Club Arnage

Hi all,

This year it will be my 20th pilgrimage to La Sarthe, and on this occasion I’ve decided to become sociable and do something for the community. Like some of you too, once again we will have some newbies in our team this year, so I’ve decided to compile sort of a guidebook for them called “Le Mans (not only) for Dummies”. Just for them? What do you think if I do it for all of us and make it available as a printable version for download, something like an “unofficial race guide for CA forum members”. My idea is a 20-25 pages booklet with the following chapters:

- Raceweek schedule (with integrated FIFA worldcup dates:-)
- Le Mans for Dummies – some backgroud (1 page)
- War of the classes (1 pages)
- Full entry list (with pics and info about drivers), app. 10 pages
- Basic Race Regulations (1 page)
- Transportation in Le Mans
- Shopping in Le Mans
- Other useful information

The present state of this undertaking can be viewed at www.lemanszone.de/caguide2006.html (http://www.lemanszone.de/caguide2006.html)


I plan to keep maintaining this document, occasionally issuing the latest draft and make the final version available for download just a couple of days before race week so I can keep up e.g. with latest driver changes. You’ll then be able to download and print it, so you can carry a lot of useful information to the track.

However some assistance would be needed to make it really useful:

- Someone going to PQ should take the task to take pictures  of most of the cars (ideally each car) and mail them to me, low resolution e.g. 640x480 will do  it and is easy to mail. These pics would be needed for the entry list
- A location scout for the planned poo bar meeting on Saturday, where will this be this year?
- Correction of typos, grammar mistakes and wrong wording. As you will have realized by now, English is not my native language, so feel free to be amused.
- Suggestion for other chapters

Do you think it’s worth doing? In case there will be some positive feedback here in this thread I will proceed with this.

Smokie – is it OK or are there concerns about this?

Cheers

Werner

Werner- I'll be your Poo Bar scout

Also, i found that all the PQ pictures of cars are on the aco website within a day or so. None are water marked.

Well, last years document contained pictures snatched from various websites, but that was for private use and just a handful existed. This draft for 2006 is now on the public internet and I do not want to run into copyright issues, so I've inserted a dummy picture. As mentioned above, someone going to PQ hopefully can provide some pics for the final version.

Werner, your pdf file looks very good by first view. 8)

I know PlanetLeMans has a Le Mans for Dummies-guide, and maybe you can find some hande tips to fill up whatever might be missing>> http://www.planetlemans.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=11&Itemid=42
There are also quite a few links that might help you out>> http://www.planetlemans.com/cmsv2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=267&Itemid=2

Keep going Werner, excellent stuff! (http://dfh.vandijkonline.net/images/smiles/icon_thumbsup.gif)

Great Idea Werner,  how about apost LM sequal with tales and pics after the event.

How about a CA team members spotters guide, like the entry list but made up of YABB Gods and Full members only. (that will incentives us newer folk to post more)
Photos of them with important statistics like waist measurements and beer mountain designs.
Invaluable I'd say.

Very nice Werner,  can I suggest that you add a "www.clubarnage.com"
some place.   May be a place to write in practice times and replacment drivers.
Things and things like that.   In fact it may be cool to have the PQ times and orther relevent info.

Just an Idea,

t.

Thanks for all the positive feedback, looks really like it's worth proceeding with this.

Robbo: Thanks for committing to be the Poo bar scout, so the new location for our Staurday night bash will be in the guide

Paddy: Thanks for the PlanetLemans info, I'll scan through this site and see what we can use.

Thanks also to all others for your suggestions, yes PQ times should be part of it, a www.clubarnage.com will placed somewhere.

Brilliant idea... ;D ;D ;D

Werner,  excellent idea, there is quite a bit of info on this forum which has been covered previously which is more to do with the History of Le Mans, and may be of interest for us who have an afternoon to spare, for example, Crash of '55 track marker, previous circuits layouts, LM memorabilia in the town, drivers hand prints for example, drivers parade, aircrash sites,  I dare say some of the other regulars can add to the list, best of luck when will it be ready ;D

You may wish to think about a down loadable electronic booklet instead of a hard-copy, just a thought.  That way you can update easily.  Peter

Good idea, everyone who has to add something might do so so that Werner just coordinates and puts all things together.

Also, the idea to write down your individual LM  stories and memories (if there should be any left) after the race and put them all together in a book is brilliant. This will be a funny read for the time in between.

At vairous points (pre and post race) in time you could convert it into a PDF document, that way you could have lots of pics without it getting toooo huge.

