Club Arnage

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Update 1st June 2007:

Hi all,

The guide will be completed and ready for download, at the latest, on Wednesday, 6th June 2007 at 10:00 pm GMT. As we expect many downloads we will install 5 different download-locations. So if the CA server is slow or not accessible, just try the next website on the list. The guide will be available for download at :

1. www.clubarnage.com/caguide (http://www.clubarnage.com/caguide)
2. www.lemanszone.de/caguide (http://www.lemanszone.de/caguide)
3. www.totalsportscar.com/caguide (http://www.totalsportscar.com/caguide)
4. www.drinkingforholland.com/caguide (http://www.drinkingforholland.com/caguide)
5. caguide.tmdg.co.uk (http://caguide.tmdg.co.uk)


Cheers

Werner

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Hi all,

First of all  very good news concerning the 2007 edition of the CA Guidebook: While the 2006 edition had only one chief editor (me), for the next edition Ferrari Spider (Peter) will join me :D :D :D, so we will share all tasks and this will enhance the quality of the 2007 edition a lot. So if you want to send some input for the guide by pm, please address it to both of us, this will make co-ordination between us easier.

We have set up a project page at http://www.lemanszone.de/caguide2007.html (http://www.lemanszone.de/caguide2007.html), so you can follow the latest development and see where help is still needed.

Peter and I have already discussed some ideas for the next edition, here they are, have a look and give us feedback, come up with new ideas, or even better, send contributions:

- More detailed campsite descriptions

- For the “other usefull stuff” chapter: Peter will give details about the helicopter flight service at Le Mans airport, he took a flight this year.

- One or two pages about Radio Le Mans, it’s history, the team behind it, their plans for 2007 – We will try to contact John Hindhaugh, may be he can supply us some information. Referring to latest forum threads Peter and I feel that there should be a closer tie-up between CA and RLM

- Some history of some of the great duels between car manufacturers and some of the characters that populate LM history, e.g. a review about the 1988 clash between Stuttgart and Coventry, about the tragic hero Bob Wollek, the 1999 Mercedes air show or other reviews -  To the experienced old hands at the forum: Who wants to write something? Please post suggestions/contributions

- More information about services at the track, e.g. the medical station, the ACO service for handicaped visitors, Location of ATMs and others.

- More addresses for shopping

- Information about the museum at the race track (opening hours, ticket prices)

- A detailed chapter about “How to get a ticket”: Experience and procedures for direct booking with the ACO, your experience and contact details with agencies, e.g. “JustTickets” or others, please sent your input.

- About the marshalls and their function, explanation of race flags and their meaning - for the newbies

- Also for the newbies: A chapter about the UK-France ferries and the Eurostar: How to book those, their websites, prices, sailing times, duration, restrictions on vehicle lengths…

- A nice collection of the “It happened to me” stories from the forum

- A chapter about the “Mad Friday”: May be with a balanced description of the 2006 situation and some recommendations about what is OK and what is not OK (e.g. buckets of water into sports cars…). Who wants to do this?

- a one page summary of the entries making identification of a car easier

- An index so people don’t need to flip through all pages to find the Le Mans taxi phone numbers


All of the above are just ideas at the moment and it will depend on all of us, how much of this will actually be in the next edition, so please contribute


Cheers to all of you

Ferrari Spider & Werner

On behalf of us all, fantastic!! And welcome Mr FS to the editorial team!!

To assist Werner, please keep contributions to this thread on-topic - new ideas, volunteers and useful info only.

To save on bandwidth would it be possibly to have two downloads one of the full guide and the other of the latest amendments?  Obviously a total re-write makes this impossible.

Information on Radio Le Mans and its history can be found on their website so worth having a look there.

I will help peter with info on the flight if he wants.. I did it this year also and had lots of conversations with them in the months running up to le mans..

my partners son is sorting out the pics of the trip etc from my camera.. too techie for me really ;D

Andy

Hi Werner/Peter

One simple addition I would like is a one page summary of the entries  (as, dare I say it, they do in the Autosport guide).  Would make identification of a car easier than looking thru several pages.  For example:

Car No.,    Car make,    Drivers,      Team

Group them by class ie LMP1, P2 etc

Del

Sounds like it will be even better than this years.

A lot of people make a holiday of their Le Mans trip or arrive as soon as the campsites open. A section on things to do and places of interest locally may be a help if these people wanted to get out and about for a change of scenery.

A volentary contribution to a CA named, or editiorial team choice charity in exchange for the download would spread the CA name. The editorial team is giving all the time and effort for free and if we can raise some money at least they will see a return for their hard work. If only 4 or 5 percent contributed someone would benefit.

One thing that would be useful for me (and maybe not anyone else!) would be reverse directions to get home and save us getting lost in the town centre again.

Read them backwards you may say. I tried to entice my navigator to do so at 6.30am on Monday morning but his reply was "I can't read them backwards because I feel sick" thanks mainly to JPC's impromptu Tropicoma substitute on sunday night.

 ;D ;D ;D ;D wonderful, matches my personal experience. We also got lost more often on the way home than on the way to Le Mans

Absolutely.  I have done the trip from here to blighty about 50 times now and have only just figured Rouen out on the way back!

Werner, will put some thought into some of the local stuff and pm you.

Werner, your guide for the LM virgins in our group really help them through the weekend, How about locations of resturants in the surrounding area/town center.

Jules G

Great idea, Del
actually this was asked for by some other people I met this years as well. I've modified the initial post of this thread and included this

Well done guys. I'll try to help out with collating some humourous stories here. How "lavatorial" do you want them? :D What's the protocol on swearing, sex and violence? PG, 15, or Triple XXX?

Well, hard to say, but as a rule of thumb I would say: Anything you could post on the forum without having a field day with the moderators should be OK for the guide as well... Now you made me curious ;D

Andy

Don't forget the basic rule:  What goes on tour stays on tour.

Del

Good idea, I suggest you pm Peter about this

Cheers

Werner

How about, included in the camping section, a bit about etiquette on the camp sites.

Not so much "these are the rules", but some common sense do and don'ts to show consideration for your neighbours.

Not necessarily aimed at those already on CA but more for new comers that get told about the download.

It might help to stop the spread of offensive and bad behaviour, and make the whole camping experience pleasurable for everyone.

Obvious things about litter, vandalism, keeping an eye out for each other, etc.

Hi 135sport,

Good idea for the introductory part for the campsite description: Could you come up with a draft for a few lines about this topic?

Cheers

Werner

Sure I'll have a go, and send it to you.

The last six years have been spent on Karting Nord, so I'll add anything I can think of specifically relating to that also.

Or indeed stays down the lavatory (or at least near it...)  :( :o

CA Guide Feedback

If you come across a web forum which has feedback on it, IE Porsche club of GB, 10/10ths could you let Werner and myself know so we can take account of it.

many thanks FS

Another idea would be to include a section on driving into Le Mans town centre for the parade, how to drive in and out, where to park, the best routes out for a quick exit etc.

I have requested this (via a friend) from the Aston Martin site

Del

WERNER

I'll have a crack at adding a page or two of stuff


And wuill include details on CA mercahndise....... You never know.

I'' also send a return set of directions to Caen and CHerbourg after making a few mistakes this year.



What time period do you want them ?

Thanks Robbo, somewhen until end of this year is OK

Cheers

Werner

Merchandise info would be good, Saturday morning in the village, had people coming up to us wanting to know if we were selling the CA shirts, they were upset that each one is made to order!!

Merchandise info would be good, Saturday morning in the village, had people coming up to us wanting to know if we were selling the CA shirts, they were upset that each one is made to order!!

I was asked several times where I got the shirt, Most people said that the Steve McQueen Logo on the back was excellent!

