Club Arnage

Folks,

With all of the stuff on the threads about the thefts and the tarnishing of golden eras, we might be in danger of moaning too much, and its easy to forget all the things we enjoyed about and at Le Mans this year  ;D ;D

So here's my list, in no particular order and probably incomplete, of all the good things that I enjoyed last week and which keep me going back to La Sarthe:

Solving the fuel vaporisation problems with the MGA which enabled stall-free driving in traffic
Good weather between the showers
Being pleasantly surprised by the convenient location and relative peace and quiet of Bleu Nord
Friendly local cafes, restaurants, bars etc in the surropunding villages - and their clean bogs
Wine and beer
Taking 2 of my lads for the first time, having James and Jordan along too, and having another of my lads there for his third time, and being proud of the lot of them
The restored view at Indianapolis/Arnage and being there at dusk
Catching up with a bundle of old friends and meeting new ones
CA, and all it brings during the year, culminating in the Le Mans week
The Classic British Welcome and a good CA run out through nice countryside and villages
The look at various points of the week on my first-timer lads' faces
More wine and beer
Picnic lunch on the grass at Arnage corner on wednesday lunchtime
The wedding (Part II) and the Friday DfH party
Classic and modern cars worth ogling in abundance all over the place
The qualifying, the race, the cars, and the excitment and uncertainty they bring
The "wall of sound" along the pit straight at the start
Beer and wine
Friendly campsite neighbours
Radio Le Mans
The bizarre sight of orange construction trucks with yellow lights flashing, bumbling along the circuit to Tetre Rouge to repair the "Rockenfeller moment", being passed by the saftey car and race cars.
Watching cars emulating Torvill and Dean at the Dunlop chicane
Finding out that the Esso garage in Arnage was the Bristol team's garage in 1953

That's better!  ;D ;D

MG Mark

Seconded Mark! At last a sensible thread about what's great about the whole Le Mans thing! I've read far too much negativity on CA just now and having had a great weekend, it's taken the gloss off it a bit. So can I suggest the Mods open a new Board perhaps entitled "Moaning Minnies" so those that want a bitch can post their grizzles and grumbles on there. To my mind, CA is primarily about Le Mans and fun and frollicks and challeging views, let's keep it like that eh?

I really eenjoyed the week, met a lot of great people, nice parties, good atmosphere (despite the rain), raised  quite a lot of money for charity, we had beer, and even more beer, race was quite good etc etc etc

I enjoyed being the support crew for the 5 reliant robins that went down  ;D

Dont know if any of you lot saw them but we shall be back next year with another 5 robins bringing the total up to ten so look out for us!

I enjoyed the race, glad to see the Astons win, heard they might be making an LMP1 car to challenge the Audis, happy days   :)

Fair point about all the moaning....I think the best bet is to take up any moans with those others concerned.

So here's a list of the things we enjoyed...

Watching the race at Arnage at nightfall
The view from our stand seats
The giant TV screens and the coverage
Radio LM
Our champagne starter in the morning
The quality of the race
The weather...mixed it up a bit didn't it!
The revamped facilities in the village
The people we went with
The fact that...there's nothing else like LeMans

Blimey at this rate we'll be booking for next year!!!

I enjoyed the whole experience even the rain and would like to thank the DFH for the invite to their party which was great, also the Liverpool boys for their hospitality and cant wait for next year! ;D
There was one other really great thing about this year and that was 009 winning! shame I could not stay to them collect their trophy

Here you go then, Cissie
(http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q103/cooperlola/LM07Raceday450CR.jpg)

Yeah, I had a couple of moans about some of the yobs but they failed to ruin my week. Even the dissapointing Oreca showing and the cr*p weather can't take the atmosphere away.

Great to see everybody as ever.  Glad to see a race that wasn't an Audi white-wash for a change.  Chuffed to see the IMSA porker win and Tracey Krone take second, and Huge Chamberpot finish the race.  Fab viewing at TR.  The rain stayed away during our Thursday picnic at Mulsanne.  Managed to see the sun come up over the Dunlop Bridge on Sunday morning.  The heli ride was a real experience - gives you a totally new perspective on the circuit.  Glad to see so many people on the Cavalcade - and wasn't the turnout at St Sat fabulous?  Great that Big H finished his marathon run.  I'm sure there's loads of stuff I've forgotten.  Then I got home and discovered I'd managed to record the entire race so I'm now enjoying it all over again.

