I was trying to get a concensus from the US contingent going to Le Mans what the best route to take from Paris is? Is the 'Via Michelin' site the best route to take or have you found quicker more alternate routes are better? I'm looking to be there on thursday so I hope there is still ample space at Bleu Nord in the campground. Lets talk! 

Just like Knoxville, excellent! Now all I have to do is find a solid supply of Warsteiner Oktoberfest....hmmm

Yes sir I do, at Bleu Nord...

Okay here's a question for you Sarthe Vets...Say you want to make a beer/grocery run into town can you leave your campsite as is and not worry about poachers? Or do you hitch with some friendly neighbors? Whats the best idea? I know at Knoxville its not much of a problem since we've got a camper and can lock up. But if there are tents its alittle more difficult to be secure ya know? Lets talk! 

Ah great sounds like we need to go for a Snipe hunt!

Um..... .....Yeah.....uh WOW ...I've uh, Yeah I've been camping in New Mexico and had to use bear bags and thankfully never encountered a bear or cougar. Now you're telling me that there is the potential of having to worry about a puma camping at la Sarthe! This really will be an adventure!

Fair enough Fax. You're right I don't know you from Adam and I shouldn't have attacked to what I thought was a racial comment. I did and still do feel upon rereading the original comment that it wasn't joking at the first read. (Who the f**ck would name his kid Memo?  Almost as dumb as calling yourself Scott Speed, Trixie is the bridge really out?) If I didn't know you, (and I still don't) your style of humor and I read that for the first time I would not take that as a joke. If I'm still on your list c'est la vie, I know where you stand and I have let it go. Maybe sometime down the road we can chat about racing or whatever normally, I hope that is the case in due time.

Fax I haven't seen that short of a fuse since Begbie in Trainspotting! You also called me a c**t! Good on ya. Seriously though I was sticking up for a great driver and even a greater guy, I'd rather just squash this deal and move on ok? I'll look at it as knowing what your limits I can push you to and you know I won't back down from someone or something I believe in. Cummon I'll buy a pint for ya at le Sarthe!

Chop good to hear there are some more US noobs going on the exodus! I was trying to think of another American open wheel driver that has won more races in the last 10 years. Vasser to me is the only one that came to mind next to Michael. The rest of the races have been won by Tracy, someone from Brazil (de Ferran, da Matta, Helio, etc), Bordais, Montoya or Zanardi. When you cut them away, who do you have from America that has really put up? Unless I'm missing someone its been Vasser or Andretti (1995-2005) *shrugs

Thanks Sgt. Hulka,
First of all I didn't say he was the best American open wheel driver of the last 10 years, I said he was ONE of the best American drivers in the last 10 years. The best American driver in paved AOWR in the last 10 years is either Jimmy Vasser or Michael Andretti. If you want to get into the dirt track scene its Steve Kinser, but thats a different deal altogether. Secondly  Anytime Memo sat in a CC he went fast, Ganassi saw this and that is why he signed him in '01 to replace Minassian. Not champion material? If you take the results from that '01 season I quoted you and put that into a full season, you've got Mr. Gidley in the thick of the championship hunt. The reason he wasn't able to find a ride for the next season in 2002 was because Chip would not commit one way or the other so Memo could find a ride for the next season or get comfortable at Ganassi. Had that been the case things would be much more different I can assure you. GARRA isn't a great series I agree, they do have car counts and get good drivers for their biggest race at the Rolex so what Memo did there is saying something I believe. Why would Pescarolo even look at him if he wasn't fast? Fax if you're going to flip someone crap do it w/out playing the ethnicity card, it takes away the ethos that your sig quote gives you.

Zarse, thats nice of you to stick up for him, friends do that and that is what I was doing for a friend. And you're exactly right its who you know, not what you know. I have no doubt that it may be a bit difficult to meet Johnny or anyone else but the fun for me is in trying. I don't let people sour me on things I want to do, were all there to have a good time right? It's all Kool 'n The Gang man.  Here's to looking forward to the '06 edition!

I wasn't sure if I should post here or in the Gen. Dis. (Moderator delete thread as necc.) I'm working on some paintings of the 956 Rothmans car at the '83 race and I'm wanting to know if any of you happen to have photos from the race? I'm creating paintings of the entrance to the Mulsanne corner and the right hand kink going into Indianapolis. I'm just trying to get an impression of the lighting, runoff, signage etc. If anyone has pics or can direct me to some I would greatly appreciate it! 

Hello Rus!
I'm actually going to be staying in Bleu Nord right across the way so I hope to see you in Juin!

Fax you need to cool your jets man. First off the name 'Memo' is one of the most common male names in Latin America, do you have a problem w/ 10 million Latin American parents? Secondly, Memo Gidley is one of the best American open wheel drivers of the last 10 years. As you may know racing, takes money, its not like you can go shoot hoops everyday to get recognized like in basketball. Memo has been pounding the pavement, seeing teams and going to Champ Car races when he was rideless. The shunt you're referring to in 2001 at Elkhart Lake came during a season where he took over for Nicholas Minassian 6 races in and in his first race he finished 2nd in Cleveland. By season's end he racked up 6 fastest laps, 3 podiums, 5th overall in laps led dispite having contested 6 fewer races and most oval laps lead. This past season he scored 1 pole and 1 victory at Mexico City in November. Not to mention after the car was shunted at Daytona a few weeks ago by Alex Barron they dropped back to 40th and STORMED their way back through the field to finish in 6th place. All the while Memo is being considered by Mssr. Pescarolo for one of the top LMP1 rides for the biggest race in the world. Now if this isn't enough evidence to show you how great of a person not to mention driver Memo is, why the h3ll should he care? He's getting paid to do drive race cars and drive at tracks that you wish you could drive at 1/10 of his ability.

Thanks guys, I'm going to have a blast and do what I can to meet a few drivers, I'm optimisitc so its all good. I've got an in with Memo Gidley if he gets a Pescarolo ride over there too so its a posibility to get into the paddock!

Hey guys the culmination of years of waiting and a bit of saving has come together finally! I just received confirmation from the ACO that my ticket order has been processed, I'M GOING TO FRANCE BABY!    Any Americans going too? Now I have a decent crack at meeting Mr. Herbert and Ms. Ickx, ah its going to be great!