2009 - Not sure if I will bother

[knetter]

This happens everywhere in the world. Pathetic people who are jealous of other peoples belongings! Or just plain vandals with to much time on their hands. Ask Floris,his car was severely keyed in Breda, not one of the most dangerous cities in Holland. To bad it happened to numerous people on this forum, but I am affraid there is very little we can do about it.

[Doris]

Do you know what I did when I saw my car had been keyed?  I called nameless, faceless people horrible words, took a few photos (including one of the sign on the merc window ), then went and had a beer.  I then spent the rest of the LM weekend thoroughly enjoying myself.  Yes it's a pain in the @rse, but it's just a bit of paint at the end of the day, and no way am I going to let a scratch in a bit of paint ruin what was an excellent holiday spent with some of the best people I know.

I could have got really pi$$ed off about it but instead I chose to go out and enjoy myself, and do you know what?  I had one of the best weekends of my life.  The great memories I have of great times spent with great friends are worth every penny it will cost me to get the scratch repaired. 

Dx

[knetter]

See, that's the spirit!!

[Andy Zarse]

Here here! 

It might have been fun to catch them in the act too.

[tommy84]

Yeah, that's exactly the spirit I had spending the night to monday sitting in my car as it was fully loaded and I had to wait for a new tyre from Point S monday monring. And that was after spending € 163,50 for towing and another 200 on monday for a Michelin. And another 160€ at home for a Continental as you're not allowed to run different tyres on one axle...

Anyone heard about people stabbing tyres on HA? Mine was damaged on the inside flank, I looked around and saw nothing harmful on the campground. Also the damage itself looked much like done by a screwdriver. Though it's hard to reach the inside with 8" wide wheels and being pretty low with the ride height.

Not to speak about the faulty german genny for a hundred (got that back) or 300 for an overpriced french genny...
It's Le Mans and as already said, if you're a regular you know where to go and where not to go on friday. And btw, we turned our genny off over night as we had a real fridge and temperatures were not that high overnight. Beer was still cold in the morning.

[nopanic - neil]

Yea it is the spirit.

Even after I got me genny nicked, my view was sh*t happens. I was just happy it was mine and not borrowed or hired.

Easy answer was just open another beer, even if it was a bit warm.

[Robbo SPS]

Mr Zarse.

I have a kitten you can practise with... He's currently known as hell boy.

[jpchenet]

Hell, even after nearly killing myself on the way there, did any of us think about turning round and going home???

I just hope for 2009 that all the groups are near each other. MB to HAN is too far to stagger to often!

[termietermite]

Your LM spirit was very much in evidence, JPC.  I'm with you, although thus far (hand firmly gripping wood) I've been lucky.  I have even given Paul and my o/h strict instructions to dump my ashes on the Hunaudieres straight when I pop 'em so I'm going to be around forever, come what may.

Seconded about the painful walks - hopefully our dear Dutch friends will pull off the mass booking next year.

[Andy]

Its good to read the LM spirit aint dead, I for another had the best CA LM, blody excellents freinds met over the years, excellent time spent with them, also a few more faces put to names this year.
Don't let the buggers grind you down, some of us have the good sense to come back for more.

[Brake Later]

Classic next month after a detour to Silverstone for some go-kart race!

Then that's it no Le Mans, or any "overseas" races next year(2009).

2010 maybe Sebring, LM classic with the Monte Carlo classic GP as an option along with Pau classic with WTCC a week later. All the normal UK stuff unless we don't run it (WTCC, A1GP, DTM) and assorted club meetings! 

[nickliv]

Do you know what I did when I saw my car had been keyed?  I called nameless, faceless people horrible words, took a few photos (including one of the sign on the merc window ), then went and had a beer.  I then spent the rest of the LM weekend thoroughly enjoying myself.  Yes it's a pain in the @rse, but it's just a bit of paint at the end of the day, and no way am I going to let a scratch in a bit of paint ruin what was an excellent holiday spent with some of the best people I know.

I could have got really pi$$ed off about it but instead I chose to go out and enjoy myself, and do you know what?  I had one of the best weekends of my life.  The great memories I have of great times spent with great friends are worth every penny it will cost me to get the scratch repaired. 

Dx

Well said Doris. Spoken like a true Alfa owner <insert lame gag about the electrics giving up before the rust shows through here>

I do wonder whether we should all be together, it could get very insular and clannish. Much as I enjoyed my time in Stalag Catchpole in HAS, it was great to wander over to other deposits of CA ers round the campsites over the weekend.

And even after the Gimp, the thermite and the barbecues, I still have a job. WIld horses couldn't keep me away next year (Unless I can't get leave, in which case I shall sulk in a marked manner.

And Termie, Do be careful posting about firmly gripping wood, someone might spot an oportunity for mirth.

[Andy Zarse]

Do you know what I did when I saw my car had been keyed?  I called nameless, faceless people horrible words, took a few photos (including one of the sign on the merc window ), then went and had a beer.  I then spent the rest of the LM weekend thoroughly enjoying myself.  Yes it's a pain in the @rse, but it's just a bit of paint at the end of the day, and no way am I going to let a scratch in a bit of paint ruin what was an excellent holiday spent with some of the best people I know.

I could have got really pi$$ed off about it but instead I chose to go out and enjoy myself, and do you know what?  I had one of the best weekends of my life.  The great memories I have of great times spent with great friends are worth every penny it will cost me to get the scratch repaired. 

Dx

Well said Doris. Spoken like a true Alfa owner <insert lame gag about the electrics giving up before the rust shows through here>

I do wonder whether we should all be together, it could get very insular and clannish. Much as I enjoyed my time in Stalag Catchpole in HAS, it was great to wander over to other deposits of CA ers round the campsites over the weekend.

And even after the Gimp, the thermite and the barbecues, I still have a job. WIld horses couldn't keep me away next year (Unless I can't get leave, in which case I shall sulk in a marked manner.

And Termie, Do be careful posting about firmly gripping wood, someone might spot an oportunity for mirth.

Agreed Nik, I enjoy the eclectic nature of the various sites and their occupants and the tours thereof. Do we really want to be like the Danes in their rows of identical Quechua pop up tents? It's not a pleasant thought, it would be too big and regimented. Team Zarse will continue to plough it's own unique furrow regardless. And I doubt it'll be on the newly souless Maison Blanch.

[termietermite]

I admit it's different for me as I'm not around a lot when there's no racing on so I don't have much free time to wander the other sites (especially as I have my two encumberances to think about ) and visit everybody.  But I do take the CA ghetto point - we had really good neighbours on BN this year - French and English - and it is good to meet and chat to some different people.  There are upsides and downsides to everything, I guess.

[Radar]

Eleventh visit this year and I'll definitely be coming back. Sure, there are some idiots about, but fewer I think than a couple of years ago. I dont know anything in the Uk that compares. Give me a few beers, some charred meat, a muddy field and plenty of entertainment on and off track - I'll even forgive the b'stards on BSJ who played 1980s "classics" at 2000 watts until 5am on the last night. It would be too much like hard work not to come back!

Sorry to hear about the damaged cars - there are w**k*rs everywhere. But at least yours were still running. We lost one of our "British classics" about 1/2 hour out of calais on the way to the race.