Club Arnage

Ok guys.....now we've all had a rest from the June weekend.......who is considering an excursion in november then?

Well, to say I wasnt thinking about it, would be a lie

Hi Wishy,

Definitely up for it if we can find some reasonable accommodation nearby. Saw your other posting re: hotels so await responses there. The place we normally stay at doesn't vary their room rates at all so probably a bit expensive for this (potential) trip.

Tried Brittany for crossing prices but none yet published on their site for dates this far out. Will let you know soon as I have more info.

There's a few of our group planning on going.

BTW Pretzel, the Brittany Ferries web site has got prices published. Try http://www.brittanyferries.co.uk/index.cfm?ArticleID=351

From the ACO Site. I take it this means no Bentleys!!  :(

"LE MANS 1 000 KM" - SUNDAY, 9TH NOVEMBER, 2003

In accordance with the announcement made on 13th June prior to the " 24 Heures du Mans ", the ASA ACO of the " 24 Heures du Mans " will be organising a qualifying race for the 2004 " 24 Heures ", which will take place on the Bugatti circuit on the 9th November 2003.

This exceptional and unique race will be run in compliance with the ACO's 2003 specifications, and will be open to the LMP 900, LMP 675, LM GTS et LM GT categories.

" Le Mans 1 000 km " will present the 2004 " 24 Heures du Mans " with the " 12 automatic selections " " on the track " (provisional dates : 12th and 13th June) ; i.e. : 3 per category, subject to there being at least 9 entrants in each of the categories.

According to the provisional calendar, the administrative checks and scrutineering will take place on Friday 7th November, the free practice and qualifying practice sessions on Saturday 8th November, and the race itself will be on Sunday 9th November, with the start fixed 12 noon.

Entries will be open between 1st and 30th September.

This " Le Mans 1 000 km " will be the official launch of the new European series : " Le Mans Endurance Series ".
 

Just had another thought. November could be our last chance to bid farewell to the Stella Bar!!  Anyone know when it is due to close??

Could be a poignant place to meet?? Also, do they fill the village with the normal bars/shops etc and bring in the funfair for other races or just the 24 Hours??

That's a good idea to choose the Stella Bar as a meeting point for November. I guess there wont be any funfair. I recon they want to test how many people turn up for the first LMES race and apply minimal effort.

Oops.... Meant to say that I'd tried to check out ferry prices for June 2004 as well.

Thanks anyway JP for the pointer.

Just for info a return via Brittany Pompey/StMalo, Fri 7th Nov, returning Caen/Pompey Monday 10th, 4 persons + car + 2 X 2 berth cabins = £287!! Cheaper than June but still pretty steep. Will definitely be researching alternatives  :)

Its only polite to give this weekend some serious thought.I see that the race starts at 12 noon,so roughly what time would it likeley finish??
I can see it now...Friday ferry,saturday Le Flambadou,Sunday race,Monday home.oh go on then!!!
PM

Think the race should last about 6 hours.
PM, your planning looks immaculate - can't wait for another Flambadou evening, followed by some racing!

Sure thing KP.Are you and Gilles definate for Goodwood this weekend
PM

I am - stand 140 all weekend, have to do some interviews etc, but that's my base.  Will keep trying to get Gilles involved. Which day(s) are you there? Sorry there's no Flambadou equivalent locally (to my knowledge)!

Saturday for us KP.Ive hired a minibus for 6 of us.We'll have to make do with a little chef on the way

cheers

PM

Le Mans? November?? What's going on???
This sounds interesting, I have to say.
Has anyone seen prototypes and the like on the Bugatti? Has anything like it been done before? What are the viewing areas on the Bugatti going to be like? Will the Lister make it off the ferry? How to you get rid of embarrassing itching once and for all without telling your friends? So many questions...
In the past I've had trouble staying on the Bugatti tarmac just walking around it, never mind balls out in an LM spec car. I need a little local advice on this, will it turn out to be a second gear, no overtaking event?
I've come over all confused now. First, they alter the main track to suit the bikes racing on the Bugatti, then we have the cars going round the Bugatti. Where's my tent? Mam!
It still sounds damn interesting though, in a hmmm, stroking the pointy beard fashion.
Yours,
Confused of Andromeda.

