Club Arnage

Got though the door 01:45 this morning.  Retox completed successfully.

Lawns look a mess this morning.
t.

Arrived back at 00:02 this morning after a hassle free journey via Cherbourg.

Got back at 04:10 this morning, 16hrs 4 mins (Inc six hour crossing) and 609 miles from MB- not bad for a van. Absolutely shattered and going back to bed. Great weekend as usual, pics and craic later..... Much later zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Im back - sat at work now.  overnight last night on portsmouth - caen - What a great weekend for me and many others too I'm sure.

Back in body, but not in mind - decided to give work up as bad job and get another few hours sleep.

Nice to meet so many CA'ers - I'm sure I'll remember more when I'm not as 'Dazed and Confused' !

Back in one piece, good race this year
MB cleaned up considerably, better security?
Any tales of woe?
Bus service around track disasterous
Thanks to No Panic and Wishy for rescue service
WAtching recorded Eurosport from 3am Sunday now whilst working eeehem!
Stranglers brilliant
Sorry to see so few at La Courbe
and disappearance of Mad Friday
Drivers parade very badly organised, long and quite boring
AND Audi 'broken' at last!

Got back at 12.20 this morning, took an hour to get out of Expo and half an hour to fill with Diesel in the services at Alecon but other than that a free flowing trip back via Calais.

Much greater security, there were even members of the CRS patrolling Expo during the race.  Would have helped in they had given more thought to those that wanted to go in the car on Sunday morning to stock up on supplies, and given advice on the way out and the way back in!

The additional security may have curtailed the activities at the bar outside Expo (the CRS were parked opposite for most o the evnt) but I guess that followed complaints on this forum and others about the poor behavour that was creeping in, and just demonstrates that the few spoil it for the majority.  Mind you the lack of antics there made walking to the circuktmain entrance easier.

The extension of the fence all around Parking Rouge was a pain, especially on Friday when we planned to walk through Rouge in to the circuit by the stgae, across the Dunlop Brdge and down to the tram.  Had  a change of plan as the only open entrance to Rouge parking would have made a long detour!

Tram to Le Mans centre on the Fridaywas excellent, very good lunch in arestaurant.  Stayed for some of the Parade but it was as slow as ever so gave up after an hour or so.

No party at the Danes encampment in Expo on Saturday night.....bonus!

All in all a good trip, roll on next year.

Got home 9.10pm last night. Took off at 2.30 yesterday, which seemed a good choice as the French all stayed to celebrate - was on the motorway within 30 minutes from Bleu Nord.

What a strange year though. Where was all the traffic outside MB? Everything seemed so quiet compared to previous years... :-\

arrived in Dublin airport at 10am - at work at 10.30 :'(
Great weekend though - stayed in Garage Vert - great access to everywhere.
Stranglers were great, Astons sounded great.
Audi's didn't go great ???

Got back about 1815 this evening after quite a hairy trip home.
Glad I got away at 0830 this morning, hit the rain on the northern outskirts of LM, bad, bad, bad.
Had a text from Andy who had reached at Le Harve, he had abandoned his site-seeing, as he was soaked to the skin.
Hope everybody gets home safely, especially those travelling today.

After a great visit this year, time to start planning 2010 ;D

I arrived home @ 10.00 this morning after getting the 05:00 ferry from Dieppe.

Fantastic weekend! big thank you has to go to Steve,Mark,Rick,Andy x2,Melissa & Chef for making it the best Le Mans trip so far  :)

just arrived an hour ago, what a long trip back, mess around Paris and mess around Gent, but it was worth it!

what a week, with rain, sun, happy confetti on the grandstands and a very good FridayNight Drinking session at Blue Nord

now detoxing :)

Got back about 20.00, no major problems on journey other than the rain. Only saw 1 speed trap, to wet for them? Most grief was on the north side M25 after Dartford during a huge storm, saw one open topped classic car stopped on M25 looked like it had returned from Le Mans & golf spun up enbankment on A12!

Also back..

Nice and easy on the tunnel, got to Blighty and thought - its a nice day so roof off all the way home.

5 miles later vis was down to 7/8 of bugger all and the age old adage of if you go fast enough you dont get wet does not work for hailstones; when they bounce off your head they bloody hurt!

Fantastic weekend, great people and a bit of motorsport....lets see what next year brings - no doubt more of the same!

bllluuuuuurrrrrgggghhhh.... brilliant!!!!!  back online tomorrow.