FS

I have contacted valerie at jet systems to email/send info on the heli rides.. and also to try and wangle a bit of discount for next year ;D... will keep you informed ;)


Andy

Well done Mr FS on joining the editorial team.  Looks like this years guide will be bigger and better  ;D.

I'm not sure what I can add to it, but again I'm happy to proof read and hopefully might manage to read the last few chapters unlike this year!  The earlier we can get it sorted the better really.

Although I suspect you might have to hang fire a bit on some of the "how to get there" stuff as the tramway works could be doing anything by then! :-\

I found the guide to be at its most useful on the drive down and on the campsite; the foreword, history, war of the classes and regulations making a great read during the lazy afternoons in the sun with obligatory beer in hand! I think it will be a challenge to come up with something fresh each year so perhaps the history section could involve a ‘focus on’ one particular decade each year? I think the entrants list was excellent (particularly the incredibly good quality and up to date pictures!). However, I think this section along with the equally important schedule could be bettered. To reiterate on what a few others have said I think it would be particularly handy to condense these sections so they could be easily transported to the circuit. I was thinking along the lines of the guide being an A5 booklet and these important sections forming the central pages so they could be removed as and when. Adding a section on campsite etiquette is a fantastic idea! Just my opinion on some minor points. This year’s effort was tremendous; well done and good luck Werner and FS!

Finally I am quite happy to update the map and where to watch if they were found to be useful??

Werner/Peter

I'll pick up the dialogue about Mad Friday, do's and don'ts, where etc!

Happy to help with any other input of course as well!

When would you need it by.

.
That's good news, so we'll assign the first draft of the mad friday chapter to you, thanks in advance. No reason to hurry, if it's done within the next 2 - 3 month that will be OK, Le Mans 2007 is unfortunatley still some time away  :'(

Cheers

Werner

Having driven the Boulogne to LM 'Pretty Route for Sports Cars' that I suggested for the 2006 Guide, I've come to the conclusion that some parts are poorly signed and could be improved or removed.

We intend to investigate variations on the way to the Classic, with some alternate routes around Rouen and will expand on the previous simple instructions.

Will report back.

Hi Steve,

thanks in advance. Please think also about the way back to the UK, may be there's an alternative route.

Cheers

Werner

there are.. depending on how hungover your ar eand the weather!

namely the D1/D2/D909 north of Alencon.   on the way down we did those roads again (from Le Harve, Thursday morning) and came through rain/fog and sunshine!

A request:

Could someone going to the Classic get the exact postal adress of the supermarket(s) in Arnage (Super-U?) incl. opening hours, phone number and may be even a picture?

That could be used for the shopping section of next years guide.

Thanks in advance

Werner

Super u
Boulevard Pierre Lefaucheux
72230 ARNAGE
Tel.: 02 43 21 22 23


 
Monday: 9h00/19h30
Tuesday: 9h00/19h30
Wednesday: 9h00/19h30
Thursday: 9h00/19h30
Friday: 9h00/20h00
Saturday: 9h00/19h30
Sunday: FIRM/FIRM 
 

Regards,

Andy ;D

WOW !!!  :D :D :D
Thanks a lot

Hi Dobbo,

thanks a lot for your very useful comments. Yes, an update of the map and the where to watch would be appreciated, I'll assign this task to you in the project plan

Cheers

Werner

Is the Super U Still closed on Sunday's during Race Weekends? I am sure we have used the Super U on a Sunday before?

I've never seen it open.. I think the only part may be the bakery bit / cafe in the entrance ???

Andy

It says it closed above - every Sunday.

Please can you remove Auchan from the list, as when I arrived Monday morning on the way home, there was virtually no beer left.

.. may be that was because it was on the list ;D ;D ;D

Small local Super-Us (Beaumont, Marolles les Braults etc) plus Inter Marche at St Cosme en Vairais etc are open on Sunday mornings but the big ones are not.

I've posted a request for feedback over on the Porsche club site.

I'll post any feedback for those that don't wander over here and log-in themselves.

Would you be interested in a piece on surviving as a Vegetarian at Le Mans?
I posted a piece on the Porsche forum after a request, I can repeat it here if I'm not going to get flamed off the board...  ;)

And here is carrefour:

309 avenue Georges Durand
72019
Le Mans Cedex
Tél: 02 43 61 56 56
Fax: 02 43 61 56 50
Lundi au vendredi
8h30 a 21h30

le samedi
8h30 a 21h00

Andy ;D

Being a veggie in France is a nightmare!  (Not that I am one, but I know a few.)  However, the supermarkets are full of fab fruit and veg - all fresh and local, plus a bigger range of made-up salads than you see in the UK.  Also, many set menus (certainly in our two local Relais Routiers) offer a large cold buffet as a starter.  My veggie mates tend to take heaps of this stuff as their main course then just forget the meat course.
Non-vegans can also try the fab "Chevre Chaud" hot baguettes on offer at the circuit.  Also, the "plateau repas" have a slices of meat in a separate section which they can pass on to their meat-eating friends and nosh the rest.
The meal in "Le Balcon" (new restaurant on the circuit) is of the help yourself buffet variety with plenty of salads and vegetables so you can eat well there too.

Very close to what I posted  ;D

Veggies at Le Mans.

Tricky. This is France - so you will not have much luck trying to find anything marked as "Veggie option" on the menu at resturants. Announcing you are vegetarian and asking what they have will normally result in the waiters throwing their hands up in the air, asking "you don't eat meat? how do you eat?" and if you are lucky, a green salad for starter, followed by a green salad for main course (and they are NOT imaginative with green salads...)

If you go for one of the usual safe bets in the UK (curry and Chinese) you will find in France they have added extras such as bacon bits added which were not mentioned on the menu!

So, eating out in France. What you can do...

Pizza/Italian places are good. There are a couple in Le Mans which we go to almost every year. We were joined in an Italian Resturant Resturant one year by the (sadly now departed) Michele Alboretto, which was rather nice. We've gone back every year since - but no more (recognisable) drivers yet 

Crepe's are also a reasonable place to be able to get Veggie fare without actually offending anyone by announcing you are veggie.

Asking for a dish "Sans (insert meat here)" and explaining you are vegetarien will normally get you the dish you require, even if you do get a sad shake of the head from the waiter... 
It IS worth saying you are veggie, as otherwise you are likely to get the thing turn up with some other meat instead - e.g. they think you just did not want the pork so they substituted beef!

Supermarkets.
Don't bother looking for "vegetarian society approved" logos on food. There won't be any. British brands will have it removed if normally present. I don't think they want to lose French sales by indicating that there may not be any animal product in the item!

You will not find Quorn or Soya based meat substitute items. I'm sure we did once, but not for the last few years.

Cheese will not say if it has animal or vegetable rennet in it. So if you are really strict on that then cheese is out too!

You can usually find out the ingredients on items as many are multi-language. However some are not - learn French!

You can find pre-packed Salads in Auchan and Careffour (and Leclerc and Champion as well I guess, we don't go to them as much). These can be pretty good - with cheese and egg options. Also there are usually other pre-pack salad ingrediants that you can make a meal of.

Of course there is french bread.  You can just fill up on a baguette and cream cheese. Rather good.

Portable bar-b-q's are plentiful in the supermarkets - if you can find anything to cook.

If you are bringing stuff with you, be aware how HOT it can be at that time of year. Food will NOT last, even with portable car-fridges.

At the circuit.

There are resturants, but only one has a pizza, and you willl wonder why you are paying so much for a frozen pizza.

In the ACO Members enclosure you can sometimes find cheese pizzas as well. but not often (and you have to be a member, or a guest of one to get in).

Cheese baguettes are available, but often they are gone almost straight away. Of course no-one buys them as there is no meat in them  So they sell out of the stock they have really quickly...

