Club Arnage

Received a missive over the weekend that confirms dates etc. for the second Classic.

Weekend of 24th/25th July (closure of roads from Friday evening, the 23rd) with a proposed entry of 366 cars & years from 1923 up to 1978 this time (not quite what had been rumoured!).

Same five age groups from the first event plus a new "plateau 6" from 1972 to 1978. More details to follow on MB in the next day or so.

Cheers!!

Rick

(Hopefully none of this next time - what a sad sight!)

(http://www.maisonblanche.co.uk/02cl2112.jpg)

It's only five weeks away from the regular race. But I would like to think I'll get there somehow.

Why not enter the Commer?  ;D

maybe not eligible, or like a former assistance van...

That will slot very nicely into our Italy moto road trip next year.
Slight detour, but seeing as we rack up some 4500 miles anyway it wont make a blind bit of difference.
Hooray
Rusty

Rick, some questions spring to mind:

What extra cars can we expect to see in the 72-78 plateau, other than Porsche 936, Matra, Renault Alpine, Mirage Ford etc? I am more thinking of some of the midfield "also rans", who often put on a fine display of spinning and general mayhem in the hands of game amateurs.

How will the ACO include the extra plateau in the schedule, as they seemed to be very pushed for time with five plateaux last year? Less races per plateau?

Will it be worth going and should I take a camera?

Will it be the full circuit?

How much are the tickets?

What will the weather be like in July 2004?

Where will the camping be?

So many questions....

I have in mind to email the ACO to advise them the Commer was an official support vehicle for the Lola team and please can I bring it into the paddock! What are the chances?

Of course it worths going and bring your camera...

... yes it's on the full circuit...

... the weather will be narly the same as in june 2004...

... and the campsite will be inside.

Not a problem for your Commer, just need to be decorated as a Lola Van and you'll gain access to the inside of the track as all the classic cars. It's organsied by brand and/or club parkings. If you're not able to convince the Commer Owners Club to come, you may try with the Classic Camper Club.

Unfortunately a lot of the larger cars from that era are now privately owned in the USA and as we saw at the last Classic, very few were inclined to bring them over. Would be cracking to see the likes of the Renaults and 936s - they would be the star of the show for sure in my mind.

You're right about the reduction in runs. I think they have mooted that each plateau will have 3 runs and for longer (about an hour) to facilitate a driver change!! This would therefore give about 18 hours of on track action out of the 24.

The only campsite open last time was MB and that was fully booked, but given the success of Classic I, I would imagine that they might open another for Classic II. Mind you, we just turned up on the Saturday morning and parked in the Bleu car park, then pitched our tent; there was bags of room all around.

The atmosphere was superb and everywhere was much more accessible. The paddocks were brilliant and almost my fave car of the weekend was the Citroen SM "Gendarmerie" complete with seemingly permanent gendarme!!

Do not miss, and yes, as Gilles says, definitely bring a camera!

Already booked in the 2004 calendar, but I fear my intended trip to Spa might have to be 2005 now unless it's an "earner"!!

Can't remember ticket prices (coz I was "knobbing" with accreditation), but I think it was really very cheap. Bearing in mind how good value the contemporary event is .......

As for the Commer, the colour is right for a start .. you never know. Sure we can persuade one of the British entrants to have you as a supoort vehicle!!!!!!

Cheers

Rick

Thanks Rick.

I agree we are unlikely to see more than the odd 936 or Renault, which is a shame. I have no idea what else was racing around this time. Was there not a Lancia thing? Or was that later? Before my time. Anyway, it should be a good event. I like the idea of longer races with driver changes, more in keeping IMO.

I agree also on your comments about the Classic in 2002. We were camped in Parking Bleu as well and very comfy and convenient it was too. I seem to remember the ACO wanted about 50 euros to camp in MB, which we declined to do. But entry ticket price was very reasonable. I seem to remember access to grandstands with no tickets, but maybe we just blagged it. It was a classic drink up too!

