departure day	Final preparation is underway.  The annual 'how do I put these stickers on again?' conversations were had deep in to the night last night.  It seems #3 has confused his windscreen with his 'rear-end' though :       Follow us on Twitter here.  We will be twittering throughout our trip to Le Mans.  On race day itself there will be an hourly update.
1 day to go	If you liked yesterday's video and you'd like to see more laps around le mans then click here for a great selection.   Click here for useful general information on le mans including weather forecast, maps and much much more.  So far the weather looks OK for the weekend.  Kepp your fingers crossed for us.   If you are going to le Mans then keep a look out for us.  Remember you can join in a buy your very own Porscheshire Le Mans 2009 merchandise by clicking here.     Follow us on Twitter here.  We will be twittering throughout our trip to Le Mans.  On race day itself there will be an hourly update.
2 days to go	Having looked at the cars and drivers we can now move on to look more closely at the track.  The track has changed many times over the years.  Our favourite spots are :   Porsche curves (not just because its within walking distance of our tents but also because it is a great place to see the sun come up.  Unfortunately we have never seen it happen!)   Tetre Rouge (in the dark)   Start/Finish Straight (at about 1am it is quiet and you can get a seat on the concrete steps)   Porsche curves (after the sun has come up)   Arnage (for the last 4 hours)   There are a number of in-car video clips on YouTube but here is a rare one that shows the circuit before the Porsche curves were built.  Some of our club members will recognise the road past the 'maison blanche', not just from the Le Mans film, but also because it's on that bloody road that we tend to walk about 100 times during the 5 days we are there!  Hard to believe that it used to be part of the track :   click here to see Stirling Moss go round in 1968   Follow us on Twitter here.  We will be twittering throughout our trip to Le Mans.  On race day itself there will be an hourly update.
3 days to go	Today we look at the final class in this year's race - GT2.  This is where the real interest lies.  Ferrari vs. Porsche.  Not quite like in the famous Steve McQueen film but still Ferrari vs. Porsche.  The GT2 class may contain the slowest cars on the track, but they look like real cars which makes it a 'proper' race.  This year there are 10 Ferrari F 430s and only 5 Porsche 991 GT3 RSRs.  10 vs. 4.  It's not a fair race, but we are confident the 911s will not let us down.  Our tip for victory in this class is the #80 car from Flying Lizard (assuming Bergmeister doesn't lose his temper, and his car, if he finds himself on the track at the same time as Salo).  This is also the celebrity class for 2009, with Patrick Dempsey driving in the #81 Ferrari.  Oh and there is a Spyker (strange, but good Dutch car) and an Aston Martin Vantage to watch out for - but they are just making up the numbers . . . . Follow us on Twitter here.  We will be twittering throughout our trip to Le Mans.  On race day itself there will be an hourly update.
4 days to go	Today we look at the GT1 class.  Traditionally this has been a really interesting class.  In recent years the battle between the Corvette team and the Aston Martin team has been close-fought.  The might of the American big-block V8 100-litre engined (well they sound that big) C6.R Corvettes vs. the sweet-sounding British V12s DBR9s.  Gawdy American yellow vs. understated British racing-green.  Well, not this year.  As we have already seen, Aston Martin have moved up to LPM1, which leaves Corvette to race against .... more Corvettes.  There are only 6 cars entered into this category for 2009 and 4 of them are Corvettes.  So it is likely that the class winnerf will come from the official Corvette team or (ex downhill skier) Luc Alphand's team from France.  The other 2 cars are a privately enterered Aston DBR9 and a Japanese Lambo.  Tradionally the Lambo doesn't get past the first few hours but we wish them luck.  With 4 Corvettes on the track it also means no-one will get any sleep!   Thanks to everyone that entered yesterday's competition.  Unfortunately no-one got the right answer. The picture was of #6s near-side front wing after he decided to match the paintwork to the interior of his 996 turbo (which is a 'lovely' italian orangeybrown) but spraying it with Ronseal fence paint.   Balanced Valet were called in to rectify the situation.  Below is the same section of paintwork after their work (if you can still see specks of Ronseal then your PC screen needs cleaning) : If you would like to see more of Balanced Valet's work - click here. Follow us on Twitter here.  We will be twittering throughout our trip to Le Mans.  On race day itself there will be an hourly update.
5 days to go	It is unlikely that the winner of the race will come from LMP2, but there are 2 Porsche RS Spyders so if the 'big-boys' in LMP1 have a bad event then you never know  . . .   Apart from that there is little of interest in LMP2.  These prototypes are slower and generally less exciting/interesting.  (Sorry all you LMP2 fans out there.)   So today we will focus on something more interesting.  There is a prize for anyone who can work out what this is a picture of : Answers via the guestbook please.  The answer will be revealed tomorrow. Follow us on Twitter here.  We will be twittering throughout our trip to Le Mans.  On race day itself there will be an hourly update.
6 days to go	The entry for this year's race has some really exciting battles, some great cars and some very experienced drivers.  Today we look at the LMP1 class.  The overall winners are likely to come from this class.   In LMP1 there are 3 teams with a good chance of outright victory - Peugeot, Aston Martin and Audi.  Peugeot are back with the 908 and have aparently been practicing pit stops - something that virtually lost them the race last year.  Audi have a new car - the R15.  It looks less ugly than the R10, has a smaller engine, lower bhp and so slower down the straights.  But it is quicker through the corners.  Apparently.  Aston Martin have their new prototype - in full Gulf orange and blue colours.  [NB To avoid any libel claims - it is actually a LOLA Aston Martin.]  All 3 teams have entered 3 cars.  Audi's #1 car has Capello, Kristensen and McNish - a very strong driver team.  Our tip from Peugeot is the #9 car with Brabham, Gene and Wurz.   Our Aston Martin, sorry LOLA Aston Martin tip, is their #007 car, and not just because of the obvious '007' number.  Their drivers are Charouz, Enge and Mucke.  Will Enge and Gene swap places (and teams) without the ACO noticing??  Outside bets could be placed on the Pescarolo team - as for some strange reason Peugeot have given them a 908 to run in this year's race?  Overall there are 20 cars in LMP1 this year. Follow us on Twitter here.  We will be twittering throughout our trip to Le Mans.  On race day itself there will be an hourly update.