How much was the helicopter ride?  Did you book it or just turn up?

It was 80 euros (more info' in the guide).  Fagey booked it for us but you could put your name down by visiting them (next to the exit of Parking Blanc) any time over race week.

How much was the helicopter ride?  Did you book it or just turn up?
[/quote]It was 80 euros (more info' in the guide).  Fagey booked it for us but you could put your name down by visiting them (next to the exit of Parking Blanc) any time over race week.
[/quote]

Thanks, new experience to be had next time we go then!

some of the light showers were quiet refreshing and it wasn't as damned hot as usual!

I enjoyed pretty much everything (though some of the rain was a little tiresome) but most of all I enjoyed the GT1 result  ;D

I enjoyed it all apart from the minor bits that I didn't, but that's life and you take the good with the not so good. 

In no particular order of preference the best bits for me were:

The drive down and visiting Scrutineering for the first time in 15 years.

The first BBQ on Tuesday evening.

Meeting up with old mates some only seen once a year at Le Mans.

Welcoming like minded people to Le Mans for the first time.

The Audi/Peugeot ding dong for the pole at the end of Wednesday Qualifying.

Comparing how different cars appeared to perform accelertaing out of Arnage in the wet.

The Wedding Part II at DFH on Thursday.

The drive out from St Sat on Friday.

The DFH party on Friday.

The outstanding hospitality and welcome shown to us by Nick's French friend and his Belgian, Luxembourg and German friends at their traditional pre race BBQ in Parking Blanc Saturday Lunchtime.

The first bottle of Champagne after the race started.

Sat evening in the Stella Bar at Tertre Rouge (another first after all this time).

The steak onion and mushroom baguette, eaten at 0300 Sun Morning on the MB banking.

Seeing the end of the race despite the rain.

Reaching a hot shower and warm bed on Sunday night in Abbeville.

The reaction of my kids when I got home (armed with presents)

Nothing bad really (other than the thievery, but this is the positive thread) we knew it was going to rain so avoided getting too wet.

Have to do it all agin next year. 

Was the roof chopped Gulf coloured one with you?

Saw it on Dieppe/Newhaven return on Monday morning.

Jerry

Thank you Termietermite it is a great picture, the green looks so much nicer than all that yellow... ;D
The last time I watched them race they also beat the Corvettes which was at Mosport last year.

 :-* :-* :-*

Yipeee - I'm sooo glad to have this thread to post on......what I enjoyed at le Mans.....EVERYTHING!

Getting on the ferry from Jersey to St Malo and then driving all alone with my music blasting - no stopping - just having a little play with a Porsche and a TVR with some very straight laced looking guys driving who seemed a bit bemused to be forced into the inside lane by a mere Mini Cooper S.

Arriving at the gates to MB and hurtling along to the Liverpool Boys camp and Mike C and Bill and Stu and Peter Ian and Mark - lots of hugs and kisses  ;)

Putting up my lovely new tent (well observing Jimmy and Brian putting up my lovely new tent) - wearing my matching wellies, kagool and brolly (yes it is my fault that it rained - first time I have ever taken wellies to Le Mans!)

Making the Thai Green Curry (very cool this year) and everybody saying how wonderful it was.

Hearing the cars on the track for the first time - still loving the Lambo - crying when it crashed crying even more when it only did one lap in the race.

Getting to see the start from a grandstand for the first time.

Spotting exotica - I will never ever get complacent about seeing and listening to the real deal on the road and being able to get up close and personal with it.

The arrival of the Commer and the Zarses

Being driven in the NSX up to the village and making people jump out of their skin when we blatted it through the tunnel.

The spectacular arrival of a very fit looking man on a push bike - yes thats you H

DfH Party - The Bretherens chilli challenge OMG!!!

Going AWOL with the Duc Rider

Arnage corner at midnight on the night of the race.

...and the final few hours of Le Mans 2007 stood in the rain taking it all in.

