Club Arnage

For those who will be staying at home this year rather than storming those Normandy beaches  and marching south. A place to convince ourselves that its better to watch the race from the comfort of the sofa, and the company of our comrades isn't worth the trouble.

Yes, its the sad buggers staying at home thread. A place to talk about the race as it happens between adverts. Why not post up pictures of those DIY chores that your other half has lined up for you? Prefer a trip to Ikea over Carrefour? Tell us about it; share the pain brothers. No sunburn, no burnt meat, no turds in the shower. It really is that lame!

And for those heading over, spare a thought for us sad souls keeping the home fires burning.

I know how you feel...actually, that's a lie.  10th year on the bounce this year and can't wait to get on the road on Wednesday.

Can't you feign getting lost in Ikea (entirely plausible) and this explains why you ended up in a shopping trolley in LM?

Can't you make it now Si.
Big shame if not buddy.
Drop me a mail.

>Martini...LB

I'm with you. Might not even get to watch lots of it on the telly...... :(

As a few of you already know, I will not be in attendence due to a family illness, so will have to watch in on the TV, if somebody can remind No Panic to bring back the ACO magazine and a Flying Lizzard poster that would be appreciated

Jules

I blame the ACO

Well, who doesn't?

Long ago Toby Anscombe and I became involved in organising the big celebration of Fifty Years of the MG Midget at Burghley House

The dates we were given were "12 June or bugger off"

We had to choose dates that missed all the other MG based club events and the 12th was fine...

Then several months later the ACO chose the weekend of 11th/12th June and my world collapsed :(

So now, not only won't I be able to watch any TV coverage on Sunday, because we have work to do on Saturday too, well you can see how happy a bunny I am


BUT HAPPY DAYS

My guv'ner (she who says what goes) says what goes next year

Is me to La Sarthe

Yippee  ;D

Have great time y'all

See ya laters

b

edited

'cos of... :(

Wot he said!

This year is a bust - probably the best year to go with Mrs Toby being still on maternity leave (8 months and counting! End of July seems to be the current date...) But Midgets are only 50 once and to be honest, I'm a bit skint at the moment (might have something to do with being on one income..)

So, Saturday I shall be in front of the TV with some warm Stella and I shall grill some unspecified animal to beyond an inch of its life while wearing a very battered CA shirt. Least I get to watch it in HD with RadioLM...

Sunday I shall join Bill and about 750-odd MG Midgets at Burleigh House so its not all bad....

Next year will be the race proper and the Classic as well - Nick, we need to start working on your escape plan ahead of time, you must have finished building by now ;D ;D ;D

I feel its all my fault, as the new Ikea is just round the corner and it will be the nearest one to Abingdon :o

I have to stay drunk for a week to recover - no change there then ;D

Toby.

Oh yes. I may well undertaking a double visit to la belle France next year. All being well I should be living a bit closer to forn parts too by then.

Ought to have finished building soon, moving this month sometime, this is why I might not be able to do the full once round the clock on the sofa full of tepid lager and lightly charred raw meat, but once it's done the brownie points bank ought to be pretty full.

Hi Bill & Toby,
                  Sorry to hear you will be absent. have a good time with the Midgets.
Canada Phil

Home fires are burning up here. Ten sodding degrees. TEN!!

The YFDS contingent will be watching from a secret bunker along the shore of Lake Erie.  Our whole group that attended LM last year -2 that can't make it.  Certainly won't be the same on TV, and our hospitality program pales in comparison to that of Mark/JPChenet, but we'll do what we can.  Enough beer and sleep deprivation and it'll seem like we're there again.

Safe non-travels to all.  ;D

Doug and Roy stuck here on the 'sunny' South Coast, 12 degrees and raining.
Will be watching on Eurosport and already listening to Radio LM.
Here's to Wishy and Neil, have a good one boys, you both deserve it.
Consolation was Peter Kay at O2 on Monday last, best comedian I've ever seen live, you may see me giggling on his Christmas DVD.

Hi Doug, how you doing? I'll pass on your good wishes to Andy & Neil in person when I meet up with them tomorrow night  ;)

Heopfully see you over there another year.

Pete B.

Well this staying at home lark isn't too bad. Cooked up a huge pan of tartiflette when I got home, and still managed to get a few hours out on the bike before quali. Now watching on Eurosport with RLM commentry and live timing up. Also on my fourth very cold Leffe and third cherry bakewell slice. I could get used to this.