Hot items around the track are normally limited to Frites, and Chevre-chaud (a half baugette with melted goats cheese on it - rather nice. Sometimes this comes as a panini style thing).

So rather limited I'm afraid - you might end up on a bit of a cheese-fest, but it's only for a few days.

that would be very good and worthwhile, about a week or so before the main race week we had requests for sources of soya and rice milk, will you article cover this as well?

we will find it very interesting.  Many thanks for taking the time and contributing, it is gratefully appreciated.  FS

A very interesting piece, many thanks.

It's posted above now  ;D

Good point - I meant to update re: the Soya milk (I saw the request and out of curiousity - I don't drink it myself - went to a Super U to find out  ;D)

I can confirm Super U does have a specialist food section that has Soya Milk.  :D

Crikey, I never thought vegetarians would go to Le Mans! Normally they are all stuck at home too malnourished and pale-faced to travel.  ;)

If God hadn't wanted us to eat animals he wouldn't have made them out of meat.  8)

Even worse - My girlfriend and I go for the race...  :o

Apart from anything else it would take them too long to get there as they never seem to drive cars that are fast enough to kill anything

I think it would be a good idea to have someone not involved in putting the content together to proofread the document. As they won't have seen or been involved in creating content, they might be able to do a very thorough job and get everything needed to be changed.

Happy to volunteer, seem to spend my life proofreading MBA assignments these days.

Rich

Always a good plan!  Having spent quite a few of my working years writing and editing staff newspapers without backup, I could guarantee that within about 2 minutes of publication, some clever b*stard would be on the phone pointing out the mistake(s).

Thanks for the comment guys, beleive or not we did this year, improvements, improvements.  Werner is celebrating that Germany has gone through into the next round, hiccup :D

Absolutely, Rich, I share that point of view. I've put you on the task list for this, hopefully some others will commit too, so this can be shared.

Have a nice weekend

Werner

Glad to help out  :)

i'll gladly help out with this also.

Thanks neilsie, we'll come back to you and Rich as soon as some chapters are declared finished

Have a nice weekend

Werner

Thanks a lot, I've put you down as our "liaison officer" to the Porsche Club GB

cheers

Werner

The 2006 guide was brilliant; it had so much in it I did not need to buy anything else.

If you need any help for next year let me know.

Mr Nopanic, many thanks for your offer of help, always on look out for willing slaves, any special skills, knowledge, or general improvements or items which should or should not be included?

The guide is for you the Le Mans fan.  Let us know what you want.

FS & Werner

To those who are going to the Classic:

Could someone check about the availability of banking facilities at the track, are there ATMs? If so, where exactly in the village can they be found? Which banking-cards are accepted?

Thanks

Werner

There was one ATM fixed in the village during the 24hours, located near the center on the same alley way as the shampoo bar. I will confirm at the classic, take a photo looking looking like a ATM anorak!

Wonderful, Rick, thanks

Wouldn't the programme map, show the location, it was there, you could spot it because of the long queue.

Correct it is shown on the programme map as a Euro symbol, next to the Racing Legends stand, as you come from the new tunnel it is on the left as you enter the New village area

Campsites.

It would be useful to indicate the general popularity of each site.

For instance for the last 5 years I've arrived on Thursday evening.

Two years ago we arrived in Bleu Sud to find it practically full, moved to the adjacent field to find lots of space, this year that was apparently not allowed.

This year we were in Bleu Nord , arrived Thursday evening at about 9pm and whilst it was filling up had no problems. Awoke the following morning to find it nearly full, arriving after about 10am and it would probably have been full.

So it would be useful for anyone planning to arrive late to book one of the "slower to fill" sites , as anyone booking MB would probably find it difficult even on Wednesday and impossible on Friday.

So whilst BSJ might be furthest from most of the action it must be the best bet for a late arrival.

Of course this is not an easy thing to gauge but forewarned is better than nothing.

Good idea for the introduction of the campsite chapter.
To all the others: What are your expieriences about this?

More input will help to come to a sound judgement on this topic for each campsite

Cheers

Werner

Maison Blanche

Monday: Choose your spot
Tuesday: Choose your spot. Best ones will have gone
Wednesday: Some large areas left
Thursday: Hardly any room left
Friday: Forget MB unless you have mates keeping you room
Saturday: You must be joking.

We always arrive Monday.

Maison Blanche is an up-market site.
Tarmac Roads to keep the dust down
Good Atmosphere with large groups.

DfH, SPS, JPC, The Brethren and many more.

Prefered Campsite of Club Arnage people.

Doh Rick - you've gone and done it again!!!


Prefered Campsite of SOME Club Arnage people.

 ::)

I can do better:

Preferred Campsite of most Club Arnage people.

;D

Well as there are nearly 1600 club arnage members - i dont believe that more than 800 of them were on MB this year  :P

As you are so well informed Fran, how many of those 1600 members where actually there, and how many camped where? Just curious...... ;)

I was on MB.  Is this a subject for a pole - would be quite interesting to know.

Yup.. that would be a good Idea.. set up a new thread with the old pole buttons on!! ;D

Andy

DONE

Even BSJ was crowded this year. No problem arriving thursday, by friday they were telling you where to camp. On saturday they had opened a reserve field with no toilets or water.
Wonder what will happen next year with the pug running and an increased French interest? This year was a record crowd at over 235,000 people, perhaps the dreaded pre marked plots will arrive in some campsites.

i've bumped up the thread about the guide over on Pistonheads asking for their constructive feedback......

my, i'm popular over there! A whole day and one reply!!

Great guide!

on the travel directions would be great to flag where there are petrol stations

Hi Chris

good idea with the petrol station, thanks for that idea.

Cheers

Werner

Happy to log them on a map on my trip down, I'm doing an overnight journey, so any distraction will be helpful.

I will only be covering the motorway, but I can note which appear to be manned

Jason that will be good and we can then compare against the official web site.  very handy and appreciated, many thanks FS

great, very useful for next years guide, because some people reported problems with their foreign credit cards at un-manned petrol stations.

MarkCSC on Pistonheads gives the following tip:
"We had the same problem in Boulogne this year. Arrived late and couldn't get petrol anywhere. We crawled down the A16 at 40mph hoping to find a petrol station. In panic we pulled off and spoke to a guy in a Payage booth. He told us if we take the Le Touquet turning off the A16 you can buy petrol for cash by giving money to the Payage attendant.
So we did this and joy of joy they had 98 RON . Top tip if you ever get stuck in Boulogne with bugger all fuel."

Obviously not substantiated, but useful to have in the guide in case of emergency!

Does someone have pictures of the automobile museum at the track?
Inside & outside?

Cheers

Werner

I have but the file is too large to post here. I will send them to ypur e-mail address

hope you got my email.. and how about this??  ;D ;D

Thanks a lot

this one is very bueno!! ;D

Andy ;)

Really a nice one, gives a good impression

Thanks Andy

You could do the same with Carrefour - I went in on the monday before the race to find none of my usual brew (same as yours Lorry - La biere de Me Kanter).

Del

I agree we went to Carrefor on the Monday and they had no beer left! Went to the Super U and they had loads! Better service and better prices too.

We'll put a warning about this in the next guide!

But from Tuesday on, Carrefour had big loads of beer right at the entrance. So don't got here on mondays, but it's ok later on in the week. Even on Saturday they had big loads of all the kinds of beer you could want.

HI JPC,

just in case you want to have a look at it, there's also a heated debate on the pistonhead forum about mad friday at http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=281547&f=25&h=0

Hi all,

we have set up a new project page for the 2007 guide, please have a look at http://www.lemanszone.de/caguide2007.html.

Whenever there are major changes or new drafts, we'll keep you informed here.

