Classic British Welcome

[FARP]

Some information on the Classic British welcome at the Le Mans 24hr race this year, never heard of it, read on.

Well what exactly is the Classic British Welcome, (classicbw.org) it’s an unmissable event founded in 2001 and staged annually in the small village of Saint-Saturnin just outside Le Mans.

For most of the year the population is around 2300, but during the Le Mans 24hr weekend, it doubles or even triples.

Before the the motorway was opened British Visitors to Le Mans would pass through the village on the way to the circuit, if a car stopped whether it be a Jaguar, Aston Martin, Lotus, or Porsche or Ferrari or just an interesting model, it would always attract a crowd.

The enthusiasm and curiosity of the Saint- Saturnin villagers prompted them to organise the Classic British welcome, giving visitors a reason to stop off in the village.

This event has grown to become a major attraction during the Le Mans week of things to do, the theme this year is “Jaguar at Le Mans”.

The event is held on the Friday before the race, as part of it a cavalcade of 40 cars leave the venue escort by Harley Davidsons at 4pm for a drive round the local villages, before heading into Le Mans for the drivers parade.

[cn7k7]

It’s great chilled event, many cars of all makes. Well worth a visit

[purple haze]

A great event - I never miss it. I stumbled across the very first one when entering St Saturnin on the old N38 and my orange Elise was frantically waved off the road by the organisers and parked up to entice other Brits to also stop. I also had an immediate chance to practice my Franglais (badly) when being interviewed. Some good memories in this village and they have always been so welcoming. Also a chance to clean up your motor if its got dirty on the way down.