7 days to go	To pre-empt any accusations of mis-use of the club's expenses policy, the Porscheshire Le Mans organising committee for 2009 have chosen a new venue for the Sunday evening overnight stay. Last year we stayed at this Chateau : This year we are staying here : Now that the Porscheshire Le Mans 2009 shirt design has been published, you can join in.  You can buy your own Porscheshire shirt, cap or coffee mug by clicking on the link below.  Choose from a number of different shirt types and colours :   Buy your own Porscheshire Le Mans 2009 Merchandise - click here. Follow us on Twitter here.  We will be twittering throughout our trip to Le Mans.  On race day itself there will be an hourly update.
8 days to go	Aston Martin to run 3 LMP1s at le Mans this year :   Click here fore more info and for driver line-ups     Today we also look back at previous Porscheshire Le Mans T-shirts :   Follow us on Twitter here.  We will be twittering throughout our trip to Le Mans.  On race day itself there will be an hourly update.
10 days to go	Our annual pit-walk team photo.  Handsome aren't we?     Follow us on Twitter here.  We will be twittering throughout our trip to Le Mans.  On race day itself there will be an hourly update.
2 weeks to go	Details of the T-shirt design are slowly emerging from the design factory.  So far all we have is this spy shot :     Follow us on Twitter here.  We will be twittering throughout our trip to Le Mans.  On race day itself there will be an hourly update.
3 weeks to go	In a change of direction, from UK Indy to UK Punk, THE STRANGLERS are announced as the band this year for the Saturday night at the Dunlop bridge.     p.s. It's all gone very quiet on the T-shirt and sticker front.  Design and production teams have not been seen for days????  Perhaps there is going to be a punk theme ??
5 weeks to go	Filmstars at le mans again this year.  Patrick Dempsey (not exactly Steve McQueen), star of Grey's Anatomy and lots of other stuff on the TV gets his first chance to drive at Le Mans - in a Ferrari.  One of the 3 LMP2 Porsche Spyders has been withdrawn - but that still leaves the 2 that finished 1st and 2nd in that class last year.  And the drop-out means another 911 makes it in to the GT2 class - which is great news as there are about 45 Ferrari's to compete with!
6 weeks to go	Rumours of the PORSCHESHIRE T-shirt design have been leaked to the press.  A gulf colour scheme appears to be the theme - although production problems are rumoured to be forcing the design team to think again.   The PORSCHESHIRE SOUTHERN DIVISION appear to have 5 cars entered for this year's trip and so PORSCHESHIRE will be taking 10 cars in total.  PORSCHESHIRE Le Mans co-ordinator (#3) says "this is a fantastic turnout.  to celebrate we are having a special lunch en-route to Le Mans at a secret location.  #2 has agreed to buy the drinks so it should be a great start to the trip on the French side of the chunnel."   This photo was taken at the same venue last year.  The quality of the food was excellent - and it is obvious that the chef also likes the taste of his own cooking!
7 weeks to go	PORSCHESHIRE visit Porsche Chester for test drives in 2 997s - a manual 4S in a delightful cream (antique white) with red leather.  ouch. And a PDK carrera 2 in a more sensible silver.  The team were divided.  Some preferred the stable, planted nature of the 4S whereas others were blown away by the PDK - especially when guided by the PORSCHE Silverstone driving instructor to find its 'limits'.  Video on YouTube soon.
8 weeks to go	Designs for the new T-shirts and stickers are progressing - but as usual (even though we have a new design team this year) it looks like they will be ready the day before we leave.  If we get any pictures we will post them as soon as we can.  Bar B Q plans with our Southern Chumley friends appears to be off due to late departure from Cheshire.  Alternative plans being investigated.
9 weeks to go	A 911 wins the GT2 class at the opening round of the le Mans series in Barcelona.  In LMP1 the Audi's are nowhere and the class (and overall race) victory goes to the new Lola/Aston Martin.  Can they win at Le Mans in June 50 years after the last Aston did so???  I know it's not a Porsche but it's in the Gulf colours so almost as good as one.  Nice pictures here.   Seems we might be sharing our le mans field with some American muscle cars - see here.  We had better get down the gym and start eating more spinnach!
10 weeks to go	Last year we had 3 cars.  This year we have 7 official club cars booked for the event and the possibility of an additional 3.  We are also hoping to meet up at our Southern England HQ for our annual awards dinner dance on the way.  #4 is rumoured to be buying a 928 especially for the trip.  The credit crunch, or global warming, has reduced the number of ferry crossings so we have had to go via the tunnel.  So a new route and every chance of getting lost all over again.
02/12/08	9 of the 10 crew members attended a jovial get-together on a cold winter's evening.  Ian (#4) - that's the original #4 who has now been re-instated as #4 and not the other Ian - who was #4 but is now #6 - nor the other Ian who is #11 and has never been #4 - was appointed as 'chief finder of a luncheon venue for the Thursday' and #2 was appointed as 'sticker-man'.  The mystery 10th member of the party has yet to be revealed.  Perhaps it is the Stig?