CA Gathering 2025 ?

[Werner]

The oldtimers among us probably remember the Club Arnage meetings in the village or trackside in the late 1990ies, early 2000. At that time we didn’t know each other yet in person, only from the CA forum, so these meetings helped to put faces to names. After some years we stopped this because we all knew each other and met anyway, e.g. for many years on the CA compound on the Blue Nord campsite. But since the demise of Bleu Nord this doesn’t happen any more, because we are spread around various campsites. This year I missed meeting a lot of people, like Karl and Doris and many others.

So what about a revival of the CA gathering next year? Your thoughts and comments, please!

Werner

[Barry]

Good idea!
Tried this a few years ago by trying to revive the ' Meet the Moose ' session on Wednesday practice, perhaps it was a bit early in the week, nobody turned up, not even the Moose!
Possibly a bit difficult to do during the race?
It's like the Black Hole of Calcutta inside the stadium area, difficult to move around and every bar is packed.
Perhaps Thursday or Friday might be better?

[Barry]

Perhaps some kind group could offer to host it in one of the campsites?
Doesn't have to be a party, possibly lunch time?
Bring a bottle or 3 of course!!!!!!

[Bob U]

Didn’t think you were going next year Barry.

Add yes, a meet up would be great. We’ll have a practise run at Spa Werner. Usual place.

[Barry]

Didn’t think you were going next year Barry.

Didn't think I said I was!
A ability to walk more than 20 yards might change my mind, not there yet.

[Werner]

Didn't think I said I was!
A ability to walk more than 20 yards might change my mind, not there yet.

I hope very much you'll make it!

[Barry]

Is was good to see you and the rest of the Le Mans Zone crew last year.
I found this year very tough going, the weather did not help at all.
I've changed from a not going to a maybe, but I've got to see a fairly big improvement in my health  both I could even consider it.
This getting old is a bitch!!!

[JDS]

Is was good to see you and the rest of the Le Mans Zone crew last year.
I found this year very tough going, the weather did not help at all.
I've changed from a not going to a maybe, but I've got to see a fairly big improvement in my health  both I could even consider it.
This getting old is a bitch!!!

We've moved from a 'not this year' to a strong maybe too (i.e. have brought tickets). Would be good to try and meet-up because it's been a while and is often piecemeal now when we do.

Just thinking a little out of the box, especially as the ACO are herding us all away form our traditional campsites these days, both BSJ and Epinettes (I think) have fan zones now with big screen TVs and seating. As both are also served by free shuttle busses, perhaps meeting in one of those areas might be an idea?

[Barry]

We've moved from a 'not this year' to a strong maybe too (i.e. have brought tickets). Would be good to try and meet-up because it's been a while and is often piecemeal now when we do.

Just thinking a little out of the box, especially as the ACO are herding us all away form our traditional campsites these days, both BSJ and Epinettes (I think) have fan zones now with big screen TVs and seating. As both are also served by free shuttle busses, perhaps meeting in one of those areas might be an idea?

Good idea, might still be better to do it on Wednesday/Thursday, I saw how rammed the buses were on race days.
The fanzone on Eppi, which did exist in '23, didn't turn up last year, IIRC the ACO have said it would be back for '25, but it is the ACO!

[JDS]

We've moved from a 'not this year' to a strong maybe too (i.e. have brought tickets). Would be good to try and meet-up because it's been a while and is often piecemeal now when we do.

Just thinking a little out of the box, especially as the ACO are herding us all away form our traditional campsites these days, both BSJ and Epinettes (I think) have fan zones now with big screen TVs and seating. As both are also served by free shuttle busses, perhaps meeting in one of those areas might be an idea?

Good idea, might still be better to do it on Wednesday/Thursday, I saw how rammed the buses were on race days.
The fanzone on Eppi, which did exist in '23, didn't turn up last year, IIRC the ACO have said it would be back for '25, but it is the ACO!

Well, perhaps the BSJ one might be a better option then as it did actually exist the previous two years, lol.

[Barry]

I'm sure one of the early arrivals could check it out, if I do go I'm arriving before test day.
The Eppie one was not over crowded in 2023 and would be more central for most of the sites, walkable for everyone except BSJ, Arnage and Mulsanne.

[TobyAnscombe]

We’ll be there from Thursday but Bill,Gary and Bob are offsite this year.

If anyone’s around be good to check in. Can always find me at the champagne bar from about 10pm Saturday night 

[lofty]

Is the Guinness music bar type pub tent thing still going? That used to be a great craic Saturday afternoon.good idea to arrange a meet up.well said that man.

[Werner]

Hi all, the date and location for this is now set, it’ll be Friday, 13th June, start 8:00 pm at Camping Houx.

We’ve chosen Friday since there is no track action and Camping Houx because a whole bunch of CAers are staying there anyway (Neil, Julian, Dirk, Max, myself and some others).

How to find us: Using the car entry of Camping Houx just follow the tarmac road and you will find us after about 200 metres on the right side – look out for a big red tent and probably some CA flags. Coming from the track it’ll be on the left side then. Camping Houx is technically inside the track so you will need your entry ticket to access it.

This date will be a very special one for me (OTD 40 years ago in 1985 I set my foot for the first time on this track) so there will be some beers available.

Hope to see a few of you

Werner

[clkgtrlm1]

Last year there was no pedestrian access to Houx.
Camping pass holders only.