Grp C Support Race 2004

[Steve Pyro]

And not forgetting a few croque monsieurs Steve!!!

.....and perhaps a wafer thin mint ??  

[Abs]

Top news, the last time I saw any Group C was at Silverstone a couple of years ago, just made me wish I had gotten to LM sooner than I had.

[jpchenet]

There is a God after all!!!!

And he's a Le Mans fan!!!!!  

[Matt Harper]

This will create a bit of a dilema for our group - and several hundred others, who usually spend Saturday morning/lunchtime at the Champagne bar lubricating our necks.
I don't think I've witnessed a support race at Le Mans for about 5 years. I've heard them in the background, but the fairly serious business of getting pissed and sunburned simultaniously prevails usually. This is going to require a re-think.
It will be a new experience watching the 'depart de les vingt quatre heures' without a full-on champers buzz in progress.
Why the nostalgic pangs for Group C, I wonder? It got a lot of bad press at one point (Economy races of 84-85). I loved the 956/962 - but I think the Jaguar/Sauber era was just brilliant 89, 90 and 91 were the bollocks

[Andy Zarse]

Matt, Take your stinking champagne down to the esses or tertre rouge and drink the muck down there. I know that's where I'll be, my fave viewing spot is where they exit the esses.

The 87-91 was the best ever I reckon. Bring on the noisy Sauber and the big flame crackling Nissan. Listen to the Silk Cat purr. Spice Cossie, say no more. And will there be a Rothmans Throat Strangler sponsored 962?

But will it be so good with some of the half arsed amateur drivers who run in the Gp C Championship? Who knows? Who cares? I don't, I'm just pleased it gives me something extra to look forward to, never a bad thing, and a bit of extra exitement and variety to the weekend, in and amongst all the piss ups.

[Nordic]

Thats my worry as well, My memory of 956's Spices etc is of seeing them at full thoat out the esses spitting flame and noise.

What we may get is a couple of good drivers giving it a go and basking in the power, the rest may be like I would in a car that I own, valued at a couple of hundred grand with out the back up a large parts bin and full time crew, not to mention the money.

all credit to the guys how a prepared to give it a go and not consign there cars to a dusty musuem somewhere.

[Steve Pyro]

What we may get is a couple of good drivers giving it a go and basking in the power, the rest may be like I would in a car that I own, valued at a couple of hundred grand with out the back up a large parts bin and full time crew, not to mention the money.

However.......I certainly think some of the front runners in the classic LM support race were having a serious go.

Hopefully, the Group C boys will put on a bit of a show as well.

[Matt Harper]

Matt, Take your stinking champagne down to the esses or tertre rouge and drink the muck down there. I know that's where I'll be, my fave viewing spot is where they exit the esses.

Easy, Tiger. I take it you're not too keen on track cham-pain, then. In truth, nor are we, but it's become traditional.
Usually watch the start from outside of Dunlop curve, with the field rushing straight at us, at the drop of the tri-colour.
Ever higher concrete battlements and razorwire, combined with increasing numbers of morons in the crowd with golfing umberellas to shade the sun/deluge have made it a less attractice location of late.
Enjoyed the old run into the esses from the fairground side and the short chute into Tetre Rouge from the infield. Seeing and listening to the AMR1 on overrun into Tetre Rouge and then thumping down the straight, whilst enjoyong a beautiful, warm sunny Saturday evening and with a night on the lash in prospect was the absolute coolest thing.
Even if they do tippy-toe around for 40 minutes, it'll just be great to see them on the circuit again.  

[pretzel]

What we may get is a couple of good drivers giving it a go and basking in the power, the rest may be like I would in a car that I own, valued at a couple of hundred grand with out the back up a large parts bin and full time crew, not to mention the money.

However.......I certainly think some of the front runners in the classic LM support race were having a serious go.

Hopefully, the Group C boys will put on a bit of a show as well.

Have to agree with you Steve, I think the majority of owners of this type of machinery like to see it being used in anger, usually paying experienced wheelmen if they are not up to it. Plus the extra kudos associated with the car if it wins adds to the value in circles where this kind of stuff is traded.

So bring on the Group C, it will certainly rekindle memories for me.

[mgmark]

Saw the Group C race at Donington last year - great cars, particulary the XJRs.   Some will be driven hard, some will be driven and some will be pedalled - but the main thing is seeing them out on the track - sights, sounds and memories - I for one will be trackside with ales in hand  

[dryhen]

But what about the most incredible (and painful !) noise of all - the rotary engined Mazda ? To be inside the Dunlop Bridge when that went through was unforgettable !

[Nordic]

Those blasted Mazdas, the noise was painful & you could hear the things almost all the way round.
I wonder if any of them are in private hands? If not it may almost pay mazda to dust one off, put in a pro driver and reap the rewards.
There are some very good drivers in the series, Justin Law, Nick Adams etc, plus there is the promise of some named guest drivers, Andy Wallace who drove a Jag a while back.

How tempting it would be to wind up the boost, stick on some soft rubber and post a time quicker than a current LMP!, the times set at Donnington show that the GRp C cars are not that far away.

[Mr. Rick]

Those blasted Mazdas, the noise was painful & you could hear the things almost all the way round.

 



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[dryhen]

Good job there's no sound to go with the picture, Mr Rick - the modem would think it had been struck by lightning!

[Steve Pyro]

Am I right in recalling that there's a Mazda in the Le Mans museum - it would be nice to see some of those cars pulled out for a run - if they're able to now?