It was great this year - best ever and it's all down to the people of CA as otherwise it just wouldn't be the same

Thanks everybody

 :-* :-* :-*

Back to topic...

For a very long time it was unclear that I even could attend LM this year. That's why I never got a CA Tee or any tickets and booked the N24s the week before instead. As time came closer chances looked better and better. Werner can sing a song about this. Then, work struck... but I was determined to miss this in no circumstance. I left work in Frankfurt at 12:30 on friday before the race. It took me 5 hours (yes, five hours for 270 KMs - lots of rain and 2 huge accidents) to get to Aachen. So, I arrived in Aachen at 17:30. Then I spend 4 hours in the kitchen to do the cakes for Rollcentre and Kruse. Once finished it was 21:30. Then another hour to clean the kitchen and arrange things for the next day. I fell asleep at 22:30 and was doozing off untill 03:00. Then shower, shave, pack car and I was just about quick enough off to LM to forget the radio and tent. After a quick flick through Belgium and France I arrived at 09:00 at LM. Antares was already closed with the only option being Beausejour... so, I parked on the side of the road close to Houx Annexe where a couple of good friends camped (yes, it's legal but wait for it...). I took the box with cakes and carried all the way to the paddock (thanks Big_M for adjusting my glasses several times... I was sweating but determined to get this job done for myself). Someone from RC picked me up at the gate and I delivered the goods to RC and Kruse. Then, out and off to DfH for saying hello and a beer (thank you guys) and off to watch the start with the LeMansZone guys (Werner) at the Esses. At 19:00 I left for Houx Annexe because I was invited for dinner by some very good friends. After that we then together made our way to the Shampoo bar. I met and talked to many known and unknown friendly faces. Then - being quite exhausted - I got back to the car. Sleeping was not easy as any bypasser knocked on the window (wan***s). I woke up at 06:00 on sunday and went off to take some pictures (with a dirty lense - but hey, they are still above average). Then I went back to Houx Annexe for some food (thanks again Big_M). After some chilling I left at 12:30 just to sit in a jam for about an hour. I was just around Paris when Big_M texted me saying that RC finished in 4th position. Well, if they finish in 4th I want to be in one. I wasn't... I was back in Aachen at 10:000 and straight off for some food and the famous 4 S's. The off to work was on monday morning at 04:00 just to arrive in time in Frankfurt at 07:00. Did I enjoy it: YES. Would I do it again: YES. Next weekend: NO, but in 10 days at the Ring... give me some time to recover. Thanks guys for another great year at LM.

Absolutely bloody everything!

 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Dx

There is not much I didn't enjoy.

The drive was good, the campsite as expected, the rain as predicted (made us laugh more than cry), the race itself, finally AM winning, free grandstand seats from a friendly chap at Audi, great company.

Even having to fend off the gypsies on Sunday night / Monday morning and the fact one of our party last saw his car going off on a low loader (the car is still in France) did not spoil the experience.

I just hate the 12 month wait until next year.

I enjoyed absolutely everything...even the weather  ;D ;D ;D

What i enjoyed, everything!!!
Iv'e read a few forums that have moaned about lots of things and although i agree with most of it i still wont let it stop me remembering 2007 as a great event.

Main points -

The Ferry trip overnight and the build up to arriving at the circuit.
The driving on great French roads
arriving at the circuit after being away for 10 years
the weather, managed to get a decent tan between the rain
Seeing the Porche curves for the first time
experiencing he new layout on the run down from dunlop bridge
being woken up in Beausjour at 9am by the morning testing - best alarm clock ever
the quality of Radio Le Mans
the new village
the pit lane walk
the beer
the bbq
watching the start at the esses
Aston winning

and best of all managing to stop up for the whole race, 33 hours in total. Something ive always wanted to do. Witness the daylight return.

cant wait for next year.....

Everything too. ;D

The drive down, meeting up with time team. Brilliant dinner on Friday lots of talk about the race, plenty of wine and too much Cognac  ;D Chatting in the rain til 2am

Arriving at Mulsanne race build up

The start

visiting Arnage and staying down there overnight

the tour of the hot spots, Porsche curves Tetre Rouge etc on Sunday morning

back to Mulsanne for the end

listening to a bunch of Brits banter (wine fuelled) but in good spirits for the last hour of the race

the drive back, good dinner on Sunday night,

not Monday so much........ :-[

The smell, the noise, the atmosphere the being tired, being cold then warm, wet then dry.

