Le Mans CLASSICS 2014
Discussion
3Dee said:
Anyone else coming down to the Classics in their Ultima?
Steve_D said:
Yesterday was not a good time to discover my euro medical card was out of date.
Steve
You can borrow mine. You might need to act a little more sprightly. Steve
I can't imagine they really run out. They're free, and unless your situation changes, I dare say they are still valid.
I think driving licences are still valid, even if they need renewing for the photo. I hope so anyway.
3Dee said:
Si, I did PM you but you are ignoring me as usual 
Did your group get a chance to book a circuit drive? Apparently it had to be club-based, but all booked up now... shame!
Sorry mate had some problems with my email .Did your group get a chance to book a circuit drive? Apparently it had to be club-based, but all booked up now... shame!
No not going on track , to dangerous , saw a big crash couple go years ago when on track decided it was not fir me !!
First beer is on Paul B
andygtt said:
Hi All, just seen this thread... see all that are going tomorrow sometime, Im leaving tomorrow morning arrive in calais 1pm ish for a cruise down (at legal speeds) to the chateau.
Safe trip all and whoever gets there first gets the beers in (says knowing he won't be first )
Chanteloup by any chance? If so enjoy, as it's a lovely site.Safe trip all and whoever gets there first gets the beers in (says knowing he won't be first
)Found this topic languishing forgotten on the second page, and I felt it had to have a worthy update....
SO, in support of the ULTIMA cause, I flew the flag to Lemans taking my GTR and stayed in the fantastic Chanteloup castle as per Paul B's suggestion, and what a good suggestion that was!
I was the ONLY Ultima
there, and it drew a heck of a lot of interest from others, especially when you realise that there were some very tasty and beautiful examples of classic cars, kit cars, you name it, all congregating for the weekend at this venue! I was surely in auspicious company! as you will see in the coming pickys...
As for my car, well despite some of my family thinking I was totally mad at 60-something driving down in what they see as a stupidly powerful skate-board, and of course I was bound to break down.... my Avalanche (yes, I know, I know) performed almost faultlessly and got me there and back safely.
OK I lost the front LH clip hinge due to an over-enthusiastic frenchman oblivious to the fact that ramps and a very low front do not mix (lost in translation, as was my swearing at him when he let it happen), but the TEAM made up of PaulB and SteveD galloped to the rescue on our arrival at Chanteloup - Paul magically produced some chemical metal from 'I-don't-know-where', and both he and SteveD helped remove the front clip in short order, with Steve diving in the deep end and chopping out the damaged bits and then with military precision rebonding with the prepared mix from Paul. That repair helped me all weekend and most of the way home, so all power to the lads, and a BIG THANK YOU!
Although I found the seats quite comfortable during the trip, I must admit my 40 year old son Richard did suffer with his back toward the end, with constant squeaks of pain every time we hit the inevitable bumps but then, if you go and trash your back 10 years ago by flipping over the handlebars of your R1 bike entering a roundabout at xxxx mph, what the hell do you expect? (notice my sympathy there?)
The only other issues were minor really... overheating in long queues of traffic in very hot weather (doesn't seem to happen in the UK), ..and the side screen farted all the way from our luncheon back to the port, which was somewhat amusing, as the so-called etch primer had ‘let-go’ and formed a nice musical ‘reed’ to entertain us on the way. I did try to encourage it to play ‘yankee-doodle’, but increasing speed to get the high notes became somewhat unnerving as the fuse to the aircon and wipers suddenly expired as it started to rain when we entered Le Havre.
All in all, a very enjoyable weekend that peaked when we got to see all those wonderful cars, and sample the serene surrounding of the beautiful Chateau! As for Le Mans itself, well, whilst it was great to see some of the historic cars and soak up the atmosphere for a few hrs, I frankly enjoyed the Chateau better with its excellent host, the camaraderie with a great mix of PH colleagues and others who were like-minded, meeting new people and families, the hilarious banter whilst getting well-oiled in the cool evenings, and the huge collection of fantastic cars and their owners.
Yes! That is one |I can tick off my bucket-list, and savour the memories for many a year to come...
...so you guys... who (in their Ultima) is going in 2 years time then???????
My son being a tart waiting for the ferry over....
Sunrise as we entered Le Havre port
Don't you just love it when your so-called-PH-friends, catch you in a compromised position on the way down (you know who you are -NEIL!)
Paul & Steve looking all serious....diving to the rescue
Steve doing press-ups on the open clip, to the great annoyance of PaulB
A working hinge...
The Chateau and Pink/Black party
Notice the massive attendance of Nobs, which put us ULT owners to shame! ...but they made me sooo welcome - thanks Simon et al!
Large entourage of TVRs of all descriptions (including PaulB's, and this one, which is rather special as it is a one-of SagarisRT built as a prototype with lighter body amongst other mods....
And this beauty... totally original I am told, not restored.. so as-is!
Richard bravely waiting for his torture session on the Journey home, however, what IS making him smile is the thought of the impending back massage (and other naughty stuff) from his fiancée when he gets home...
I do have plenty more,including vids of driving down, but by now you should be bored sensless.....so I will end here and say..
DON'T MISS the NEXT ONE in 2 YEARS TIME - WE NEED MORE ULTIMAS AT THIS EVENT (Factory?)
SO, in support of the ULTIMA cause, I flew the flag to Lemans taking my GTR and stayed in the fantastic Chanteloup castle as per Paul B's suggestion, and what a good suggestion that was!
I was the ONLY Ultima
there, and it drew a heck of a lot of interest from others, especially when you realise that there were some very tasty and beautiful examples of classic cars, kit cars, you name it, all congregating for the weekend at this venue! I was surely in auspicious company! as you will see in the coming pickys...As for my car, well despite some of my family thinking I was totally mad at 60-something driving down in what they see as a stupidly powerful skate-board, and of course I was bound to break down.... my Avalanche (yes, I know, I know) performed almost faultlessly and got me there and back safely.
