Happy 21st Birthday....

[Mr. Rick]

....to the pits complex!! 

The pitlane as we know it today was born under a fanfare of much fireworks, pomp and circumstance in 1991.

Just trawling through some old photos and came across these from 1990, the last year of the old pits (sniff, sniff) 

[Nordic]

We went to the fireworks party on the eve of the race in 91.

I have a hazy memory of the silk cut Volvo (or some such estate) doing a drive up the straight by just before the display. Did that happen or am I dreaming.

Cant believe its 21 years ago.

[Lawnmower Man]

I seem to recall it was a "Half Cut"  Volvo some feeble JATO and lots of whistles from the Marshals.

t

[Mr. Rick]

Ah yes, the Silk Cut Volvo, the stuff of legend! Can't vouch for it's pre-fireworks performance as I was experiencing a drunken hazed view of the aforementioned display from the Maison Blanche campsite. There's a surprise!  

And yes, sadly for us of advancing years, it was 21 years ago!

[DelBoy]

Ah.... I remember it (not) well.  I was also viewing the world through rose-tinted eyeballs that evening.  I have this vague recolection of a magnificent laser light show directly from the new complex.

Del

[sceetum]

Ah memories. Great pics Mr Rick.

[mgmark]

Aah the Silk Cut Volvo....followed after its demise (if I remember correctly) by the Silk Cut Cortina estate....or was it the other way round....

MG Mark

[Rhino]

Being on the ledge above those pits was great. The police used to keep an eye out for people smoking. Surprised no one fell off.

[Nordic]

Being on the ledge above those pits was great. The police used to keep an eye out for people smoking. Surprised no one fell off.

They did!

Also loads of stuff was dropped onto the cars/driver/crew below.

[Simon13]

It feels like a lifetime ago.  Look how close you could get to the cars!  No binoculars required!!  Happy memories sitting above the pits during the evening Jaguar stops in 88.

[Andy]

Great pics Rick, thanks for the memories (  well the little I have , Drunk!) then the transformation returning the following year.

[monkey]

....to the pits complex!! 

The pitlane as we know it today was born under a fanfare of much fireworks, pomp and circumstance in 1991.

Just trawling through some old photos and came across these from 1990, the last year of the old pits (sniff, sniff) 

Yes I seem to remember they set light to a Peugeot too that year.

Great pics!!!! - I have a draw full of these from the 1980's too - wonder if this was the 'Worlds Greatest Motor Races' golden era?? I do have fond memories. But not so much of the 1991 race itself as it was last the time I missed the race. The reason - my son Al - born 23rd June 1991 - he is twenty one this year too and will be there with me and team Monkey again next week.

[Rhino]

The first year they used the new pits they had the winners presentation on the stairs which spirals up in the stand. Gave me the opportunity the nip over the walkway they use now and 'borrow' the finishing flag.

[Mr. Rick]

The first year they used the new pits they had the winners presentation on the stairs which spirals up in the stand. Gave me the opportunity the nip over the walkway they use now and 'borrow' the finishing flag.

Brilliant!!! 

Remember the podium that year well and on the post-race Monday me and one of my mates revisited the temporary podium and re-enacted Mazda's celebrations. There is a photo somewhere....

And yes Monkey, they did use one of the 905s as part of the spectacle .. we were right opposite it at the time (but no photos sadly). And a big Happy 21st To Monkey Jr. My own junior monkey will be making his first appearance at LM next year at the tender age of 15 

[monkey]

The first year they used the new pits they had the winners presentation on the stairs which spirals up in the stand. Gave me the opportunity the nip over the walkway they use now and 'borrow' the finishing flag.

Brilliant!!! 

Remember the podium that year well and on the post-race Monday me and one of my mates revisited the temporary podium and re-enacted Mazda's celebrations. There is a photo somewhere....

And yes Monkey, they did use one of the 905s as part of the spectacle .. we were right opposite it at the time (but no photos sadly). And a big Happy 21st To Monkey Jr. My own junior monkey will be making his first appearance at LM next year at the tender age of 15 

Thank you Mr Rick I will be sure to pass on your best wishes and wish you and your lad a great trip next year too.