MR2 TRIP TO LE MANS 10th JUNE 2008 - AMAZING TRIP!!!!

[blue2]

Hi guys, heres some of my photos. Hope you like em, sorry about the lack of race photos but I need to touch them up a bit they are a bit blurred. Anyway here are a few:

[p1carl]

Hello people,

I'd just like to say thanks to everyone for making this trip such a fantastic break and especially Mike and Jo for their excellent organisation and execution. I'm certain that it wouldn't have been half as good without their great effort and commitment.
(Mike I tried to pm you but it bounced back? have you changed your emial recently?)

I hope everyone enjoyed themselves and got back safely...

All the best to you all

Carl 'n' Bev

[AW11 Forever..!]

Hi Carl,

Those are extremely kind words you have said there and we really do appreciate what you have said, makes it all worth while. Have you seen the new LM09 link on the events page, I've got some stunning pictures of the Noble.
My email is the same, [email protected]

Try emailing me directly, went back to work today, Mmmmmmmm!!

We have decided to attend JAE, Jinxy and Pete managed to persuade us to attend, are you going, we were thinking about going down on the Thursday as its a 3 day show now.

Thanks again for giving me the best memory of the trip, no its wasn't the dodgy petrol pump at Mulsanne, the ride in the Noble was inspiring.

See you soon.

Michael

[mazdachris]

Hi Chris,

Your mazda looks very nice mate. Why only 1 bucket seat though?

In those pics it looks like your parked up at bow brick hill woods. Am i right?

Pete

Thanks dude. There are two reasons why only one bucket seat - the first being that I am extremely poor, and the second being that I never sit in the passenger side so I'm not that bothered about passenger comfort.

Actually that seat's far too big for me these days so I'm going to get a much smaller one for the driver's side and that one will be moved across for the passenger.

Yeah, pictures taken at brickhill woods. The ones on the second page were taken outside my house and show my lovely new wheels.

Sometimes I do the occasional skid in it too

[markiii]

mammoth post about to follow as I did a complete write up for ROC where Dan and I hang out most, Michael feel free to use on the new lemon site when its ready

[markiii]

Day 1 9th June

We started the trip on the 9th June by meeting up with a select few others at Birchanger services and heading down to the White Rabbit in Maidstone for an overnight pitstop.

http://www.vintageinn.co.uk/thewhiterabbitmaidstone/

uneccessary for Dan and I as we could have just shot off to the ferry early on, however we were booked in for the 7am ferry at Dover and we wanted to catch up with people early (or just to make sure we were the centre of attention, you choose). Very neccessary for the rest of our group though who had travelled down fron Aberdeen and Tyneside

a few beers and then the 24 heures stickers were fitted, see pics below











The White Rabbit is a bit odd in thats its a typoical country pub that has had a housing estate and ring road built around it. however it still retains the feel and has good beer and food.

sorted.

Day 2 10th June

Up at the crack of dawn to get to our 7am ferry

Ferries booked with Speedferries back in January came to a total of £70 return which for a very efficent 1 hour crossing from Dover to Boulogne Sur Mer was very good.

A blast down the Toll Roads France side had us in Lemans for around 5pm. Mental note tolls are getting expensive cost us around 30 Euros to get there. many French tolls are now CC only and seeing as how we were hitting 15 euros a pop I can see why. Mental note next time to use http://www.sanef.com/fr/ecommerce/parti ... offres.jsp who will give you an electronic tag so you don't have to stop and get out (you try reaching a left hand side toll in a VXR ) tag is then retro billed to your CC with a 2 Euro charge for each month in which you use it.

Having arrived at Chateau Canteloupe http://www.chateau-de-chanteloup.com/ and pitched the tents we headed of to the local Supermarket Leclerc (think French Walmart) if they don't have it then you can't buy it, odd exceptions being gas canisters and ice? to stock up on food and liberal quantities of beer

and then called it a night.

