Two of our club members Rob Devenish and Barry Quatermass, went to the 24hr Le Mans Race last June and they've written this account of their trip.
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| Team Colors |
Barry and Rob set off for Le Mans early on the Thursday morning, pretty much in cruise control all the way down to the Shuttle where they were offered a place on a train leaving in 20 mins (so they took it). The same on the French side, they just took it easy on the Autoroute and made good progress. The only stops they made were at service stations because they didn't really know the road ahead and didn't want to take any chances.
As it was, the journey was really straight forward and they arrived at their camp site at about 5pm. Barry and Rob were staying at a site run by Club Valan. They secure the area, erect shower/toilet blocks and a mess hut, all Barry and Rob had to do was to get there and pitch their tent.
Club Valan provide all the meals and hot water (of which there was plenty) and they also sell the local beer at local (cheap) rates. A secure area is provided where phones and battery chargers can be plugged in. Once your tent is up there is a hot meal ready and waiting and you get issued with your trackside and bus passes (no they're not pensioners yet – there's a bus that leaves the site every 15 mins and drops you off outside the main circuit gate – the time from tent to standing by the trackside is less than 15mins).
Barry and Rob got themselves sorted out, had a drink (or two) and wandered up to the circuit at about 11.00pm to see the last hour of that evening's practice session.
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| In The Pits |
There were not many cars about and the circuit was quiet, in fact they were thinking they had missed it, when suddenly a Corvette came through with a huge growl and the hairs on the back of Barry's neck stood up – it was exhilarating and then he remembered what it was all about (he was last there in 1982).
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| Pre Race Practice |
Their tickets allowed them into the pit lane on Friday morning where the cars were stationary and being cleaned ready for the big day. It was either that or they were in bits being reassembled – some of the pit crews were going through last minute drills – it was a good morning with loads of shots in the bag already.
This was nothing compared to what followed in Le Mans town in the early evening – The Drivers Parade. What an atmosphere, it was fantastic, all the competing teams were paraded in vintage cars (ex Le Mans entrants) and between each car was a troop of entertainers - Jamaican steel bands, New Orlean jazz bands, circus jugglers, or youngsters from the local racing school, choirs you name it.
They paraded through the town playing to the crowd and throwing out memorabilia, the carnival atmosphere was wonderful and the crowds which lined the route loved it. When the parade had finished Barry and Rob met up with some friends and found a pizza place. Barry had by now filled three memory cards and the race was still nearly a full day away.
Saturday Morning is quiet as everyone is preparing for the marathon that will start later, so it was just sitting round the tent checking and cleaning their gear and they then slowly made it up to the start at 4pm. And so it began with a huge roar and an excited crowd – the endurance race of all endurance races was on.
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| The Race Is On |
It was evident that the locals were supporting the Peugeot who were sporting French colours whilst their arch rivals, who had won the previous year, were the German Audi team . There was little love lost on the track and some dubious tactics were being deployed all of which made the event more enthralling. Aston Martin flattered to deceive and soon pitted and were out of the race whilst everyone else seemed to settle into a rhythm.
It is hard to get into the pace of things, one's first reaction is to take as many shots as you can, but in fact you have far more time than you imagine. Barry and Rob followed the race and wandered around the circuit (nowhere near all of it but we did cover a good one to two miles) which took in the stands, several straights, corners, chicanes and the fair ground and sales stands.
They returned at about 10.00pm to get some nighttime shots and got back to the tent in the early hours of the morning.
After a sleep, breakfast and more lens cleaning Barry and Rob were off back to the circuit and there was still more than 6 hours to go (that’s the equivalent of more than three Grand Prix). They went back up and down several more times as the afternoon wore on but everyone made an effort to get there for the finish at 4.00pm – one group at their base even dressed up for the occasion as Boer War veterans (complete with Candelabra and gramophone).
Every car home received a cheer from the crowd, partisan feelings were put aside – every driver was a hero (there was even an American man-wife team racing on their wedding anniversary). The Audi came home first and the Peugeots were not that far behind, but it wasn't that important to Barry and Rob as they were there for the carnival atmosphere.
Back to the camp for what should have been a quiet time after all the action but no – their host at Club Valan had rigged up a satellite TV and Barry and Rob sat down to watch the rain delayed Canadian Grand Prix – I doubt there could have been a better end to the weekend than watching Jenson Button overtake Sebastian Vettel on the last lap. Everyone stood and sang the National Anthem (as only the English abroad can) led by the Boer veterans – perfect.
A long nights sleep and then they set off home on the Monday morning. Barry and Rob intend going back in June 2012 and it looks like a trip worth making for any club members who want to join them.
