U -turn on 'Anti LeMans'idea,who's man enough?
Discussion
Watcha men.Fairly uneventfull LeMans this year,nice to chill out but have changed my mind about abstaining next year and decided to take the bull by the horns and attend in the Ultima in '07.I would like to take a support vehicle and trailer and thought that if several of us where to travel in convoy at least we would have some spares with us for an emergency and, God forbid we may need to use it, an alternative AA/RAC type recovery method (I think it highly unlikely that 2 vehicles will end up needing to be tailered back).I realise it is early days yet but 'best laid plans' and all that.Come on guys,lets make our presence well and truly felt,it will be awesome.I am thinking of going Wednesday to Wednesday and camping at a site about 10K's North of LeMans, obviously, all tents ect. to go in support vehicle.A line has been drawn,who is man enough?
So what happened to all you Ultimas at Le Mans? I saw only 2, mine and shithotfast. I heard rumours of a third but didnt see it. As usual an excellent time was had, the car caused the normal riots and clamouring for details and of course we got very hot in the sunny weather. I didnt even see the factory cars at Maison Blanche maybe because the funfair has moved there. lets hope Wayne's offer of a trailer will give you all some confidence to make the trip. After all the car was inspired by Le Man's sports racers so a decent showing of Ultimas is a must.
GTWayne said:
Watcha men.Fairly uneventfull LeMans this year,nice to chill out but have changed my mind about abstaining next year and decided to take the bull by the horns and attend in the Ultima in '07.I would like to take a support vehicle and trailer and thought that if several of us where to travel in convoy at least we would have some spares with us for an emergency and, God forbid we may need to use it, an alternative AA/RAC type recovery method (I think it highly unlikely that 2 vehicles will end up needing to be tailered back).I realise it is early days yet but 'best laid plans' and all that.Come on guys,lets make our presence well and truly felt,it will be awesome.I am thinking of going Wednesday to Wednesday and camping at a site about 10K's North of LeMans, obviously, all tents ect. to go in support vehicle.A line has been drawn,who is man enough?
its only about 80 miles each way from the Caen Ferry, are Ultimas that bad that they need AA cover and a support trailer??
Bennno
Benno;A few points to consider,1/Our Ultimas are our pride and joy and are often the end result of alot more determination,grit,single mindedness and soul searching than simply walking into a showroom and pointing out the car you wish to purchase.2/For the reasons mentioned many owners would be to worried to let the AA/RAC or whoever recover their vehicle.I do not wish to cast asspertions as to any of the afformentioned organisations ability to carry out a successful continental recovery but you know what it is like,one recounted horror story is all it takes to unsettle forever.3/The general idea is to assemble a large contingent and travel on to LeMans and if the concept of laid on recovery puts anyone at ease and encourages them to join us as a result,then game on,lets do this thing.4/At this early stage,it is not yet known where we are likely to dock and so the possibility of a 400ml+ trip once there and whatever distance may be covered to port and back in Blighty depending on where each individual owner originates from is not yet clear.5/What are you doing on this forum anyway?(only kiding).It may seem a little anal (no pun intended) to some like yourself that we would want to take/need such precautions for what is indeed a relativly short journey to LeMans but it's all about covering your options and as I have already said in a roundabout way,if it makes people feel more relaxed about the trip,then it's all good.Chances are the trailer will leave empty and come back empty,but hey,lets be carefull out there.5/Ultimas are by no means 'bad' unless you mean in a cool/hard way and in my understanding alot less problematic than most other equally capable super cars.
Edited by GTWayne on Wednesday 21st June 15:59
Edited by GTWayne on Wednesday 21st June 16:04
Did the trip all ok from Newhaven to Dieppe (round trip of 650 miles!) didnt need to use my extensive support kit (a spark plug and a roll of duck tape) at all.. Great drive as the roads are the opposite to ours (IE empty, fast, and no holes)
Good to meet Nick in his red sport..... did see another Ultima....red CAN-AM, very smart, personal no plate. Parked in BLUE car park.
LeMans is getting VERY busy though. Even more than last year. Didnt see the factory at all? not sure if they were there, but not in the usual place anyway.
Up for next year, but what about the "Lemans Classic?".....