We got in about 01:30am today (Tuesday) after very pleasant leisurly return trip, now finding it difficult to get back into normal sleeping pattern, hence posting now, still no work tomorrow - so what the hell.

Good to meet up with Wishy there, along with Neil (NoPanic), Barry and Andy, and Douglas & son, amongst others. Sorry didn't get to meet up with you Doug after our chance encounter in the ACO stand, we went to the Courbe bar at the appointed time and sometime thereafter but failed to spot many CA'er's so carried on enjoying the race. Went to the Stranglers gig too but the chances of meeting there would have been even slimmer.

Nice to see Tom too - kept bumping into you. We must have the same modus operandi during the race!

Highlights apart from the above were:

1. The good weather (except Wed. night)
2. Sitting in the stand watching the race whilst the sun sun came up Sunday morning.
3. The glorious sound of the Lola Aston - well done for a deserved fourth.
4.

Lowlights:

1. The ACO 'Privelige' facilities at La Chapelle. Running out of large beer glasses early on, a distinct lack of seating, and installing a pizza oven inside a temporary tent that was already hot enough with the sun beating down on it, oh, and charging 15 Euros to my friends for the privelige of being there. Hopefully this is just teething troubles.

2. The Radio Le Mans link up with ITV4 at 14:15 or thereabouts. The (as usual) excellent commentary changed completely from that that recognises the knowledge of the listeners that have been tuned in for a couple of days, to a very dumbed down version for a (I suspect) largely less interested audience on UK TV, and the much less irreverent tone - one of the hallmarks that we most enjoy. I understand that RLM must try to maximise it's exposure but I'm not sure this was the best idea. Also the timing of it, the race was all but over and the usual forming up for a choreographed finish etc. does not make for exciting TV.

Already planning for next year - accommodation already booked. Not so sure about the tickets etc. though as the ACO would not take any bookings and say contact them in September, something to do with a new system?? Let's hope it's an improvement over the arrangements for the last few years.

All in all a good one.

The commentary changed when Speed left the race.

Home yesterday [Monday] at 14:30 via Boulogne and Dover.

Weather was horrible between LM and Rouen - struggled to stay awake

Got to Boulogne only to find that ferry was 45 mins late.

Thanks to all I met - 2010 planning has started.

I noticed a distinct lack of CA tee shirts this year!  The difference was really noticable and I am sure will be rectified for next year!!

Back in the UK and back at work.  How utterly depressing.  Still, at least I can get some sleep now.   ;D

Dx

back home now got back last night sadly i've got work today

We're back!
Had to pack up in the rain, checked our tunnel time and realised we were an hour earlier than normal!
Queue out of Bleu Nord! turned around and went to Arnage then out!
Cut in on the queue that exists to the roundabout before the peage (sorry!)
Cut across country before the A28 peage before Rouen (adds 8 minutes according to Tomtom!)
Cut in on queue on slip road to Calais that leaves Rouen (sorry again!)
Quick driver change after Rouen, and after about an hour start getting past by cars that got stuck at the A28 peage!!
Pulled into the tunnel with 5 minutes to spare!!
Gutted to find that the M20/M25 service stations are Wimpey's so had to detour to Sevenoaks to find Maccy D's!
Home to Reading at 6pm!

Awesome weekend with the best mates I could ever need, caught up with old friends & met some new ones too!
Bring on 2010!!

Back last night after a death drive to catch a ferry which we ultimately missed.

Sat at my desk trying to open the post but neither my brain nor hands are working properly.

Full sports report later...  :)

I'm alive, just!  

Every year the event gets better and I don't know how this year is going to be topped.  I even managed to watch a bit of racing!?  The Astons were just amazing!  ;D

Thanks so much to everyone, old friends and new that we met up with this year.  The Brethren, Zarses, DfH, JPC you're legends!  

Now all I need to do is find out who threw the bloody egg as we left and I'll look back at the weekend as being perfect...

Back home at 4pm yesterday after driving in horrendous conditions between Alencon and Rouen.
 What a great weekend thanks to friends old and new. After the storm on Wednesday evening I Must remember to take lots of gaffer tape next year, thanks Rick much appreciated.

It wasn't another sh*t storm was it Bob?

Got in Rotterdam at 8.30 pm instead of the proclaimed 5.30 pm due to a traffic mess at Paris and Gent. I was being a good boy on speeding till Gent, never came above 110 kmh with the van, but then I tried how fdar I could go, as I wanted to get home. 132 kmh was about it, not bad for a shedformed 4 tonner. ;D Had a beer with Paddy and Meesh after I got there, and was at home at 10.15. I did hear my alarm this morning, I'm quite sure, but woke up again 2 hours later.  ::) Now tryaing to get some work done, but struggling.

