Messages

1

General Discussion / Normandy June 4th to 8th

« on: April 07, 2014, 12:47:43 pm »

I'm planning on going to Normandy for the D Day 70th, campsite booked last July, I found by pure chance yesterday that there is anti congestion plans in place which may put a spanner in the works 

To get access on these dates to the area between Cabourg & Carentan upto the beach & as far south as Caen you need a pass 

If anyone else is planning on going check this out, Can't find any mention elsewhere without looking specifically for it 

http://dday70.wordpress.com/

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2013 / A.C.O 90 ans cup

« on: August 05, 2013, 09:13:06 pm »

Not being a beer drinker (prefer a little tipple from a small place in Tennessee  )  I didn't get one of the rather nice 90 ans plastic mugs this year.
Does anyone have a spare they don't want ?, I'd be happy to give you something for it.

Thanks

Paul 

3

General Discussion / Re: Le Mans 2014 date announced

« on: July 24, 2013, 10:52:05 pm »

As 2014 is the 70th anniversary of D-Day I suggest we equip all vehicles with invasion stripes as a mark of respect.

Love it 

4

General Discussion / Re: Le Mans 2014 date announced

« on: July 20, 2013, 01:40:18 am »

Anyone else planning on going to the d-day 70th anniversary the week before Le Mans?

I booked a campsite in Normandy a while ago as a lot of hotels were fully booked.
Plan so far is arrive Thurs 5th then drive down to Le Mans on the 8th what a week that'll be 

tempted to myself as I visited all the beaches etc 2 years ago

Seems like a good idea,

simple question what is best book to read about the D-Day landings?

It depends if you're interested in the certain areas or the day in general, such a lot happened on one day I personally haven't read anything that comes close to explaining the whole thing in any depth, two that do spring to mind in general terms though is D-Day by Stephen E Ambrose & D-DAY 1944 voices from Normandy by Robin Neillands & Roderick De Normann.
One of the best I have read though was about capturing & keeping hold of Pegasus Bridge ( a major feet in itself) which often gets overlooked by the more well known beach assault, this is also by Stephen E Ambrose.

The whole things is a Fascinating story that I wouldn't believe if it were not true.

Particular points of interest to look out for I think are ( but there are many many others)

Pegasus Bridge
Pont Du Hoc & the guns that were missing
Hobart's funnies
Harbour at Arromanche
Merville gun battery
Garbo the double agent
Atlantic wall
Falaise Gap
Rommels wifes birthday & Hitler sleeping
St Mere Eglise parachute

5

General Discussion / Re: Le Mans 2014 date announced

« on: July 17, 2013, 08:44:14 pm »

Anyone else planning on going to the d-day 70th anniversary the week before Le Mans?

I booked a campsite in Normandy a while ago as a lot of hotels were fully booked.
Plan so far is arrive Thurs 5th then drive down to Le Mans on the 8th what a week that'll be 

6

General Discussion / Re: Another new LMP1 entrant?

« on: June 17, 2013, 11:39:15 pm »

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/108117

New entrants can only be good for the sport.  If we end up with 2 X Toyota, 3 X Audi, 2-3 X Porsche, 2 X Rebllion, 1 X Strakka and who knows, maybe an LMP1 Lotus programme?  then LMP1 will be looking seriously interesting again....

I wonder what's causing this run of new entrants?  maybe less geographical challenges by not having the programme including the USA?

I am officially excited about the future of sportscar racing. 

Hope they do something with the looks of the Lotus i.m.h.o that is one butt ugly car even in black and gold

7

General Discussion / Le Mans Android App

« on: May 13, 2013, 08:50:52 pm »

The Circuit has got quite a good app on the Play store. a fair bit of information included & some video as well.
Probably not much on it that most people on here don't already know but it's free so why not 

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.aco.regards.circuit24h&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDEsImNvbS5hY28ucmVnYXJkcy5jaXJjdWl0MjRoIl0.

