Beat me to it !

That was an utter shambles.  Over one hour given over (presumably paid for by Ford ?) to meaningless tripe from the design director of Aston Martin cars answering sychophantic pre-planned questions from the Geordie RLM bloke (shame on him).

We "turned over" to some lovely accordian music !

Well, if it wssn't for the fact that it was a historic race with a diesel winner, the actual race was fairly lame.

However, we got a tour of the Panoz pit on Thursday and were well chuffed to see the Farnbacher 911 lose the lead with 45 mins to go 

Karting Nord seemed quieter than usual on Friday and Saturday.  However, this was made up for (in a bad way) by a tw**t with an Evo who would sit in his car and rev it for about 10 minutes each night to get flame outs on the overrun.  I'm sure he got a kick out of the "kids" who came to pay homage each time 

Even more Danes this year and they know how to party    We popped into their massive party-tent on Friday night.  Man, there were rows or Bier-Keller-esque tables and benches.  With beer, fags and hotdogs/chips for sale they were well sorted !  They were going mad to some bloke called Den Skringende Skinke who had them all on the tables (except the bloke who fell off !) to his rendition of "Break my Heart".  I'd not heard it before, but they seemed to all know the words.

Showers and bogs were well-maintained by the poodle family (poodle sporting a shaved look this year  ).

The village wasn't bad but needs more concrete to reduce the dust problem.  Those with Asthma suffer I know.  Be good to see the fully finished product next year.  Enjoyed watching the T.W.A.T.S. slowly making their way up the lampost on Saturday night

We were very happy with the grub at the Shanghai at Hunaudiers.  Prices were very good too 

Lastly, and most importantly, a massive thanks from us for the completely brilliant CA Guide.  We got so much from this and it should definitely be the "bible" going forward for all Le Mansers.

I have heard there is a new toll road, that either by-passes Rouen or Alencon (the single carriageway road with all the farms that you have to do loads of overtaking on).  Could be the A28 ?

Any ideas.

Cheers chaps and chapesses !  Might be meeting some fellow MX-5 owners at the Poo-bar on Saturday night so maybe see you there too. 

What about some of the ones on eBay for £50 plus postage ?

Like these:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-GENERATOR-CARAVANS-CARAVAN-BOAT-BOATS-CAMPER-VANS_W0QQitemZ4569405561QQcategoryZ1294QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Wolf-Power-Generator-950-Camping-Caravan-Boating_W0QQitemZ5993501121QQcategoryZ57219QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Cheers

Thinking of buying a generator for next year for a fridge.  Is 2-stroke fuel easy enough to get hold of, or would you recommend a 4-stroke (same fuel will work in the Coleman stuff too).

Just looking for opinions on generators really !

Thanks 

SK Camping's where we got our tent IIRC.  I'll pop by.

Thanks for all the valuable info guys

Hi !  Interested in getting one of those little camping chef twin burner things with the grill underneath.  However, it says they work with Camping Gaz 901, 904 or 907 gas bottles.

1)  Do you know if these sets tend to come with all the fittings to connect to a bottle ?

2) Anyone know of a good outlet for the bottles in Surrey (Reigate / Redhill area)

3) Can the bottles be refilled or do you have to keep buying new ones (with a suitable discount for handing back the old bottle)

4) How long does a canister tend ot last ?

Many thanks

What size were the front wheels on the 1970s Ferraris and Matras ?  Compared to modern cars, they were tiny.  I know they wanted as small a frontal area as possible, but didn't the tyres overheat ?

One of the finest pieces of racing footage ever.  I particularly love the way GV did not drive down the inside of the straight, almost daring Arnoux to try to out brake the very last of the late breakers ! 

Probably not possible today with car with no flexibility of handling whatsoever.  Slightest twitch and you have to catch it instantly or you're in the barriers. 

Bring back slicks and ban all but a single plane front a rear wing.

Martin Brundle is, I believe, the only team mate who didn't stand up for any $hit or did actually give Herr Schumacher a run for his money.  Look how Patrese was destroyed by Schumacher after they booted Brundle out    Schumacher was/is great pals with Brundle.  Having said that, this was all before Schumacher got all God-like and was able to call the shots.

Personally I think that has been a great rule.  It has finally brought in some variety to the races and has forced the drivers to learn how to preserve a car over a GP a bit.  Three sprints with clean tyres and fuel within a GP was boring.  However, if they allowed one tyre change per race, they should ban refuelling.  Everyone fuels up for qualifying and that tank has to last the single lap plus the race.

We could see some teams running dry close to the end, and some others really rooting their tyres by charging too hard too soon on full tanks, then having to make a tyre stop, while someone who is a little more skillfull on full tanks will benefit.  Proper clutch starts would be a move in the right direction too, even if the push for automatic boxes seems to be here to stay.

Using stored energy for power boosts would be interesting.  If you limited each car to a certain amount of energy per race, that "boost" will have to be used sparingly.  Teams will have to build very efficient systems (a true benefit to road cars and the environment) but drivers won't be penalised in a fuel way by using it.  Might even encourage overtaking !

You can have all the electronics you like, but the fact is when you start to run a bit low on fuel you need to be careful, and with your nemisis closing in things will be good for the fans.

Think of all the exciting finishes where someone has been closed down, only to make a mistake or fall foul of a car breakage.  Portugal 1987 where Prost chased Berger who finally cracked and spun on worn out tyres is a perfect example.  It's exciting. 

Why girlies ?    Gigi Galli is a bloke http://www.gigigalli.com/

Are there any photos out there of someone tripping over during the running start they used to do ?

I appreciate the danger of falling over in the middle of a racetrack with tyresmoke etc. at the start, but seeing someone fall over is funny at all times.  

I reckon they'd be great on a big enough circuit.  The race on the Brands Indy circuit the other year was rubbish - they were tiptoing round the whole time  

Chriac's comments were made off-mic to some of his work buddies.  Remember when John Major made a comment about the "bastards" in his cabinet ?  We all make dodgy comments or jokes about the odd person at functions/parties.  

For that I cannot loathe Chirac.  However, his instant jumping on the rebate bandwagon the moment he lost the referendum was completely pathetic  

I love France and Le Mans, I just want to see the clip where the French find out they've lost