OK, thanks for that Barry.

I will come prepared for any occasion.

A couple of questions from a Classic 'Newbie';

This Dress Code mularkey - how is it enforced, i.e. is it strictly no shorts?, strictly no trainers?. When and where is it applied?. Are denim jeans classified as trousers?

Also, it states that modern cars are not allowed 'into the circuit'. I have a camping ticket for Blue Nord, which I'm assuming is classicfied as outside the circuit so my modern MX-5 is OK. But is that so?

Any advice greatfully accepted.

thanks

Gavin

(Arriving on Thursday 0815 Portsmout Caen, returning Monday mid-day Cherbourg- Portsmouth)

Oops sorry, cheque is now in post.

I camped at BJ last year, and frankly it was crap. No atmos, and a long walk. Try for Houx or Houx Annexe if possible.

BBCi is now reporting that Tony Purnell "head of Fords premier vehicle division motorsport" is trying to put together a buyout deal to keep the team going in F1.

So maybe the Chinese Connection does exist ........

Nordic, where did you get the info about the Chinese buying into Jaguar?. There are plenty of unconfirmed media reports about the Ford rebranding of the team, and also reliable sources hinting that the team will be scrapped completely at the end of this year. To quote from the Daily Telegraph website of 9th Sept......

"Budgets for next year have still not been signed off at the head office of parent company Ford, leading to fears that the renowned British marque may not be on the grid next season.

 
 
Jaguar team principal Tony Purnell has been candid about Ford's position on the company's participation in F1, claiming that unless the cost of competing came down, an exit would be sought. Ford have not reached that point yet but are understood to be prepared to axe the Jaguar livery to accommodate a new title sponsor, or even rebrand the team under the organisation's familiar blue oval logo.

David Pitchforth, Jaguar Racing's managing director, was in meetings with prospective sponsors yesterday in pursuit of the extra funding required to allow the team to compete, in the short term at least, with rival manufacturers at the top end of the F1 grid.

Jaguar arrived in F1 to a great fanfare in 2000 but have struggled to make an impact, finishing no higher than seventh in the constructor's championship, the position they occupy going in to the Italian Grand Prix.

A series of poor appointments both at senior management level and behind the wheel of the car did not help. The appointments of Purnell and Pitchforth two years ago proved a turning point of sorts but without the necessary investment from Ford, the improvements made behind the scenes have gone largely unrecognised.

Pitchforth was not even able to counter the offer that took Mark Webber, the team's highly regarded Australian driver, to Williams for the 2005 season. Even more distressing, with Jaguar's future undecided, he is unable to appoint a replacement.
"

But no mention of the Chinese.

Robbo,

I kind of agree with your 'why bother' sentiment, but have been overuled by the rest of the party!

 I have little doubt that I'll end up at Beauejour, but I'm duty bound to try and get to Houx Annexe.

Really looking forward to it anyway, its my forth year and I'm a total addict for it.

cheers,  G.

We've got a camping ticket for Beausejour, but (for reasons too dull to go into), we would like one for Houx Annexe instead.

Anyone up for a swap ?

After getting half-drowned in 2001, we've hired a camper van for the last two years from Avis in Paris (one of our party lives there). As there are fewer of us this year its getting expensive (and we have no tents!). So does anyone know of somewhere REALLY cheap in France where we can hire a camper.  

Cheers for all the feedback chaps - its good to talk. I guess your attitude is right, just turn up, tune out and party.

I've payed for the tickets now, so I guess we'll see you all there (probably mid-day Friday to Monday morning). Could be in a camper van (if we can afford it), otherwise a motley assortment of tents.

Just got our reservations back from the ACO and instead of Houx Annexe they have given us some place called Beausejour (south side of the Kart Track). Frankly it doesn't look very promising - we were hoping for somewhere with a bit more action and atmos. Does anyone know anything about it - if it is a bit duff where would you recomend for 3 Brits.

Cheers.