Astons rather poor. 5 seconds a lap slower than the P2 Norma ffs. ::)

Same combo here, without beers etc, warming up to that one, oops right old p**ser has just stopped the session :(

Still here in Vero Beach, Florida...half way between Sebring and Daytona Beach.  We will have the tenth anniversary of "Breakfast At Le Mans" at my house.

60 inch high def TV, SPEED, wine, croissants, brie, and plenty of animal parts cooked well...including gator tail, wild hog back straps, deer jerky, fresh caught blackened redfish, and cold Stella.

It will have to do.  The race starts at 9am here.  Come on down, you all!

Sounds great apart from the Gator tail. Don't tell me it tastes like chicken?

Just read in the local paper that the continental market is coming to town at the weekend. All the vendors are from the Sarthe region. Brilliant! I can stock up on rillette and calvados before the race starts.

Just like 'home'
 ;D

Very sad  :(  Have attended every Le Mans since 1983, only missing 1990 and 1994 as I was working on a race team in Canada.  I have worked at the track twice, but have sworn to never work there again as I know all the fun I would be missing on the other side of the fence.  This year was to be special as I have made 4 of the chassis that will be taking part in the race, and I was looking forward to seeing them, and having fun with the rest of Team Booze 'n Tabs.

However, some twat decided to crash head on into my Mums car as she was coming over to my house, and she is now in quite bad condition in hospital.  This of course will curtail any plans of invading the second home, and I am now on nursing duty.  Does anybody know a good solicitor who can sue for damages for all the fun I will be missing.

Myself and my brother in law will be sitting semi naked in the back garden, drinking warm homebrew and chewing on semi cooked chicken.  Just to keep up the reality, we are banning ourselves from using the toilet in the house, and we are going to use my extensive hedgerow and our socks as toilet facilities.

Will be checking back in at many times to keep up with events, and before I start Googling, does anybody know where I can watch coverage as I don't have Eurosport.

Oh well, there is always next year, only 362 days to departure.

Radiolemans.com

Too bad about your mum...why don't you drag the old girl over to the race?  She would never notice the difference if you're out in the yard anyway...

Hmm am a bit miffed at having to stay at home this year but am already on the sofa with my CA t-shirt on, the Chevrolet team shirt is ready for tomorows start btw what happened to the 30min report on Eurosport tonight? had to watch a load of power rangers throwing it down the tarmac  ::)

Maybe they're too embarassed to put it on. I would be.

Qualifing footage was limited due to a lot of tv cams not on-line till race day but I do hope they remember that there are a lot of other teams racing.

Think it must have been delayed by some Tennis

Checked  a bit later and caught the last minute!

Ready for the off tomorrow, just need to get work out the way and get sorted for continuous viewing etc  

Enjoy everybody  :)

Radio LM playing, posted some previous LM photos to Facebook and swearing at friends who keep txting me what they are up to...

Looking forward to the start ;-)

I was thinking the same. Very Audi/Pugcentric. Very little on the GTE class which is going to be epic this year.

Btw, how bad is that 24 minutes show? The presenters are so cringy.

Shan't even have the luxury of RLM

Today and tomorrow in an arena field outside Stamford with no laptop or decent web access

Still today I am wearing my CA polo shirt and tomorrow my CA Gulf  teeshirt

have a good 'un chaps

 ;)

Oh yes

the TV footage was absolute S h i t e on that stupid 24 minutes program and the TV timings are outrageously inaccurate

And f...... hell, how many times do I want to watch the same idiots falling off perfectly good but outrageously mishandled motorbikes

Answer... no more perlease "there will be red in his trousers tonight!"

Fergodsake

 >:(

OK that's better, like I said HAVE A GREAT TIME

see you on the dry side

Hey just watching the classic.......the boys at the front are really trying  ;D

They certainly were going for it in the Legends!!!

I too am sat with RLM and Eurosport on the couch this year!!

Off to stock up on beer and food now. See y'all this afternoon.

Game on, btw who the bloody hell is that comentator who is with Johny Herbert ...........a burnt murguez has more charisma  ;D

Your not wrong there!!!

009 Aston out already?

007 in the gravel. Cracking effort.