Vic, I might know who threw the egg....  :P

Back after a ten hour ride yesterday from BN to Cologne. All the camping gear is still wet from Monday mornings rain- not nice...

What a blast, this race week - met many of you. Thanks to all for their hospitality, all the cold beers I was offered, Mark for the tropicoma and especially to Rusty from the Brethren to keep me in the loop with the BN tickets.

First time I expercienced to camp surrounded by other CAers -  hope his will happen again in 2010.

BTW: Did I mention I was on the grid? ;D ;D ;D

Cheers to all

Werner

Left just before the end of the race (but listened on the radio) no traffic out of Le mans. Spent the evening in the company of great friends Eating and drinking and drinking again in Bagnol, before leasurely but fast drive cross country until picking up the motorway at Pont du nord (is that how you spell it)?
Problem is that I got flashed twice by mobile speed cameras hidden under bridges. Am I in big poo?
I hit the mother of all storms back in the UK on the A2.

Many thanks to everyone for making it a fantastic weekend again, especially those camped with me, Perdu, Toby, Rach, Doug, Nick and Bob T.
Team Zarse, the Brethren, JPC and drinking for Holland.
Coming home to Lois was nice too ;)

back at 11.30 last night after drive from Hotel to Dieppe.

Uneventful apart from problems with the MGB (carbs), MGA (fuel leak from carbs), panther (Fuel starvation, pump??), Mustang (electrics) and then the ferry operator saying that one of our cars was booked on the Tuesday ferry and not the monday!

All sorted out after a few galic shrugs of shoulders and some common sense from the english supervisor!

Whilst it was another great year it did seem a bit quiter this year. Don't know if this is due to the economic climate, additional policing, weather, something else or all the above!

Highlight was the Lola Astons - great result and best sounding car in the race!

Off now to sleep and start planning next year!

Bonnet de Douche! 

Was kinda worried you kept that close behind us. Glad you're still alive   :police:

Back in one piece as well. Great week, thanks everyone

Back at work.

Had a great time, one of the better ones!

Highlights
The vaired field of cars in the race
The weather from thursday to sunday
The people camping next to us
The police presence on the campsites
A french win
The food at our Hotel sunday evening
The new tram system made our trip to town on friday a delight
The lack of traffic leaving the circuit on Sunday enabled us to be sipping a cold beer at our hotel by 4pm Great!
No hold ups on Monday gave us the chance to be bumped onto an eariler ferry.

The Lowlights
The end of the Corvette Program in GT1
The plots sizes were very tight.
The weather Wednesday and Monday
The drivers parade was a shambles on Friday
The german kids on the ferry (no worse than english ones I am sure)
The Pound/Euro rate made it seem more costly than normal.

A couple of notes
The Houx annexe was not full this year with plots going spare, (the entire run up by the fence where Steve Brown is normally found was empty?)

When we went to town on Friday we noticed the Houx Annexe mad friday roundabout jousting has moved up towards the entry to the Houx. Because the park and ride for the tram system exited onto that road it led to locals being dragged into the situation.

At work as well..

I have to say:

Highs..

Weather
Good race - but finished too soon - need another "racing" manufacturer running - Ferrari LMP1...  ;)
Good finish for the Aston's...

Lows..
Getting too commercial
Costs... Lets hope the pound is stronger next year.
Camping plots not all taken - Anyone see the Popemobile.. ? - Didn't see it on MB...

The Popemobile is currently residing at Pig Pen Towers in the heart of the New Forest.  Along with its companion at arms - The Mighty Commer - it took a sabatical this year.  Lord PP tells us it shall return in 2010.

Dx

Where have you been for the last few months?     http://www.clubarnage.com/forum/index.php?topic=9267.0

I'm at work but then on the road for the next 2 days visiting clients ::)

Highlights:

The Stranglers on Saturday night
The Aston's
The classic race
Chatting to Nick Mason at LM Airport on Friday afternoon
One of our lot getting pulled for speeding on Monday morning... the look on Nigels face when we left them chatting to Jean Claude
Night out in Rouen Sunday night
Camping next to the Gloucester Boys in MB


Lows...........