Overtaking?the view??When has that ever bothered you H

PM

Actually PM, now you mention it, November should produce some fine whiskey-weather...

"LITTLE" Chef ?? !!

See you Saturday !!

Unexpectedly Mrs smokie has authorised attendance at the FoS. She may well change her mind tomorrow, she's a woman.

Is an Enceinte Generale OK, or should I get one of the grandstand seats? Is parking OK? What time is it worth being there?

Not sure which day I can do yet. PM, if Saturday I might meet you at Newbury, travel in convoy, what time do you pass through?

Re: the November event - what kind of temperatures do you think will be descending on Le Mans at that time of year.  I've been over there many times around November and on some occasions it's bastard freezing, and frequently pissing down.  Come to think of it, I've never seen an LMP running with snow chains before!

Damn I am envious.
Canada Phil

There are several excellent restaurants in the area, although you may now struggle to find a table. Plus some very good pubs that do ace food. I wouldn't want Gilles to think that the Little Chef was the best the UK could offer, any more that the Buffalo Grille, good in its own way, was the best of France. And he can sample some proper beers too.

Have you a list of decent pubs,local to Goodwood, with ace food, please Andy?

Of course Little Chef doesn't represent what Brits eat!

Hi Kpy,
I'm sure Msr Zarse knows his way round there better than me, but I'll chip in anyway.
There's a beautiful semi timbered ancient pub in Pagham that also does b&b and has a restaurant. I've stayed there a few times and can recommend it. It's just up the road from Derek Bells cottage, so it's probably his local. Maybe Andy can help with the name. (I have a scribble in my diary that says Inglenook 01243 262495)
I also remember a pub in Oving called the Gribble (?). This is also a fine old boozer with food as well, and has it's own beer which it brews on site.
Both are only a 10 minute drive from the circuit, not too sure how far from the House.
Of course you could try the Baders Arms as well.
Where we differ from the French, is that it's almost impossible to find a good restaurant in rural areas, and pub grub can be variable to say the least. A rule of thumb: avoid anywhere that puts 'good food' in inverted commas.
H

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It is the ingle nook at pagham, named after it's fireplace. Will do a list of local pubs tonight.

Thanks guys
I need somewhere to plant two tents for two nights (Friday and Saturday) - any ideas?

Smokie, you can buy tickets on the day, not Sunday though. They are more expensive. Parking is good as long as the rain doesn't turn the field into the Somme. If you are parked any sort of distance away you can get a courtesey bus. Wouldn't bother with a granstand seat as there is so much to see( take good walking boots). There are large screens around so you can see the action from most places even if you aren't next to the track. Food is expensive though so be warned.
Doesn't seem to matter what time you arrive there is usually a fair amount of slow moving traffic. Although action starts at 9am.

OK, I gonna open my tourist office for november...

... be prepare for a great bash !

Don't expect any effort of the ACO concerning shops and funfair... could only have a tenth of bars and maybe not more shops.

Sorry, I won't go to Goodwood this July... I probably appear not indispensable for my boss.  :P

Who come in September for the historical ?

Smokie,
There will be room in the minibus with us.I got an 8 seater for 6 of us.We can meet you somewhere like the services in Chievely and you can leave your car there if you wish.We are aiming to leave here by about 6.15am so we'll be at chievely by 7.15 ish
Let me know if you want to come.Weve got entry and grandstand seats but you may not be able to buy grandstand on the day
PM

Does it sounds like a dinner with smokie at the flambadou ?

I invited Smokie to come with us but he declined.He missed out on a great night and one i hope to do again soon
PM