Club Arnage

Club Arnage => So You Think You Know About Le Mans => Topic started by: Mr Termite on July 07, 2008, 11:10:34 am



Title: No pic - but who, and when?
Post by: Mr Termite on July 07, 2008, 11:10:34 am
Ok, so my story is set quite a few years back. It is recently dark, and our hero is driving through the Dunlop Curve (sic) when he gets a puncture. Not good when it's 8 miles round to the pits! He drives gently on, but soon the rim is grinding on the tarmac, so he stops at Hunaudieres to change the wheel (also sic). He digs out the torch, jack, hammer. The torch batteries are flat! So he waits for a passing pair of headlights so he can see to strike a blow on the knockoff hubcap. One blow and the head flies off the hammer, straight into the undergrowth! Doh! After a brief but fruitless search in the dark, he gives up and drives gently on. You know what's coming next! Flailing tyre punctures fuel line, fuel sprays out onto hot exhaust - car catches fire! Driver leaps from car before it stops - as would I. Car stops near marshalls' post, and they and gendarmes race to the rescue, trying to save driver inside. While they peer into burning car, driver taps gendarme on back. Gendarme turns round, and sees hirsute figure in pale clothing - nearly dies of fright!

Driver/Car/Year?


Title: Re: No pic - but who, and when?
Post by: Nordic on July 07, 2008, 12:16:25 pm
Have heard this before, but for the life of me cannot recall who it was!

Graham Hill seems to ring a bell, but its really bugging me now.


Title: Re: No pic - but who, and when?
Post by: JPNucCons on July 07, 2008, 01:05:48 pm
Frank Gardner, probably in a Cobra?
I may be confusing this story with another about running out of petrol and stealing a jerry can full of fuel from some gendarmes camped in the woods nearby, only to find it was cooking fuel or something.


Title: Re: No pic - but who, and when?
Post by: Mr Termite on July 07, 2008, 02:11:47 pm
Worthy guesses both, but no cigar just yet.


Title: Re: No pic - but who, and when?
Post by: Lazy B'stard on July 07, 2008, 02:40:32 pm
Chris Amon?


Title: Re: No pic - but who, and when?
Post by: Mr Termite on July 07, 2008, 03:10:03 pm
By gad, sir - you're a genius! Chris Amon, one of the unluckiest men in top level motorsport, in terms of the manure that surrounded him time after time. That said, I believe him to be hale and hearty in his 60s, which many contemporaries never reached for the usual tragic reason. I assume you'd read the Eoin Young (also a Kiwi, I think?) biography?

This was, for the benefit of anyone still awake, 1967, and Chris was sharing a Ferrari 330P4 with Nino Vaccarella. The retirement was before 11 p.m. I found the story in the new book "Ferrari au Mans 1961-67" by Francois Hurel, which follows on from the same author's series on Ford, Porsche & Matra (at least). Natch it's in French, but the pics are superb, and technical details are international in their nature. The interjections with little tales like this one make it a very good read if you have even basic French, like wot I have got. I bought it during the 24 hrs, and I think the (English-speaking) seller said they were going really fast. But then a Ferrari book would!


Title: Re: No pic - but who, and when?
Post by: termietermite on July 07, 2008, 03:13:59 pm
And whose budget is the cigar coming out of?


Title: Re: No pic - but who, and when?
Post by: Lazy B'stard on July 07, 2008, 04:23:23 pm
Will swap said cigar for Rillettes!


Title: Re: No pic - but who, and when?
Post by: Mr Termite on July 08, 2008, 10:18:52 am
There are rillettes and rillettes! Unable to find the right-size pot of Termie's fave brand - Boulvert, from Bonnetable - I bought Super U's own offering. Fatal. Tastes like spam, sez La Termite!


Title: Re: No pic - but who, and when?
Post by: Lazy B'stard on July 08, 2008, 10:46:14 am
Any rillette is better than spam or potted meat!
 Mmmmmmmm tasty. ;-)


Title: Re: No pic - but who, and when?
Post by: Andy Zarse on July 10, 2008, 11:32:15 am
You should be ashamed to say such things. Rillettes are okay I suppose, but a greatly inferior to Chichester's finest. As for Super U rillettes, you can shove them up your bum!

(http://www.princes.co.uk/images/brands/shippams/masthead.jpg)


Title: Re: No pic - but who, and when?
Post by: termietermite on July 10, 2008, 12:32:12 pm
As for Super U rillettes, you can shove them up your bum!

Er, quite.


Title: Re: No pic - but who, and when?
Post by: BigH on July 10, 2008, 01:58:04 pm
Quote
As for Super U rillettes, you can shove them up your bum!

Well, that's something to bear in mind I suppose, but they're not exactly alone in that respect.
H


Title: Re: No pic - but who, and when?
Post by: nickliv on July 10, 2008, 05:22:39 pm
As for Super U rillettes, you can shove them up your bum!


As opposed to Auchan rillettes which are only fit to be rammed down ones japs eye with a tent peg?