OK I lost the front LH clip hinge due to an over-enthusiastic frenchman oblivious to the fact that ramps and a very low front do not mix (lost in translation, as was my swearing at him when he let it happen), but the TEAM made up of PaulB and SteveD galloped to the rescue on our arrival at Chanteloup - Paul magically produced some chemical metal from 'I-don't-know-where', and both he and SteveD helped remove the front clip in short order, with Steve diving in the deep end and chopping out the damaged bits and then with military precision rebonding with the prepared mix from Paul. That repair helped me all weekend and most of the way home, so all power to the lads, and a BIG THANK YOU!
Although I found the seats quite comfortable during the trip, I must admit my 40 year old son Richard did suffer with his back toward the end, with constant squeaks of pain every time we hit the inevitable bumps but then, if you go and trash your back 10 years ago by flipping over the handlebars of your R1 bike entering a roundabout at xxxx mph, what the hell do you expect? (notice my sympathy there?)
The only other issues were minor really... overheating in long queues of traffic in very hot weather (doesn't seem to happen in the UK), ..and the side screen farted all the way from our luncheon back to the port, which was somewhat amusing, as the so-called etch primer had ‘let-go’ and formed a nice musical ‘reed’ to entertain us on the way. I did try to encourage it to play ‘yankee-doodle’, but increasing speed to get the high notes became somewhat unnerving as the fuse to the aircon and wipers suddenly expired as it started to rain when we entered Le Havre.
All in all, a very enjoyable weekend that peaked when we got to see all those wonderful cars, and sample the serene surrounding of the beautiful Chateau! As for Le Mans itself, well, whilst it was great to see some of the historic cars and soak up the atmosphere for a few hrs, I frankly enjoyed the Chateau better with its excellent host, the camaraderie with a great mix of PH colleagues and others who were like-minded, meeting new people and families, the hilarious banter whilst getting well-oiled in the cool evenings, and the huge collection of fantastic cars and their owners.
Yes! That is one |I can tick off my bucket-list, and savour the memories for many a year to come...
...so you guys... who (in their Ultima) is going in 2 years time then???????
My son being a tart waiting for the ferry over....
Sunrise as we entered Le Havre port
Don't you just love it when your so-called-PH-friends, catch you in a compromised position on the way down (you know who you are -NEIL!)
Paul & Steve looking all serious....diving to the rescue
Steve doing press-ups on the open clip, to the great annoyance of PaulB
A working hinge...
The Chateau and Pink/Black party
Notice the massive attendance of Nobs, which put us ULT owners to shame! ...but they made me sooo welcome - thanks Simon et al!
Large entourage of TVRs of all descriptions (including PaulB's, and this one, which is rather special as it is a one-of SagarisRT built as a prototype with lighter body amongst other mods....
And this beauty... totally original I am told, not restored.. so as-is!
Richard bravely waiting for his torture session on the Journey home, however, what IS making him smile is the thought of the impending back massage (and other naughty stuff) from his fiancée when he gets home...
I do have plenty more,including vids of driving down, but by now you should be bored sensless.....so I will end here and say..
DON'T MISS the NEXT ONE in 2 YEARS TIME - WE NEED MORE ULTIMAS AT THIS EVENT (Factory?)
leem5 said:
Nice write up, if the car is finished and on the road then we will most definitely join in. And good choice in campsite, and very accommodating host too the cars. Did they have a parade this year?
Yep they did... Order of the evening was Pink and Black!...and the funny part about it was, despite many, many wonderful cars from modern to the Bentley you see in the pickies... guess which won!
I am not jesting... an Austin Allegro!!! Yep! I think it had the sympathy vote!
Based on his new-found success, the owner did try to flog it there and then! But I guess sympathy and value are not in the same category! Even the Dominique the Chateau owners son that managed the place, graciously declined the invitation to buy!
So I guess it is back in Old Blighty now...or somewhere broken down and abandoned between Chanteloup and the ports!
Steve_D said:
3Dee said:
.....
I am not jesting... an Austin Allegro!!! Yep! I think it had the sympathy vote!
....
In fairness it was a nice example.I am not jesting... an Austin Allegro!!! Yep! I think it had the sympathy vote!
....
Steve
3Dee said:
OK I lost the front LH clip hinge due to an over-enthusiastic frenchman oblivious to the fact that ramps and a very low front do not mix (lost in translation, as was my swearing at him when he let it happen), but the TEAM made up of PaulB and SteveD galloped to the rescue on our arrival at Chanteloup - Paul magically produced some chemical metal from 'I-don't-know-where', and both he and SteveD helped remove the front clip in short order, with Steve diving in the deep end and chopping out the damaged bits and then with military precision rebonding with the prepared mix from Paul. That repair helped me all weekend and most of the way home, so all power to the lads, and a BIG THANK YOU!
I took my front radiator grill out today to give it a fresh coat of paint to hide all the stone chips and also discovered my front clip had a very slight crack on the hinge. My damage probably occurred from bottoming out along Dadford road south out of Silverstone race track towards Stow School after a day on track, plus some dumb driving crossing Esher High Street in SW London earlier in the year where there is a nasty dip in the road! 
Anyway some chemical metal epoxy stuff did the trick. It wasn't severe damage, but I do know now when I do bottom out and hear a nasty crack where the damage is going to be! Anyway I am going to make up a mini epoxy kit containing metal glue, epoxy + hardner and some fibre glass matting, cardboard to mix it on, disposable gloves and tongue depressor mixing sticks in a sealed container to store in the side pod when I am touring with the car.Ult-Jim
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