Cheers

Werner

Hi all,

I'm signing off from this forum for the next 2 weeks, will go on a holiday and will most likely have no internet access. I'll be back on August 6th, in the meantime please contact Ferrari Spider for anything related to the guide

Cheers

Werner

When talking about the supermarkets, opening hours is a must. I was at Carrefour Friday night and they were closing at 8pm. Many brits were being turned away at the entrance. I guess we are all used to Tesco 24 Hour opening. (The 24 Hours de Tesco!)

I only happened to arrive at 7.30pm by chance.

Cheers
HTB!

The times are all on the websites, and the other thing to do is to check for French holidays.  ALmost everything shuts.  One used to clash with the old practice sessions, but I hope June is clear

Thanks Werner, obviously we are not the only ones who enjoy the fun but expect a certain level of integrity.

Hopefully the 2007 guide will be even more popular than the 2006 one and will be read by the minority who are ruining it for the majority!!!

Coherent speech was a struggle for some of them so I think reading would be out of the question...   :-\

Coherent speech was a struggle for most of us at some point over the weekend!!  ;)

 :-* :-* :-*

Speak for yourself MR JPC - I was coherent for....well....ermmm....a bit!

 :-*

I thought my japanese dialect was spot on :D

Apologies if this is high handed, can we keep to topic please, Werner and I have to wade through this.  Thanks in advance your editorial team ;)

Out of the Spa 24 thread has come a suggestion (from me initially and seconded and thirded!) that we might think about guides to other events and circuits.  Spa is quite tricky to find your way around if you're a newbie and the follow up suggestion was that a guide to all LMS circuits might be helpful.

FS, Werner what do you think? 

Sounds like a lot of work to me!

Yeh me too.

Surely too much work for one editorial team along with the LM guide and the  rest of their lives away from this forum.

I'd agree, nothing wrong with a sub group to begin work, but don't forget your main responsibilities of getting the LM 2007 sections in on time. FS

I agree.. it is after all Club Arnage the le mans website.. and imagine the work needed :o

Andy ;D

I agree to some extent (that's why you didn't see me volunteering!) 

A guide to Spa might be quite achievable - not in the same depth as the Le Mans guide but just with the basics of how to get around the circuit, parking etc.   Most of us don't only go to one race a year and Spa is a very popular venue and one that's well worth going to. 

Maybe if I get bored over the winter.......
(after I've written my marshalling section for LM of course Mr FS!)

Piglet, there is a section about the British marshalls who work at Le Mans every year in The British at Le Mans book. Ever thought of having a bash yourself or is the pull of the party atmosphere too strong?


OOPS sorry Peter I forgot you didn't want any chit chat on here

[sorry Peter..] Bob, the lure of the party is too strong for me  ;D  There is a strong Brit contingent though and I'm hoping to get some input from them for that section of the guide .....so bringing it back on topic if there is anyone reading this who is a LM marshal please do get in touch with me!

Piglet -
I can put you in touch with a senior marshal at LM. Please reply to my PM.

On my way back from the UK yesterday, I dropped in at the 24 hour petrol station in the Carrefour at Calais. (Cite de l'Europe).  Glad to see that it now takes ALL CREDIT AND DEBIT CARDS including UK ones. :)

That is really good news, hope the rest of them follow suit!

Hi,
It's a nice idea. And I think it will be very useful. And I will help you with writing. I'll be there more than once a year...and I must find out few things by my own.

Maybe, we can write it together during the 'off-season'.

Greetz

Anita, fyi - Yvonne is the blonde/ginger girl from our group, she visits a lot of BelCar and FIA GT in Belgium. Just in case you wondered who she is ;)

Cheers Yvonne - I'm trying to avoid the actual writing off it but I do think it would be a good idea!  ;D

Paddy - I remember Yvonne, she was one of the very few of your group hardcore enough to manage the Spa 24 this year!   Although rumours that we may have all been in the bar for a large amount of the race are unfounded!  ;D

PS - y'know in English - ginger is not a complimentary term!!  ;D

That'll be 'Strawberry Blonde' then  ;)

I think some of this may have been covered so sorry for any repeats.
Just come back from a week in Western France via SpeedFerries and Boulogne. Used the A16 / A26 route down to Rouen and then Picked up the lovely new A28. The good news is that the Service station at the Rouen end is Shell (Optimax) and there are now 2 new Arie's (sp) between Rouen and Alencon with Fuel. The Toll was a little pricy at  €16.50 to Le Mans (Just had to take the wife and daughter on a tour of the circuit and sites, most impressed they were too.....) It's a shame they can't sort out a better route through or around Rouen - it took an hour and a half to get through(via Cows Rounderbout).
For any one wanting to head further south west, the A28 goes down to Tours now and then picks up the A10 to Bordeaux(Peage Toll from Poitiers to Rouen was €26).
Was not able to use my visa card at Carrefour, Super U or Archen fuel stations though.

Ian, just to clarify, was it the Carrefour at Calais you tried?  Old notices about them not taking UK credit cards were covered up last week and was assured that all cards were usable there.  Have to admid though that I didn't try it out as I used my French one.  Will try putting an English one in when I'm back there at the end of next week but meantime would be interested to know if you'd tried it.

An hour and a half across Rouen was a lot!  Admittedly it is a well-trodden path for me but it takes me 30 minutes tops normally.  "Le rush-hour?"  No plans so far for a by-pass, sadly.

Hi Termi, no, I tried the card pumps in Auchen and Carrefour Boulogne (after 10pm, ended up getting off the Speedferry at 1am with "6 miles to empty" showing on the readout!) and Super U further South. Not suprised that City Europe does take them though, they would loose to much Booze cruise trade.
Rouen was at about 5.30 on Friday so " Le Rush-Hour" applies, just such a shame there is such a great bottle neck in the middle of a what is now a very efficient  road network which is worth paying the tolls for if you on long haul.

Just to clear this up, I tried a UK debit card in the 24 hour fuel pump at the Carrefour in Calais yesterday and it definately works. :)

Hopefully by June next year, all the Service stations will accept them.

And a horde of "petits cochons roses" will be flying over France.

By the way, Werner and FS, I made notes while travelling to and from Blighty the other day of all the directions/road signs etc for a quick crossing of Rouen (not easy to write in a notebook and drive at the same time) so will forward them to you.

I'm helping to do a piece about buying tickets for LM.  I would be very grateful if anybody who has used ticket agencies like Just Tickets, if they could let me know their experiences when using these people and those like them.
Thanks

I have used Just Tickets and Page and Moy and have found both of them very good. Just Tickets were cheaper than Page and Moy and both companies always came up with the tickets I asked for. Then never seem to take bookings for tickets they are unable to come up with. My only point against them is that they are not only expensive tickets but they insist you buy several GA's from them at again inflated prices.

Can anybody remember what the cost was for additional nights' camping this year - ie for those arriving early?.  I seem to remember it was 8 euros, but possibly it was 12?  Did this vary from site to site?

Hi all,

termietermite did the ticket-chapter :D, the result can be viewed at http://www.lemanszone.de/caguide2007/c26-tickets.pdf

Cheers

Werner

Good job termietermite.

I will ask around at the weekend to see if any of my friends still have their camping pass.

Thanks for the feedback, Nordic and DelBoy.  Just to keep you updated, we have picked up on the fact that I've repeated the word grandstand twice in the buying for next year bit, and also that members don't get reduced rate tribune and parking tickets; in case anybody else spots this.

Nordic, if you find the tickets, could you forward these direct to Werner as he's doing the techie bits!
Thanks all.

Sent Werner a couple of scanned camping passes but couldn't find a 2006 example unfortunately

Termie, I found the campingsupplement of 2006, and it costed 15 euro's. Do you want that scanned?