I have to say I agree with that point.   People often don't realise what goes in to a project like this.   Werner could spemd all his spare time on this beetween now and the race.   The we come along and download and print it and think
"That was easy".

So Werner,  if there is any thing I can help with let me know. 

t.

Hi all,

thanks a lot for the feedback. Just 24 hours ago I started this thread and already there is a lot of feedback in this forum as well as in pm.

There's now another draft with more stuff in it, special thanks to Neil aka Dobbo from www.racetours.co.uk for allowing me to loot his website, especially for the chapter “Where to watch” .

Other new (but still incomplete) chapter is about the support race.

Please have a look again at  www.lemanszone.de/caguide2006.html (http://www.lemanszone.de/caguide2006.html) and lets alltogether try to fill the gaps in the next couple of weeks. You can mail anything you consider useful to my e-mail-account president@lemanszone.de.

Cheers

Werner

Has anyone seen any statement as to what the length of the new cuircit will be?  I'm creating a table for speeds and lap times for inclusion in the guide and  so I need that information.

I thought I may also try to create a table that can be used to help you guess how many laps the leader wil complete in the 24 Hours.

T.

Werner

Have you thought how you might put this together, prob the best way will be in A5 portrait eg. 2 pages to an A4 landscape sheet then produce a pdf. This will enable anyone to read the whole lot and then just print off just the pages they may wish to take with them, or the whole lot.

I do not know if you have done this before but you need a plan, a very cunning plan.

Do you have the facilities to put the artwork together?

As others have said, if I can be of help just drop me a line

Martini...

Werner, if you're interested in this idea I would be willing to collate the info for you. Let me know.

Just looked at the members list and I would suggest that we limit it to Senior Members and YaBB Gods only (that's still 55 people!) or maybe even just YaBB Gods (and other key people like your good self Werner  ;D). Inclusion would of course be optional.

Great project Werner, you may have let yourself in for alot of work!

Would a small section on the postion and access for each campsite be helpful?

Also the location of other supermarkets in the area would be handy for me at least ( I hate the queues)

http://www.lemans.org/sport/sport/reglements/ressources/auto_2006/Regl_Particulier_2006_fr_gb.pdf

The ACO sporting regs give it as 13.650km

(the same doc also says the race starts at 4pm so its worth checking the lengh is different from last year.

Werner

Apologies, looking at your website I think you know what you are doing already.

Martini...

Yes, that would be wonderful
 Cheers

werner

Hi Martini,

yes, I've a similar idea. There'll be 2 pdf-versions , a full version (app. 30 pages, depending on contributions) and a "take-from-the-campground-to-the-race-track-version" with just the entry list and the schedule (just a few pages, so it fits in a pocket).

I know this will be some work and I have of course still my daily job to do. I'll handle this project on a "get-as-far-as-I-can" bases. The Guide will probably not be complete by June (may be the 2010 edition will be ;D) but there will definitely already be enough information it it to make it worth printing it and taking it to Le Mans.

Martini, you offered help. As most of us come from the UK, a "how to get there" chapter with a focus on the best routes from the french ferry ports to Le Mans might be handy, 1 or 2 pages should do. What do you think about it? I can't write it because I don't know theses routes, I come from Germany and travel via Paris.
Are you from the UK? Could you try to write such a chapter? Or someone else here from the forum ?

Nice weekend to all

Werner

Nordic, great idea. As far as up-to-date shopping information (supermarkets and other) are concerned, everybody should mail me all the addresses he knows and I will compile this. I know only Carrefour and even there I was rarely, because we bring everything including food & drinks from germany with us

Werner, be very happy to create the UK ports to LM routes, would you be interested in including some interesting back routes as well?

Can do over the next few days, if that meets your schedule?

Peter

I'd be happy to do a final proof read and sanity check and to contribute where ever I can

I'd appreciate an idiot's guide to Carrefour - I take a different route every time!  ;D
 

Great Idea, Peter, also the interesting back routes. No reason for you to hurry, as I plan to publish the final version around 7th or 8th of June, so still more than 2 months time. But the earlier I get it, the better...

Cheers

Werner

Great, so this job is assigned now :D :D :D

With the Carrefour route description, may be someone going to PQ can investigate...

I think Ferrari-Spider has sorted the routes thing ou. I come from Guernsey and travel to St Malo by boat, there are only a few from Guernsey, and Jersey, that travel over and the route is very simple, so I am not sure it is worth including unless someone knows better.

If you need the CA sticker a/w Paddy_ NL has the final version.

Martini...

