Le Mans

[Storer]

Anybody else going this year?

A good place too meet is the Great British Welcome at St. Saturnin on Friday. Lots of cars to see as well as food and drink.
Back in time for the drivers parade in LM.

Paul

[jmwram]

hi i am also going in the ultima ,and hopefuly going to St Saturinin on the friday. john

[Storer]

Hi John

Have you been to the GBW before?


Paul

[jmwram]

no not to the GBW but went to Le Mans last year for the 1st time and had a great time,saw the drivers parade in the town, and was spoilt with the hospitality that was a present from my sons [free food drink and a private elevated stand ] brilliant. we are glamping this time tho at porsche curves so should be good with 3 other cars[lambo,vantage,and clio v6] and 6 of us in total. john

[Storer]

The traffic getting into the GBW can be considerable. Last year it took us about an hour to get in in 35deg C temps and my fuel temp got to 66deg C at which point she cut out!!!
Needed a push for the last few yards. Somewhat embarrassing.

She was fine when the fuel cooled.

I might go a little earlier this year.

I hope you are not shy as there will be hundreds of people taking photos on the queue to get in. The French are very keen on unusual cars and I love to make others smile.

Hopefully we can meet up as it looks like we are the only Ultima owners going.


Paul

[jmwram]

I am a bit conserned about sitting in traffic also, so will try to get there in plenty of time before the masses get up and about,would like to meet up if there's a chance,what time would be best to set off from the track as i dont know how long it takes to get there ?.john

[Storer]

I have never done the run from the track as we stay in town.

It is about 15 mins or so from the old town to St. Saturnin. The rest is the queue.
I would guess twice as long from the track but it depends on the traffic as always.

We never take a car to the track as the trams are so easy and cheap. Our stop is only 200 yards from the house we are staying in.

What colour is your car in case there are others? There have only been two Ultimas at the GBW in the last two years so the chances are that we will be the only two this year.


Paul

[Storer]

Just checked your profile so I know it is a lovely black car.


See you there.


Paul

[Racingroj]

Hi Guys
Not going this year but considering next year for either the 24hrs or the Classic. Not been before so could do with some pointers. I would like to stay at the circuit but although camping is the cheapest option I don't fancy the vagaries of the weather. The sleep pods are about £800 as well. I notice that some are staying away from the circuit in houses which sounds great but how do you get around at the track and do you book a seat as a base? Also what's the best route?
Thanks
Roj

[Storer]

Hi Roj

I book my entrance ticket, grandstand seat, tunnel crossing and house (5 nights B&B) in town through Grandstand Motorsport at a total cost of about £1100. I like my comfort too much to sleep in a tent or portacabin and it is much quieter in town!
To get to and from the track we use the tram (about 13 euros for the stay) - never take the car to the circuit now. No issues with drinking.
Meal in the evening in town for about 35 to 40 euros including beer/wine.
We go Wednesday and come back a week later, so make a bit of a holiday out of it. I don't see the point in just going for 2 days.
The 24 Hours does have more going on around it than the Classic. The Great British Welcome at St Saturnin on the Friday and drivers parade that evening in the town. Plus other events around the circuit.
Getting around inside the circuit is the only downside to going in the Ultima as you end up on foot.
Driving in France is great but speeding on the normal routes from the ports is not advisable as the Gendarmes know where to hide. You can choose the autoroutes for a quick journey or the A roads for more caricature but slower. We tend to save the blasts until the return journey as we leave well after most.

Hope that helps.

Paul

[Racingroj]

Paul
Man after my own heart on the comfort stakes. A lot of great information there as well. I will revisit this again early next year.
Thanks
Roj

[Storer]

Get in touch nearer the time and we can chat things through.


Paul

[Graham-P]

I might be on for the Classic next year, it would mean going down at a snails pace though
I guess booking for either LM or the Classic is a bit like the IOM TT, a year in advance.

[Storer]

Hi Graham.

I am sure you only have a chainsaw engine in the back of your Can-Am. Never seems to get over 70mph...

Booking for Le Mans really needs to be done before Christmas. I don't know if it is the same for the Classic as I haven't been yet. Like most 'events' it is a case of book early to get the choices you want rather than have to compromise.

Will the car be finished before the nice weather disappears?


Paul

[Graham-P]

LS3 chainsaw
Prefer the Classic to the main race I think, do a recci when you're down there to book somewhere for an old gits outing.
Car should be ready by the time the weather turns, ah well never mind.....

[Storer]

Hi John

I missed you at St Saturnin. I saw your car but nobody about.

Mine was not there as I have had a gear linkage failure (busted roll pin I hope) this morning as we were about to leave. Had to go in son's F Type instead.
Did some tool shopping on the way back and hope to fix it tomorrow morning.

Bugger!

We left just before the rain. Did you get wet?



Paul

[jmwram]

hi Paul ,yes did get a bit wet shame as it was a brilliant turn out,was asked to go on the parade in to Le Mans in convoy flanked with Harleys so could not resist that, was super driving thru little towns with people waving union jacks at us and cheering and clapping epic ,we got there at about 8;30 so missed most of the traffic ,hope you managed to fix your ultima ok ,my headlights were leaking thru the rear seals so was a bit misted up apart from that the car was great .The car was the centre of attension every where we went or parked up was fed up of telling people what it was, got mobbed a few times with crowds around it also was asked for a picture session for travel destinations advertising on there web site 'to much attension for me tho dont mind poeple taking pictures when i am not in it,friends were saying i was getting papped all the time.

[Storer]

Gear shift was 'fixed' with a split pin but as it was a little slack in the hole I was not able to get reverse and fifth. It was one or the other!!

By the time I set off for the return to UK I was down to 3rd, 4th and 5th only. Still managed to get home 450 miles though.

I have got used to the reaction to the car now, having been to Le Mans 3 times in her. I make sure I have sun glasses on and return the waves/thumbs up.
It is interesting the difference that 30 miles of water makes regarding the reaction to the car. The French are much more enthusiastic than Brits.

Glad you enjoyed your trip.


Paul

[Steve_D]

Storer said:

.....I have got used to the reaction to the car now, having been to Le Mans 3 times in her. I make sure I have sun glasses on and return the waves/thumbs up.
It is interesting the difference that 30 miles of water makes regarding the reaction to the car. The French are much more enthusiastic than Brits.........
Paul

Its most likely to do with them not being allowed to build kitcars nor, I believe, modify existing cars to any extent.

Pulled up to traffic lights at some road works over there and was spotted by one of the construction guys. By the time the lights turned green all the machines had stopped and all of the workforce were lining the route through. You better not be shy when driving an Ultima.

Steve