Somebody leaving a Number 2 in one of the showers in MB on Sunday
Rain on Wednesday
Getting ripped off at a resturant in Arnage

The Popemobile is under new ownership and didn't travel this year. I believe she is scheduled to make her first appearance next year, although I doubt very much it will be on Maison Blanche.

Got back in about 1700 last night.

Uneventful drive back apart from the thunderstorms in Alencon and Kent. However nothing like the horrendus drive down on Wednesday.

All in all a good event, one point that has not been mentioned did anyone see any pikey's this year on the campsites? We were on Houx and saw none at all. Maybe the ACO have taken heed from last year. I did notice that there was people still manning the gates although they were not checking tickets.

Got back yesterday late afternoon.  We left BN Sundaynight 1 am, but had a failing alternator in the motorhome.  Had to pull over on an "aire" passed Paris at Night, and wait 'till morning to get assistance.  By noon we were back up and running with a new battery to get back to Antwerp. 

I'm back and so is my Space-Hopper

All agreed in our group - one of the best Le Mans yet!

Regarding the drivers parade I saw a newspaper over the weekend saying the farmers were causing grief in the town with slow moving tractors etc.

http://video.aol.co.uk/video-detail/france-farmers-end-blockade-after-government-vows-response/907843420/?icid=VIDURV01

still on the way back, but just 5 more hours and im there. And i left 6pm sunday  :o

They all but blockaded Carrefour around 5pm on the Friday - must have been 20-odd tractors and trailers parked up, although you could still get in and out (just)

Del

Back as well, luckily we managed to get everything packed before the rain started on Monday.  ;D
Paris took 2 hours to get around and some problems near Gent but back home by 19h.00.

Houx was a pleasant surprise plenty of clean toilets and hot showers, access to the village via the bridge over the Bugatti track was only 5 mins.
No pikeys, good security and friendly "controleurs" who I got to sell off my extra tickets for a small fee.

Great camp with Dutch, English and Danish friends -both old and new-, made for some memorable days and it will be even better in 2010.

It was nice to meet some familiar and some new CA faces and the visit to the Corvette pit and meeting Oliver Gavin was a highlight as well (thanks Steve).

Great trip might have even been our best yet, looking forward to next year.

Finally arrived at Esthers at 1am. Back to work this morning and straight into a meeting  :(

Thank you to everyone on BN for another mental weekend  :-* ;D :-*

Got back to Basingstoke at 11pm last night after a great run up to Caen and an easy drive from Pompey.

Back at work and piles of stuffto catch up on.

Fantastic long weekend, Full thanks later!

Back first thing yesterday overnight on Sunday from Caen into Pompey. Great week. Weather brill too from Thursday which was a bonus.....

Got back last night at 10.30 after a nice relaxing crossing from St Malo to Pompey.

What an event!!! ;D ;D fantastic.....What weather!!!  8) 8)(We got there Thursday morning so missed the rain from earlier in the week  ;D)

Back to work tomorrow and now on a complete downer  :'( :'( :'(

Time to start planning 2010!! ;D

Got back just after midnight last night.  Luckily, I was the 4th vehicle off the boat so missed the usual queue for the passport check.

The only problem was leaving the circuit.  We decided to go out via the road under the track by the Stella bar, and the ramp up to the dual carriageway is quite steep.  The police had started to empty the water ballast out of the red/white bollards, so the ramp was wet.  With an overloaded caravan on the back, front wheel drive only, and I had to stop half way up the ramp - so when I tried to take off again, I was left whith the front wheels spinning, lots of tyre smoke but no forward movement.  Police had to move about 20 cars behind me out of the way so I could drop back to a flat bit to get a bit of momentum.

Great week and great race in spite of the mon-wed weather.  
Like (apparently) other sites, plenty of spare space on Houx.  
Disappointed with the CA turnout at the Courbe bar
Nice to (re)meet with many CAers
Apols for at least 2 T-shirt cock-ups

At least I don't have work to go to today (or tomorrow or........)

Del

Got back just after midnight last night and into work today. Severe lack of motivation and concentration levels are critical.

Our group had a great week, even with the wet and windy weather earlier in the week.

We had no trouble on the campsite, apart from nippers on motrobikes hooning around in the early hours, and nothing was stolen.

Thought the race was good, if a little concentrated on LMP1, and happy with the result as it breaks the tediom of Audi wins.

Good to bump into Debs, and Ian, a couple of times, and a few others who saw the t-shirts and said hello.

Roll on next year.

 :)

The Flying Baguettes got back around midnight last night.