I'll take a picture of my windshield tonight, still got the MB-sticker on the windshield. ;)

Thanks Dobbo, doesn't need to be a 2006 one, it's just for illustration and no one knows what next years passes will look like anyway

Thanks a lot
Werner

LangTall, the campingsupplement is interesting, it's a different type of ticket. No need to take pictures from your windshield,, dobbo sent some campsitepasses

Thanks

Mine too, with 2005 in the glove box

IIRC we paid the 15 Euros for Mon and Tue night? Would it have been cheaper if it was just Tuesday night?

Got 2005 and 2006 still stickin' on it. ;D

Good question, mine is also Mon and Tue.

Thanks guys.  I'll update the camping suplement bit so we're covered.

Hi all,

delboy did a chapter about ACO membership, the result can be viewed at http://www.lemanszone.de/caguide2007/c29-acomembership.pdf
Comments and suggestions are of course welcome
Cheers

Werner

... and another brilliant idea for a chapter:
France and the French - instructions for use
see http://www.lemanszone.de/caguide2007/c30-franceinstructions.pdf

termietermite and Ferrari Spider will work on this

We're also going to do a piece on other useful websites - those we visit on a regular basis.  This was discussed here

http://www.clubarnage.com/forum/index.php?topic=3413.0

but anybody got any others?  Of particular interest would be US and other European sites, which may be of help to guide readers from other countries.

Reading through what has been written so far I am sure that this will be the best and most comprehensive Le Mans guide ever produced. Well done to all involved.

hear hear!!

I am just waiting on the sexy creature at the helicopter place to get back to me with all her bumpf and I will get that off to werner.. what is the timescale?

Fagey

I finished the part about the automobile museum in the "Other useful stuff" chapter, see http://www.lemanszone.de/caguide2007/c15-otherusefullstuff.pdf

Cheers
Werner

There's quite a bit of stuff here
http://www.lemans.org/24heuresdumans/2006/pages/animations/animations_gb.html
about disabled facilities/medical posts etc.
btw, the disabled can get into the photographer's space at scrutineering, too.

Thanks for that, didn't stumble across it yet. I'll take care of it

Cheers

Werner

Hi all,

I've compiled a selection of stories from the "It happened to me" area of this forum for the guide, see http://www.lemanszone.de/caguide2007/c18-ithappenedtome.pdf

Discussion: What do you think about this selection? Further contributions are welcome

Cheers, have a good monday morning

Werner

Hi again,

termietermite started a selection of links for the guide, please have a look at http://www.lemanszone.de/caguide2007/c31-weblinks.pdf

In case you have more useful links, please post them here or mail them to us

Cheers

Werner

A extra web links for you:-

www.sportscar-racing.com - a sportscar forum and big fans of RML, I a member and they are great bunch

I wouldn't make to specific links to websites. Things like www.clubarnage.com/forum/ isn't a problem since it isn't likely to change anytime soon. But I would keep links like http://www.lemans24.piczo.com/?cr=5&rfm=y and http://www.planetlemans.com/cmsv2/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1
shorter. Just  http://www.lemans24.piczo.com/ and http://www.planetlemans.com/ this less maintenance because this kind of extensions change more regular.

Good point!

Thanks a lot, I've added it

werner..

re heli flights LM 2007

loads of pics from jet systems are on the way via email, the price this for 2007 is 80 euro per person.. we can also use anything we want from the website http://www.jet-systems.fr

Andy

Hi Andy,
that's great, thank you. I've forwarded your pics to Peter, who will write this section.

Cheers

Werner

There is a nice picture of the view from a heli on our site made by one of the americans too. Link (http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/5069/saerialphoto4pc.jpg)
If it's of any use he's on our forum once every while so we could ask if you can use it. Can't imagine you couldn't.

Great pic, could be used for illustration not only of the heli flight chapter. Who is it whom we have to ask?

Mogie if I'm correct, SonOfSebring is his nickname on our forum.

Robbie took that picture, Mogie only uploaded it to us.

I think this pic falls within the DFH copyright, so feel free to use is, unless JPC has an objection since he is also in the piccie.

great, thanks guys

Well if it can be used for the guide one will be bothered anyway I think.

Whe will be bothered then il Cav? ???

Werner, I'm sure you've been watching this thread
http://www.clubarnage.com/forum/index.php?topic=6511.0
The conclusions could be good for the guide?

Thanks for this, I'll forward the link to Peter, he's doing the "How to get There" chapter

Cheers

Werner

Hi all,

Grand Fromage has given me access to the server, so the CA guide book project page is now hosted where it belongs to - at the clubarnage.com-domain, see
www.clubarnage.com/caguide

For those who have still bookmarked the old URL: There is a permanent redirect to the new location, so don't worry

Cheers

Werner

Werner, see my "Farewell N138" thread - important stuff for Peter to note for the guide.  I'll update as the spring goes along and we find out what gets done and when.

Thanks a lot, Deb. Could you mail your further findings directly to Peter?

Cheers

Werner

Did a major rework of the campsite chapter, but still not finished, have a look at http://www.clubarnage.com/caguide/caguide2007/c11-thecampsites.pdf

Further information and pictures, especially from Chapelle, Musee Interieur are welcome

Let me know when you want me to start proofreading sections for you. :)

Thanks, Rich, I'll come back to you soon

Couple of updates on www.clubarnage.com/caguide (http://www.clubarnage.com/caguide), see the statusdate of the files in the project table

Cheers

Werner

Werner, the recently resurrected on-line booking system
http://ticket.lemans.org/vente2/visu_article_mini.php?id_univers=1&id_ev=17&lang=gb
does have the info' on the costs of extra nights for camping, plus a bit of "rules and regs" stuff which might be handy.

yup, saw it, thanks termie :D

Another couple of updates on www.clubarnage.com/caguide (http://www.clubarnage.com/caguide): campsites, race week schedule, Poo Bar Gathering, Who, When, Where ... see the statusdate of the files in the project table.

Cheers

Werner

looking good Werner.  good work!

Hi there - new to the forum, 3-time vet of the LM 24 hours. I'd like to help out, and have some articles I've written about Le Mans that I'd be happy to offer some or all of. I just sent an email...

A quick update on buying fuel late at night.  Anybody travelling from the port of Caen to LM can use UK credit/debit cards at the Esso petrol station next to the Champion supermarket in Ouisterham.  There is also now a petrol station on the A28 between Rouen and Alencon (and a snack bar).

Any idea if it is open 24 hours?

No. As in, I have no idea.  I will find out en route to Florida.

Hi Termie,
             I had no idea the A28 went to Sebring  ::) How many driving hours ???
Will you be in the Morgan ??? ;D ;D ;D
Phil

Well, it does go to Sebring in my case!  Have to go to Kent first to pick up Paul (and get a cheaper flight via the UK.) :)

Just a quick one, re the "where to watch" bit.  Perhaps you'd like to add a couple of words to say that the new tunnel at Tertre Rouge is now suitable for wheelchairs.

2 more chapters declared finished: "War of the classes" and "CA Gathering"

Nice sunday everybody

Werner

Thanks a lot termie. will be in the guide

Three chapters are proof read now and only have a couple of very slight changes, will mail them back tomorrow.

OK. Wildly OT but is "Paul" Mr T or just a passing acquantance??

Mr T is Ian,  Paul is the owner of the Moggie in my avatar - he's driving it and I'm in the passenger seat.  We go around in 3s to most race meetings!

[/quote].  We go around in 3s to most race meetings!
[/quote]

nuff said  ;)

.  We go around in 3s to most race meetings!
[/quote]

nuff said  ;)
[/quote]I don't know what you mean Andy! ;D

nuff said  ;)
[/quote]I don't know what you mean Andy! ;D
[/quote]
 Finally OFF TOPIC well done Andy ;D
Phil

Ladies & Gentleman,

fortunately the 24 hours of Le Mans 2007 aren't that far away any more  :D :D :D, can't wait for it...

