Club Arnage

this will be my 4th time and i'm only 12 lol

That's got to be the best start in life I've ever heard of!! Make sure you don't miss one and in a few years you'll have the record!
 This will be my 9th year on the trot and Im getting excited with 9 days till we get on the ferry!!

Not missed one since 98.......next year I think I finally qualify as a veteran

9 years and many more to come!!!! ;D ;D

I've been 9 times. I have my wife to thank believe it or not for my first visit. We were on holiday and about 3 hours drive away but I had been speaking to a chap on the ferry about it. I thought the drive was too far and my wife wouldn't want to go but she said "if you want to go then we'll go" Got to Arnage and saw some thing that will  stick in my memory for ever  - at a roundabout approx 5 AC Cobras flew round followed by a Rolls Royce vertially on 2 wheels!!
Haven't missed one since - stick with it Kid and welcome aboard.

this will be trip 20 for me 8)

Hi Johnny, My first year was 91 as a teenager. Its all good til you reach the "Beer years"! Then it takes 51 weeks a year to keep the weight off!

Number 15 this year, 14 consecutive. One huge regret is, I didn't start going earlier

I tend to go about once a week on average (more at this time of year) and certainly a lot more since I've been looking for turkeys, peanut oil, soya milk..

Debs, next time in the supermarket can you have a look for party outfits suitable for inebriated middle-aged/retired chaps to wear at the Saturday evening cocktail party, cheers ;)

I guess I'm still the patriarch in this - first went in 1965, and this will be my 27th (or 28th) trip - the old brain cells can't compute so well these days.

But I expect my 'record' will be beaten sometime in the future, and you have a good chance, Johnny, with that start!!

Del

Well, that's the end of this thread now DelBoy has answered,

Yep, have to admit Delboy has the edge. This will be my 13th I think. Almost consecutive but missed '98 - the year that Wishy went for the first time and got hooked.

Similar story, although very much a newbie, first time was 2003, and been every year since, all three of them.  Unfortunately got hooked on flying and yacht racing, so that's my excuse for not starting sooner.

Was invited along in 99, not missed one since  8)

Del Boy I hate you.  You'll tell me next you saw the 917 in 70's too.  This is my 26th this year.
I've been going for 27 years,  But missed the 81 race to fund going to the British GP. (Bad Mistake!!)
So this is my 25th in a row.

t.

My Dad drove me down the Mulsanne straight in '61.  Doesn't count I know but it felt good to us.  Mother and sister in the back were very puzzled!  Sadly, never did get to go until the great old boy died in '97 - always feel he's about though.

This year is 23 on the trot plus one Classic

Jem

This year will be my 12th consecutive trip.

Lord oh Lord where for ar'te thou me lord.

Wotcha Lord fancy coming round to our gaff Thursday afternoon, we'll lay on the serfs and as much stuff as you need to feel squiffy!!!

Jem

first went in 89, missed a few of the race in the late nineties then again, was there much to miss?!   i do  miss the Grp C's, but that sadly became a bit of a farce in the end.  also miss the fairground as it used to be... to family orientated now i guess..

this year will only be my third (consecutive) year fopr me.
I'm a late developer!

First went in 83 missed the next 2 due to exams, missed the 92 race as well due to holidays.

Don't take it to heart, Tom.  

I was there in 1970, but then missed the rest of the 70's due to wife/kids/mortgage etc.  Started again in '81, but missed '92, so quite a few of you can beat me on consecutives

Del

This will be my Dad's 22nd - ha has only missed 1 since 84 (Not quite James Tilling though!)

Oppps.....  I forgot the Smilies.

A guy that shared a house with me went in the early Seventies and I was just too disorganised to sort out going.   

You can never start too early thats for sure.   I know one guy that has been going for ever.   When it was my fifth trip I met him in the Cafe on the Straight.   how long you been coming to Le Mans I asked.  oh "17 years he replied".  So that must be 37 years now.

At least I was there for the 80's the build up to the Jags winning was something to behold.   They beat Porsche and broke their dominance of the Race.  Somehow the Bentley win lacked something. 

t.

Fifth time this year for me. A relative novice compared to some, but I'm only 25 and don't envisage missing many.

this will be my fifth, been the last 4 years straight 8)

My 6th year so only a whipper snapper compared to most.

Andy

This is my first time ;D cant wait to go 8 days and counting

This will be my nineteenth consecutive 24hours, starting back in 88. Also been to prequalification day twice, plus of course the two Classics in 2002 and 04. So really this is my twenty third visit to the curcuit. Boy do I feel old!