Bloody hell both astons have fallen off already  :o

Even Nigel Mansell did better than that  ::) bloody shame as they were awsome last year

Sounds like the lizards have a tyre problem, Bergmeister I presume

Yup I've got their team radio on http://www.lizardms.com/index.htm

Well I dont know about you guy's but this is defo a poor second best watching on tv, would be thinking about going for a Grand Marnier crepe about now...........my domestic opperative here cant do them  :(

What the..............huge hit between Audi mc nish and 58 Ferrari

Mc Nish out and ok what a crash how did he walk away from that!!!!! car destroyed

Jesus that is bad!

Yes, looks like everybody ok, incl people behind barrier, thank god for that

Don't think Audi will be able to repair it this time

Have to make do with some digestives here :)

Gravel trap did nothing to slow the audi before it hit, must have been going at a hell of a speed on impact

I seem to remember Anthony Davidson doing something similar to a Corvette in the Porsch curves/ Ford chicanes last year was it? punted the Corvette off. GT drivers are maxed out and just cant change their line in mid curve to allow a faster car thro its upto the faster cars to pass safely

Anyone else loosing the RLM feed??

RLM ok for me at the mo...............ACO timing site a bit spasmodic though

Safety car off track in 5 mins. Here we go again.

That truck fixing the armco looks to have sunk. Could be a problem.

Impressions so far guys? puntures are seeming to do a lot of damage, how many cars are still running?

Sorry, being doing a few laps in the 73 vette - thanks to in-car link on Speed TV...........bloody awesome!!!

Fascinating so far, Pugs can run a lap longer it appears

Punctures seem to be mainly all rears, and on fresh rubber?

Can't believe 4 1/2 hrs in

52 still listed as running but the Oak is just about hanging in and one of the Oaks has been in the pits for a long time. Both Astons listed as rtd. Managed just 7 laps between them.

will have a look at that, hey the spectators seem pretty thin down a tetre rouge I wonder if numbers are down due to the lack of cash in peeps pockets at mo?

ACO said 262,000 this year. About the same as last year.

Question: when watching on-board footage, why do the tail lights of the car in front flash on and off? Its not a reflection from the following cars lights as they flas from side to side. When you look at the same cars from track side the lights don't flash. Been puzzling me for ages.

Stopped raining here. Time to light the BBQ me thinks.

Heard Hindy say that its something to do with camera 'frame speed', he likened it to same effect as wheels appearing to rotate backwards when seen on film/tv

Enjoy the barby, must be beer time?

Beer time started well before the race mate.

Just been watching the Pesca, the thing looks really fast and more important really grooves in the corners

Jota Aston out. Not a good day for Aston at all.

Another huge accident.

Doesnt look good; Audi #1 clipped a fezza on the way down to Indianapolis..

Rocky is ok, dare I say it the diesels are just too quick in relation to the GT cars mind you what was the ferrari driver thinking?

Looks like the Ferrari moved for apex, opens up the old debate, apparently drivers are briefed to stay on racing line when passed, easy to see how confusion crops up under those conditions with speed diffs, darkness etc

Everything crossed for Rocky at the moment

A racing incident. No one to blame. Just hope Rocky is OK.

Advantage Peugoet?

The audis are quicker on pits and slowly were getting ahead om tmings from the pugs.

See what happens in the morning.

Its shitty to be at home.

hello Robbo. Welcome to the sad bastards at home club.

Pugs were starting to struggle a little too. This takes the pressure off. They can send one car out to push the last Audi and let the others sit back.

ORECA are still there too.

Seems that Rocky has a flesh wound on his arm. Unbelieveable, years ago we'd all have been very quiet indeed.

Slash #2 approaching for me.

Right thats me done for tonight I would normally have been down at Arnage supping warm beer and munching frits about now but bed calls yeah I know lightweight but gotta go

Just 2?

You either have the bladder of a horse or you have not had your share of booze.

It's Grand Marnier Crepe time for me.

Typical southerner. No stamina.

Night night.

Neigh!

Admire your stamina gents, this of course is recorded type, whatever that is

Any tips for staying awake gratefully recd

The race keeps you awake. I have been considering an hours nap since 2am but there is too much going on. Top three really tight at the moment. GTE battle is still hot too.
Its getting light outside now.

Yeh, apart from dodgy 30 mins around 2am I have surprised myself, couple a laps onboard the 73 Corvette has helped

Noticed as I let the cat in a while back

Hang on a minute, we havn't got a cat

I'm worse than I thought  ;D

Ah, one of the few times that I said that I would get up and feed the baby on sunday morning...

She is now fed on milk and porrige and daddy has some bacon on the go ;-)

Couple of hours kip sorted me out a peach....

