Club Arnage

The Unique "Le Mans 1000 km" race will be 7-9th November 2003

This 'one off' curtain raiser event for the Le Mans Endurance Series will also be a qualifying race for the 2004 24 Hours. It will be held in the 'Bugatti' circuit unfamiliar to most regular 24 hour visitors, so a whole new experience for you to enjoy, as well as seeing Le Mans in November!

The 1000Km will be open to the normal classes complying with ACO 2003 specifications and which have been harmonised with the new Prototype rules drawn up in tandem with the FIA.

Schedule as released by the ACO;

Friday 7th November : scrutineering and administrative checks.
Saturday 8th November : free practice and qualifying practice sessions. Please note that for the Prototypes and GTs that the qualifying sessions will be run separately just as in the ALMS races.
Sunday 9th November : Warm up at 9.30 a.m. and at 12 noon the 240 lap race will begin with a rolling start  

Sorry to be a Jonah, but I predict the LMES will end in tears like ELMS did.

It is the curse of the Commer.

Andy, I hope you're wrong. Don't make things worse than they are or as we say in Germany, don't paint the devil on the wall.

I would like the series to work but I suspect they have an uphill road. I'll be giving them whatever support I can. Long live the LMES "El-mes?" "Lum-es?"

Hi Hansgerd,

I am not, as we say in England, trying to piss on the strawberries!  :-X :D But history does have a unhappy knack of repeating itself. Especially with the lack of manufacturer support combined with changes to formulae, Lm 750, etc.

And as for my painting skills, you should see the mess I made when hand painting the Commer! ;D ;D

Phew, relieving to know you don't pi?? on any strawberries. At least the abbreviation LMES is better. During the demise of the ELMS I once saw a thread in another forum starting with the words "Nightmare on ELMStreet".  ;D Damned, I cannot hide.  ;)

Stop being so pessimistic !!!

LMES is not only a new way to double the annual profits for local entrepreneurs  ;)...
... it's also a way to me to meet and host you twice a year !!!  :D

It's not sure than next year LMES will be run in Le Mans, so come and enjoy; the shampoo bar is laways at the same location, long track or just Bugatti don't influence it  :P

Well, my excuse appears complete for a return to France this year with a friend moving to within 45 mins of Le Mans and now the 1000kms confirmed ;D

well I think ive now decided that i'm going....oh no im not....oh go on then...nah it'll be freezinng...could be a laugh though...it'll be dark all day and raining,bollox im not going...on the other hand..
I just cant decide

PM

I'm also undecided, don't forget France has an hour in front of us so it won't be dark quite as early as we're used to.
As to the rain, 2001 was bearable so I'm sure a little November drizzle will be okay.
I think the tents a no-no though, I reckon I'll sleep in the car (won't be taking the cob).

Still can't decide though  ??? ??? ??? ???

Unfortunately I won't be going. Waited for the date which was originally the 2nd Nov. as me ol' mucka who lives in Spain is 40 this year and we have a boyz weekend planned, so booked it for the weekend after, then they moved the date!!!!! Bugger!!

 :(

My 40th is on 7th November but I think my wifes plans for that weekend will not include going to Le Mans  :'(

Hey Steve, my 40th is on race Sunday next year. Told the missus we could all go, kids and all, but then she realised she would get lumbered with looking after the dustbin lids and gracefully backed out to leave me to celebrate the milestone in the time honoured tradition, at Lemons and with the lads. It's all in the packaging!!!

 ;D

True, maybe that's why she lets me go with the lads in June.  I reckon another weekend pass is pushing it a bit though  :-\

Just been advised by someone that Ryanair fly to Tours airport. Fairs are about £65 return going out fri 7th returning 9th Nov at 21.45. Could be a novel way to get there, just jump on a train at Tours or hire a car for the weekend.

Don't think I will be going tho. Want to save up browny points for the Classic in July 04.

And I suspect it will be awfully cold....
And the Bugatti curcuit is crap....
And it won't be the same...
and...
and..
and...


Well maybe, we'll just have to see.

Contemplating going with a friend , but wanted to take my bike , but its Northern France in November....


ITS GOING TO RAIN ,

camping maybe a 2001 style washout ??

Definately a good reason to sleep in the back of the car!

For those planning to go in November...

If anyone is interested I will investigate a bit more, but it seems P&O are doing an offer of £10 per night (cannot travel out Fri - Sun) for car + 1, plus additional passengers at £15 per day. Applies to Dover Calais and Portsmouth Le Havre, but overnight a cabin is complusory on the long crossing.

Could be a cheap weekend if travelling alone...

