What is your "Le Mans Magical Memory"?
Discussion
Do you have a memory of Le Mans that you will never forget? That is impossible to describe accurately to those who weren't there at the time?
For example:
In 2001 it began raining just after the start of the race, and it continued to pour for just about the entire weekend. It wasn't particularly warm that year either.
Saturday evening I met up with a couple of friends for dinner and a few (?) beers. After dinner, we headed out to the Mulsanne straight to watch the cars shoot by at 200+ mph in the rain. This area is normally somewhat restricted, but we bluffed our way past the local law enforcement to get a closer look. Not content with this, Mike, Andy and I started trekking through the woods parallel to the straight, trying to get even closer. This area is REALLY restricted, so we treated it like a commando mission, crouching low and dashing from bush to bush.
We came to a clearing, and found a house under construction. Someone had considerately enough left a ladder there for us, allowing us to enter the 2nd floor. And there, in a magical moment, we sat for about a half hour at 2 in the morning, protected from the rain in the upper floor of a partially completed house, watching cars fly by us about 20 feet away. We had front-row balcony seats, with an amazing view.
The magical moment came to an end when the patrolling police on the other side apparently spotted us, and we couldn’t duck from the spotlight quickly enough.
We weren’t positive if they had actually seen us or not, but decided that since we were reasonably certain that we weren’t supposed to be where we were, or doing what we were doing, it would be best to leave. So back out into the rain we went. We went back into commando mode, sneaking from tree to tree. Unfortunately, one of those trees happened to be a somewhat irate landowner carrying a flashlight, who was not too happy to find the three of us sneaking around on his land. I lamely explained that we had gotten lost on the way to our car as we quickly made our escape and picked up speed. More flashlights in the distance indicated that we had in fact been spotted by the police, and it seemed wise to move on. So back to the campsite we went...
What is your most memorable adventure?
For example:
In 2001 it began raining just after the start of the race, and it continued to pour for just about the entire weekend. It wasn't particularly warm that year either.
Saturday evening I met up with a couple of friends for dinner and a few (?) beers. After dinner, we headed out to the Mulsanne straight to watch the cars shoot by at 200+ mph in the rain. This area is normally somewhat restricted, but we bluffed our way past the local law enforcement to get a closer look. Not content with this, Mike, Andy and I started trekking through the woods parallel to the straight, trying to get even closer. This area is REALLY restricted, so we treated it like a commando mission, crouching low and dashing from bush to bush.
We came to a clearing, and found a house under construction. Someone had considerately enough left a ladder there for us, allowing us to enter the 2nd floor. And there, in a magical moment, we sat for about a half hour at 2 in the morning, protected from the rain in the upper floor of a partially completed house, watching cars fly by us about 20 feet away. We had front-row balcony seats, with an amazing view.
The magical moment came to an end when the patrolling police on the other side apparently spotted us, and we couldn’t duck from the spotlight quickly enough.
We weren’t positive if they had actually seen us or not, but decided that since we were reasonably certain that we weren’t supposed to be where we were, or doing what we were doing, it would be best to leave. So back out into the rain we went. We went back into commando mode, sneaking from tree to tree. Unfortunately, one of those trees happened to be a somewhat irate landowner carrying a flashlight, who was not too happy to find the three of us sneaking around on his land. I lamely explained that we had gotten lost on the way to our car as we quickly made our escape and picked up speed. More flashlights in the distance indicated that we had in fact been spotted by the police, and it seemed wise to move on. So back to the campsite we went...
What is your most memorable adventure?
Watching Ben and Mel super soak a man in his car. The chapreversed back fast... jumped out, ran at Mel and Ben then ripped up the tent next to them into tiny pieces (which wasn't even there's!).
He then ran around in a mad fit picking up chairs and throwing them around....
Only at Lemans, couldn't believe my eyes!
He then ran around in a mad fit picking up chairs and throwing them around....
Only at Lemans, couldn't believe my eyes!
Sitting outside a bar in Arnage when three bikers were ejected by an irate 'Rene' character.
In response they mounted their bikes, backed up to the open double doors and burned out, spraying the inside of the bar with smoke and rubber.
Not funny for those poor people inside but hilarious for us watching.
In response they mounted their bikes, backed up to the open double doors and burned out, spraying the inside of the bar with smoke and rubber.
Not funny for those poor people inside but hilarious for us watching.
2003 - Sunday evening in the campsite. my son, me and two other guys stood round drinking (As you do). Brand spanking new Bentley drives into campsite spraying dust everywhere, two guys hanging out of windows with beers in their hands singing "Bentley boys, Bentley boys......" - rich tossers we thought.
As the car made another pass I jumped out to 'ave a word like. Car stops, turns out to be Perry Mcarthy driving, David Brabham and Johnny herbert hanging out of the windows and wall to wall totty inside. ! We stood around chatting to them and drinking for about half an hour then off they went with a big power slide, still singing.....
This was my son's first Le Mans he will expect a visit from one of the top three teams every year now!
Cheers Lads!!!
As the car made another pass I jumped out to 'ave a word like. Car stops, turns out to be Perry Mcarthy driving, David Brabham and Johnny herbert hanging out of the windows and wall to wall totty inside. ! We stood around chatting to them and drinking for about half an hour then off they went with a big power slide, still singing.....
This was my son's first Le Mans he will expect a visit from one of the top three teams every year now!
Cheers Lads!!!
which we had seen around in Birmingham on the odd occasion. invited them back to our tent, to our surpirise they came along 
had a great laugh, then pissed as a fart took one of them in the Ferrari for a little spin round the track
oh...and when driving round the track on friday saw a Radical at Arnage/Inndinapolis with helmeted driver and passenger. What a drive down that must have been!
Also in the same area had a bike wheeling in front and behind us along the stretch between Arnage and Indy!
