Jump to content


Photo

Le Mans Classic 2014.


  • Please log in to reply
48 replies to this topic

#1 elansprint72

elansprint72
  • Member

  • 4,026 posts
  • Joined: September 08

Posted 15 June 2014 - 21:06

As there does not seem to be a thread running- who is going this year?

 

I'll be there doing my usual thing with the Cheshire Lotus Owners Group (CLOG) although neither of the Elans will be pressed into service this time; owning a VW camper-van does have its advantages.  ;) We are camping at Maison Blanche, feel free to drop in for a glass of something and selected burned animal flesh products (well, this is France and we can't exactly specify what the Carrefour discount meat counter had in stock)  look us up on the Clubs field or, if you see a dodgy-looking old bloke wearing a US railroad-engineers' cap and media armband, sing out and claim your £5.

 

14243987189_0dd6a97c9b_b.jpg


Edited by elansprint72, 23 June 2014 - 21:42.


Advertisement

#2 GMACKIE

GMACKIE
  • Member

  • 13,011 posts
  • Joined: January 11

Posted 15 June 2014 - 22:08

Wow, what an offer......could be worth making the trip, Pete. :clap:

 

How much is 5 quid in AU $ ?



#3 elansprint72

elansprint72
  • Member

  • 4,026 posts
  • Joined: September 08

Posted 15 June 2014 - 22:15

Wow, what an offer......could be worth making the trip, Pete. :clap:

 

How much is 5 quid in AU $ ?

Greg, I know- hard to refuse. :smoking:  It works out,very approximately, at 9.02848 AU$, so shift yer gears, matey.



#4 kartman24

kartman24
  • Member

  • 99 posts
  • Joined: May 10

Posted 16 June 2014 - 18:41

I will be there this year with the Fairthorpe Sports Car Club, I`m going in the 1958 Fairthorpe that my father built. It will be my first time at the Classic, really looking forward to it and hoping for dry weather as I don`t have a hood!........Martin



#5 Tim Murray

Tim Murray
  • Moderator

  • 24,581 posts
  • Joined: May 02

Posted 16 June 2014 - 18:53

It'll be my first time there too - looking forward to it.

#6 Siddley

Siddley
  • Member

  • 174 posts
  • Joined: February 14

Posted 16 June 2014 - 19:05

Wish I could attend...

 

If you try it on Scalisi, do it at Maison Blanche, he doesn't like it there.

 

And watch out for the red Lola - L O L A  :lol: 



#7 GMACKIE

GMACKIE
  • Member

  • 13,011 posts
  • Joined: January 11

Posted 16 June 2014 - 21:06

I will be there this year with the Fairthorpe Sports Car Club, I`m going in the 1958 Fairthorpe that my father built. It will be my first time at the Classic, really looking forward to it and hoping for dry weather as I don`t have a hood!........Martin

Martin, just do what I do here in Australia, when driving in the rain without a hood.........get wet! :wave:



#8 elansprint72

elansprint72
  • Member

  • 4,026 posts
  • Joined: September 08

Posted 23 June 2014 - 21:02

Not long now to Le Mans Classic (the nights are drawing in, in the Northern Hemisphere!). Here we see the un-sung heroes, the men in orange, without whom none of us would go racing.

Not the billionaire with his vast stable of price-less motoring jewels; not the bloke with an old car which his Grandad raced, brought on a trailer behind a VW micro-bus; not the current eff-wun marvel, swaggering about the pit-lane with his current peroxided-squeeze; or even the dried-up, cynical, photo-journo who's seen it all before a thousand times. Thank-you marshals, commissaires, corner-workers everywhere.

 

14488779591_98aedfeb6b_b.jpg



#9 GMACKIE

GMACKIE
  • Member

  • 13,011 posts
  • Joined: January 11

Posted 23 June 2014 - 21:27

Too right, Pete !....it would not happen without 'em.

 

Great photo, by the way.



#10 elansprint72

elansprint72
  • Member

  • 4,026 posts
  • Joined: September 08

Posted 23 June 2014 - 21:40

Too right, Pete !....it would not happen without 'em.

 

Great photo, by the way.

Cheers!

I forgot to mention that (look at the background) someone managed to arrange quite a comprehensive accident (after all that practising for grid position and money-spent too) on what is a demo- start... they run across the track, olde-style and the stop to buckle-up out of sight of the grandstands!

Drivers, eh?  ;-)



#11 Racer.Demon

Racer.Demon
  • Member

  • 1,722 posts
  • Joined: November 99

Posted 27 June 2014 - 20:53

Will be there too, for Octane NL and Autosport.nl...



#12 john ruston

john ruston
  • Member

  • 1,019 posts
  • Joined: May 03

Posted 28 June 2014 - 07:44

We will have the fleet of Talbots in G1 followed by 356 in G2 ,Elite in G3 and the Elva 160 GT Le Mans in Grid4.

Talbots stay in Paddock and the other cars will move into pit area ,about pit 10 ,from Friday pm.

#13 elansprint72

elansprint72
  • Member

  • 4,026 posts
  • Joined: September 08

Posted 28 June 2014 - 08:02

We will have the fleet of Talbots in G1 followed by 356 in G2 ,Elite in G3 and the Elva 160 GT Le Mans in Grid4.