But that means also that our guide for this year needs to be finished. With the exception of the entry list and other last-minute information everything should be ready until end of April at the latest (Monday, April 30, 2007), so enough time for proof-reading and lay-out tasks will be left. For those of you who have committed to write something for the guide, please do so within the next 4 weeks. If you can't make it within that timeframe, no problem, just let me know and I'll put you down on the 2008 project page  ;D

Cheers

Werner

Who do I need to contact if I want to change the blurb in my bit on the spotters guide?   ???

Dx

I'm not sure whether to continue with the spotters guide, see my comment on the project page at www.clubarnage.com/caguide

Cheers

Werner

Some small updates, the chapters "campsites", "shopping" and "restaurants and bars" have been declared finished.

Mr Termite & I will happily photograph the cars in a couple of months' time (yeah, it's that close) at practice.  I'll shoot both restaurants plus a couple of supermarkets, Decathlon etc, hopefully on Friday.  Anything else you need while we're out with the cameras?
Edit : I've just seen on the other thread that Lynx is doing the resto' pics.  Can we move that over here, perhaps - it's confusing?

Can anybody clarify what shops/supermarkets are open on the Sunday of the race please??

Hi deb,

thanks a lot. I've asked Lynx to do the restaurants, so you don't need to do them, you do so much for the guide anyway. Pictures of the supermarkets and of one of the local markets you mentioned in the shopping paragraph would be nice though.
It's great to hear that you will take pics again at the test day, the one's from last year were fantastic!

Cheers

Only 72 day left...

Around 60 to pq!

I have no idea, but we should keep an eye on this during race week, good to have in next year's CA guide then...
My french isn't so good, otherwise I would ring up Carrefour and Super U to ask them

Carrefour, Super U, Auchan etc are very rarely open on Sundays.  The only supermarkets you will find open (usually from 9.30 to 12.00) are in the small villages - Shopi in Savigne l'Eveque is the nearest that I know of  - and they are generally closed on Monday mornings to compensate.  It's still a proper day off here, don't you know!

Can confirm that Carrefour and Super U were both closed on the Sunday. The petrol station opposite Carrefour was open on Sunday as was the one in Arnage village. Both sell bread, water, crisps etc. Don't think they stay open late though.

I've posted this elsewhere but could somebody who has received them please provide scans of the new-style tickets?

Here they are - both faces:

EDIT:  First attempt lost a bit of scan somewhere!!

(http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a266/delboy9/CampingTicket07-2.jpg)

Last year our credit cards didn't work at Super U's petrol station in arnage when we realised we had 32 miles worth of motion lotion in the tank. Probably best to carry cash, so you can cajole a local into using theirs and you pay them in cash, plus a bit extra of course.

The Champion at Moncé en Belin - not far south of Arnage - is open every Sunday morning. I'll be at Champion Mulsanne today and will ask if they have any idea what is going on as regards supermarkets. The big Carrefour and Leclerc at Allonnes will definitely be closed though. One good bit of news is that in some areas of France recently I have found petrol pumps that accept any credit card but not yet at Le Mans as far as I know. On the motorway north of Le Mans they have ominously started the american system for filling up - pay first with your card or give say 50€ and the pump stops at that. So if you find yourself standing like a tw@t waiting for the pump to turn on - it won't until you have prepaid.

If you need any more help Werner just ask.

Thanks a lot, there'll be some iinfo about this topic in the travel chapter of the guide.

Champion at Mulsanne will definitely be closed on the Le Mans Sunday. I shall be passing the Super U at Arnage later this week and I'll ask there

Chapter 23 "Bars and Restaurants" at http://www.clubarnage.com/caguide/caguide2007/c23-barsandrestaurants.pdf has been declared finished. Special thanks to Dobbo, SmithA and lynxd67.

Cheers

Werner

If you can change it a bit Werner I persuaded the Boule d'Or yesterday to put fish and chips on the menu for the duration!

As this is essential for survival for many Brits, I'll add it to the guide ;D ;D

Sorry - Idea that has already been covered.

Oh, and I can find no reference to the Bounty south of Mulsanne who are doing gargantuan english breakfasts! I sen you the details.

This will be put in the campsite section together with a description of their campsite; including your comment about the breakfast ;)

Oh, and here is something for the shoppers:-

For those of you who come but once a year (as the saying goes) you'll be surprised to learn that half way down the Mulsanne straight on the left (opposite Leroy Merlin) they have built a new shopping centre similar to that at Auchan north of Le Mans. It isn't open yet but will be for the race and there are 88 new shops there. I don't know what yet since they are still building it but it might be worth a look if you are looking for things. There are certainly several new restaurants in there though. For the moment though, although there are rumours, Carrefour are staying where they are. From Maison Blanche turn left to the roundabout and left again, straight on until the Mulsanne straight and it's opposite.

Possible typo spotted

"Arnage
Next to the fountain in the middle next to the fountain on the roundabout is a bar/cigarette shop"

How many fountains are there?

Keep up the good work

Oh, and the Bugatti Bar is about a mile north of the circuit. Aux Ported du Circuit is 300yds.

Thanks a lot, I'll fix all of that

The fountain is normally turned off during race week so might not be the best landmark to use. There were some particularly high spirited high jinxs there 3 years ago and since then the fountain has been dry.

Couple of updates, see C-28 and C34 on the project page www.clubarnage.com/caguide
Thanks to Nordic and bis brother for this

Cheers

Werner

Piglet suggested I post here to mention the zoning issue. I know zoning is mentioned in C11, but very breifly, and we now know that MB and Bleu Nord and Sud are definately zoned. Zone maps would be handy too, especially for those with split allocations.

Also, a minor error I noticed in C11 is about camping passes needing to be fixed to windscreens, which is now no longer the case, being mirror hanger type now.

Buck

Does anyone have zone maps for MB and Bleu and other sites and could scan send them as jpg to me for the guide? e-mail is president(at)lemanszone.de

Thanks Buck, I'll fix that

Yup, and I'll fix the text a bit Werner as there's a bit about the sticky c/p and camping tickets too. ::)

The one for MB is shown here:

http://www.clubarnage.com/forum/index.php?topic=6354.msg79749#msg79749

But don't forget the ACO missed off a road from this map - see

http://www.clubarnage.com/forum/index.php?topic=6354.msg79782#msg79782

I don't remember anyone ever posting one for Bleu.

Del

Hi Del,

yes, I've seen that one already, but someone has scribbled on his one, for the guide I'd like to have a tidy one....

Hi Werner, not exactly the same as a printed map, but over at Beer Mountain we have the zones marked out on some arial photos. I don't know if these would be of any use to you.

http://221test.co.uk/beerm2/viewtopic.php?p=14522#14522

Hi, wonderful, and most likely no copyright issues with this one ;D Would team beermountain allow CA to use it for the guide? Whoever made it would of course get the credits!

Cheers

I will ask the original supplier of the images if this is OK, but I should see no problems.  :)

here is the image I picked up from the ACO office a few weeks back. The track is on the left and the entrance to MB is middle right. No pitches are numbered so as usual it will be a free for all but they tell me next year all pitches here will be numbered.
(http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u216/lynxd67/MaisonBlanche.jpg)

Hi,

I just looked at the "How to get tickets" section.  c26-tickets.pdf   Page two Camosite Ticket paragraph has a "M" before the Maison Blanche.   

T.

Hi all,

thanks for all comments and assistance so far.

