hi from Calif - returning to LM after 2 year absence!

[Rocket_Man]

greetings, all,
After attending the annual Le Mans drinking festival with some sort of car race included, for 6* years straight ('99 through '04), I had to miss it the past two years.  But I am quite glad to say that I'll be returning again this year. 

In years past I did the road trip to Le Mans with some folks from outside of London and we camped in Tetre Rouge.  Not sure where exactly I’m going to end up this year but I can't wait to return!

- mike from Calif.
p.s.  If anyone can point me to posts/threads on changes to the circuit in the last year or two I'd appreciate it.  I've been away from any Le Mans related sites/forums and news (such as CA) for over a year so I've got some catching up to do.   Cheers!

* Edit:  I originally said 5 years - either I can't count, or all the beer I consumed on those outings has given me drain bamage...

[termietermite]

I've posted a few updates on track works etc here
http://www.clubarnage.com/forum/index.php?topic=6116.0
Click on the photo links and you'll get the ACO website which has tons of archived stuff on the circuit works etc.
See you in June.

[Rocket_Man]

thanks termie!
those are some great links in that thread.

*wow* I can't believe how extensively they're tearing into Tetre Rouge.

OT:  Here's a link to a YouTube video I just came across, Derek Bell doing a lap of pre-chicane'd Le Mans.  (From the video "In Car 956" one of my favorites)  The run down Mulsanne is a thing of beauty, too bad we'll never see it done like that again:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frefi8L8R2k

Edit:  I've added the above link to the "youTube finds" thread in General Discussion, where it probably most appropriately belongs:
http://www.clubarnage.com/forum/index.php?topic=6199.0

cheers,
mike

[termietermite]

It looked like a swamp yesterday!  One of the major changes everybody will notice is how far away the circuit now is from the bar.  This looks bad in theory but it may be that we'll in fact get a better view from there although the annual "go up the footbridge and nip round the side of the armco before the catch fencing goes up" to take pics during practice, won't be available, sadly.

[Rocket_Man]

thanks for the info. Termie -

just curious, how far do you live from the circuit?  I'm guessing not far since you're posting first-hand reports on the happenings there pretty regularly.  Must be nice! 

Another question, regarding the revamping of TR:  Could you tell if they got rid of the pedestrian "tunnel" crossing, about 2/3 of the way towards TR from the Esses ?  (I"m guessing yes, looking at the extent of the construction works.)  That seemed like a very old relic, possibly one of the earliest/oldest remaining features of the circuit, and if so I'd be sad to see it go.  But, progress means change I guess, and they certainly never stop trying to improve the circuit. 

And regarding improvements, IMHO that corner was probably overdue for improvements in runoff space, even though very few cars ever go off there.

I just hope when the TR work is finished that there's still decent opportunities to watch the action there from as close up as we could in years past. 

cheers,
mike

[termietermite]

I live about 30 minutes from the circuit.  The old tunnel is gone but is being replaced with a spanking new one - sloped for wheelchair access.  There is also now masses of banking on the inside of the circuit so gives much better views from there than before.

[Andy Zarse]

What I will miss most about the old tunnel is the mindless graffitti, particularly the one that said simply "Morte au Vache". Indeed, we TR used to be known by our lot as just that.

Many times have we speculated over the past twenty years as to it's true meaning. What had the Vache(s) done that was so terrible as to incite calls for the death penalty? Can Termie throw any light on this? You really do need to be able to understand the French psyche, something I could never claim to do.

[termietermite]

As far as I know, this is the French arm of the "Cult of the Dead Cow" - something to do with computer hackers and subversives.  But I wouldn't swear to this.

[Steve Pyro]

I was also a bit sentimental about the TR tunnel.  The corrugated hoops reminded me of the Anderson shelter in my uncle's garden that I used to play in when I was small - that and the smell of piss!

[Rocket_Man]

I don't remember the graffiti - unless you mean outside the tunnel..?  I thought it was dark in there, even during the day time. 

and yeah, something about the shape & construction of the old tunnel really said "this thing is OLD!".

-mike

[matchlesspat]

Hi Mike how did the trip go? no rain I hope? not very dry here, regards, Pat and the bedford cf camper,

[termietermite]

Hope you had a good time, Mike and that you enjoyed your trip in the red car.  Trust you get back safe and sound.

[Lawnmower Man]

I dropped Mike off at his hotel about 90 minutes ago.  I think he enjoyed his trip.  He  did enjoy the trip in the Red car.

t.

[Rocket_Man]

hi all,
I am finally back in Calif again.  Well actually I've been back for a few days but my job has quickly beaten the post-vacation "ahh" out of me, and this is the 1st chance I've had to return to the CA forum. (That and I'm still pretty dysfunctional, stuck somewhere between London time and Calif. time.) 

Yes I had a fantastic time, as always.  Although my liver may feel the opposite - probably going to take a while for it to recover...   

It was great meeting you all, at the DFH gathering(s) and on the friday Club-A drive from St. Saturnin.  (Thanks for arranging & leading that, Termie!)  And yes the ride in the Ferrari was quite a treat. 

I've got 300+ photos from the week to sort through (most of them crap I think - time for a new camera), plus a dozen or more short video clips.  Look for another post/thread from me within the next week or so, it may take me a while to collect the best few items worth posting. Also I want to write about the "interesting" start of my return trip to the States.

that's it for now -
mike
(p.s. Pat check your home-email)

[termietermite]