trip to Le Mans 24h for 2010, alternative measures...

[Paddy_NL]

During the last November meeting we hired a coach to drive us around to various places. This coach ain't your regular one, the company ain't called "Fun Bus" for nothing. Seats with tables and ashtrays, alcohol sales from a fridge and loud music kept us entertained from A to B to C, etcetera...

A few people -like the Brethren, Team Melans and Team JPC- showed interest and asked if it would be possible to travel to Le Mans with this, and the driver's answer was pretty positive. To get an idea of the coach, click this link --> http://www.kwibus.net/bus11.html

Our current (cunning) plan is to leave for Le Mans on Wednesday 9th of June early-ish - and as we don't have to drive, we'll leave straight after the race on Sunday 13th of June. The coach itself will be fun on the road - plenty of room to walk around, talk with various people and enjoy being driven during the 8 hour journey. It will be like a premature Friday Party!
We'll have last year's Spyker-Iveco following us for excess luggage as we still want to take somewhere in the region of 20 barrels of beer (-and bring our first "take-to-Maison-Blanche-Bar", more details on that later next year!-), which won't fit in the lower decks of the coach anyway.
Sleeping at my office before departure and upon return is not a problem. We have a shower and all, so you can return to the UK cleaner than you've ever been after a Le Mans weekend!

About a week ago I put a request for an offer in. Got the offer earlier this week - it turns out about 3,800 GBP, so that's an easy calculation with a coach which seats 38 people.

So here it is. Drive up north instead of south after leaving the ferry in Calais. For the same amount of money you would spend driving to Le Mans, you can "hop on the bus" and have a great time driving driving down. We plan to get to Bleu Nord a few hours before sunset, so you'll have plenty of time to give setting up your tent a serious try after 8 hours of socializing with CA & DfH friends. You can also come a little earlier and take the opportunity to have a few days in Holland before you make the journey to France, hang out with friends, go and see Amsterdam, the Hague, Rotterdam - whatever.

Let me know if you're interested - fun guaranteed!

[Queen Vic of the Melans]

Definitely of interest...  There are a few things I need to sort out before confirming yay or nay though so I'll have to come back to you.  The major problem for me will be time off work...  When will the bus be heading back to Holland/when do you think we could get home?  Certainly something to think about  

[Dirk3D_NL]

i am also available to show you all around Delft the days before departure

don't miss it, it is going to be a blast!

[Brad Zarse]

I would like to register interest on behalf of ALL of team Zarse.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5 of us I think?!?  Andy? (assumed Chris can't manage it)

[Paddy_NL]

When will the bus be heading back to Holland/when do you think we could get home?

Originally we planned to go back Monday morning, but I think it will be better to go back straight after the race. We should be back around 1am on Monday morning, blow up the air beds and then you guys get ready for the journey back for Monday. We'll get Beerman present at arrival for a cold one!

[nopanic - neil]

The drive up to Rotterdam is so easy, one toll each way 5.50 euros. In fact its a shorter drive than to Le Mans.

And cheap ferry with Norfolk line, nice and clean as well.

I would do it but am going with other people this year so am driving down.

Hope it is a goer, as luv to see that bus at Le Mans

[Paddy_NL]

(assumed Chris can't manage it)

Are we ever see Chris again?? 

[Brad Zarse]

He's a teacher, so there's only two ways it is likely to go....

One is that he'll be working and will only ever put a weekend days appearance in - the other is that he's in prison.

[Paddy_NL]

That's it - we move the 24h race to England!

[Brad Zarse]

By the time you arrange that, He'll definately be in prison

[Meesh]

First ever CA post from The Meesh here - super excited about the bus. I think it's gong to be a great time & am really looking forward to seeing how many of y'all are going to be able to put up a tent at LM after that bus ride!!! 

[Paddy_NL]

really looking forward to seeing how many of y'all are going to be able to put up a tent at LM after that bus ride!!! 

That includes ourselves, darling

[Meesh]

really looking forward to seeing how many of y'all are going to be able to put up a tent at LM after that bus ride!!! 

That includes ourselves, darling

Actually, I reserve the right to sleep on the bus. ;-)

[Brad Zarse]

Maybe a condition of entry should be one of those two second tents.... the best Le-Mans invention, ever.......

[Andy Zarse]

I would like to register interest on behalf of ALL of team Zarse.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5 of us I think?!?  Andy? (assumed Chris can't manage it)

Brad you really should consult with senior Zarse management before unilaterally confirming this sort of thing. The Zarses this year will be travelling in the Commer from Pompey to LeHavre and the ferry ticket was booked weeks ago.

Oh and I don't think Chris can make it either.