Little easy to follow map would be nice as I also take a different route each time.

Could something be 'copied' from mapquest or someone?

Martini

Take care on this - they were digging up the road big-time outside Carrefour last year to put in, I believe, the new tramlines.  So any previous 'easy' route may not be relevant.

Perhaps someone going to PQ could suss this out and report back pronto.

I may be able to look myself in 3-4 weeks time as I'll be coming back from Dordogne - depends on the timings.

Del

Thats the same distance as last year so I'm Guessing thats wrong.

t.

Keith is going out for pre-qual and staying out there (I'm not jealous really I'm not  ;D) so he might be able to recce the MB to Carrefour route.  TBH I'm fundementally shite at navigating - I'm a girl so I think it's allowed!!

It once took me around two hours to get from Carrefour to Houx - I though I did pretty well!!  ;D

If I put a map together for Carrefour, you can prove its wrong.

The difficult thing is getting in and out of the carpark.  We need a seperate map for that, and the roads near the airport

We went to Carrefour a couple of years ago, great if you need more than food and beer, but it took ages to get in, shop, que to pay and find our way out again. Dont bother now, we go the the smaller but adequate hypermarket (cant remeber its name) on the outskits of Arnage (Right at the Roundabout, head north for about 2 miles, its on the left).   

Ian, it is the "Super U" at Arnage, most excellent place it is too, nice coffee shop/restaurant as well, here is their link with hot offers, good loo's as well ::)

http://www.superu-arnage.com/portailu/appmanager/PortalPortaillU/local

link also has location map

We tend to use the Auchan on the other side of town as its a meeting place en route, and we buy samples of wine which if we like we stock up on.

There is also the Leclerc in Arnage, and the Champion at Mulsanne.  They are all less effort than Carrefour, with simple carparks and no magical mystery tour to get in or out

How about an 'easy to follow' guide to these places then!?
Coloured in route map would do, preferably from parking vert or to be fair to everyone from the main entrance roundabout.

Martini...

Martin, the maps in the "Help" section should have all the supermarkets coordinates.  Peter

here is the auchan

http://www.auchan.fr/magasin/fichesmagasins/623.asp?componentid=24219&sourcepageid=23926#2

Werner

I can do a simple how to get there by public transport if you want, only from Charles De Gaulle though, and then by train or Hire car. and I can research the eurostar connection.

Stu

Great idea, Stu

Iv'e just posted directions to Carrefour from both sides of the track in the Help section. I'm going to work on a route marked map which will appear soon. There's also a huge Leclerc west of Le Mans at Bréguet and about 10 min's drive from Arnage. Easy to park, empty and not bad prices. I'll detail that on the map as well.

For those people running TomTom, you can download the Carrefour POI file from here. (http://www.pocketgpsworld.com/tomtompoi.php) although I think the Lemans one is out slightly. I'll try and do a lemans type poi file for download.

Hi mr.Werner,

Ive not been on the forum for many months but I am one of the original CA members and know JP Chenet very well having spent 2004 with his motley crew( Hi JP). Ive been to Le Mans every year since 1993 and could put together a section on the different campsites and their individual characters if you would like? if you would then give me a shout..

Werner

I'll have the page(s) done by this weekend.

Stu

Never mind a CA guidebook, This could easily turn into something worth publishing.
The profit being spent on an annual Club Arnage Beer Marquee (members only obviously).

Wonderfull!

Cheers

Werner

Hi all,

for better co-ordination of all our activities for the Le Mans 2006 guide I’ve set up a small project page at http://www.lemanszone.de/caguide2006.html. There’s a table with all tasks and chapters, listing who is working on what as far as I about it from this thread and from e-mail. Everyone should check it, so double work will be avoided or people working on the same thing can be co-ordinated. If someone is working on something and it’s not listed there, please tell me.

I’ve also split the big pdf-file to smaller files, one for each chapter, easier to handle and I will merge them for the final version.

Cheers

Can’t wait for June, just 80 days to the start of the race

Werner

New chapter: Who, when, where, status see project page at www.lemanszone.de/caguide2006.html (http://www.lemanszone.de/caguide2006.html). I will keep copying the relevant postings from the forum thread so we all know where to find eachother on the campsites

Werner

First draft of "getting to Le Mans via public transport" should be ready eitther later today or Sunday am.

great!

Have a nice weekend

Werner

Werner if you wany any Le Mans pics then take at look at Keith K's http://www.gtphotosport.com/welcome_page.htm - he's happy for you to use any as long as he's credited for them.