Pics of the Chateau and some of the other campers who joined us over the week below































as you can see some diverse machinery and a very well equipped Chateau with it's own pool, bar, pool room, spotlessly kept toilet and shower blocks, on site retaurant, shop and a daily visit by the local bakers for fresh croisants and bread each morning.

top quality establishement, many thanks to our host Domenique :bowdown:

Day 3 11th June

After a lazy start we leave the Chateau around 11am and drive down to the circuit, a chance for us noobs to suss out the area for those that need to get tickets to get them. Dan and I prebooked at http://www.justtickets.com for extra piece of mind.

on the way we drive the mulsanne straight and park up at the Porsche curves (The race cars will be doing over 150mph at this part of the circuit) for some photos and and for a few lucky people to get a ride in Carls Noble, actual numbers witheld to protect the guilty, but I'm assured impressive puts it mildy.

pics below













after a swift bite to eat Dan Chris and I spent the afternoon in the Le Mans museum pics below and then headed back to the Chateau for dinner























Day 4 12th June

Off to explore the Loire Valley

Led by Shane and Susan in the Helios Blue Mk1 we spend a day enjoying the sites and cracking roads of the Loire Valley (the French do have a thing for leafy boulevards and manicured trees, (and yes I'm sure we did drive the one Steve Mcqueen drives in the film ) punctuated by arguably the best lunch of the week at a little French restaurant whose name elludes me.

The morning spent in Trog land exploring some of the most remote houses built into caves in the cliffs that you will ever find. Pics below

























The afternoon yielding a few surprises as we accidentaly locate one of the Chateaus booked by the Aston martin race team for the week. Very secure (not) as we were enjoying exploring the grounds when we we were informed it was actually shut to the public (oops) that said Jinxy and Shane were so far ahead it was another 30 mins before they reappeared. Shame we didn't get better spy shots as the new Aston was due to be unvailed to the press here the following day.

You can just see the Aston team buses returning in one of the shots below.









Evening

Thursday evening is qualifying so off to the circuit (note reserved parking tickets are a must for race week and will give you designated access all week, again booked via http://www.justtickets.com

A chance to find your feet on the inside of the circuit work out where everything is and do any merchandise shopping, if like us you'd rather not carry it with you on race weekend.

Pics below



















Note the Aston Martins are not only in full Gulf Racing Livery this year but picked some interesting race numbers



Lambo Murcialago in the pits (Marks Estimate is theres no way it's reliable enough to finish)



Day 5 13th June

Todays Mad Friday

for those that don't know what that means, lets just say it would never ever happen in the UK it would be Chav Central.

Everyone heads off for the Mulsanne straight where we park up on the hard shoulders and watch all of the other fabulous metal thats travelled over for the race week parade up and down the straight.

This is the largest moving motorshow you will ever see, Ferraris (oh the F430 is just so common), Lambos, Porsches, Maseratis, De Thomasos, Lotus, Caterhams, Atoms, a Veyron, both classics and moderns all cruising the straight.

I say cruising and heres where the other tradition will come in, these drivers will get stopped at select points up and down the straight and expected to perform burnouts and rev the nuts off their engines on a public road with people standing each side. The police? well you may see them occasionally but unless it gets completely nuts they just let you get on with it, in Britain no chance.

you will even see old boys in Morgans doing burnouts just one big petrolhead party atmosphere.

Highlights including the boys in the range rover with a palm tree on the roof dressed in full Arab gear the London fire engine with the sirens on and a dozen guys drinking beer on the roof (my Personal favorite an absolue mint ferrari Dino with a lovely blonde at the wheel :bowdown: ), a race spec F40, plus numerous Astons, and TVRs, not to mention the Ghostbusters in attendance

on the subject of revving, expect to have random groups of strangers applaud your car as you drive around all week who will request you bounce it off the limiter

best selection of pics below





















































































































Afternoon

When we'd had our fill of the Mulsanne we headed off back to the circuit as Friday is also open day for the Pits, which means that you can get up close and personal with the cars that will be going hammer and tongs for 24 hours

pics below


























Sample of the Totty around, we missed out on pics of the Hawain Tropics Girls but suffice to say the whole week is a highly Totty rich environment






























Thats some serious Stone Chips for only 2 hours or so of qualifying (makes me feel much better about the nose of the VX)




Dan brings his own Team to support, hows that for organised! :scared:



Evening

Not content with a totally rocking day Friday evening back at the Chateau is the annual Chateau Canteloupe Car Show with Prizes for Best Classic, Best Sports Car,and Elegance categories :crazyeyes:

Entrys selected from out group including myself in the VXR, Dan in the Zed, Jinxy in his immaculate Mk1 and Carls Noble!

