

Bmw is back - new clutch and duel mass flywheel, full service and now to replace the broken rear shocks  :'( >:(

Need to get stickers of some sort also

 :P motor home playing up

going to be entertaining and costly - but all good fun and I still have to get to get it thru a MOT  :o

May MOTs are bad news.  Worse are June - mines booked in on June 1, so I have 9 days to find the parts :o

mine did not even make it to the MOT center

actually pulled into the wrong one, camper broke down , and repaired next day and them blew up on the way back

All good fun - major repairs and all going well - MOT (at the right test centre) next week

getting close

Better get the air con re-gased, because it's going to be scorchio!

And change the wiper blades, just to be on the safe side.

Now reading the Travel Destinations 'Essential Guide' (not a complete hash by any means) which arrived yesterday, along with our tickets!!! Proper 'cited now. 😆

RV passed the MOT.

Oil and 1 light bulb.

Ready to tow the "fridge " with beer.

Good news, now the proper final prep can start!

Had our final group planning meet last night. Can't remember anything and have a sore head so good practice for Le Mans ;D

Sounds perfect!  ;D

Rhino, what did we talk about, it's all a blur!!!!

Hey Max, good news, can you give Neil some lessons in how to get organised please, words with no more than five letters though.

See you soon

Martini...LB

Countdown has started ... leaving for testweekend in 5 days !  ;D

Back from N24 now - Pre packed ready for Le Mans but rear shocks are fubar on the car so replace them next week ffs!

The clutch has gone   :'(

Oh sh1t. Sounds expensive :( And you have an MOT booked for tomorrow I believe.

Well spotted.  The clutch is a whole days work, as its a pretend 4x4 and there's a "dual mass flywheel" which is garage talk for double the bill again.  :'(  :'(

Yes, it would be cheaper to stay at home, but I'm packed already  >:D

Good man!
A true Englishman ignores sure tiresome issues and continues towards his goal.  ;D

Have just returned from a beer foraging expedition to Lidl.  I was hoping for some bargain basement ales but left empty handed.

Guess it's back to Waitrose to abuse the staff discount card  ;)

That's if you're still allowed in the place.

Sad news really

Ordered some cider from our local cider producer. ;D

Try the Hatherwood from Lidl. It is actually brewed by Wychwood who make Hobgoblin etc.

Danger Danger Warning Warning

Cider ouch!  ;)

Just replaced my duel mass wasnt that cheap :(

I was quoted £650 for the full DM clutch kit plus a days labour, as its a real bitch to get the gearbox out.  Fortunately, the DM flywheel had survived, as the original clutch was a piece of sh!t anyway.  Job now done, cash paid and off the hook for £650, which is about half the value of the car.  Beer budget only slightly dented.

BTW part of the cost is the "Concentric Slave".  Isn't that in the Kama Sutra?  ;D

Not to bad I think my bill was £720 all in for new clutch, duel mass and labour at the bmw specialists.




Still need to replace my rear shocks before Tuesday   :o

Guess I'm joining the club.  Fault in a sensor (idle actuator) on my way to LM last weekend. DSC failure (nothing wrong with that  ;D), engine fault with reduced power, start assistant & cruise control inactive ... 
Had the same problem last year, should have had replaced both sensors then I guess.  Car is at the workshop, parts are ordered and should be ready for the trip to LM on Saturday.

That's a BMW, with mine everything in front of the handbrake had to come off.  Its a disaster

Well done for joining the club Kristof.  I'm sure the parts will arrive on time.  Question is, will they be the right parts.  They all look alike.  One of our team has sensor failure and hence limp home mode, but you can't buy the sensor, you need the larger part, which is about £2,000.  He'll be there

But yes, we're all going to make it, and I'll have cold ones waiting for Kev and Kristoff, and anyone else turning up on the back of a recovery truck

think we all need a few cold ones!

Car is fixed, now clean it & start packing !

Cleaned and stickered up, packing tomorrow, now officially 'can't wait'.

Car is also fixed "touch wood" half packed waiting on a few bits from other parties to finish it. Was hoping to have a morning asleep as its a long night but the roofer was meant to finally come after 4 months and he didnt show up what a shock bloody w**ker  >:(

sod him I leave today :)

The Frogeye is all packed (roof down) for the crack of dawn start tomorrow morning  ;D