Thanks for that, Piglet, I'll have a look

Have a nice weekend

Werner

here's one for the album: make your children help you preparing for Le Mans ;D

Final result:

(http://www.drinkingforholland.com/pictures/RfHvlag/photos/photo29.jpg)

We will have to do some finishing touches, but we had good progress today. :)

First Draft

How to get to Le mans by  Public transport

Whilst the majority take a car to Le mans  its definitely possible to do the weekend using planes , trains and buses. I’ve found French public transport to be punctual and good value.

Airports
The nearest major international airport to Le mans is Charles de Gaulle , which is North of Paris.  It has 3 terminals and  importantly a Train station served by TGV.
The website for CDG is
http://www.aeroportsdeparis.fr/ADP/en-GB/Passagers/

It seems to have been recently updated and  less useful than before ! There used to be decent maps showing  where the location of the train station was in relation to each terminal , however they seem to be gone.

Whichever terminal you arrive at you will need to catch a free bus (Navette) to the train station.

Access to the free buses is signposted.

There are a number of services which run on a loop, I’d suggest allowing a minimum of 30 minutes for the journey including waiting time. You may also not be able to get the first  bus to arrive if the queue is long.

The other Paris airport is Orly, whilst it is located closer to Lemans it does not have a direct TGV link.

There is a direct coach link between the airports at a cost of about 16 euros. Alternatively Orly also has a train station  for access to Paris center.

Nantes airport is also a possibility if you can fly www.ryanair.com. From Nantes a hire car or train (TGV) is possible.

TGV to Le Mans
Tickets should be booked in advance this can be done easily on line at  www.sncf.fr
If you book more than a month in advance there is a discount.
 I have always had the tickets delivered to the UK.

Once at the station , you will have to descend 4 levels to the platform.  Find the platform from the information board. You also need to validate your ticket with a punch  machine located at the escalators above the platform. Locate the approximate place to stand by checking the monitors against your seat number.

Arriving at Le Mans.

The trip takes about 1hr 40 minutes.

Le Mans station will at sometime be undergoing some changes (according to a plan displayed in 2005).

Currently on leaving the main exit (Nord) you  cross the small car park to the bus stops, or take a taxi.

If you arrive on Wednesday or Thursday  evening or Saturday there are special busses which go direct to the circuit. The special bus arrives directly opposite the main entrance to the circuit.

Alternatively you can take the bus to Oasis (line 3) which is one of the closest normal stops to the circuit. Once at Oasis, you will have a walk of about 10-15 minutes to get to the main entrance.

The transport website www.setram.fr provides more details on the times.
The link to the full pdf details is

 http://www.setram.fr/local/doc_site/20050810140605_T-L03P16-100x205-F.pdf


Driving to Le Mans from the airport.

Its also easy to pick up a car and drive to the circuit. I won’t put the full details here as I’ve found  the routes  offered by www.theaa.com or www.rac.com to give accurate directions, and will be updated.

If you arrive at Orly then you have an advantage of being at least 20 minutes closer and with less traffic to contend with.

A few points on driving to the circuit.

Don’t miss the turns as it is difficult to re join the motorway, especially don’t miss one of the first turns and end up heading into Paris - a very bad move.
Depending on the time of day the routes around Paris can be very busy and come to a standstill allow extra time for your journey.
If there happened to be a public transport strike (as in 2003) the roads will be solid , it took me 6 hours!
Fill up the car with fuel before dropping it off as the hire companies normally expect a full tank or they may charge far more to fill it themselves. There is at least one station at CDG.

Eurostar. I’ve not done this route but it would be possible to get the Eurostar to Paris , then a TGV to Le Mans. However it means changing stations.
www.eurostar.co.uk Will provide  the itinerary and prices. This is probably the quickest route from central London.

If Money is not a Problem.
There is one other way to Le mans, shortest journey time of all and less than a mile to the circuit.
Le Mans airport is within walking distance of the circuit.
You’d need to hire a private plane as there aren’t (currently) any scheduled flights.
A quick search found the following http://www.mayfairdove.co.uk/ not to Le Mans but to Paris for £1500 day return, So Le Mans for £5-6000 looks possible.
Maybe one day!

Hope you find this useful   
Redstu
April 2006.

Comments, anything I've missed?

Paddy ,LangTall and co. very nice work I am sure that will look very cool at Lemans.

Redstu I thinks that draft will work it has all the important websites for trains etc.Ithink even I could follow that to the front gate!

