In the race itself it was nice to see Peugeot triumph over Audi at last and to see Porsche win in LMP2
for the 2nd year running. The GT1 class was always going to be won by a Corvette but it was disappointing for
the Porsche 997 RSRs not to make the podium in GT2. A brief review of our trip unfolds below, interspersed, in no particular
oder, with some photos.
Wednesday 10th July
The Northern Club members congregate at #2's house before the convoy south. First job - to get those
stickers on the cars. This year we had window stickers only - after last year's paint-work disaster! Should be
easy then. Unfortunately most members had ignored #2's sticker-placement instructions, and did their own thing (much
to his annoyance). Quite a sight - grown men cutting around the edge of a picture of a cat (with round-edged, safe scissors).
As usual, #2 didn't have any petrol. As usual, #4 was late. With #2 sacked as car sticker procurement specialist
and his wife (newly crowned as #14) appointed for next year, we were off.
As usual, #1 led the way. For about 10 miles. A short stop at Newport Pagnall on the M1 allowed
#1 to catch up before we set off (into monsoon conditions - and not for the last time on the trip) to Folkestone.
Last year we enjoyed what can only be described as a 'crap' evening in Poole. Our expectations for
Folkestone were not high. In the end, an enjoyable evening was had in the Folkestone Holiday Inn Express bar.
#4 tried to finish some work on his laptop. For 10 minutes. Oh and England beat someone in a footy match,
easily.
Lesson for the day : Folkestone is slightly better than Poole but not as good as Portsmouth. Next
year we will drive straight on to France and try that instead.
Thursday 11th June
6am start. At 630 am we stopped at the roadside (why?) to put the Porscheshire Le mans 2009 T-shirts
on before joining the queue for the chunnel. Last year, as some of you may remember, #1 managed to drive in to
the back of a Mercedes at this point in the trip. Could that explain why #1 was at the front of our queue?? At
this point we stopped a 911 with the infamous registration 911 HUL. One of many firsts for the trip.
As efficient as ever, the British side of the chunnel was suffering a technology crisis, so after some discussions
and more queuing we were about to set off for the tunnel itself when we bumped (not literally) into our Southern (Chumley)
register. And a welcome sight they were too. But there was no time to lose so we set off and agreed to meet them,
as planned, at our lunch stop at 1pm. Somehow we all knew it wasn't going to be that simple.
Eventually we reach France and set off for our lunch stop venue. Our only plan was to aviod Rouen.
NB This may be a good idea, but a 100 mile detour is not necessarily the only way to 'avoid' Rouen. #3's sat nav eventually
went on strike.
1pm came and went. #1 was again in front (mostly). A few gendarmes had been spotted but no incidents
as yet. We were in danger of losing each other at each toll booth but somehow we all got to the right junction of the
right toll road so we could convoy the last few miles to the restaurant. The 5 miles were uneventful - although only
because 'Goose' reminded 'Maverick' that the French drive on the right - and that he should do the same. We were
only 1 hour late. Oh, and the Chumleys had been stopped at customs and were even later than us, so our lunch booking
had been reduced from 19 people to 10. We sent #4 in to check that the chef was still there, and on speaking terms.
We needn't have worried. We were ushered into the garden where 2 fabulous tables were waiting along
with an aperetif (which #2 needed to calm his nerves following the 'which side of the road?' moment a few minutes earlier).
We proceeded to sit in the sunshine and eat a feast of fabulous french food (the best we were going to see
for days) and drink equally good french wine before leaving for the final leg (the short leg at that) to le mans. Unfortunately
2 things didn't quite go to plan. Firstly #4 somehow got left behind. We all saw him when we stopped for petrol
3 minutes later, but he did not see us (or at least that's our story). That was the last we saw of him until the camp
site. Secondly, #5 was distracted by a text message at the critical moment and the remaining 4 cars spent
30 minutes going in 1 big circle, which would not have been so bad had the road we decided to use as a 'short-cut' not just
been resurfaced. #3 is still getting small stones out of his radiators and #1 has a new groove in his front brake
discs. Some hours later we receive word from #4 and the chumleys that they are at the campsite and our tent-pitches
have been reserved. Some more hours later we arrive at said camp site (having taken yet another 'short-cut').