Even cheaper than a cabin a £10 reclining seat , Portmouth Le Havre only

I am going , why ,

My work - Fcuked me about regarding a new position so f**k to them, i am off SICK,
The Darwin Promotion with P&O seems good , whens everyone else going out , or are you not going....

I'm hoping to travel out on the Thursday overnighter. Not sure who I'll have in tow yet. Probably travel back Monday afternoon.

Finally arranged , i believe , going out saturday morning ( p&o to le havre )due to Le Mans SPS working, and coming back monday afternoon , so to enjoy  a nice meal after the race.

Havent a clue what  it will be like but myabe we can meet up somewhere at some point . I will proably be camping , cheap weekend and all that, so need to find out whats available but will proably go to the buffalo grill near the Auchan on the mainroad for a food sunday night.

we will hopefully watch the start opposite the start and finish booth

Why not a good meal before the race?

Would you like to join us at the Bar a Vin on Saturday evening ?

Would you like to join us at the Bar a Vin on Saturday evening ?

Sounds good i will check with the co driver ,Is there a dress code, Is the food proper french cuisine ( i.e Nicely cooked ) .

It maybe a nice time to meet you all , only thing is , where is this restaurant , is it near to the square where the drivers parade is ?

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yes it's a good but simple restaurant...


... dresscode: only no shirt either T-Shirt (in november it's quite normal !!!)

It's 15m from the Place de la Republique so maybe 5 minutes from the Jacobins Square...

... best parking solution (free during evening) is the Jacobins square !!!

Hi Gilles,
As I'm a little peckish, thoughts turn to food...
I've had some memorable meals around Le Mans, and a few in the town. You may know the restaurants in town, if not then it's worth making a note.
They're both in Avenue du G.Leclerc opposite the station. The first, on the left hand side (viewed from the station) is run by a very dapper man with a finely kept moustache. We've had a few sing-songs in there with Alain de Cadenet and Derek Daly. However, the owner as well as the keeper of an impressive top lip, is also one of the rudest men I've ever met. We usually put up with him because the food and service are excellent, although last year he was too much and we walked out.
The second is almost directly opposite, and although a little quieter the food got a ten out of ten from me.
If I could remember their names then....
H

Gilles can you add 2 places for me and Le Mans SPS , aka Phil and Rich . Hopefully we will be sporting our new Arnage T Shirts , if the trials ones are finished by then .

Ok for 2 extra seats...

H, do you not think that his attitude may have something to do with the fact that when you attend you have a silly Turkish hat on and that you have Sav, in tow, we woulld be exactly the same if you visited us at the end of a weeks hard drinking, by the way that box of bitter you left on departure this year did not have any contaminates in it, did it? as we all had a slurp before we left the track
Look forward to having you all as our nebours again next year.
You rowdy bunch.
Brian.
PS. if you want a football sized pitch taping off we will be willing to oblige, as Andy Z, left us with space to fit 29 Commers in last year. I might add FLuc that Felix, if we see his sign next year it's coming down, his pitch was left untouched right through the week end.
Take care.
a half pissed Brian after a night shift.

I'm offended that you black my name Brian . I'm as bad as the next man. H the name of the restuarant is Le renaisance. excuse the spelling, don't forget David Hobbs joins in the sing-songs

Yes but the Renaissance was sold and it(s a new owner since a few weeks. They already repaint the window  ;)

Thats sad, winding up the waiter was one of the highlights. Any recommendations as to where to eat next year Gilles

You always can try the Re-Renaissance...

... for a good moment, try the "Couscous de Marcel" a little higher on the other side of the street. This is traditional oriental food in a warm atmosphere and you'll never stand hungry at the end of the dinner !

Gilles, do you have the current LPG prices in LM at hand ?

Sorry I'm not Gilles.
Last time I looked it was 0.56 euros/ litre - about the same as UK I think.

Thanks very much Kpy. So, it didn't change much since June.

Unlike fags, which I hear have gone up 20%...

I hear they resisted upping duty on wine from 2p a litre.
A bit less than our £1 a litre :o :o

robbo and i will be there in november. bloody cold and wet as it may be we will be there. i am working late shifts on the thursday and friday so if anyone is going out with p+o from portsmouth ask for rich and it would be nice to put a face to a name. i am keen on the old photography, how do you guys get the good photos that you do? do you have a press pass or a very long lense? no member jokes please.
will be nice to meet up on sat night as well.

Can you get a free upgrade to State Apartment for me le mans? I travel from Pompeii on Thurs night, back on Sun.

yep no worries. the dancing girls will be extra though.