You guys amaze me with all you do to have a really cool camp.

perfect description, redstu

I flew into Paris twice, it works exactly that way

Have a nice weekend

Werner

Hi Redstu,
                My suggestions on Eurostar:
Via Paris you will need to transfer from GareD'Nord to Montparnasse (spelling) alllow an hour by Metro ( Underground) but why travel underground when there is Paris to see so take some extra time to sightsee along the way. A more direct route is to change trains at Lille.
 Canada Phil

I had thought it was possible to change at Lille, as I have once spoke to someone who said he was connecting with eurostar, however I couldn't get eurostar or sncf to give me that route so I thought it must be a hazy memory!

I've now re checked and used "lille europe" instead of "Lille" on the sncf website and found the direct TGV connection.

If you just input lille it only gives one option!

The eurostar website wouldn't  give the change at lille option and its not easy to get it to show the route. Could it be that as Paris is further they make more money?

I'll amend the doc accordingly.

Thanks

stu

Changes now made and the doc (hope it opens) forwarded to Werner.
I've also put the road distances from each airport to Arnage.

stu

Hi redstu well done and thanks for looking after the public transport brigade ::)
Canada Phil

Re how to get there.

By train, it is far quicker and easier to go via Lille, and if under 25 cheap (£230 in 2004, and first class was only and extra £30, and includes free food and drink).  Some may want to sightsee.

For driving, I have a list of the Gatso sites, but I can't work out which way they face.  Nowadays, you probably need gps coordinates too.  Any use FS?

Some more work is done,

Dobbo supplied an A4 map of the circuit (see chapter 10) and important locations and Steve Brown added a pretty route from Boulogne to Le Mans for sports cars (see chapter 13)

Cheers

Werner

Hello there,

The Eurostar journey is via Lille and is pretty good, we traveled that way in 2004, although it is worth a mention that the bars are not that well stocked !!

We have a map which has the locations of some of the bars in the City Centre, predominantly used for tour members that are lost to get back to the main party. We are looking to update it at PQ this year as at least one of the bars has closed !! if you want this give me a shout or if you are keeping the guide to the track no problem.

Andy

Hi Andy,

any updates and ammendments are welcome, just mail it president@lemanszone.de and 'll integrate it into the guide. A "bar"-map of the city centre sounds great, people might use it to arrange meeting points at the driver's parade...

Just a question: I read you are going to PQ this year. Do you have a digital camera and could you mail me some shots of the cars, so we can use those for the entry-list part of the guide?
Thanks in advance

Werner

Werner,

No problem, i will email over the updated map and what pictures i take straight after PQ.

Andy

Bump!!

Gone a bit quiet on this - how is it progressing, Werner??

Del

Oh, from my point of view its progressing very well, I'm sure the most important information will be ready prior to the race. It was a litte bit quite because I was away for a week of holiday in Tunesia and just returned today.

Cheers

Werner

Don’t think this has been covered (?) but how about a section for the National Anthems, always creates great atmosphere at the beginning of the race and joining in with the other countries anthems is appreciated. Some may need to be phonetically adapted and some Da Ditty Da Da's though.

I've started with the entry lists based on the information I found on various websites, these chapters will of course stay open for editing after PQ to keep up-to-date with the latest drivers changes.

By the way, someone is doing a nice job at the wikipedia, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_24_Hours_of_LeMans

Cheers

Werner

I think this is a fantastic idea  ;D   Come on you foreigners, let's have your anthems ;D

Well it's a bit long to be writing out - and in two languages - but you can fin it here

http://www.mch.govt.nz/anthem/index.htm

I particularly like the line "Guide her in the nation's van".  That'll be a Combi then.   ;D

Here you go:

Wilhelmus van Nassaue
Ben ik van Duitschen bloed
Den vaderloand getrouwe
Blijf ik tot in de dood
Een prinse van Oranje
Ben ik vrij onverveerd
De koning van Hispanje
Heb ik altijd geëerd

Phonographics will follow. ;)

2 more chapters of the guide have been closed and Piglet is now proof-reading them - which is a lot of work, she told me in Spa about the problems to "synchronize" the various dialects (english english, american english, european english...) , hats off to her!

Hats of also to Peter (Ferrari Spider) who has done an enourmous job with the "UK ports to Le Mans" route descriptions, see the project page for the status, so no more excuse if one of you gets lost on his way to Le Mans this year ;D ;D ;D

Cheers

Werner

Hi all,

As the guide will be for download on the internet I will put a disclaimer on it, my draft for this is as follows:

Disclaimer
Whilst we did our best to ensure the accuracy of the information in this guide, we cannot be held liable for any inaccuracies, errors or for damages as a result of following the advice or recommendations contained within this guide, especially for the one with the melon and the vodka.
All images and logos used are the property of Club Arnage (CA) or CA forum members or are believed to be public.

