Hopefully anyone selling le mans tickets on Ebay for profit will get burnt and lose there dosh

And it was cancelled in June 1968 the race eventually took place in September 1968 due to civil unrest in France.

As a tribute to le Mans pilote Pierre Levegh I have commissioned a painting by the great motorsport artist Uli Ehret. The painting will be on display at Uli's stand at Le Mans this weekend. It depicts Levegh in his Talbot at the 1952 le mans  (A race he nearly won single handedly leading by 4 laps from the Mercedes only for the car to break down with less than an hour to go) He is also depicted in the Mercedes in 1955 a race he would not finish. The works drive given to him by Alfred Nuebauer after his 1952 exploits. The painting is titled SO NEAR YET SO FAR. If you get the chance pop by and say hello.

There was certainly more people camping this year with 3 new campsites all full. There also appeared to be more corporate camping with companies buying space and then selling on. Regarding the race start and finish there was a lot of spaces available on the start line straight but this was I believe because of the large numbers of Brits and Dutch setting out there chairs early to get a good vantage point. This prevented the French last minute brigade who normally turn up minutes before the start or finish and then stand in front of you. I thought it was absolutely hilarious with a snake of  many 100s of French fair weather race fans trying to battle through the chairs only to find no way through with spaces to stand just metres away. They can have no complaint anyway, because they are lucky that they are able to attend as we all know this is a British race that just happens to be held in France.

My first visit to the great race was in 1983 when I went by coach with Tee Mill tours and I have been every year since, so 27 consecutive visits. This will also be the 20th consecutive time I have competed at the Le Mans 24 hour Kart race at the Alain Prost circuit  come July.

I believe the reason for the new refuelling  rule is so that there is no possibilty that the car pulls out of the pits with the refuelling rig still connected a la F1

In the past it has been open from the Monday but sometimes the gate is not manned and therefore entry before wednesday can be sporadic. You will find if you get access before Wednesday an extra nightly supplement will be payable. There are two entry points one from just under the flyover on the N138 just prior to the Tertre rouge corner. entry can sometimes be made at the main entrance providing that you have your car pass and entrance tickets once inside turn left up towards the old funfair site and the campsite is on the left. Once again it depends on the mood of the french on the gate but usualy if you explain that the other entrance is shut then you can normally gain access. Saying that I have olny managed this entrance prior to Thursday. Hope this helps

I had dreadful problems with my car an intermittent misfire which I could not resolve even after changing everything electrical that was possible. It turned out to be a broken wire from the ignition that was not evident as it was broken inside the cable the vibration of the road etc. made the break either be in contact or not as the case may be. However we did get back safely in the end however it took an age what with queues at the peage and the traffic in Rouen. Although I missed my 6.20pm ferry and eventually managed the 9.15pm the car drove perfectly for long periods then just spluttered and was then undrivable. Hence at times I was travelling very slowly with my brother in the back up van covering my rear with its hazards on. I do remember you passing by and appreciate your thoughts on my predicament.

One D type as I recall failed to make the start until it was pushed by the marshalls to get it running. From my view point as the cars set off from the echelon formation the driver appeared to be in reverse, the rear of the car  hit the pit wall when he let the clutch out and then the car stalled.

And finally

more still

As promised a few more pics

I have just sent my payment and would like to add  that In 25 years I have never seen a more definitive guide to Le Mans. It puts the likes of the Autosport guide, The Official Le Mans programme and all the other guides for the great race to shame. This should be in print and everyone who is at Le mans should have copy.

Joe flay

24hourman

I will post  a few more pics of the ............?  later today. If anyone can come up with the definitive answer of what it is. I will make a donation to the charity of the winners choice as most CA ers are or will be in Le Mans I will let this run until the end of the month.

As a clue, to the best of my Knowledge this is the only one of its type on the planet.

Many thanks where do I get the wristbands?