So so many incidents and antics to choose from, never mind the ones that I simply can't mention such as the private lesbian show that was kindly laid on for me whilst we driving naked through Arnage.
But in a way, I kinda expected that sort of thing from the folk Team Zarse associate with.
So the one moment I'll mention was the most unexpected one. I had the pleasure of spending sunday afternoon with JPC Mark in the hospitality suite of Aston Martin Racing, courtesy of a kind last-minute invitation from Mr and Mrs Pilot Zarse. I'm not a big fan of MRI-type things, but I have to say this really was exceptionally good.
My only concern was the state of us, having indulged in a damn good start to the drinking day prior to the invitation coming through. Mark and myself were, shall we say, "in a bouyant frame of mind" and I apologise herewith for coating Mark's imaculate white Aston Racing shirt in speckles of brown sauce just prior to setting off. Still, we went anyway fully intending to be sensible. Our lobster buffet really was top notch, as were the finest wines and champagne. Leaning against the bar chatting up some girls was Sir Stirling Moss, and there were other folk I recognised of a celebrity nature. Seated at the next table was Chairman of the MSA Prince Michael of Kent. It was that kind of do. Prince Michael particularly enjoyed my lunchtime singing, especially my rendition of "So What?" by the Anti-Nowhere League.
After pudding we went back to the balcony bar to watch the last two hours of the race. Things were pretty tense what with Aston being stuck in fourth place, we were praying for something to happen. The waiting staff were terribly efficient and the shampoo continued to flow until the flag fell. Fourth was pretty much the best anyone could have realistically expected and half an hour later Dave Richards, George Howard-Chappell and the whole team turned up for the after race party. Mark and myself met Dave Richards at Sebring in 05 when AMR won the GT1 straight out the box. When he saw us he shouted "Guys!" and thrust out a hand. We had a quick chin wag with him about their plans for next year (they'll be back but probably not at Sebring) and he had his charming wife take our picture (hope you still have it Mark!).
Dave Richards gave a terrific speech which brought many people, me and Mark included, close to tears, what with the emotion of Aston Martin and Le Mans. He said he'd only got the budget arranged with Gulf just six short months ago, and called George into his office and told him what he wanted. George had a look at the detail and replied that it was simply impossible in the timeframe. Richards told him "George, get me three cars on the grid for 3pm on saturday afternoon and I will do the rest!". They did, and I think it was a truly amazing effort.
After that the party went up a gear, the rock band started playing and the booze was flowing - just what I didn't need - and things got very lively indeed. Stirling Moss was dancing on a chair drinking neat vodka from a woman's shoe and even I was surprised to see Prince Michael with his head down the lavatory.
Fifteen of us were invited on a tour of the track in a minibus, which ended in potentially controversial fashion. However, Mark managed to negotiate with the security folk, although we found we'd been locked into the curcuit. Still, catch fencing couldn't hold us back and we eventually found our way home to Bl;ue Nord just as it was getting dark. I simply have little recollection of what happened after that but I think it was safe to say we were all very badly behaved. In the morning I was awoken at 7am by Doris and the campsite looked like a meteorite had hit it in the night such was the scene of devastation. We left just in time to miss our ferry...