Now a have a tricky request, probably one for the old hands of the forum: For the illustration of the introductory chapter I could need 2-3 pictures from Le Mans races say in the 60's or 50's. Has anyone got some pictures taken by himself ;D or his/her dad/grandfather ? Actually anything pre 1975 could be interesting. As we need to stay clear of copyright issues I do not want to snatch something from other websites

Cheers

Werner

 ;D :D Werner, you have a PM  ;D

Thanks a lot

Another request: Some of you got your tickets already. For the guide I could need jpgs of the following
1 GA ticket
1 tribune ticket (doesn't matter which tribune, just for illustration)
1 Parking ticket


If someone could scan those and mail it to me or post it here, that would be great

Cheers

Werner

Copy of Entry and Tribune ticket on their way by email, Werner.

Del

Nordic did a new Le Mans for Dummies chapter, Del donated some pics, see

http://www.clubarnage.com/caguide/caguide2007/c01-lemansfordummies.pdf


The final download version of the guide will be available Wednesday, June 6th at 10.00 pm GMT!

Nice weekend for everybody

Great stuff - well done Nordic.

Noticed one typo - bottom of P3, talking about Bentley, "then had two 'trial' runs", not  trail.

Del

I'll fix that, thanks Del

Sorry, I may have missed this.  I am putting a couple of changes into the "how to get tickets" section now that the styles have changed.  Is a parking ticket now "hanger style" and bar-coded?  Has anybody got one?

2 more chapters declared finished, C25-About the marshalls - thanks to Jason for this; and C30-France and the French -Instructions for use - thanks to termietermite

Nice weekened everybody

Werner

Werner

Just got my ACO membership renewal through, and the accompanying brochure lists all the advanteges and benefits of membership.  Included in this is breakdown cover.  They havn't mentioned this in the paperwork for the last few years, so I was under the impression it had been dropped, but it is still there.

Can you add item 14 to the list in C29 as follows:

14    Roadside emergency assistance throughout France 24/7.  This is limited to one (per year) free breakdown/tow truck intervention, and the loan of a replacement vehicle for one day in France if your own vehicle is immobilised for more than 24 hours or necessitating at least 5 hours work.  Spare parts will be at the members cost.  This is fairly limited cover, and for most non-French residents, it would be better to take out additional cover to include re-patriation of the vehicle in the event of a major breakdown/accident.

Cheers

Del

Thanks a lot Del, I'll add it

Cheers

Werner - could you add the CA Cavalcade to the race week schedule, do you think?  Departs CBW, St Saturnin at 14.00.  Return to the circuit by 18.00 approx.  Thank you.

I see that the Drivers' Parade section is still just the map.  The web-site has now got the '07 info on it
http://www.grande-parade-des-pilotes.com/accueil.htm

Thank you, yes I will add this

Werner
I wonder, am I too late to send you our team details for inclusion in the guide?
Steve

I guess it's for chapter 20 - Who when where - no problems, just mail it to me

I couldn't figure out how to attach a file to this email system so I've sent the information to your lemanszone address.

Steve

Werner, the scrutineering times are now available
http://www.lemans.org/sport/sport/reglements/ressources/auto_2007/verif_administratives_techniques_24h.pdf

Thanks

I'm writing a small chapter about the scrutineering at Le Mans city centre: Has anyone got a few nice pics from the scrutineering, no matter which year, which we can use for illustration for the guide? If so, please post them here or mail them directly to me: president@lemanszone.de

Cheers

Werner

On their way! Want any PQ scrutineering?

I have a couple of shots, no panoramics of the whole square though unfortunatley.

and another

and another

Oh, thats great, thanks a lot, Termie.
About PQ scrutineering, no, let's leave that for the 2008 edition ;D... unless of course someone wants to write a dedicated chapter about the PQ and the essentials around - which campsitzes are open and so on...

Thanks a lot, Dobbo...

One more example how enthusiastic some people support the guide project, I posted the request for pics less than 15 minutes ago!
Pleasure to work with you, Ladies and Gentlemen :D

no probs. I have one more as I know there are some saleen fans out there!

Phwoarrrrr - extreme close up!!!  :P

Whats that funny looking sticky out bit tho - not sure that looks too secure!!

F 

looks like a rear facing camera.

You mean there will be cars behind the Saleen? ;D

Sorry Fran :-[

Yes, and quite a few, Bob, if Valencia is a clue.  How long for though, is anybody's guess!

http://www.lemans.org/sport/sport/reglements/ressources/auto_2007/paddock2007.pdf

Not sure if its been posted before or even if its of any interest but the ACO have given out the pit allocations.

That's early, Nordic.
Good to see that the Vette/Aston battle of the pit stops is lined up again!  Pity the Saleens aren't close.
Happily my party has seats in Lagache as well as the ACO stand so I'll be able to nip across and look in the Saleen pit from time to time!

Thanks for this, this needs to be in the guide. Is my reading correct, that seen from the grandstands opposite the pits Team Pescarolo has the fisrt pits , seen from right to left?

The number 1 pit is Pesca's normal one, ie closest to the start/finish line and furthest from the pit exit.

The Motor Racing Legends support race entry list has been published
http://www.endurance-info.com/2007_Le_Mans/MotorRacingLegends_OFFICIAL_ENTRY_LIST.xls

Just uploaded some updates:

C07 - Pit allocation, C17 - support race and C36-Scrutineering are finished

Nice weekend everybody

Werner

By my reckoning that means that the ACO stands are on the recieving end of the orange smoke this year then. ;D

I guess it's too late, but I went to look at the two new restaurants in the Family Village half way down the Mulsanne straight today and was very impressed by the new tapas bar/mexican restaurant. Not expensive, and the menu looks good. I'm eating there tomorrow and if I have anything against it I'll post again. It's called the Rosado and you can't miss it in this new shopping centre opposite Leroy Merlin at the second big roundabout. Almost next door to it is a Pizza restaurant too.

If you go there tomorrow, write a few lines comment including adress and ideally opening hourse and could add 1 or 2 pictures, then I could still add it

Thanks in advance

Werner

I've written a piece about Mad Friday which is on the work PC should should wing it's way to Werner tomorrow assuming I get back in the office! I seem to be quite light on photos though, i.e. I can't find any!

Has anyone got any decent shots of Mad Friday situations? (Burnouts, Water Pistols, Cruising etc)

JPC, have you mentioned the "ceremony of hands" in the Place St Nicholas at 11 o'clock on the Friday morning when the previous year's winners unveil their bronze plaque in the pavement? I have some nice shots of Biela, Kristensen and Pirro doing this from a year or two back.  I also have some shots taken from the car of the drive around the public roads bit of the circuit which aren't bad. If they're any use, I'll mail them to Werner for inclusion or not!

No Termie, I haven't mentioned that, it was purely a what happens where and what is acceptable (i.e. don't fill you super soaker with beer and fill a convertible with the contents)

Hi Termie,

never heard about this event and I guess most others also not, so this should be in the guide. Could you write a couple of sentences about it and mail it to me together with the picture? Will it be again this year 11:00 am? Then I will add it to the race week schedule

Cheers

Werner

Yes, I'll write it and yes, it will be on at the usual time so do add it.  It's nice and low key - good stuff.

...and one year they might manage to spell all the drivers names correctly  :D

Yes, always nice to know I'm not the only cr*p speller on the planet.  I think they get the Grauniad to produce them.

Werner, you have mail; photos of new restaurants are sent.

Some, but they're at home on the PC. We have "house guests" this w/e and I have a lot of stuff to do but I'll add it to the list.

There was one mad Friday pic (I think from Rusty) which I'd rather not see again, and I'm not sure would be suitable for the guide... 8) :o

Here's some water pistol action from HA roundabout before it got too stupid.

Now I'm curious...