This guide is not an official publication, it is not authorized, approved or endorsed by the race-organizer Automobile Club de L’Ouest (A.C.O.).


Now I have 2 questions:

1. Do you have suggestions for amendments or for changes in the wording? May be there's someone with a legal background among the forum members...

2. It's probably a good idea to put the disclaimer in English and French in the Guide: Could someone translate the disclaimer into French?

Cheers

Werner

Think I could make a reasonable fist of it - the translation, that is.  Will have a go and get back to you.

Thanks a lot

Cheers

Werner

Hi Werner. Yes I'm a lawyer. Your English disclaimer could do with a little polishing. Do you want me to try it? I could manage it in French too.
Let me know if you do.

Let me know whether I'm still going to be of any help with the French bit.  Will hold off unless I hear.  Could cast a second glance over the French version once you've done it if that helps?

By the way, will be at PQ scrutineering and around all weekend with the trusty D2H.  Will send you any good pics I have of the cars.  Warning - some of the paint jobs may be a little less flashy than during the actual race.

Yes, great, someone with a legal background...

Just post your suggestion for the disclaimer here

Cheers

Werner

Suuuuper !!!!!

The regulations still give the circuit length as 13.650 km. That's the same lenghth as last year. However they were published on 19/12/2005, so whether the ACO will issue an amended circuit length or not is uncertain.

I read an article a few days ago the track length is still the same as last year although the track has been modified.  For the life of me can't think where?  I'll have a think, but you'll find the track length remains the same ;D

Here you go Werner. These disclaimers should be all you need, but they are provided subject to the very same disclaimers!
Pease note that the French is not an exact translation of the English, but is a French legal text in itself. I've left out the reference to the melon and the vodka, as I don't know what that applies to. If you think it needs a warning, then it's better to put it in the text itself - like "don't try this at home" or whatever.


Although care has been taken in preparing the information supplied in this guide, the authors do not and cannot guarantee the accuracy of it. The authors cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions and accept no liability whatsoever for any loss or damage howsoever arising.
All images and logos used are the property of Club Arnage (CA) or CA forum members or are believed to be in the public domain.
This guide is not an official publication, it is not authorized, approved or endorsed by the race-organizer: Automobile Club de L’Ouest (A.C.O.).

Le contenu fourni par le présent document est fourni de bonne foi sans garantie d'aucune sorte expresse ou tacite, y compris aucune garantie concernant l'adéquation de ce contenu a un objet particulier ou l'absence de contrefaçon de droit de propriété intellectuelle. Les auteurs ne garantissent pas l'exactitude, l'exhaustivité, la fiabilité du contenu du présent document. En conséquence, les auteurs n'assument aucune responsabilité résultant de leur utilisation ou de leur application et les auteurs ne sera donc redevable d'aucunes dommages et intérêts, tant pour les dommages directs que pour les dommages indirects.
Les images ci-dessus s’agissent des droits d’exploitation appartenant soit au Club Arnage (CA) soit aux ses adhérents soit vraisemblablement au domaine public.
Ce guide n’est pas d’une publication officielle et n’a pas été autorisé ni approuvé par l’organisateur de l’épreuve : Automobile Club de L’Ouest (A.C.O.)

KPY

a big, big thank you for this, and of course I'm aware it comes with the same disclaimer  ;)

The "melon with vodka" thing comes from the equipment list ;D ;D ;D

Cheers

Werner

My pleasure Werner  ;)
Have fun with the melons and the vodka. Maybe see you there. Where will you be based?

We'll arrive with about 8 people on Wednesday evening at Expo campsite and will stay until Monday morning. Feel free to visit us for a cold one (or two, or three...)