Spending the weekend with a group of decent folk that are courteous, generous and share my passion for the worlds greatest motor race for what it is – a motor race.


See you all next year. Monkey

Me too - well almost everthing, the only bad experience I had is the trench-foot being suffered right now caused by blisters from wet trainers.

Very bad indeed to hear about all you that had trouble, keep your end up and fight them on the beaches next year!

Funniest moment - Batman, Superman and Captain America in Houx, 'flying' around in the Batmobile (a Supercharged XK8, I think).
Some normal 'being' trying to get in the car for a lift, result - an argument between Batman and intinerant followed by Batman chasing said down Houx road trying to lamp him one - the only time I have ever stepped in to prevent Batman hitting someone! We were rolling around, pi*ssing ourselves, excellent! 

Really enjoyed most of it this year. God Craic on the way down with the lads, great spot on Bleu under the oak trees in the corner, smashing old French couple next to us who brought out a nice bottle of Brandy after we got soaked pitching up. Sneaky pit walk on Friday eve after the crowds had gone- beer with RML lads, Getting roped in to help fit new engine and box in Shaun Lynns GT40 and watching him win from the back of grid, Radio Le Mans, new Tetre Rouge, crashing Audis. Loved it. Heres to next year!

Enjoyed every moment, even standing at the Porsche Curves at 1:00 on Sunday afternoon getting pissed on. The best thing was having my son with us and seeing him fall in love with the place and saying he wants to go every year. I didn't know he could drink like that.

How was it to "leave" Houx Annexe, Bob? :-\

Very strange Paddy. Had to rely on the Beer Scooter to get me back on Friday night ;D

Just being there again!!

Another great year as far as I am concerned!  ;D

Among the many highlights were the Friday cavalcade, DfH beers, having a dry seat in the grandstand for the finish, catching up with an ex HA neighbour who I havent see in a few years, going on the Big Wheel Saturday night, Arnage and Mulsanne early Sunday morning, nice campsite neighbours and (believe it or not) staying sober most of the week!

Thanks to all LM friends, old and new, who added to the enjoyment.

F

Fran- Really sad that I did not get to meet up with you this year to talk 'Didsbury and Fallowfield', prob for the best as I get mega homesick after a few beers and want to go back :'( :'( Hope to get to meet up with you at Silverstone!

 :-* :-* :-*

Just got home after a very enjoyable day doing normal stuff at work (buying super yachts/ super cars and football players) - then I read some more posts about what people felt is all bad about Le Mans 2007 and decided to resurrect this thread.

Please can we have some more posts here!

And - another thing - has anybody seen my tent, double air mattress (used once ;)) wok, colander, big rice pan, party frock, one bottle of sweet chilli sauce (unopened), one bottle of Laurent Perrier Rose and one bottle of essential oils massage oil with ylang ylang and bergamot (opened, but only used once ;))

Actually - it's all good - as I was camped next to great friends on MB (The Liverpool Boys, Mike C, Bill and Clive), they packed up for me when I could'nt ( :P) get back into the circuit on Monday morning before they had to leave.

You see we forget that this is what is great about Le Mans - a year goes by- then we all meet up and have fun and get to see some of the best cars in the World at the World's greatest endurance motor race.

A few numptys in RS Turbos (calling me a Northern Cxxnt) and others razzing about on scooters can't take that away from me or any or us (although the RS Turbo eejits did wreck my 2006 SMcQ Tshirt  :'()

Please let's have some more fun stories and fun pics.

Lisa

 :-* :-* :-*

Hi Lisa,

I've had my moans quota for this year, although as always I enjoy my time at LM every year and always look forward to returning and start all over again.

My memories are recorded in the LM photos thread.