Werner, Championaudi asked here
http://www.clubarnage.com/forum/index.php?topic=7112.0
which end of the pits grandstand his seat was.  It occured to me that an idea of where the seats are (ie is seat no. 1 on the left or the right of each stand?) might be good for next year (too complicated for this.)  Between us there must surely be a member in nearly every grandstand on the circuit who could check it out and make a note for '08?

Good idea termie - so, you grandstand-ticket-owners, please let us know this for the 2008 edition...

Are we still able to give you info re who we are and where we are camping /arriving etc?

Doug

http://www.clubarnage.com/forum/index.php?topic=7118.0

Yep

Hi all

chapter C-06 about the drivers parade is finished

Have a nice evening, I'm getting a cold one right now ;D ;D ;D

http://www.lemans.org/24heuresdumans/live/ressources/pdf/jt2007_liste_invites.pdf

The entry list is now set. No more reserves can be called if anyone else drops out.

Just be aware, Werner, that the list as published is full of errors.  Where would you say Jacques Villeneuve comes from for instance?  And I really didn't know that Jean-Denis Delatraz was Czech.  Who's H Warren (GBR) by the way? And Vincent Bosse? ;D

I had already started to work on the entry list, it's probably more accurate already than the A.C.O. list, see http://www.clubarnage.com/caguide/caguide2007/c05-entrylist.pdf

However: If someone sees mistakes, please post them asap, we want to be as accurate as possible on D-day (Download-day ;D)

New chapter C19 - Mad Friday now finished, thanks to jpchenet

small addition to the weblinks page:
DfH site is now both in Dutch and English language :)

Thanks, will be updated

Depending on how much work you have done so far on the layout Werner, I think BobU's picture shows the fun side of Mad Friday pretty well!

(http://www.clubarnage.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=5714.0;attach=3541;image)

It's already in that chapter

Liz Halliday driving for Noel del Bello
http://www.lizhalliday.com/pages/news/latest_news_detail.aspx?nid=556

Thanks, got this and also some more updates: The drivers roster in entry list is down to 2 TBA's now, the Radio Le Mans Chapter is finished, please see the project page.

chapter "race week schedule" also finished now

Werner, I've just sent you the RfH bit.

Pics of the first 40 cars are on their way.  The remaining 15 soon (depending on when my guests leave tomorrow evening  ;)- see you then Smokes and Fran  :))

just saw the first batch of pics, wonderful, thanks a lot

If you have the chance after the remaining 15 are done: some details pics of interesting cars , e.g. rear mirrors, air intakes, rear wings, open prototype cockpits or similar stuff would be great. Also atmospheric stuff like a pit lane total....

Have fun at the test day, I really wish 'I could be there

Cheers

Werner

picked up from ten-tenths forum :

........the ACO have announced today that the 'Three Light System' which signifies the top three cars in each category in the ALMS will be adopted for this year's Le Mans.

http://www.lemans.org/24heuresdumans/actu/2007-06-01_ML_1610_fr.html

maybe something for in the guide?

Good, it's about time.

Makes sense!

Its taken them long enough to realise that its a good system.

I'll send you the basic pic of each car then see what else I can find.  From now on it's on-track stuff only now apart from what I already have "in the bag" (Melo and Salo cycling down the pit lane is fun!)

If someone can write a pragraph explaining this system ( I haven't heard of it yet), until tomorrow evening, I might be able to squeeze it in the guide

I'll do it Werner, if someone would just confirm the colours (colors??) - ageing brain cells you know   :'( :'(

P1 - Red
P2 - Blue
GT1 - Green
GT2 - Yellow

Del

Excellent. That's a turn up for the books, the ACO adopting an idea that they didn't think of.

P1 - Red----Confirmed
P2 - Blue
GT1 - Green----Confirmed
GT2 - Yellow

I looked at my sebring shots and am able to confirm these to. All the cars were not visible enough to confirm.

Edit - but the ACO has it :

rouge (RED) pour les LM P1,
bleu (BLUE) pour les LM P2,
vert (GREEN) pour les LM GT1,
jaune (YELLOW) pour le LM GT2

Werner, all cars have three lights on the side of the car. When one light is burning, the car is leader in it's class, with 2 burning second, and with three, well you can guess. ;) No lights? fourth of further back. :)

Here you can see the three lights (this was night practice) on the Corvette in Sebring.
(http://gallery.drinkingforholland.com/g2data/albums/ALMS_07/Sebring_MvH/PICT0014_003.JPG)

So the above pics - if it would have been taken during the race - would have meant that this is P3 (3 lights) in GT1-Class (green light), right?

Marius, the pic is good. If Delboy writes something, could I use this for illustration?

Del, just found this text on the ACO website, may if we rephrase it a little...

"One of the innovations this year is the 'leader light' system where each car must have 3 LED lights mounted on both sides. This will be familiar to those of you who follow the American Le Mans Series, but is new to many of the European teams this year. Each class has lights of different colour, three for each car; red for LM P1, blue for LM P2, green for LM GT1 and yellow for LM GT2. The leading car in class will show one light, the second place two and third position three lights, so that spectators can more easily follow the progress of the race."

That's it in a nutshell, Werner.  Saves me a bit of typing   ;) ;)

I knew the system, but needed confimation of the colours.  As you say, re-phrase it and it says it all

Del

how does the system work?  Is it under race or team control?  Is it like the headlights, ie on all through the race or just at night? ???

FS  Pam, the lights are on all the time, I believe controlled automatically by the race stewards - certainly not under the control of the teams

Del

Werner, I have several shots of cars at Sebring with 1 two or three lights on. not sure I have all three from each class. You are welcome to use the pictures just if I can be credited. Trying to get media passes you see.

Some of them are here. www.totalsportscar.com

Thanks Rick, I'll have a look at those

No problem with the use of my pic werner, I have it in higher resolution if that's helpfull.

There is a bit more about the lights here:-

http://www.americanlemans.com/News/Article.aspx?ID=3235

It appears as if it was a fans idea that was adopted in 2002!

Werner, some track shots on the way to you.

I'm going to have to amend the tickets bit again.  No contremarques this year - even the general entry tickets are being scanned in and out.  Will get onto it in the morning.

Hi Werner,
             http://americanlemans.com/assets/pdfs/LeaderLightsSystem.pdf
Explains it all. Quite simple really. In use remember it reloads at the timing / scoring line so is basically the previous lap that one is viewing.
Canada Phil

All the grandstands on the outside of the circuit are lowest numbers on your left as you face them; the pits grandstand (inside) is numbered with the lowest on your right as you face it.

Thanks a lot, just squeezed it in.... ;D

I've sent you the bus timetable.  Sadly it's v. difficult to scan as it's mauve and white!  Is it readable?

Didn't check my mail yet, but a couple of weeks ago I extracted the timetable and put it in the guide,
see http://www.clubarnage.com/caguide/caguide2007/c13-publictransport.pdf

Hi Werner

In my bit about Mad Friday, I think I may have referred to the Great British Welcome. I believe the correct terminology is the Classic British Welcome

Any chance/time to correct it please?

Yes

Thank You!!  :)

Don't mean to be pushy, 'cos I appreciate how hard you guys work on the guide, but.when will it be ready for download please, pretty please?

Desperate Doug

tomorrow, 10.00 pm, for downlaod servers see first post of this thread!

How many pages are we looking at,

Do I need more Cartridges and a few reams of paper?

120 pages, app. 10 mb download size, pdf-file, many nice colour pictures ;D

impressive!

I will print it at work then :D

Same here!!  I got a nice new high quality high capacity colour laser printer for the company a couple of months ago. Naturally I didn't have the CA guide in my mind at all when I went through the buying process!!  ;D

I believe you on that Mark! ;D