Thursday 13th November 2003

Hansgerd at Le Mans

A first hand account of the weekend

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The season's over, but it finished in a great way. Late night excitement, the likes of which I haven't seen for years.

I booked a hotel near Le Mans (very good but yet cheap hotel at Ferté de Bernard. It's in the city centre of a very picturesque town just 30 Kilometers from the circuit.)

I went to the circuit on Saturday and luckily bumped into Dominiek from the TVR team on my way into the paddock. I was lucky enough to spend the day at the TVR garage and at the very inviting Fred Goddard team for whom Shorty was driving.

The most impressive part of qualifying was Fanny Duchateau demonstrating her talent. She was the fastest woman in car no. 45 TVR (beating Amanda Stretton) - an excellent choice of driver by Dominiek.

The weather was sunny but freezing. Le Mans in November is a different story from June! It was good to get back to the hotel for a warm meal and some beers!

The race started at noon on Sunday on the Bugatti circuit. Having plenty of time to kill in the morning gave me a chance to look around the circuit much more than you do on the weekend of the 24 race. 

I was at the circuit half an hour before the race started and followed the build up from the main grandstand above the pits. It was an enjoyable race. The Race Sport Salisbury TVRs finished in 17th for the boy's crew and 19th for the girl's crew - a great result.

The Goddard Reynard went into the race from 11th position and the three drivers all double stinted. Martin Short was second and after one stint he had trouble to engage the 4th gear. So, they called him in to change the gear box. They finished in 22th after all but Martin was still satisfied because this was the first time for many years that he didn't need to clean up afterwards!

Hansgerd Bramann

[a.christie]

Hi Hansgerd,greetings from East Sussex.One day you will be under canvas,you whimp!!Ha,Ha.Shame not to meet up at Spa this year-ferry crossings fully booked and very expensive due to school holidays.Great pics again and how lucky to meet Dominiek and get into garages again.Why no pics of Hawaaian Tropic girls,too cold for their little/large pointy "bits"perhaps.
Best wishes and see you in Houx 2004.

Ali

[hansgerd]

Hi there, good to hear from you. I'm afraid there were no Tropic girls around. Their "large pointy bits" would have shrunk considerably under the given weather conditions. Spa was damp too this year, both the 24 Hours and the 1000 Kms. Best whishes and see you in June.

[cybersdorf]

no it wasn't exactly crowded (on the grid or in the stands) but at least one got to meet all sorts of interesting people there