We plan to see "Mad Friday" at the Houx Annexe Roundabout, the Poo bar meeting and if there is some time left also the race itself ;D

I'll try and pop in on the Thursday on my way to or from the Rotunda  :)

I guess you're going to the Rotunda to order the 2007 tickets, I have the same plan for Thursday, somewhen after noon when the hangover is gone... look for the www.lemanszone.de banners (blue with white letters) and you'll find us

Too long to type but check out marseillaise.org/english/francais.html

I'll find you!!
 ;)

Hi all,

I'm about to finish the campsite chapter. Dan has provided a great start for this and I have added my own experience as well as a lot of snippets from this forum from various campsite-threads.
However, I feel it needs some improvements, there is only little about places like e.g. "Interieur Musee" and "Chapelle" and not much even about "Maison Blanche", I've never stayed there my self.
So, please have a look at it and add information or impressions about the sites where you have stayed at in the last years. The curent draft can be read at http://www.lemanszone.de/caguide2006/18-campsites.pdf

Cheers

Werner

Werner (and Stu, for our very own Useful Info thread) -

Termie wotsername has posted some useful info about local markets in this thread.

http://tinyurl.com/p28d6

Thanks smokie, I've added it to the guide

Werner - Mr Toad's most excellent site (http://www.beermountain.com) has a useful section on sites including user reviews, which may be of assistance........

Cheers

Spider

Werner - Mr Toad's most excellent site (http://www.beermountain.com) has a useful section on sites including user reviews, which may be of assistance........

Cheers

Spider
Ta, yes it is good, esp posts from those who've done it before.  Was wondering which day to pop down the road and pitch the tent and this helped.

Werner-
re Chapelle: I agree with the Beer Mountain guys. I stayed there in 2002. Nice crowd of campers, mixture of French and English, but the site is so close to the track and the access to Parking Vert that you have spectators wandering though the site all the time. You get hordes of youg French kids throughout Saturday night, pissed brainless.
I lost my mountain bike and a whole load of barbecue tools that night - my fault for not locking the bike just for once, but it wasn't the pikeys, I'm sure.

Werner, back in 2004 i did a panorama shot of MB you can see it here, please feel free to use it if it suits.  Peter

http://community.webshots.com/user/blueworlddiving

thanks to all of you, the chapter will get better ;D ;D ;D

A question for the transportation section of this guide:

Does anyone know wether there will be public shuttles from the main circuit entrance to Arnage during practice and race? Have there been shuttles in previous years and had someone a first-hand expirience with those?

The SETRAM website (Le Mans bus company) lists only shuttles to the town and to the drivers parade.

As far as I am aware, the shuttles to Mulsanne and Arnage are arranged privately by the tour companies, but I may well be wrong!

Werner

A note about the  shuttles, I've only used them once but whilst getting on at the main entrance is merely a bit of a push and shove getting back on at Mulsanne was comes very close to a minor scuffle, not pleasant.
The viewing isn't (wasn't) great at Mulsanne either.

No problems at Arnage though, and highly recomended

These shuttles are very hit and miss.  Taking your own car  down to Mulsanne is much less hassle on PQ weekend than during the race.  One year we decided to shuttle off to Mulsanne during the race at about 10 in the evening and the one driver, who had been going back and forth all day for 10 hours without a replacement, just downed tools and the whole thing ground to a halt.  Also, once nearly got stuck out at Mulsanne 'cos there were about 300 people queueing for the last bus.  Only a 6'6" tall 18 stone mate saved the day or we'd have spent the night (have done that too - good bivvie spots on the banking - earplugs for those who don't find the sound of those Vettes as good as a lulabye for putting you to sleep.)

Werner, just a thought - have you included a bike as recommended transport? I always take mine, so I can whizz from Tertre Rouge to Arnage village and Arnage corner via the Esses, the Village and points in between.
That way you can see loads of action and get up to the shops for fresh bread on the Sunday morning. No traffic problems. :)

Not yet, but a very good idea, I'll add it to the guide :)

Seen the first confirmation of pit allocation today - unsurprising but Vettes are in 34 & 35 as ever.  Team arrived today.

Where did you find it? Is there already something on the web about it?

Cheers

Werner

dailysportscar.com  Some great pics of their crates of gear arriving!

Werner, there aren't any there yet but I assume that they will appear after the test weekend. The ACO page for the cars taking part in the test looks as though they will have photos of all the cars soon.

http://www.lemans.org/24heuresdumans/live/pages/engages_fr.html

Click on the team name and it looks as though it will take you to a photo shortly.

Might help!?

I get photos when I click the team names. It does take a few seconds to load

Just been back in and yes, some do have photos already, but some don't.

Of those that do, they are last year's cars so DfH for instance will look totally different this year!

This is what the RfH_Dome looks like at the moment:

(http://gallery.drinkingforholland.com/g2data/albums/lemans/MvH_Sponsor/PICT0020.JPG)

The Joest Audis are R10s but it looks as if the pictures were taken at Sebring.