Also, met the bloke who runs the "Drivers Parage" each year in LeMans on the Friday night... he said he wants a couple of Ultimas next year in the parade.. will let you know if he was just saying it or was a real invitation.
Good to meet Nick in his red sport..... did see another Ultima....red CAN-AM, very smart, personal no plate. Parked in BLUE car park.
LeMans is getting VERY busy though. Even more than last year. Didnt see the factory at all? not sure if they were there, but not in the usual place anyway.
Up for next year, but what about the "Lemans Classic?".....
Also, met the bloke who runs the "Drivers Parage" each year in LeMans on the Friday night... he said he wants a couple of Ultimas next year in the parade.. will let you know if he was just saying it or was a real invitation.
So who was in the Red GTR with Union Flags and drivers names? I was sitting at a pub just over the level crossing in the way to the supermarche!! (see can even speak French now). I got up and waved like a mad thing, but the driver, as I would have done, just ignored and drove on!!
They have to be the coolest looking cars at Le Mans.
Yep, I'm up for next year - do you want me to fix a trailer to my Ultima!!
They have to be the coolest looking cars at Le Mans.
Yep, I'm up for next year - do you want me to fix a trailer to my Ultima!!
luckyp said:
So who was in the Red GTR with Union Flags and drivers names? I was sitting at a pub just over the level crossing in the way to the supermarche!! (see can even speak French now). I got up and waved like a mad thing, but the driver, as I would have done, just ignored and drove on!!
They have to be the coolest looking cars at Le Mans.
Yep, I'm up for next year - do you want me to fix a trailer to my Ultima!!
They have to be the coolest looking cars at Le Mans.
Yep, I'm up for next year - do you want me to fix a trailer to my Ultima!!
If it was this one, then it was mine,
sorry I didn’t see you or I would have stopped
I missed out this year so count me in, I don't think the Ultima will be ready in time (not at this rate anyhow 
), but I have 7 I could come in or if there is passenger seat going spare any where 
I have a fully covered box trailer we use for our dray, that should take a Ultima quite nicely.
), but I have 7 I could come in or if there is passenger seat going spare any where I have a fully covered box trailer we use for our dray, that should take a Ultima quite nicely.
Also took an Ultima GTR (white with twin blue Viper stripes in Camping Blue. So maybe there were 4) and had a few problems with overheating in the glorious scorching temps of France last weekend. Threw all the belts off, Air con and Main water pump / Alternator belt. Had no Support other than friends and RAC and had all the spares in the Ultima anyway. There were loads of offers of help as I broke down 2 miles from the camp site. To the point of (4 hrs later) trying to ring for recovery not because I didn't have the spares but because I could not get under the car to fit them (the spanner was too long). Until some kind guy suggested snapping the spanner (why did I not think of that 4 hours previously!!!!)
Anyway the point is that there is so much help, if you have to be recovered you will be there with your car. If there is a support vehicle and trailer then even better, but do not miss the chance to go to Le Mans in an Ultima. The drive down is a rush (even at sensible sppeeds) the attention is fantastic (as long as you can cope with people all over your car all weekend) Joke in the campsite was "What Ultima, can't see one can you?". This was my 6th year. Drove back to UK with an Exige, just in case. I am sure that if there had been issues on the way home that my friend in the Exige would have done all that he could to help.
Go for it, The only risk in life is not taking any. It is a fantastic experience.
Scuff
Anyway the point is that there is so much help, if you have to be recovered you will be there with your car. If there is a support vehicle and trailer then even better, but do not miss the chance to go to Le Mans in an Ultima. The drive down is a rush (even at sensible sppeeds) the attention is fantastic (as long as you can cope with people all over your car all weekend) Joke in the campsite was "What Ultima, can't see one can you?". This was my 6th year. Drove back to UK with an Exige, just in case. I am sure that if there had been issues on the way home that my friend in the Exige would have done all that he could to help.
Go for it, The only risk in life is not taking any. It is a fantastic experience.
Scuff
Thought I'd add a pic of the car in repair in Le Mans
there are some additional pictures
www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=20&t=281178&p=1
there are some additional pictures
www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=20&t=281178&p=1
Edited by Scuff on Friday 23 June 11:26
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