Never again...

[Steve TTTD]

For the first time since 1999 I missed a race...
Somehow, listening to the build up on RLM while at work and watching what I could on Eurosport (I finally got to watch the last three hours this morning) is not the same..

I will never make the mistake of allowing 'Something else' to get in the way again.

Bring on 2012...

[Barry]

Start planning today

[Steve TTTD]

Start planning today

Planning started about 10 minutes into the RLM webcast last Monday Barry...

[Jules G]

I know the feeling it's been absolute torture this passed week being at home. Thank heavens for Eurosport and RLM to keep me going

Anyway planning has started for next year already

[Steve TTTD]

At the risk of sounding 'wierd'
I spent a lot of time analysing what it really was about Le Mans that was missing by not being there.

Watching the race on TV and listening to RLM covered one 'Part' of it
But it’s everything else that goes with the race.

It’s the buildup that starts a couple of months before the race.
It’s the early morning start for the ferry.
It’s the ‘Traditional’ breakfast stop on the way down.
It’s the run down to the circuit, and seeing all the ‘Familiar’ sights and knowing each one moves you nearer.
It’s the campsite setup, the trips to Carrefour/Super U and just the experience of sitting there with the cars not far away…
It’s wandering around at 3am  during the race, cursing the fact that I don’t have a jumper with me, my feet are killing me and I’m knackered, but I’m still looking for new places to see the race.

It’s the intangible things that you can't replicate or explain properly that make the whole thing an event.

[Lazy B'stard]

Same here. The first time in nine years that i stayed home. I decided at the start that as long as there is breath in my body I will never again miss a year.

There were a few good things about staying home. Firstly i watched a good few hours with my dear daughters. They really got into the race this year. They both wore their T shirts from last years race all weekend. The eldest (six) stumbled into the room before 6am on sunday to carry on viewing. She now wants to be an engineer like Audi's Leena Gade.

Another plus was rather unexpected. My wife always gives me loads of hassle every year in the run up. She hates it when i go on 'holiday' with my friends each year. Last night she told me that if i ever stay at home during Le Mans i will be strangled alive, and suggested we booked next years ferry straight away.

Every cloud has a silver lining!

[Chris24]

I had to miss this year due to being asked to be the photographer for a friends wedding on Friday, and yes i was gutted to have to miss Le Mans and break my 1995 - 2010 run of attending the race. But missing the race also gave me the opportunity to attend the Dukeries Rally which was taking place in the same area the following day, so I marshaled on the first stage of the day and watched / took photos on SS5 in the afternoon before going on to Kings Lynn to watch the BriSCA F1 British Championship in the evening. On the way home the next day I called in at the Bolton Motorsport Festival for a quick look.

I may have been stood in the middle of a forest covered in thick dust on Saturday afternoon, but at 2 pm UK time, i found myself stood there visualizing each car going past me on the start straight as the race got underway, and the noise each car would make as it went past. You can take me away from the race, but you can't take the race away from me.

[Lazy B'stard]

Why do they still run the Dukeries on LM weekend? It used to be a real favourite event of mine. It must be 10 years since i watched that event and it always had a good entry. I actually competed in the early 90's in a pinto engined group 1 spec Escort. We finished against a tree in Clipstone South whilst second in class and just outside the top ten. It pissed it down all day but i remember the dust from other years.

[alibongo]

At the risk of sounding 'wierd'
I spent a lot of time analysing what it really was about Le Mans that was missing by not being there.

Watching the race on TV and listening to RLM covered one 'Part' of it
But it’s everything else that goes with the race.

It’s the buildup that starts a couple of months before the race.
It’s the early morning start for the ferry.
It’s the ‘Traditional’ breakfast stop on the way down.
It’s the run down to the circuit, and seeing all the ‘Familiar’ sights and knowing each one moves you nearer.
It’s the campsite setup, the trips to Carrefour/Super U and just the experience of sitting there with the cars not far away…
It’s wandering around at 3am  during the race, cursing the fact that I don’t have a jumper with me, my feet are killing me and I’m knackered, but I’m still looking for new places to see the race.

It’s the intangible things that you can't replicate or explain properly that make the whole thing an event.

you forgot the gran marnier crepes
manky frites at 2am watching  down at tetre rouge or arnage

[Brad Zarse]

welcome to my club (see signature below!)

[Steve TTTD]

welcome to my club (see signature below!)

Is there a T-Shirt or a secret sign Brad?

[Kev_mk3]

me and 3 friends are already planning and put our names down for tickets for 2012

[Brad Zarse]

welcome to my club (see signature below!)

Is there a T-Shirt or a secret sign Brad?

Standard Issue Special Sock. (SISS)

Although - Kev has a massive collection of these

[Stu]

Standard Issue Special Sock. (SISS)

Although - Kev has a massive collection of these

We had one you could bang tent pegs in with this year.

[geoffd]

Another plus was rather unexpected. My wife always gives me loads of hassle every year in the run up. She hates it when i go on 'holiday' with my friends each year. Last night she told me that if i ever stay at home during Le Mans i will be strangled alive, and suggested we booked next years ferry straight away.

Every cloud has a silver lining!

Sounds familiar, for some reason that now escapes me I didn't go in 2004 (after picking up again in 2000 after missing out for years due to lack of money), but after being like a bear with a sore head all weekend my wife told me that never again was I to miss LM!  So whilst missing a year is traumatic, it can work out for the best