Pics below of both the parking area and the respective drive bys for the Judges Thats Amber and her brother Jake passengering with Dan and I respectively.

Whats better than an engine that Says 6.0 V12 and one that Says Aston Martin on it?

Answer one that has both!
























The Trophies




The Judges

































Domenique shows off his latest Toy :scared:



Day 6 14th June

Race Weekend starts here

Up and on the road by 11 intending to be there for the group C historic at 12pm, 3 hours in traffic in blazing heat and we just get there in time for the main race start at 3pm, that was not fun.

Every spare piece of grass verge in 10miles is now a camp site, you've never seen anything like it.

After fighting our way around to the start we spend an hour or so there before walking around past Dunlop and up to Tetra Rouge where we stay until circa 8pm

pics below, my camera wasn't up to much at race speeds so not great pics. (note the pics of the other exotica parked next to us in the car parks)

Marks next Car (With a bit of luck )




















Extra Fun during the night if your so inclined




700 Bhp Factory GT











































at 8pm we walk back to the car parks, cook some dinner and meet the rest of the guys for the midnight run down to Mulsanne and Arnage where we aim to see the pass 200mph in the dark

Thats the first willy up of the week as traffic is a mare and the convoy gets seperated. resulting in Dan, Jinxy and myself giving up and heading back into the main grounds. Where we stayed until calling it a day at 4am and heading back to the Chateau for some kip.

Day 7 15th June

After getting up and grabbing some brekkie at about 11am we decide it's not worth heading back to the circuit as the traffic will be a nightmare.

Alternative, watch the rest of the race on the big screen TV Dominique has kindly provided on the terrace, over a few beers

For those who didn't catch the results Audi took the crown for the 2nd year running in in LMP1 due to a fuel efficiency advantage over Peugot of an extra lap per tank. Aston 009 took the GT1 crown Oh and the Murcy did miraculously finish though pretty much last


So you'd think that was it but you'd be wrong


Evening

We've had the MR2 club de France camping with us for the last few days and receive an invite to join them for dinner at a little restaurant 20Km away

Food isn't great and service isn't much better howeever we have the worlds cutest waitress whose happy to get jiggy on Dans request (until the Plumbers gut makes an appearance and then strangely she's off )

So why this particular restarant? You have to love Lemans week, the restaurant is situated on the corner of the square in the village where the Ferrari Owners club stay for the week. Hence the owner has a standing arrangent with the local Police that they keep their distance this week as so much money is brought into the vilage

Dinner whilst watching Ferraris tear up the village giving passenger rides to the locals anyone? oh the noise bouncing off the walls :crazyeyes:

some average pics below














Day 8 16th June

A day of rest before setting off on the return journey

well sort of, the morning is spent both giving and receiving passenger rides in a variety of other metal brought by our group (conclusion the VXR will drink fuel at 120miles per tank when consistently flogged )

the afternoon is our chance to drive the circuit properly as the majority of Brits have now headed home. The Mulsanne, Anrnage and Indianpolis being the area of choice, damn thats a lovely corner at Indianpolis

Followed by a very heavy evening finishing of the alcohol supplies before our departure on the Tuesday morning

Day 9 17th June

Originally our intention had been to return to the ferry today, however a last minute change of plan just before departure had meant Dan and I were going to join half our group in the annual extended return trip.

This year planned to take in the Normandy landing beaches on the way back to Boulogne Sur Mer.

Rather than endless toll roads some deserted French country roads beckoned (I do love driving in France). With Shane and Susan in the lead we were soon to discover that the French Gendarmes have a much more pragmatic attitude to speeding than our British cops. Having appeared over the brow of a large hill 2 miles up hill from the nearest village (note no speed limit signs, I wonder why?) we get pulled over in the vilage itself by the worlds most battered Renault and presented with Photo evidence that we were all 20Km over the speed limit :scared:

Understandably we aren't to happy as this should be a 90Euro fine per car :flame: so imaging our releif when the Gendarme just grinned and said I could do all of you but I'll settle for the one leading your convoy :bowdown: group contributions meaning that we all got away with a 10 Euros each and no points

Some snaps of the village we stopped in on route below













Day 10 18th June

Having arrived in Mont St Michel the previous night (A medeival Monastry Island Fortress) Celebrating it's 1300th Anniversary this year.

