Le Mans Classic 2010

July 9-10-11 

 

Thursday July 8th

Friday July 9th

After breakfast at the hotel we set off for the 3 mile drive to the Port to meet our boat, we weren’t suspecting that rush hour traffic in Portsmouth would be quite so heavy. After a very slow check-in we all boarded the LD Lines craft – the Norman Arrow. We met up with two more GT owners on board and swapped notes over coffee in the oddly named Blue Mountain Café. The crossing was amazingly smooth with barley a ripple on the water. The boat stormed along at around 40 knots very impressive for such a large craft. Despite the high speed crossing we arrived late into Le Havre . We grouped together after passport control and headed South over the spectacular Pont de Normandie into Northern France . Our convoy very quickly fragmented due to the traffic and some of us not following the instructions…. Consequently we all finally arrived at our lunch venue Chateau des Bruyeres significantly later than planned.

 

Mathieu and the team at Chateau des Bruyeres dealt with our late arrival like the true professionals that they are. Lunch was served with a selection of local drinks and was absolutely exquisite. It really was a perfect tranquil rural setting for such a meal. Super cars, superb food, great company and a beautiful setting – we would all have liked to have stayed for longer but the track was beckoning.

 

We pointed the cars South for the next couple of hours and the temperature climbed the further we went. By the time we arrived at the circuit the ambient temperature on our Focus RS was showing a steady 34 deg C. We were met in the paddock area by our four Swiss cars who were already enjoying the display of GTs and GT40s parked up ready for some track exercise.

 

The track session started later than was originally planned but it was still nice and light at the start. There was a wide variety of driving standards on show and a mix of cars, mostly GTs GT40s with a few De Tomaso’s and more modern Ferarris adding some variety. Those who pressed on managed seven laps of the full circuit which is nearing 100km. We only suffered one damaged vehicle which our technician soon sorted and got back on the road so that the owner could enjoy the rest of the weekend. Rather later than planned we eventually retired to the Chateau d’Artigny in Montbazon.

Saturday 10th July

Saturday started slowly after everyone’s late night. As owners breakfasted we intercepted them and relieved them of their car keys to get all of the GTs washed and cleaned. We removed a few kilograms of French insects and plenty of brakedust. Once everyone had enjoyed a relaxed breakfast in the palatial surroundings of the Chateau we choreographed the cars into position for some spectacular photographs. Copies of these will be sent to all the participants in due course.

 

Back at the circuit we set out our marquee which was providing much needed shade with a selection of very popular cold drinks from the ice box and other snacks and refreshments. The racing began at 4pm and so started 24 hours of classic racing with a fantastic array of classic racing cars from several decades. The temperature in the afternoon was even higher than the day before at around 36deg C. How the drivers in open cars managed with race suits and helmets is beyond me.

 

As the sun went down the temperature did too. Cars left the paddock as the evening wore on. We led a convoy of GTs and a GTX-1 over to the Arnage and Indianapolis corners to watch in the dark – this really is the unique part of 24 hours at Le Mans and quite an atmospheric experience. Once the tiredness overtook the desire for merguez and frites we retired back to the peace and quiet of the Chateau.

Sunday 11th July

Sunday morning was once again a sunny start but just a couple of degrees cooler which was appreciated. After packing up the support cars we headed North once more to the circuit where the teams and drivers were still hard at it. The high temperature had taken it’s toll on a number of the grids but the pace at the front had not diminished.

 

We watched the last race of Grid 6 and then headed off to the Port at Le Havre , a straightforward journey of around two hours. We encountered lots of other classic cars en-route and the queue at the Ferry was like a car show in its own right. A smooth and this time prompt crossing on the Norman Arrow got us back the UK just as it was getting dark.

 

Thanks to all our customers who made the trip a reality and a big thank-you to my support team of Dave, Dave and Alec. Thanks also to the Marriott Portsmouth, LD Lines, the excellent Chateau des Bruyeres and the spectacular Chateau d'Artigny.

 

It might not have been a relaxing weekend but it was great to see so many GTs together in such great settings. Watch this space for future GT events organised by Mountune….

 

Dave Jones