24 Hours of Le Mans

[Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer]

It's the mother and father of all endurance races and it's nearly upon us again. If the Audi R15s are reliable I rather fancy they will whoop everybody's wrasse.

In the meantime enjoy the 24 Hours of LeMons.

[Mark J]

anyone else here going this year?

I am, cannot flipping wait, already excited like a schoolboy 

You driving there in group C this year Andy? Will saunter over with a cool beer and give you some tips 

[Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer]

ProDrive have brought their Gulf-liveried DBR9 GT1 from Le Mans here today; it's in the foyer of the Ford Technical Research Centre. I only happened to spot it this morning when I went over there to have my access card unexpired. Very nice it looks too.

[spanner]

Really looking forward to this as ever. There is always some story in the field somewhere to focus on, will it be audi or pugeot, again? Last hurrarh for the GT1's (big shame) and Fezza vs Porka again in GT2. Must be the biggest prototype field ever? over 30 of them.

Oh, looks i wont be in the GTL test race then on thursday then. I guess i'm the only one that doesnt like the gulf livery on the Astons? Clearly not the same colours as the olden days and too pale.

[Mark J]

First practise starts tomorrow at 5pm on Eurosport UK 

Qually is on thursday evening about 7.30pm i think 

My 911 chariot is ready to roll. Not sleeping very well this week so far...wonder why?!   

[spanner]

Shouldn't you be there already, MJ?

yep, practise is 5pm till 11pm but eurosport only showing up til 9pm it seems.

Thursday qually times, 6pm - 8pm and 9pm - 11pm (Err UK times)

[Mark J]

leaving very early friday Spanner. With my current dire work situation for this year i couldnt afford to take more days off than necessary.

I've got a reserved pitch so all should be dandy  Its gonna be a great adventure ! Am really looking forward to heading down in the convoys of like minded petrol heads in every sports car known to man  ...dodging greedy Gendarmes looking to finance their summer holidays

Will be waving the flag for Aston Martin as well as Porsche    it will be mega if an Aston can grab a good qually spot to mix it with the coal burners up front, but i think there are 4 or 5 audis and 4 peugeouts entered !! Anyone would think they are both determined to win it 

10 F430's v 4 997RSRs in GT2...tough odds 

[Alex vV]

leaving very early friday Spanner. With my current dire work situation for this year i couldnt afford to take more days off than necessary.

I've got a reserved pitch so all should be dandy  Its gonna be a great adventure ! Am really looking forward to heading down in the convoys of like minded petrol heads in every sports car known to man  ...dodging greedy Gendarmes looking to finance their summer holidays

Will be waving the flag for Aston Martin as well as Porsche    it will be mega if an Aston can grab a good qually spot to mix it with the coal burners up front, but i think there are 4 or 5 audis and 4 peugeouts entered !! Anyone would think they are both determined to win it 

10 F430's v 4 997RSRs in GT2...tough odds 

Have fun MJ!

Le Mans is still on my top 10 list of things-to-do (so I'm a bit jealous)

Say hello to the two dutch guys who drive for Aston this year 
... and who knows? the last time they stuck a dutch guy in a british racing monster it turned out well 

[spanner]

Oh OK, not one of those that drinks their way through the whole week then? race? what race! lol

Grr.., I envy you MJ. Have fun

Hmm.. thought more porka's were in due to people dropping out. Lets hope they dont take each other off then like last year :'(

[ginsters sponsored]

Try and enjoy your trip MJ I've been booking up my Spa trip today so I'll only be jealous for a wee while. Some photos would be nice.

[Mark J]

thanks all, i am very excited !  Its on my 'lifes things to do list' and one i am very eager to fullfill   

I hope to take many good pictures though i am a total amatuer when it comes to photography. Got the kit just not the know how!

What spa trip are you doing Ginsters? The 24hr one ?

[ginsters sponsored]

What spa trip are you doing Ginsters? The 24hr one ?

Yep this one http://www.total24hours.com/24h/index.html#/en/counter/

I've been rather put off Lemans by reports, probably exaggerated, of rather thuggish (spinning cars into tents etc. (probably 911 owners ) behaviour of some punters and I'm all for the quieter life at the Spa event. Also a damn site cheaper. I'd appreciate you putting me straight as Lemans is something we should all probably do 

[Mark J]

Yeah Spa is also on my to-do list, both driving on it and going to see the GT's and/or F1 racing there. Awesome place. 

I've heard some negative comments about Le Mans but i guess with 250,000 people descending onto a race track there will always be a handful of numpties trying to ruin it for others. Worst i heard was of scroats who line certain roads and kick cars if they dont perform burn outs etc or spraying urine filled water pistols into open top ferraris etc. They must be just real low life local chavs who are not petrol head motorsport fans at all, just envious d*ck heads. Hope the special militia gendarmes give them a good kicking 

Pretty sure we will have a top old time soaking the place up 

[Mark J]

Great program showing all this week on Motors TV called 'Le Mans - a century of passion'. Its got great footage in it from over the years 

[spanner]

Wish Eurosport didnt fix the transmission to 4:3. Cant even force it to stretch to 16:9

Looked like a big off that delayed the start of qually tonight.