I had to say the word so thats another quid for Doris

I don't get on the forum very much these days, but I just had to say what a brilliant idea this is Werner.  And well done to everyone who is helping.  there isn't anything I can add really.  Just looking froward to the final version  ;D

JPC, thanks a lot for that hint. But I will not copy photos for the guide from the ACO website. Our guide will be available for download on the internet so I have to keep an eye on copyright issues, I'm not in the mood for a field day with the ACO. But already 2 people offerd to send pics from the test day, so I'm quite optimistic that we will have pictures of all cars for the entry list in the guide.

Cheers

Werner

33 out of 50 pics on the way to you. Taken today.

Werner, don't know if you are alreay sorted with the RfH-Dome or not, bt feel free to take a look in our gallery, they are free to use for you as they are made by me and knetter.

http://gallery.drinkingforholland.com/main.php?g2_itemId=24

Hi there,

thanks to all of you, especially to termietermite, I got lots of pics already. I'm right now sitting at the pool in some nice hotel in Egypt with a glass of excellent Irish whisky in front of me and work on them... ;D ;D ;D

Waiting for more pics to come

Cheers

Werner

Ta, no probs.  Of course, having now got back from the circuit again and finally paid attention to what's on the forum, I realise why the IcerBrakes Ferrari was missing....  Take it you've seen the news abt Nelson Piquet Jr?

Yes, the Bouchut and Piquet changes are already in the guide.

Brilliant guide, well done to everyone involved!! Special thanks to Werner, and I hope to see you all on Sat night.

Spotted a small  typo in the 'driving' part, the speed limits on the open road are up as 90 kph / 65 mph.

probably ought to read 90 kph / 55 mph

Apart from that' it's wonderful, and I'll be using it all, and I don't mean when the bogs run out of 3 ply ticket.

Where can I download a copy?

Bob, its not finished yet, Werner is in the Red Sea and working on the guide, but what is available can be seen here.  Its good you know, very good.  Peter

http://www.lemanszone.de/caguide2006.html

Thanks Peter

Can anyone who's on site take a pic of the poo bar location and mail it to me so I can put it into the guide: president@lemanszone.de

Have fun

Werner

Did I remember to say that the poo bar is R4 on the map I sent you, right opposite the ACO members' building.

Yes, you wrote that to me, thanks a lot

Well I took loads of car pics in the pits on Friday but I'm not sure I have time to send you them, as they will all need resizing first and I have to go to Scotland this week. Let me know of tyhere are any specifics you need and I will look if I have them. I couldn't see where the poo bar might be, nor could I see where most of the village would be. They seem a little behind. I think we will see a lot of temporary erections this year (oo'er)

I have taken some pics of the cars and will sort them out tonight, zip them up and send them over (may not be many that you can use as i am no David Bailey!!!!) i also have some film that i will make in to small chunks showing where the poo bar may well be (360 view from the end of the new Dulop tunnel. that is uploading on to my home pc as i bash this keyboard. i will post a link to it as soon as it is done.

Andy

probably a bit late but is there any chance of the 24arses getting a mention, i can mail over a 24arses logo and any arse pics or wordage on taking arse pics you might need. let me know...... ;D

Good news guys,

I've got decent Pictures off ALL cars for the entry list chapter of our guide, thanks to all of you who sent some. I'm about to finish that chapter today, so no need to send more pictures

Cheers

Werner

When is the final entry list published. Just want to put the final one in the guide before it is laminated and bound!

Hi Rick,

the final version will be published on June 8th 10:00 pm at the latest, I will make an announcement here on the board when it's finished.

Hi all,

stupid question: I've formatted the guide in A4, will this also work on printers with the letter-paper-format (I think this are used in UK and US) ?

Or shall I generate an additinal letter-format version?

Works OK for me, i've printed quite a few pages already!!

Werner.

The UK uses A4 paper.

t.

"Letter" size paper is still in imperial measurements and is used in the US. A4 is metric (albeit a stupid metric size, 210mm x 297!  I mean, why not 200 x 300??

Ewan described to me how to get an aerial pic of MB and Bleu. There may be other pics available if you have time to poke around.

"If you go to www.mappy.com and search (under the Map section) for Boulevard des Italiens, in Place=Arnage and Country=France, then click the Full Screen button just under the zoom control on the left, and then the photo icon in the top left, you get a pretty neat aerial photo of the whole of Maison Blanche..."

Might be useful for the guide??

Hi smokie, sorry, but I didn't have the time any more to implement the aerial picture. I'll keep a copy for the 2007 edition ;D

If you still follow this thread, the guide is ready; for a download go to http://www.lemanszone.de/caguide2006.html

Cheers

Werner