We had the day and another eveing to explore and chill out. Pictures below. Good effort but unfortunately aimed at American tourists so somewhat Disneyed :crazyeyes:


























Shane Torches the restaurant after a particularly average meal and shirty waiter.









The Photograph of the Photographer catching the sunset. Thats Micheal getting just one of 3000 pics he took on the trip



Day 11 19th June

Having planned the route and timings to a fine art Dan and I take point and tail gunner positions to herd our convoy the 90kms up to the Normandy Landing beaches (I think we all agreed it should be a mandatory school trip to appreciate these)

We figure we may just have time to see them all so we start with the most North West of the 5 beaches and closest to Cherbourg, Utah Beach where the First of The American Assaults came ashore.

A beautiful drive through some fabulous countryside avoiding motorways having left at 8am we arrive circa 11am. A feeling I can barely describe seems to hit the group unanimously as we finally reach the first signs for Utah beach, in a feat of impressive timing my randomised MP3 collection picks this moment to play Pat Benetars, Too Long A Soldier, had I planned this it couldn't have happened with more perfect timing. Equally perfect is the appearance of a convoy of WW2 American trucks that pass us as we approach the beach.

I think I actually cried at that point.

Pics below











The pic below is just one of around 50 plaques showing which ships were lost in the beach assault and how far from shore they sank











Having spent circa an hour at Utah the carefully laid plan is already behind schedule (mental note 30 mins per beach is not enough by any stretch of the imagination)

We get back on the road for the hour drive down to Omaha the bloodiest of the landing beaches (and the one featured in Saving Private Ryan)

Another beautiful drive but this time with less sparkle as the mood from Utah is noticeably more sombre.

Omaha

Arriving in Omaha half the group decide to drop south for Bayeaux and the Tapestry leaving only Dan, myself, Shane and Susan and Michael and Jo to continue with the beach tour.

An irony I realise is that the last invasion of the Uk came from Normandy in 1066 and when the favour is returned in 1944 we choose to land at Normandy. I wonder if this has any effect on the planning process?

After a spot of lunch at the Omaha restaurant we proceed to explore.

The Restaurant



The Beach And surrounding monuments







The 60th Anniversary Monument



Plaque explaining what the Blades stand for









Shane and Susan again








One of the remaining bunkers





And the view of the whole beach can you imaging trying secure that whole length?



The American War Cemetary

I wasn't expecting such a Serene and Beautiful place, we could have spent hours there had time permitted. This is also the place used during teh filming of Saving Private Ryan and it is the perfect spot overlooking teh beach for those who fell taking it, to rest. The Cemetary holds 9000 members of teh US forces and thats not including those whose bodies were never found.











Those whose bodies were never found. This wall curves round in a circle before rejoining directly behind me








The Museum



Finally something that makes teh Zeds ar$e look less lardy



We left the museum to find the VXR surround by hoards of french Schoolgirls having their pictures taken. The closest I've ever been to exciting a French schoolgirl

and so off to try to find Gold Beach the first of the British Landing beaches. For future reference this is the only one of the 5 beaches not shown on a map or Sat Nav by it's invasion code name, it's called Arromanches.

Could this be further from what we expected. Rather than a simple beach Gold was before the invasion a typical seaside town and it has returned to that resembling a much classier and cleaner Clacton.

the big thing to see at Gold is the temporary harbour construction. Known as Mulberry harbours during the war these were floating (in the loosest sense of the word) metal harbours built to allow the landing of the really heavy equipment needed for the ongoing battle for France.

They were built at almost all of the landing beaches but Gold is the only one where there is a large amount left.

Pics below













note in the last but one picture the largest part of the harbour to the left is 3 men high and made from 8" steel it also has a surface area 1/3rd that of a football pitch, now thats big, imagine those being towed across the English channell to be secured in place :bowdown:

And with that we realised that 1 day is simply not enough to do justice to these beaches and although we had still not seen Juno and Sword we were still 3 hours from Dieppe our overnight stay. I will be returning to visit Juno and Sword and give more time to Gold at a future date.

Dieppe has nothing of interest to report as we used it simply as a midway point before shooting off to our Ferry in Boulogne for 13.30 on the Friday. It was however a lovely drive to get to it, however note for next time avoid the section taking in the Caen ringroad, it's not fun at all.