Highlights

Good to see Peugeot win - they deserved it
Especially good to see sportscar specialist David Brabham take i over the F1 'stars'
Felt better in the mornings as our weekend was a bit more low key than usual
No security problems


Low lights

It was a bit more low key than usual
About half our crew picked up some sort of food poisoning at a restaurant Thursday night including Del the lead guitarist / vocalist of our band - so just as well we were not doing the music this year.
Didn't run in to many people as you all buggered off to BN - especially dissappointed not to share a beer with Paddy Marius and the DFH crew.

Mal

Hmmm i seem to be stuck on a ferry with a broken engine in the middle of the sea between Denmark and Norway, so it could be some time before i get home  >:(

Arrived home at midnight last night after an uneventfull sail through France in the land yacht (apart from the rain around Le Mans).  We even dropped the roof from Rouen to Dieppe.

A great time, cheers to everyone.

Back in Guernsey at 10.15 last night then relaxed with a couple of vodka's and slept quite well.

Good company, good weather, good comfy chair, good fun and the racing was ok too...

>Martini...LB

]Hi lawn mower man and friends really nice to meet you
both my self and wife really cheesed off that we could not meet up with you at the poo bar as per our invit
arrived back in SUNNY crewe last night about 9.30pm
great weekend
 
anyone out there who can give me some info regarding attending the sebring 2010
cheers

whoo hoo im final back, great le+Mans for me this year, and thanks to the Liverpool Boys for the excelent company over the week

Back at 11pm ish after a bloody wet journey on the bike all the way down to LM and on the way up from LM as far as the bridge at LeHarve. Abandoned any thought of culturevulturing or a bit of posh nosh in a good restaurant, dried out on the boat only to get wet again from bagshot to home.
Thanks to all of you - best one for me also..
ESP Barry for carting my gear in his HGV SMax

We have just got back after a 658 mile roundtrip.
Fantastic timewas had by all and a full report will be added when its not bed time.

Thanks to everyone for a cracking week.

PP and Co ;D

I'm with you there Doris.  Though the trip back via Caen was quick - not a single queue at a peage!?!

Back home again now having taken the scenic route...!  :)

Gotta say the time really flies when you dont get to LM until Wednesday - the list of things I didnt get to do this year is quite lengthy! 

Still it was another great year, I managed to bump into a few CA'ers here n there, including the last few stragglers at the Courbe/Guiness meet which I didnt get to until gone 12 (my latest arrival to date!).

Expo is certainly a long way from Bleu and MB - sorry I didnt manage to come and see the old neighbourhood!   ;D

F

Fran,  Your back!  Was it something we said?

t.

Tom

Not at all - but I suddenly realised after all my protests about BN not being a long way from the track - it rather depends on where you are starting from!!! (ie. NOT Expo - and I didnt have my trusty ole pushbike this year).

It does sound as if the old neighbourhood has gone a bit feral since I moved out tho!   :angel:

F

A bit late I know, but I got home at 2330 Sunday after leaving at 1400. I'd been on the post  playing with the safety car antics from 0300 to 0700, so decided to pack up in the dry at about 1200. By 1300 as there wasn't likely to be a fight at the front we made an early exit, and had an easy drive to an early 1830 ferry from Calais.
 Does anyone know how  Benoit Treluyer is? He had a bad one at 0400 in the no17 Pescarolo and the last I'd heard was that he was  taken to hospital after they spent 30 mins removing him from the car.

According to crash net, escaped without injury.

When I goggled his name, it seemed to come up with a number of big crash references, espcially in Japan.
Must investigate when I have more time.

Cheers for that Barry, I've also just read the post on page 2, apparently he was back in the pits before the end of the race !!

A somewhat late entry to the thread, having got back late last night after an extended stay in France, following an excellent fortnight's holiday with the missus, touring/camping round the Dordogne and Pyrenees in her MX5.

The plot for us to meet up at Etaples after the race, and then move on south the next day worked out nicely; my lad drove the MGA solo for the rest of the way back home, which he achieved without incident or drama - now that was an odd feeling, watching the MGA following the Calais slip road without me in it, while we followed the one to Rouen! 

Returned after the holiday via Le Mans, and I can report that it is still all there, if a little empty........   

Nice to have a proper bed last night after 3 weeks of camping....  Fantastic time as always at Le Mans, for all of the usual reasons, of which the most important is catching up with many CAers out there - great to see those that I did, and for those missed, there's always next year!

MG Mark