We're back, but the Jagwar is still in France!
Discussion
Dont know if anyone saw us on the thursday on the way down, we were in the maroon XJR with Jag livery.
Well, this years trip was one to remember.
We started by meeting with some mates at 4.30am for the drive to folkestone and then on to Le Mans.
The 'check engine' light came on at Bracknell (!) but we made it safely on the train.
Some time into the french leg we decided to pull over for a short break, only to find the Jag wouldnt start. after emptying the entire boot, and after nearly an hour, one of the guys managed to start us - seemed like a loose fuel pump connection. Off we went again.
Arrived at the circuit late PM. Kept starting the car over the next few days, used it a couple of times, no problems.
Left camp on sunday night to stay in a hotel 1 hour from the circuit. Get in the car the next morning, jag doesnt start again. This time we're on our own. Try the same as before but no luck. The result:
Mechanic spoke no english, we spoke very little french. We understood we were on our way to a Jag garage and were preparing for the bill, however we ended up at HIS garage, 15km's from Alencon
Then in brief: waited hours for a decision from the recovery company, faced with 3 more days in france, sat in french mechanics garden & kitchen driking coffee, got a taxi to find a hire car (which ironically ended up being 100 yards from the hotel we started at!), drove to Le Havre, returned the hire car, ran 2 miles to catch the last ferry with 15 mins spare, delayed 1 hour into pompey due to 3 illegal immigrants jumping off a boat and nearly started a riot when they wouldnt let foot passengers off the boat.
And the best bit - the Jag is still in france (we're not) and we have to go back next week to get it!!
Oh, and the race was good too!
What a trip i say! The guys we went down with (in a marlin and a Z4) were a massive hoot all weekend, and we're all planning next years trip, though maybe not in a Jaaag!
Well, this years trip was one to remember.
We started by meeting with some mates at 4.30am for the drive to folkestone and then on to Le Mans.
The 'check engine' light came on at Bracknell (!) but we made it safely on the train.
Some time into the french leg we decided to pull over for a short break, only to find the Jag wouldnt start. after emptying the entire boot, and after nearly an hour, one of the guys managed to start us - seemed like a loose fuel pump connection. Off we went again.
Arrived at the circuit late PM. Kept starting the car over the next few days, used it a couple of times, no problems.
Left camp on sunday night to stay in a hotel 1 hour from the circuit. Get in the car the next morning, jag doesnt start again. This time we're on our own. Try the same as before but no luck. The result:
Mechanic spoke no english, we spoke very little french. We understood we were on our way to a Jag garage and were preparing for the bill, however we ended up at HIS garage, 15km's from Alencon
Then in brief: waited hours for a decision from the recovery company, faced with 3 more days in france, sat in french mechanics garden & kitchen driking coffee, got a taxi to find a hire car (which ironically ended up being 100 yards from the hotel we started at!), drove to Le Havre, returned the hire car, ran 2 miles to catch the last ferry with 15 mins spare, delayed 1 hour into pompey due to 3 illegal immigrants jumping off a boat and nearly started a riot when they wouldnt let foot passengers off the boat.
And the best bit - the Jag is still in france (we're not) and we have to go back next week to get it!!
Oh, and the race was good too!
What a trip i say! The guys we went down with (in a marlin and a Z4) were a massive hoot all weekend, and we're all planning next years trip, though maybe not in a Jaaag!
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