However, I cant help thinking it would be better to run the event it in Sept, from a "marital harmony" point of view anyway. Not quite sure how I will get away with it this time, esp having gone well overdrawn on the browny points account for the trip to the RWC in OZ!

 :D know how you feel!! Maybe Mrs. Z would like to come along to the Classic?  :o

List of cars eligible from 1972 to 1978: (in no particular order)

Matra MS 680, 670, 660
Porsche 907, 908 (LH, 02, 03, 3LH), 910, 911S/Carrera/RS/RSR, 930, 934, 935, 935K2, 935/78, 936, 936/77, 936/78,
Alfa Romeo 33TT3
Ford Capri 2600 RS/LV/RV (!!!!!!!!), Torino
Duckham's Ford "LM"
Lola T280, 282, 284, 286, 290, 292, 294, 296, 297, 380LM
Chevrolet Corvette, Monza
De Tomaso Pantera
Ligier JS2
Chevron B21, 23, 31, 36
BMW 2800 CS, 3.0 CSL, 2002, 3.5 CSL, 320i
Ferrari 312P/PB, Dino 246, 365GTB (Daytona), 308GT, 365BB, 512BB
Mirage M6, GR7, GR8, M9
Sigma MC 73, 74, 75
De Cadenet LM, Lola T380
Grac Gotti MT20
Moynet LM 75
Datsun 240Z
March 75S
Mazda S124A
Renault Alpine A441/2/3, A310
Tecma PHM 755
Inaltera GT, GR6
Lancia Stratos
WM P76, 77, 78
Lenham
Cheetah G501, 601
Dodge Charger
Aston Martin AM V8
Sauber C5
Osella PA5, 6
Rondeau M378
IBEC 308LM

Should be quite a few of the above still knocking around in Europe. Getting moist with anticipation!!!

Cheers

Rick

 ;D

I'll definately be there for the Classic 2004, 2002 was absolutely fantastic.

About bringing a camera, go buy a digital one, you will be taking pictures constantly as the cars and sites are fantastic.

Even the classic car field was briming with exotica, I don't think i have ever seen that many classics and exotics anywhere else.

Last time I stayed in a hotel which was great and made a pleasant change to Houx Annexe, next year, I'm not sure, Le Mans kind of has to be camping, who knows!

Memories from the Classic 2002, The D Types, Aston DBR's, Bentleys and lolas they were all great and being driven bloody fast. By all accounts Win Percy had the D Type sideways on the Mulsanne at over 160mph trying to avoid someone driving the wrong way round the circuit. Apparently they had spun and got all confused, what with no other lights around, they headed off the wrong way............. ???

Bring on 2004 :D :D :D

Rick,
Where exactly are you getting moist? It's not a 'gentlemans problem' is it?
If you'd like to talk about it, I'm sure I could outline a course of treatment.
On the other hand, it could just be a hole in the tent...
H

Been having hormone treatment for it for years, one of those things I'll have to live with apparently. Regarding the hole in the tent, it's all a rumour!!

 ;D

The Grac Gotti MT20! One of my personal all time favourites. I expect there'll be a big turn out by the Owner Club. I say Owner Club as I expect there is only one owner in existence.

Do you have a photo of this fabulous monster?

No sooner said than done Sir!

Here's the little beaut!

Ran in 1974, Simca Powered. Retired after 5 hours with clutch failure.

(http://www.maisonblanche.co.uk/74lmmt20.jpg)

Edited to give credit for the photo. This was scanned from the SUPERB "bible" of LM, the Moity/Teissedre/Bienvenu 1923-1992 mega-reference 2 book set.

It ,looks wicked, not what I was expecting. But only it has a simca engine which is related to the commer so will be weak. No wonder there is clutch slip as the scrankshaft oil seal will blow just like the rest of them.I am quite drunk.

Drunk again? Disgusting behaviour!! In fact, I've had so much recently, the old gout has come back in the left knee!!!!

Referring to our convos about lost causes in times past, got another one to champion now (see avitar image to left!!). Pick it up tomorrow night, just a bodyshell, nothing else!!!!! Can't see it being ready for Lemons 2004 though.