8

General Discussion / Re: Spa WEC

« on: May 01, 2013, 04:18:53 pm »

When I phoned they only read out 14 juror numbers Barry. The chances of being one of the 2 rejected are not very good

Update.  Picked for the final 15 this morning from which the 12 jurors will be chosen tomorrow. Been told the trial will last up to 8, yes weeks. You do the math.

Bob I was in the same position 4-5 years ago around this time, I managed to get out of a long case when the court asked if anyone had a genuine reason why they couldn't serve for 6 weeks. I took my ferry booking and ticket confirmation & that was enough to get out of it.
Still had to sit on 2 short GBH cases though     

9

General Discussion / Re: Spa WEC

« on: April 30, 2013, 09:48:23 pm »

Just been informed that I will be on the jury for the case starting tomorrow. That's f**ked up my plan for a last minute dash to Spa. Bollocks bollocks bollocks 

Bob if you want you could join us? we're leaving Uxbridge around 2.30 Saturday morning.
Staying in Leuven sat night then visiting Brugge, Diksmuide Tyne cot & Leper Sunday. home late Sunday. Monday bank holiday to recover.

10

General Discussion / Re: Spa WEC

« on: April 28, 2013, 08:03:00 pm »

Buying on door will suffice.
Parking could be 5, if syou show up on thursday, chances are you pay nothing.
Places to watch? Radillion, even has a bar. Kemmel/Les Combes, La Source. Busstop isn't what it supposed to after the big change.
Crossings will show themselves when you're wondering around. A walk around the circuit is doable during the race.
Signing session? whut?
Grandstands are free accesible.

Be prepared for any kind of weather. Looks like it will be raining thursday/friday, with clouds on saturday.

Thanks for the reply, looking forward to more and more as it gets Closer.

Anyone have any advice on a quick route from leper to Calais Sunday night? We're going to watch the last post ceremony at 8 which only just leaves enough time to get back Calais on time. Google maps say's N8 & A16. Are there any better routes people know of?

11

General Discussion / Re: Spa WEC

« on: April 27, 2013, 10:18:52 pm »

I haven't been to Spa since 1990 so I could do with some advice please  

buying tickets on the door, parking I believe costs 5 euro's ?
Best places to watch (I've got some new hiking boots especially )
places to cross from inside to outside of circuit & vice versa
scrum place for pit lane signing session
access to grandstands

anything else that could be useful, I have been there twice. once I came back with webbed feet the other time sunburn  

Thanks!

12

General Discussion / Re: Spa WEC

« on: March 22, 2013, 09:13:13 pm »

I'll be there with a friend if I don't put them off 1st with how bad the weather can be at Spa 

13

General Discussion / Re: Silverstone Round Early - 12-14 Apr

« on: March 05, 2013, 11:38:40 am »

Should be a good weekend at Silverstone got my request in early enough to the other half to go to Spa as well this year, 3 months 3 WEC races   

14

General Discussion / Re: Another year another anti speeding measure in France

« on: March 01, 2013, 02:45:08 pm »

The latest twist in the breathalyzer saga

http://translate.google.co.uk/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.franceinfo.fr%2Fpolitique%2Fles-ethylotests-restent-obligatoires-en-voiture-mais-leur-absence-n-est-pas-907147-2013-03-01

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General Discussion / Re: Another year another anti speeding measure in France

« on: March 01, 2013, 10:16:26 am »

On the plus side ... the obligation of having an alcohol tester in your car should be gone by now.

I did read somewhere it was only a temporary reprieve, this is the most upto date Info I found doing a quick search.

http://www.english.rfi.fr/visiting-france/20121009-drivers-france-given-extra-time-buy-mandatory-alcohol-tests

What new law will it be next year I wonder  , it seems like every year I've driven to Le Mans there is something else to buy.

I'm guessing only people driving a Peugeot, Citroen or Renault can cross the border