Can you remember a race as good as this one? Those Pugs and the Audi have been at it for hours now.
Getting tired and hungry now but can't budge from my chair.
Time to get some bacon on the go.

Love this idea, wish they said a bit more though

Having now missed a couple of years of being there, in my case I can enjoy the actual racing a lot more on TV, but it's not a patch on being with your mates soaking up the atmosphere.

Morning guys what did I miss? had a woodbine on the doorstep while watching the rain slashing down was half expecting a wet race when I switched the tv on

Morning all!

How is it I feel more rough this morning than I would have done if i was actually there!

I was just thinking the same. I feel like shite this morning. Too much coffee.

HA!

I've woken up sober, with no headache and feeling fine; first time for years..


A very true statement....still, there is always next year  ;D ;D ;D

 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Morning all,

Must admit last hour or so has been a low point, feelings wise that is

This has got to be one of the best races, and its not like they've been poor in recent times  :)

and as we know, plenty can happen yet

It is spellbinding, absolutely spellbinding. Unlike when I'm there, I've only had one 'sit down lavatorial experience'. However, in common with when I'm there, no shower.

RAIN!!!!

this is mental.

Bloody marshall's wont blue flag Davidson typical frogs

Large contingent of British marshalls too.

I liked  'Cheese eating surrender monkies'  made me laugh that one, no offence intended of course  :)

soooooo t.i.r.e.d.

Must stay awake. Off for a run around the garden.

And Race control are now investigating car 2 for going off circuit! Probably cos ullrich has complained about no blue flags.

And as Treluyer just said on eurosport "we are used to this with the peugeot's"

Getting the washing in when it started raining revived me a bit - life on the edge here!

The Eurosport coverage has been brilliant. I havent tried Radio LM. Just wish Eurosport was on freesat.

The peugeot is fast. Audi comes out the slip stream, and still cant get past on the straights.

I agree Robbo on both counts!

Pug is fast in a straight line and eurosport has been excellent!

For me, the combination of Eurosport, RLM, live timing  (and CA of course)  has made this race truly amazing

Spot on!!!

Am soooooooooo miffed at not being there to see this epic race, listening to some of the media comments I think it was a conversation with Lola that the diesel/petrol missmatch will be dealt with when the FIA get involved next year

I won't miss the 600 mile drive home this year. I'm so tired i couldn't manage 600yds.

RLM and the whole team have been outstanding again. They have made staying at home bearable. I do think this will be one of thoae races that that will still be talked about in 20 years time. I'm sad i wasn't there to see it but that said, i have seen so much more watching at home than i would if i had been there.

Oh no, the Pesca is wrecked!

This race is unreal.

Henri will have his head in his hands later bloody shame the car was bloody good

Peugoet are bastards!! 4 laps down and trying to take out the leader?? Have they not seen what has happened this weekend?

Go to your local Pug dealers tommorrow and shout 'bastards' at them. A disgrace.

They should have a drive through, because how many blue flags is it you have to get to let someone past

I'm going to drop a chod on their doorstep.

Should hang their heads in shame, I dont like these oil burners but have got to take my hat off to Audi for being an outstanding team and the drivers of the 2 car for their performance and profesionalism

Totally agree, I now want Audi to win this epic, some of the Peugeot 'stunts' have been down right dangerous, and I don't normally support the 'pc' views on racing (child of the 60's / 70's I suppose)

It goes against everything that Le Mans represents. Yes they are works teams, yes this is motor racing at the highest level. But Le Mans is special. Respect is as important as pace. Its not the first time Peugoet has shown a lack of respect. It is supposed to be the greatest sporting event in motor racing. Peugoet have no idea on what is sporting and what is F1 style nastiness.

Quesnel's response to RLMs question was equally snide.

Not good for Peugoet or Endurance racing. Shame on them!

(very pissed off) Si

Did try to reply, but CA stopped working for me, probably good thing as I was wound up by the Peugeot 'tactics'

Pleased that Audi rose above and won the the race in style, especially after what they had been through

Just like to thank you all for your company and comments throughout, certainly added to what turned out to be a great race   :)

Hey its back!

Shame the site went off before the end. Great race this year. Very emotional.

Thanks to you all for keeping me company over the weekend.

Hope to see you track side next year.

Si

Defo guys went down for me too but hey a great race and at least i had some company was getting dirty looks from the domestic opperative for hoggin the main tv  ;D