You are mate, you are  ;)

You wait till you get to my age. :D

t.

16th straight year for  me and the WANCs,plus every PQ (but not now that PQ is only 2 weeks before the race)

PM

First year was 1980, not missed one yet!

My first Le Mans trip was in 2005 and I haven't missed one since!

How many times have I been to Le Mans?

Not nearly enough!!! 

Much like Bob U I regret not starting sooner.   :( 

Still, I've not missed on since my first and I don't intend to.   ;D

This will be only the 2nd time I have crossed the pond to attend LeMans.  The first time was in 2001 to watch Shane Lewis race.  He crashed at about 2 hours into the race and my LeMans ended there too.  Can't wait to see a WHOLE LeMans.  Last year however, was my 34th CONSECUTIVE year at Sebring.

Jupiter John
Governor - Turn 10

(GO SHANE GO)
Go Team Impala Go

 :D :D 1st was 93, 8th time for me,
 still like a virgin!!!
 ;D ;D

Another one for the hate list. ;D ;D
How I wish I'd been there in 81.

t.

This is only the 2nd time for my Dad and I, he is over 70 and is more exicited than me. 

This year marks no. 25 for me  ;D

Started in 1981 (it was my 17th birthday on the Saturday and it was my present to myself!) and only missed 1985 (still hurts too much to think about even now!).

Old git? Certainly .. and proud of it!  ;)

26 times and still on Houx Annexe.

That's one in the eye for the its critics

 ;D ;D ;D

A relative newcomer compared to many on the forum. This will be six in a row for me.

But what I lack in experience I more than make up for in enthusiasm!  ;D

You only had to take a look at Camp JPC last year to realise that.

This will be my 5th year, first was 2002.
Plus 1 Classic, and going to this years.

1997 was my first, not missed one and done most pre-quals/test weekends since about 2000.

We started in 2000 for my stag do and have not missed one since or can I imagine missing one.  Have also done PQ each year untill last year when dates were moved - too close to get another pass from the good lady and kids.

I should add that 2006 marks Paul Z's fifteenth trip, having started in 1992. He missed the Jags though and this is something I like to remind him about. The Gimp is on nine consecutive years and Chris Z is celebrating seven this time. The Gimp's brother might be coming too, which would be his third go at it. Aren't we all old hands?

14th consecutive this year and there's a prequal as well somewhere.  I too wish I had started going sooner.  However, I have nothing on one of my mates whose 24th consecutive 24 Hrs it will be this year.

18 for me sat above Jaguar on the old pits and witnessed BD win on my first trip in 87 :) :)

Like many vets becoming disillusioned with the way its going but no doubt will continue.

This year will be fantastic with our car running in the support race 8)

Hi all

Started in '85 until '91 then missed until '02 fxxked if I know why but been ever since and starting to expand with a visit to 'S' this year with next year agreed upon (by the missus) and the Classic this year also.

Not long now...

>Martini

20 - missed '86, 02 and 05 - and this one aswell - ommissions due to work, no work and red tape. I'll be back next year, I suspect

My first was '78. Missed 4 or 5 between but have done 2 Daytona 24 and 1 Spa 24.

Probably the best were, in no specific order
JJ Lehto's McLaren drive in the wet
Roundou's win and Ickx tryin to catch him
The lone longtail 962 "almost" beating the best in the first year of the chicanes only to blow with 15 min left
Maxda's unexpected domination with 3 GP drivers hell bent on blowin the bloody noisy car up

this one will be my third :)

In Order:-

1998 24h
College Exams
College Exams
2001 24h
2002 24h
2002 Classic
2003 24h
2004 Pre Quals
2004 24h
2004 Classic
2005 (will cost me a £)
2005 24h

And

2006 24h
possibly 2006 Classic.

On top of that lot countless other sportscar races around the UK.

This year will be my 15th - missed two since 90 - World Cup weekend change in 98 which then coincided with my Hawaii honeymoon and last year when my little girl was imminent.

It struck me on both occasions as possibly bad form to be at the Sarthe.

Having said that, a previous cohort spent much of the weekend in the mid 90s calling his Mrs to see see how the premature contractions were going!

I would have had a nutsack like one of Mapplethorpe's photographs had I done that.

Quick trip over the pond this week - then back to the States next Friday and then straight back to Paris the week after and let the fun begin!!

Due to being elsewhere in the Wilderness Years, my first LM was '98.

(The Wilderness Years were mainly made up of being in far flung places in the merchant navy and watching 1/4 mile drags when home).