Title: Re: No pic - but who, and when?
Post by: Lazy B'stard on July 19, 2008, 03:13:56 pm
Super U had three different Rillettes on offer last week so all three were purchased and we settled down for a Rillette world cup. The own brand product was pretty poor indeed and was used in a childish catapulting game reminissant of the classic game 'shitty shotty' a game which, had it reached olympic status, I would have excelled at and won several golds for the independent state of Yorksestershire!   
 The best Rillette was the one in the glass jar that is a bastard to open. Very nice indeed.
 S


Title: Re: No pic - but who, and when?
Post by: Leftie on July 19, 2008, 09:13:15 pm
You should be ashamed to say such things. Rillettes are okay I suppose, but a greatly inferior to Chichester's finest. As for Super U rillettes, you can shove them up your bum!

(http://www.princes.co.uk/images/brands/shippams/masthead.jpg)

Ahhh, Shippams, I worked there in the school hols in the '60's.

I could tell you a few stories about what went into the famous Fish Paste, but I wouldn't want anyone to get into trouble ;)


Title: Re: No pic - but who, and when?
Post by: Andy Zarse on July 20, 2008, 10:21:51 am
Super U had three different Rillettes on offer last week so all three were purchased and we settled down for a Rillette world cup. The own brand product was pretty poor indeed and was used in a childish catapulting game reminissant of the classic game 'sh*tty shotty' a game which, had it reached olympic status, I would have excelled at and won several golds for the independent state of Yorksestershire!   
 The best Rillette was the one in the glass jar that is a bastard to open. Very nice indeed.
 S

Perhaps they could get Shippams to sponsor the British World Shitty-Shotty Team. Beijing here you come!

I can see replica sports tops on sale...


Title: Re: No pic - but who, and when?
Post by: kiwipugfan on July 30, 2008, 05:35:13 am
By gad, sir - you're a genius! Chris Amon, one of the unluckiest men in top level motorsport, in terms of the manure that surrounded him time after time. That said, I believe him to be hale and hearty in his 60s, which many contemporaries never reached for the usual tragic reason. I assume you'd read the Eoin Young (also a Kiwi, I think?) biography?

This was, for the benefit of anyone still awake, 1967, and Chris was sharing a Ferrari 330P4 with Nino Vaccarella. The retirement was before 11 p.m. I found the story in the new book "Ferrari au Mans 1961-67" by Francois Hurel, which follows on from the same author's series on Ford, Porsche & Matra (at least). Natch it's in French, but the pics are superb, and technical details are international in their nature. The interjections with little tales like this one make it a very good read if you have even basic French, like wot I have got. I bought it during the 24 hrs, and I think the (English-speaking) seller said they were going really fast. But then a Ferrari book would!


Eoin is indeed a Kiwi. I have a glass of lunch with him at least once a week. Chris. Amon is still hale and hearty, has retired from farming and is living a relaxing life on the northern shores of Lake Taupo, enjoying his boat "Can-am"


Title: Re: No pic - but who, and when?
Post by: Fran on July 30, 2008, 09:06:44 am
Hey Kiwi - long time no see!   I have been wondering how you got on with your broken foot at LM in June?  Did you make it after all?

F


Title: Re: No pic - but who, and when?
Post by: Lazy B'stard on July 30, 2008, 09:15:00 am
Eion is indeed a Kiwi- I've just finished reading his book on Bruce McLaren- a great read.
 I got the story from my journo pal who navigates for me on historic road rallies. Lucky bugger went out to interview him last year. I get to hear some great stories from Nige, he really has the best job getting to meet all those guys and gets to drive some amazing cars. He offered me a staffers job on a mag last year doing technical bits and bobs but the mag folded after four editions so that was that. Shame really.


Title: Re: No pic - but who, and when?
Post by: kiwipugfan on July 30, 2008, 10:20:07 am
Hey Kiwi - long time no see!   I have been wondering how you got on with your broken foot at LM in June?  Did you make it after all?

F

Yes - we made it - thanks to the CA team for camping and grandstand passes. Had an amazing time of it. Foot was a hassle but I managed.

Don't think I will make it back next year, but aiming for 2010.


Title: Re: No pic - but who, and when?
Post by: Lazy B'stard on July 30, 2008, 10:49:26 am
If you're coming over in 2010 Mr Kiwi you need to come over for a month and catch the Classic, fantastic weekend (but don't tell anyone else!) Shame to come all that way and miss it ;-)
 S


Title: Re: No pic - but who, and when?
Post by: kiwipugfan on July 31, 2008, 01:53:34 am
If you're coming over in 2010 Mr Kiwi you need to come over for a month and catch the Classic, fantastic weekend (but don't tell anyone else!) Shame to come all that way and miss it ;-)
 S

If the bank balance can handle it, that is what I would like to do.


Title: Re: No pic - but who, and when?
Post by: Lazy B'stard on July 31, 2008, 07:20:56 am
Well if the bank manager says yes there will be several cold ones awaiting your attention. ;-)


Title: Re: No pic - but who, and when?
Post by: kiwipugfan on August 01, 2008, 06:59:12 am
Well if the bank manager says yes there will be several cold ones awaiting your attention. ;-)

I am looking forward to it already!

A mate who was at the classic this year dropped off a programme for me today... Damn that looks good