If any of you are here :wave:
Also in the same area had a bike wheeling in front and behind us along the stretch between Arnage and Indy!
If any of you are here :wave:
mungo said:
First Le Mans ever... driving through a French village in the TVR and two French girlies waving at me and my bro as we rumbled past then giggling like they had just seen a pop star or something
That would have been the fact that your brother looks like Tom Cruise, and you Mungo look like Phil Collins....
Most memorable .. the rain in 2001. worst LM I have ever been to for weather.
Most memorable sight ... cannot say on a public forum
Most memorable sound ... 3xMacca F1 accelerating up the start/finish straight at 04:00 as dawn is breaking, closely followed by the roar of the caddillac and the panoz
actually the most memorable sound also has to be when you hear the awsome sound for the first time each year. puts a lump in the throat.. no words can describe the noise as one by one they filter onto the track to warm up and perform their timmed runs. absolutly awsome
>> Edited by jvaughan on Wednesday 8th October 09:48
Most memorable sight ... cannot say on a public forum
Most memorable sound ... 3xMacca F1 accelerating up the start/finish straight at 04:00 as dawn is breaking, closely followed by the roar of the caddillac and the panoz
actually the most memorable sound also has to be when you hear the awsome sound for the first time each year. puts a lump in the throat.. no words can describe the noise as one by one they filter onto the track to warm up and perform their timmed runs. absolutly awsome
>> Edited by jvaughan on Wednesday 8th October 09:48
It's that feeling of when you have just arrived and pitched camp on a sunny afternoon. The cold beers have just started flowing and the cars go out for qualifying / practice. The warm smile of nostalgia sweeps across your face and you can see it in your oppos faces as well. Like you've never been away.
In 2001 it began raining just after the start of the race, and it continued to pour for just about the entire weekend. It wasn't particularly warm that year either.
What a year !! as the weather forced us into it, a gang of us including Bennno and flasher had to seek refuge in a large gazebo labelled as a restaurant. As the rain came down the beer went down, as well as a lunch (just to keep the owners happy).
Then it got silly.... laughing at the bloke who fell off his high powered 50 cc moped.
And then ripping him to shreds as he spent the next 5 minutes trying to kick start it before picking the bike up a pushing it away to howls of laughter from 6 drunken brits. Then hysterics as a gust of wind lifted half the roof of the place turned it upside down and then dumped it back down into the middle of the place.
Too Much beer but SO much fun .....eh Flasher
>> Edited by obi on Wednesday 8th October 13:03
er, a couple!!!
first le mans ('02) was just simply being there!!! it was awe-inspiring!!!
plus "the corner" we found on the way home, Ian was leading in his Audi A4TDi he went round this corner on a back road and there was a bump on the apex which kicked the backend out... at least point i grabbed onto anything i could as i knew it would be interested in an MGB... indeed it was!!!
we got very sideways at 90...
my second le mans is more memorable (as it was only a few months ago) and as i took the Cav...
starting on the way down:
1. being overtaken by a Peugeot Boxer HDi van!!!
2. overtaking my bro who moved out to overtake a Porsche but didn't see me (no passenger) so i took to the verge to take them both!!!
3. watching a 36tonne truck overtake another 36tonne truck down the equivalent of an A-road
4. some old dude in Arnage shouting "its a fooking reps special" at the mk 1 Cav... and the cheers as i did a burn out in front of them
5. doing my first "laps" of Circuit de la Sarthe...
6. seeing the Bentley spank it in front of me during Thursday qualifying...
7. the "crazy, sexy" dutchman having a "smoke and a pancake" in the campsite...
8. overtaking a TVR doing 100mph
9. a Gendarme giving me the thumbs up as i was "cruising" with Bentley flags hanging out of the car at around 4:30pm Sunday...
i could go on, but one memory i will never forget is my cylinder head self-destructing on the way back to the ferry!!!
can't wait 'til LM04
first le mans ('02) was just simply being there!!! it was awe-inspiring!!!
plus "the corner" we found on the way home, Ian was leading in his Audi A4TDi he went round this corner on a back road and there was a bump on the apex which kicked the backend out... at least point i grabbed onto anything i could as i knew it would be interested in an MGB... indeed it was!!!
we got very sideways at 90... my second le mans is more memorable (as it was only a few months ago) and as i took the Cav...
starting on the way down:
1. being overtaken by a Peugeot Boxer HDi van!!!
2. overtaking my bro who moved out to overtake a Porsche but didn't see me (no passenger) so i took to the verge to take them both!!!
3. watching a 36tonne truck overtake another 36tonne truck down the equivalent of an A-road
4. some old dude in Arnage shouting "its a fooking reps special" at the mk 1 Cav... and the cheers as i did a burn out in front of them
5. doing my first "laps" of Circuit de la Sarthe...
6. seeing the Bentley spank it in front of me during Thursday qualifying...
7. the "crazy, sexy" dutchman having a "smoke and a pancake" in the campsite...
8. overtaking a TVR doing 100mph
9. a Gendarme giving me the thumbs up as i was "cruising" with Bentley flags hanging out of the car at around 4:30pm Sunday...
i could go on, but one memory i will never forget is my cylinder head self-destructing on the way back to the ferry!!!
can't wait 'til LM04
Watching the Lady who ran the shower block (Houx Annex) on Sunday morning, when the toliets were minging lick her finger every time she passed some toliet paper to an Englishman in the que..
In fact ...........wait a minute wasn't she the same woman Mungo met at the Thurland Arms earlier this year.....
>> Edited by jamer on Monday 13th October 20:21
In fact ...........wait a minute wasn't she the same woman Mungo met at the Thurland Arms earlier this year.....
>> Edited by jamer on Monday 13th October 20:21
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