My laps at Le Mans Classic...
Discussion
As some of you know I had purchased a pass so I could take part in the track laps (aka the "parade" laps) at the Le Mans Classic a couple of weeks ago.
Well, it was the hottest weekend I've ever experienced in a TVR. On the way there the car was running a bit warmer than normal when cruising at 85 on the motorways, but nothing serious.
However each time we went out for a meal from the campsite or to watch from other parts of the circuit, it was running hotter & hotter. Sadly on the Friday night we had to keep stopping for it to cool while limping back to the campsite because it was getting dangerously hot.
One of the guys from the Tees Valley TVRCC who booked his camping with me had his Jag D type with him that he'd been racing at Spa the weekend before. He had been asking me for a lap pass for ages but they'd sold out months ago. Rather than take any risks on the track the next morning, I said he could have my pass provided he let me be his passenger...
Early the next morning I filled the S with coolant/water and ran it until the fans kicked in and kept things at the normal temp. It seemed perfectly ok but rather than take any risks by giving it's it first run on the track I went over to Mr D Type and said "we're on"...
What an experience!! Amazing doing 150mph down the Mulsanne straight without any windscreen in a car with a guy that clearly knew how to drive it. A Tee shirt over my face meant I was still able to breathe. Just. Awesome, simply awesome. We started near the back and very quickly ended up in a load of traffic, so we let them pass then caught them again...
And fortunately the S ran perfectly all of the way home, the only thing overheating was the people in it
Well, it was the hottest weekend I've ever experienced in a TVR. On the way there the car was running a bit warmer than normal when cruising at 85 on the motorways, but nothing serious.
However each time we went out for a meal from the campsite or to watch from other parts of the circuit, it was running hotter & hotter. Sadly on the Friday night we had to keep stopping for it to cool while limping back to the campsite because it was getting dangerously hot.
One of the guys from the Tees Valley TVRCC who booked his camping with me had his Jag D type with him that he'd been racing at Spa the weekend before. He had been asking me for a lap pass for ages but they'd sold out months ago. Rather than take any risks on the track the next morning, I said he could have my pass provided he let me be his passenger...
Early the next morning I filled the S with coolant/water and ran it until the fans kicked in and kept things at the normal temp. It seemed perfectly ok but rather than take any risks by giving it's it first run on the track I went over to Mr D Type and said "we're on"...
What an experience!! Amazing doing 150mph down the Mulsanne straight without any windscreen in a car with a guy that clearly knew how to drive it. A Tee shirt over my face meant I was still able to breathe. Just. Awesome, simply awesome. We started near the back and very quickly ended up in a load of traffic, so we let them pass then caught them again...
And fortunately the S ran perfectly all of the way home, the only thing overheating was the people in it
It's a shame you didn't get to use your own car since you set up so many people like myself to go around but what a car to go around in. Track day tyres I notice. I missed the time slot but went 'round in another group and managed to get to 145mph (Held up) in the Chevy Cerb up the Mulsanne but it was the traffic which was difficult.
As in everyones' videos they race up to the pace car pack at high speed and then (like me too) slow right up to get another run. This did result in having to be very aware of the mirrors when cars were doing 50 or 120 mph and could overtake anywhere.
I'm still so glad I did it as to do the full and legendary LeMans circuit is a wonderful memory.
Cheers Longers and many thanks for your help.
As in everyones' videos they race up to the pace car pack at high speed and then (like me too) slow right up to get another run. This did result in having to be very aware of the mirrors when cars were doing 50 or 120 mph and could overtake anywhere.
I'm still so glad I did it as to do the full and legendary LeMans circuit is a wonderful memory.
Cheers Longers and many thanks for your help.
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