Many Many thanks to everyone for a fabulous trip I'm already looking forward to next year

[S A Watt]

Wow Mark

Thats a post and a half right enough.

Great though to look back on what we did for the 2 weeks

Well done mate

[markiii]

cheers Shane took a while to write as well if anybody wants a copy of the photos give me a shout

[t-bar89]

Hats off to Mark, that's one hell of a read!! Good job man, you can come again!!

Reema (and Pete) x

[AW11 Forever..!]

Mark,

Just when I thought I was beginning to get over this fantastic Le Mans trip, and be able to move on with my ordinary life, I go and read you wonderful report which brings out beautifully the amazing time we had.
At the time you don't really appreciate just how good of a time you are having, its only when you reflect back you think, wow, that was such a brilliant part of my life, I really wish it was only the 10th June 2008 and we could all do it again. Well we only have to wait another 49 weeks and we can. I think next year will top LM08 if that possible.

I've got to say theres some superb photography there and you really do have a good eye. Its a superb report and I've got to thank you personally to take the time to add all the pictures and write the content. If anyone is thinking about coming to LM09 I think by reading this will certainly decide it for them.

Brilliant and see you @ JAE, I think we are going to have an LM09 get together and mini meeting.

[t-bar89]

Le Mans Committee meeting eh? I best let the secretary know...

[pnjmcc]

Man,
I am so Jealous,

Well glad you all had a good time, the pictures look great, (I love the one of the white MK1 alongside the tank)

Just a couple more years of saving and I will be able to come back and go with you all again

Pete, judging by the photos you managed to change the fan belt in time then ??

Regards
PaulM

[markiii]

Mark,

Just when I thought I was beginning to get over this fantastic Le Mans trip, and be able to move on with my ordinary life, I go and read you wonderful report which brings out beautifully the amazing time we had.
At the time you don't really appreciate just how good of a time you are having, its only when you reflect back you think, wow, that was such a brilliant part of my life, I really wish it was only the 10th June 2008 and we could all do it again. Well we only have to wait another 49 weeks and we can. I think next year will top LM08 if that possible.

I've got to say theres some superb photography there and you really do have a good eye. Its a superb report and I've got to thank you personally to take the time to add all the pictures and write the content. If anyone is thinking about coming to LM09 I think by reading this will certainly decide it for them.

Brilliant and see you @ JAE, I think we are going to have an LM09 get together and mini meeting.

cheers Michael much appreciated already looking forward to next year

[t-bar89]

how is it that me and peter started the 2008 trip by talking about how we're going to bermuda in 2009 and now we're going to le mans 2009 instead?? you guys!!

paul, hope you're well mate. you may be jealous of us but to be fair, you do live in australia you lucky sod!!

reema x

[AW11 Forever..!]

Well I'm glad Pete talked some sense into that Geordie brain of your's, Bermuda! whats there apart from a ''triangle'' and a few lost WW2 planes and boats. I guess that Barry Manalow song really got to ya, you smoothy Pete......

LM09 it is then, geee, that was easy

[S A Watt]

well folks,

It is with great regret that I have to inform you that the Taj Mahal will now rest in peace in the hands of a new owner and will never again see a Le Mans trip

She served us well but has now found a new home with a large family of children alias the Auchterless Brownies and me with a few quid in my pocket to replace her on our next adventure.

She will be sorely missed (not!!!).

[AW11 Forever..!]

I know how you feel Shane, we had to leave our trusty deck chair and plastic bowl that we used for the bar, was very hard to leave behind a true friend!

''Viva'' the Taj

[deadfastnfurious]

Hi guys, Some sad news from last years le mans guys, Lee, black mk2 mr2, (spittinflames) & his mate gibbo passed away last nite 3/7/08 in an rta in stoke. Both young lads but enjoyed their cars hugely. RIP guys.

[monkeymax]

Hi guys, Some sad news from last years le mans guys, Lee, black mk2 mr2, (spittinflames) & his mate gibbo passed away last nite 3/7/08 in an rta in stoke. Both young lads but enjoyed their cars hugely. RIP guys.

Yup. I know not everyone goes to the OT section, so here's the link:
http://www.imoc.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=99997

[t-bar89]

Very sad to hear the news... my thoughts go out to all the family.