Club Arnage

Time appears to be passing pretty swiftly before this year's epic trip....

Whilst we don't have a huge US posse this year I think there are some travellers we need to find some camping kit for?

Those that need kit might like to post here what they need...

Trevor? - Mrs Termie has a tent - are you planning to bring any gear with you or do we need to put together kit for you?

I still have a couple more spare tents plus quite a few chairs.  I also have 2 camping mats.

I have spare kit, just say the word.

Doug

We were planning to bring sleeping bags, hadn't thought about foamies....   Rain gear !  We can't bring camp stoves or similar as they will not allow them on airplanes these days. 

And of course we are MOST INDEBTED to Mrs. Termie for the own or a tent, and of course yourself for making us feel so welcome to meet up and share the LM experience.   ;D

Trevor in Calgary....

PS:  it snowed again here Thursday and Friday, hard to believe that it is less than 60 days to late June !

TC 

We've got some spare chairs but if Mrs T could provide some that would be easier, ditto sleeping mats?   What about pillows? 

I've got loads of cutlery, plates, mugs etc. and we set up a separate kitchen tent and have a couple of stoves (Trevor - have you used Coleman dual fuel stoves?).   We have a gas fridge so with sensible shopping and packing we can usually manage on the drag between Friday and Monday morning when we don't go out and shop.    We'll also have a BBQ.  (Termie - can you recommend some decent charcoal - the cheap stuff we buy from Carrefour/SuperU always seems to need half a bottle of lighter fluid to burn!) 

I'll try to fit in an additional coldbox - if you keep it topped up with ice - you'll have a fighting chance of keeping your beer coolish! 

Not very long now  ;D

Oh another point perhaps for Termie or Robbo - KK said that for the bikes LM is a beer free zone - nothing to be bought for 20km's.  I have some recollection that this is nromal for the bikes and isn't an indication of what might happen for the car 24? 

I have 6 guests myself so pillows may be in short supply but I'll have a count up. I will bring all the chairs.  I'll be back and forth over the week so we'll need to have an rdv!  Or you could nip over to the Termites on Monday or Tuesday evening; stop for a nosh and pick the stuff up?

Charcoal : Always buy "Professionel" or "Qualite Restaurant" - always worth the extra.

Beer : Yes, normal for bikes so don't worry about LM.

Rain gear : It's not going to rain!  Seriously : I expect we can find something.

I should be able to manage pillows - they'll squish in the car/trailer nicely. 

Thanks for the food invite - I will confer when KK makes it back from LM, I'm not sure I know when Trevor & Sean are arriving? 

I'll look out for better charcoal - am I likely to get it in the supermarket or should I be looking elsewhere?

In Supermarkets as normal, Piglet.

I have a few cool bags (not so many rigid boxes, though) lying about.

On this subject, LeClerc have special offers on really cheap and cheerful camping gear until 5th May.
2 man dome tent : 6.50
Folding table : 9.90
Inflatable matresses 6.50
Sleeping bag 4.50
Folding chairs 7.90 (the sort with the cup holders which fold into a tubular bag)

Intermarche have a cool box, 2 ice packs and 4 piece cutlery/plate/cup set : 13.90
All prices are in euros.
If anybody is interested, please pm me.

Le Mans notes

Tram track almost finished, not saying it’s working but the tracks there and nice grass growing down the middle.

Much more security by a security company not locals in ACO vests! Passes scanned at the only one way in via gate near pit lane entrance. Security checking passes on EVERY stair well up to the Grandstands over pits.

South tunnel to be open for race

New pits garages are shells, welcome centre mud……. Not started yet.

The first part of Dunlop has been adjusted to include a large run off which are painted blue and yellow.

The paddock bar is there if you can get to it bigger and more covered area than before.

New road down from village to tunnel under circuit, access tunnel for tech support staff from support paddock to pits

kk, just one thing, I wouldn't get too concerned about the single entrance.  This has been done before at other meetings and they've been revived by the time the race is on.  I don't think they could cope if just one were open for the cars.

Sorry didnt make my self clear, there is a new tunnel from the support paddock to the back of the pits so one point of entry for crews and drivers into the paddock will work.

There is a new fence along the back of the grandstand stairs in the paddock so its isolated from the paddock hence you could get into the padock and hospitality from the grandstands only out the gate back on the road, and the tunnel back towards the campsites.

Kind of an odd question, but I assume bank machines are everywhere just as they are here ??   

There is just one on the circuit which always boasts a massive queue and often breaks down!  But, yes, loads in the town etc.

Hi Trevor,
             Not everywhere but available in town. Our credit cards work in some places but not all. Advise your card company that you are travelling to France or they MAY cut you off. You will need 4 digit PIN to used the ATM too.
Phil