My first was 2001 - rather wet !!! even so, such a special atmosphere, just had to keep going back, so this will be my 5th (Brads 4th).

This year will be my 24th consecutive year. I first went in 1983 and fell in love with the race and unique atmosphere even the ACO has not been able to put me off heres to the next 20 years

First year was 97, ...not missed one since.

This year will be my 20th trip :), first time 1985, missed 1993 and 1999 :'(

Jem Old Chap
Trust that you've got all the tent wallahs lined up behind the Rolls Royce with a team of heavily laden sherpas toiling under the weight of all the camping gear and vodka rations.Delighted to accept your very kind invitation - just let me know where the Up North Crew is this year and I'll mosey on over.
I've got your mobile number (if it's changed in the last couple of years pm me)

Cheers

Steve

Was in the Houx site for many years before it became posh in about 96, then we swapped to to the annexe.

before that we where on a site where the main entrance is, panorama i think it was called before moving to another the name of which escapes me quite close to the funfare.

Have never had to stay on the MB site.

Looking forward to meeting up with you on the annexe in about a week!

10th time and sorry I never started earlier when you could get real close.

First went in 91 and slept on a coach in the carpark opposite the main entrance. In 93 we pitched a tent up next to the car in blue parking, the next year we made the move to HA and have been there every year since.
We have been more or less in the same position every year so our paths must have crossed many times.
We will be on site about 7ish on Friday morning, campsite up and bacon rolls and beer open by 8. see you there.

Lord,

Serfs are all excited, we have 4 virgins with us who are all eager to please.

We are on Houx, block 54 pitches 911 - 914.  These pitches are in the section that is out of the trees adjacent to the entrance opposite Houx Annexe.

Mobile still the same.

Jem

Only a virgin on 3 visits. The first as a 6 year old in 78 with the old fella and his mate (who still goes now and has been going since the mid-sixties) Cannot remember much apart from an enormous sense of magic and wonder. It all seemed so otherworldly.

Spent next 20 odd years pestering all my mates/parents to death and following the event from affar until my stag do in 2003, they had no choice, they had to go now.

Thats it, they are all hooked, once it gets in yer blood you're a gonna. The same crew made the return run last year despite it being just a week and a half before my first childs due date, luckily I made it back and still have a marriage. And a daughter called Lola!

We will be skipping the 24H this year due to house move, business comitments, weddings, growing up stuff etc. but will be going to the Classic a few weeks after.

I cannot imagine not going over for what has to be the best weekend of the year.

Long live Le Mans!

my 16th visit and its going to be the longest drive so far too, Driving from Oslo Norway to Le-mans. Around 2600km i think.

That is hell of a drive Nick.  How long are you planning it to take?

First went in 1997 to cheer on Lotus.

Been every year since, but only got to pre-qual the year Bentley won, as i had to miss the race to perform best man duties.

Still not forgiven them for the poor planning.......

Hopefully will not be missing anymore.

this will be my third year and i cant wait! ;D

according to my gps thingy, it will take 2 days driving 12 hours, planning to stop in Frankfurt for sat evening, sunday to watch the England Game in a local pub, then drive the rest Monday.

23rd visit this year. First went in 1981 and missed 1991,1994 and 1995 due to the whinging of the ex-wife.

Next year will be the 24th 24 hour!!- as good an excuse for a drink as I've ever heard.

Jem
Right, printed that out and put it in the glovebox!
I'll give you a call - we get onto MB about lunchtime Thursday. Me and Pete - oldtimers, Jen and Nick - 2nd trip, plus 5 virgins. You want me to bring 'em all over or just me and Pete? We'll bring a bottle but concerned about your rations.....

Steve

That's impressive man - but quite a detour over Frankfurt
Bremen-Düsseldorf-Liége would make more sense. Do you know any people in Frankfurt?
For me it's my 2nd time if that Pretesting counts as well ;D

When I lose my virginity, then I do it right.
Was at the testing from saturday evening to monday morning and will be at BSJ from wednesday very early morning to monday morning

Oh man, 3200km in 2 weeks, around 6 tanks of gas and ~36hrs incl. shopping and rests
I must be crazy

Show me a sane person I'll cure them!!

t.

you only need to go once then join the rest of us crazy people.

Do you guys believe me when I say it's only my third time?

Are those the ones who came by last year that they wanted to sleep at the moment we where watching a movie?? If so, at least I know now which Steve they were referring to. ;D

If you give me beer I will.   ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

t.

Jeezus - it's NorwayPhil!

Safe drive Nick.

cheers mate