After the free welcome drink and tents errected the group split into 2. The 'drinks' party set sail
for Arnage and an evening of festivities which resulted in a patent for a gravity-fed watering device that runs on solar energy alone
(see about us for more details). The 'racing' party headed off to the track to see the Peugeot team set the fastest
lap.
Lesson for the day : Get a sat nav that has the latest french roads on it and listen to it.
Friday 12th June
Another sunny start to the day saw the 2 parties reunited for the annual pit-lane walkabout.
Seemed quieter than previous years, was the consensus. The annual pit-lane photo of us taking a photo of us
reflected in a reflective wall was taken before we agreed it was time for the annual drive on the track. Our
walking route took us past the old maison blanche and one of the most popular events of the weekend - burning rubber
alley. If you have never been then this is something you must see. The Beer Mountain boys appeared as usual
on their Choppers but where were the TVRs this year ??
After what can only be described as a leisurely lunch we headed off for the mulsanne straight and the hunaudiares
bar. Again, this is a must. The gendarmes have slowly reduced the fun, but it is still worth seeing.
And we also got a glimpse of another famous number plate - AML1 - on a white aston vantage.
The friday afternoon routine continued with our usual trip to the carre foure where we stocked up on enough
beer to sink an army and a variety of edible substances that usually end up in the bin on saturday morning (which they
did). It was then off to the camp site to prepare for the traditional friday night bar-b-que and fireworks.
4 hours later, with official T-shirts 'donned' and raffle-tickets purchased we line-up for the highlight of the evening -
Bob's speech - another tradition. As usual, not a dry eye on house (although some are still asking why Bob
and his friends won all the raffle prizes, alegedly). Aswell as spotting 911 HUL and AML1, there was a really
rare sight before the evening closed - Golum was seen smiling at one point.
After a convivial sing-song around the campfire to a variety of Metallica 'tunes' we got an early night
to prepare for the big day.
Lesson for the day : the Bose system in a 996 sounds much better from outside the car (with the car doors
open), especially at 2:30am in the middle of a field.
Saturday 13th June : Race Day
With the excitement of race day building, most of the team were up early. Some earlier than others.
Some appeared to have slept in (or rather outside) the wrong tent?
After another hearty breakfast served up by the ever-smiling catering crew, we headed off to watch the support
races at the Porsche Curves. In doing so we spotted a new spectator area on the inside of the bend and after a team
discussion it was decided that that would be our start location for this year's race.
Our hour by hour update during the race can be found on our twitter site here.
Sunday 14th June 4pm
Back at the camp site after another fabulous race we debated our options. Option 1 - stay at the campsite
for the hog-roast. Option 2 - travel to our hotel nr Le Havre. After much discussion and another team decision
we agreed to forego a comfortable night in a hotel and continue to enjoy the hospitatlity of our hosts. Unfortunately,
not enough hog to go around (our fault for not booking). So we had another 'unexpected encounter of the 3rd kind' with
the smiling-chef and a marvelous gammon and chips. Master chef at work. And after the odd beer (well it was very
warm by now) and the odd glass of wine it was time to crank up the Metallica for one last time - although this time there
was some competition from Mick Fleetwood and his amazing collection of 150,000 (yes 150,000) tunes on his itunes.
Lesson for the day : book early to avoid disappointment
Monday 15th June
An early rise meant we were on the road by 7am. Leaving the sunshine behind, we made the annual
nostalgic drive round the circuit before heading north to make our way home. Soon we were in proper monsoon conditions.
#2 (remember he is the one in the 993 without 'driver aids') fell back. Hours later he had not only put his headlights
on ('bugget the expense') but had also given the local police a 70 euro donation to their xmas party. Very generous.
The remainder of the journey to the tunnel was uneventful. #1 had just enough time to stock up on our favourite wine
before we boarded the train for a final team briefing before the final leg of the journey. Unfortunately, an Aston driver
didn't see #6's brake lights when disembarking; but no damage done.
Lesson for the day : Look out for gendarmes dressed in combat unifiorms
Again, a very enjoyable trip. Thanks again to those that did the organising and congrats to our le
mans virgins.
Our next club outing will be at the Silverstone Porsche Centre on 18th July and the Cholomondley Pageant
of Power on the 19th July. If you see us, give us a wave.