Jerry

And - another thing - has anybody seen my tent, double air mattress (used once ) wok, colander, big rice pan, party frock, one bottle of sweet chilli sauce (unopened), one bottle of Laurent Perrier Rose and one bottle of essential oils massage oil with ylang ylang and bergamot (opened, but only used once )

Hi Lisa,
All your stuff is safe and dry in the back of the bus, waiting to be returned to you in 3 weeks. Little Miss C loves your tent, but wanted to know what the oil in the pocket inside was for,"waterproofing" I told her.

See ya soon
Mike

What did i enjoy, well all of it.
I enjoyed Le Mans 07 from mid June 06, just the looking forward to, the booking of bits, the Humber fettling, the nervousness of taking the Humber to the elation of making it there (and back) Humber unscathed bar the tyre, the camping, even the weather, the food, the drink the company the atmosphere, and i really do love the french commentary on the tannoys as i stroll around, especially at night on Arnage brings back thoughts of LM and Stevie McQ. I love all of it and 07 was another stella year. Granted some bloke walking into my tent Saturday night apprantely looking for Brian and waking me up (lucky i was there even if a little bemused) could have put a downer on it, looking baclk he was a theiving scrote who should have been administered a kicking but i was alseep and on my own and not very hard if truth be told......

But yes, LM 07 was GREAT, roll on 08, i am enjoying next year already!!!

Actually had my first go on one of those scoters (only for about 100 yrds) on MB on Sunday,

Good fun when you're on it, but I wouldn't like to take a fall at speed, (not without gloves anyway)

Also my first ride in an NSX, great car and gets lots of admiring looks.

another great year roll on 2008.........

A very good ressurect Lisa, thanks

Enjoy?

Every damned damp or windy blowey noisy day of it...

Every lovely anticipatory day and night of plotting and planning to get there all year after the shattered "arrive home at last" session...

Every single CA member I had the privelege to meet and admire in the distance (OK that was only the laydies) and the wonderful efforts of DfH, Brethren, JPC (What an auctioneer that man is!) and not forgetting all our HA folks too. SB et al, Martini and our welcome visitors "en-camp" (Come any time Fran)

Termies' fantastic organising for St Sat




Blooming all of it



And lets do it all again next year, huh?

Credit c

We can do it twice next year, don't forget the Classic.

It was a great year for us as well! Some of it is a blur because we went to the Nurburgring the weekend before (that place really is something else) so by the time we got to Le Mans we already had 4 nights of drinking and sleep deprivation under our belts! Took a lot of care to avoid the crowds and tos*ers this year. As usual took a drive out on the Wednesday whilst the roads were quiet and made it to Mulsanne for the qualifying. The camping looked very civilised up there (I have some pictures for the 2008 guide). The day was bettered as a mate who works for LNT got us pit passes and gave us a quick tour round the garage. Nice to see how the other side live! The highlight of the trip was having my old man and his mate join me for the race. He has opted out of Le Mans since 2001 after many a trip in the past. We had the tent pitched for them so they only had to turn up and enjoy it for which they were very grateful! Took in most of the General Enclosure during the first few hours (quite like the new set up at Tertre Rouge and very glad to see a big screen down there). At about 10 pm we drove out to Hotel Arbor, it was very easy to get to traffic wise and totally worth the effort. 10 Euros for parking, beer and sandwich  ;D It was a 50 yard stroll to the Mulsanne's second chicane. The floodlit view was spectacular but the best thing was there was only about 15 or 20 other people there! If you remember, the weather was decent on Sat night, this made for a very tranquil couple of hours spectating  ;D Took a drive out to Arnage on Saturday morning about 7.30 (great time to avoid the crowds). Delighted to see the ACO had erected a big screen up near Indianapolis as well. Have to say that all in all the race was a bit disappointing as a competition but the weather played a big part in that. Just about managed to stay dry whilst packing up. Trip was finished off at a hotel just south of rouen. Fantastic food and wine and the grand prix highlights on the telly. Perfect! Already under way with the planning for 2008.

 :-* :-* :-*

Any more lovely LOVELY tales to tell about LM2007

I mean unless you start - I might have to give my own personal story  :-[

Lisa
 :-* :-*

Will it have pink wellies in it?

I think you really ought to

after all, we'm only human and you have started, so you must finish...

 ;)