 ;D

To quote Alec Guinness from Bridge over the River Kwai, "Madness. Absolute madness".

They were not actually made by Bond, but by Reliant on a cut down Regal chassis. Tho one wonders which bit they cut down! When I was at school in the seventies, the mum of the two biggest, hardest kids in the school had a bright purple Bug. They had the pissed ripped out of them relentlessly at 4.00 every night.

I can only imagine you have been locked in a 3 foot high  tin shed for a week Rick.

That or did Victor Ubugo sell it to you the other week when you were "over refreshed" after a day at Twickers?

Madness. Absolute madness.

Well I have to admit a certain life long fondness for the damn things - I blame Corgi and Airfix fixations of years past. Have you ever seen a shot of the bare chassis? Looks like something we all made in metalwork class!

Victor was not guilty, honest! But it is virtually free (8 cans of Caffreys and a bottle of vodka is the price!!!!!!!), local and..... the best bit .. I have a cunning plan or two!!! All will be revealed (in about 10 years probably!), but it involves taking moulds.

Right now, a 3 foot tin shed has a great appeal as I await the result of an Inland Revenue investigation (bless 'em), might be emigrating to Le Mans! My five foot tin shed (the 806) is about to cost me a fortune in servicing and aircon fix, give me a Commer anyday!

Revenue investigation? Sounds bad news to me, do they still have Debtors prisons? Don't let it get you down tho. If you pass scrutiny, they'll likely leave you alone for at least six years, so then you can do what you want!!

Hideous thought. I think we should graft the front of the Bug onto the Commer (or Mobile Business Display Unit, as it is known to the Revenue). It would look like a big, fat Duck-billed Platypus.

Well with an orange beak and large green body, it would look like some large low flying mallard! Maybe the 2004 ACO poster could feature this!

Talking of bugs, are your worms now banished from the infernal machine?

Can't wait to see how we can vandalise next years' poster. And the one for pre qual. And the Classic.

Yes, worms all gone from my computer. A dose of Bob Martins Powders did the trick. Its breath is much fresher too.

Inland Revenue? Oo-err!

Investigation? Eeeek!!

The very best of luck Rickmeoldchina. I've had those shiny suited jobsworths round here in the past (c/w stringy moustache and leaking roll ups). It was during the winter so I made sure the heating was off and the window to his room was 'stuck' open. It must have been only 1 or 2 C in there. He made short work of the books, nevertheless it was not a pleasant experience. An aggressive accountant (with a nailbar) might also help things along. Anyway, since the floods of 2001, I believe Sussex is now considered off-shore and maybe a tax haven. AZ is probably lounging on the foredeck in the marina sucking on a Sobrani as we speak.
Good luck!
H

No such luck. It is now so dry down here we have been redesignated officially as a desert by the Royal Geographical Society. Wilfred Thesiger is currently doing a book on the nomadic tribes of Hastings and Newhaven.

And just who is Sobrani? She sounds very nice.

Thanks for all your concerns and best wishes with our beloved friends from Revenueland. Have indeed employed the use of my accountant as the front line "cannon fodder" - however I fear they will just get round a table and work out who can fleece me for the most money. Oh well, you can't take it with you can you?

If they do decide to descend upon us in person, I will place a special order with Carrefour in Le Mans for some of their "best" pizzas. If left for several hours in the baking sun on MG Maestro roof with lid open (for insectual access) and then consumed and washed down with warm citrus flavoured Yop, I can guarantee that within 3 hours fizzing mushrooms appear in a bowl in your tent. I shall offer him some of said prepared food for lunch (not that I want him camping in my garden of course). Worked for me back in 2001!

 :-X

Rick,

Poisonning is still a crime you know. Reminds me of Basil Fawlty and the kipper...

And my apologies if Mrs Thesiger is reading.  Apparently Wilfred died at the weekend! A great man. I read it in the paper last night. Bad luck. I expect he was asleep. You're off your guard, you see.