Talbots stay in Paddock and the other cars will move into pit area ,about pit 10 ,from Friday pm.

John,

I see that you have sent me a message (or two?) but because of the stupid layout of this forum, an advert for Michelin is obscuring the top section of the messages when the drop down. How daft is this?  If you could contact me by e-mail    peter.taylor82  AT live.com we can sort out our arrangements.  I'll attempt to report this problem to the management- anyone else noticed it?

 

Cheers,

Pete.



#14 john ruston

john ruston
  • Member

  • 1,019 posts
  • Joined: May 03

Posted 30 June 2014 - 21:23

The pipsqueeks are going to have to sort themselves out this weekend as the weather forecast is awful with rain and cold throughout.

More fodder for anti racers on Monday! Good thing that only half cars are real or need saving for the masses.

#15 Tim Murray

Tim Murray
  • Moderator

  • 24,581 posts
  • Joined: May 02

Posted 01 July 2014 - 12:07

Forecast doesn't sound that bad to me. A few showers on Friday and Saturday, dry on Sunday, and fairly warm throughout:

http://www.weather-f...orecasts/latest

#16 elansprint72

elansprint72
  • Member

  • 4,026 posts
  • Joined: September 08

Posted 01 July 2014 - 19:48

Thursday: 83 degrees sounds more than fairly warm to me! Looks like the "showers" might be of the torrential with thunder variety. I've packed my waterproofs. :wave:



#17 elansprint72

elansprint72
  • Member

  • 4,026 posts
  • Joined: September 08

Posted 01 July 2014 - 22:34

14367430607_76a0884f38_b.jpg

 

Hope we get some dry weather- as in this shot from 2012. :(


Edited by elansprint72, 01 July 2014 - 22:35.


#18 Paul Parker

Paul Parker
  • Member

  • 2,198 posts
  • Joined: October 02

Posted 02 July 2014 - 18:00

John,

I see that you have sent me a message (or two?) but because of the stupid layout of this forum, an advert for Michelin is obscuring the top section of the messages when the drop down. How daft is this?  If you could contact me by e-mail    peter.taylor82  AT live.com we can sort out our arrangements.  I'll attempt to report this problem to the management- anyone else noticed it?

 

Cheers,

Pete.

 

I complained about this to the late and much missed Mr. McKinney and he took it up with the appropriate person who responded by saying it was an arrangement that paid some money and we would just have to tolerate it or words to that effect.



#19 BRG

BRG
  • Member

  • 25,883 posts
  • Joined: September 99

Posted 02 July 2014 - 19:27

14367430607_76a0884f38_b.jpg

 

Hope we get some dry weather- as in this shot from 2012. :(

I remember that - it was about the only time it was dry all weekend in 2012.  I did not expect to be so cold and wet in July in France.  Still worth going though.



Advertisement

#20 Mistron

Mistron
  • Member

  • 936 posts
  • Joined: June 05

Posted 05 July 2014 - 21:55

For those who can't make it, there is a live feed on youtube

 

https://www.youtube....e4JNcLQ#t=11091



#21 elansprint72

elansprint72
  • Member

  • 4,026 posts
  • Joined: September 08

Posted 09 July 2014 - 20:21

Well, we certainly had some rain- often in Biblical quantities. I met some old friends and made some new friends; had lots of laughs and shared a few sad memories of those no longer here. Saw some real engineering and some folks in pink pants, as usual a great mixture.

Particular thanks to the warm welcome from the Talbot camp.

 

Not everyone managed to keep it on the black stuff but, as far as I am aware, nobody was hurt, although a few bank-balances may have suffered over the week-end.

 

14591831156_c1d8074f2a_b.jpg



#22 elansprint72

elansprint72
  • Member

  • 4,026 posts
  • Joined: September 08

Posted 09 July 2014 - 20:51

Some real engineering in the heat of the night:

 

14614586712_5ae332ef10_b.jpg



#23 SWD

SWD
  • New Member

  • 25 posts
  • Joined: August 13

Posted 11 July 2014 - 08:08

surprisingly few tales on from the trenches on what was (I gather) an event with its fair share of thrils and spills and with several competitors left wondering if the results had been engineered with random time penalties for alleged technical infringements allowed at every other event. I wasnt there so would be interested to hear the views of those who were...



#24 elansprint72

elansprint72
  • Member

  • 4,026 posts
  • Joined: September 08

Posted 11 July 2014 - 10:02

surprisingly few tales on from the trenches on what was (I gather) an event with its fair share of thrils and spills and with several competitors left wondering if the results had been engineered with random time penalties for alleged technical infringements allowed at every other event. I wasnt there so would be interested to hear the views of those who were...

Being out on the front-line it is difficult to keep tabs on exactly what goes on- sometimes even the commentary is inaudible, never mind what is going on behind closed doors.  ;)

 

I'm surprised that there were not more cars eliminated in the pretend "traditional Le Mans starts"- they pull in (out of sight of the main grandstands) and all the harnesses are buckled and checked.

 

14603501846_8cc1547b0d_b.jpg


Edited by elansprint72, 11 July 2014 - 10:05.


#25 SWD

SWD
  • New Member

  • 25 posts
  • Joined: August 13

Posted 11 July 2014 - 10:22

great photos thanks, I was told by a friend competing that one driver was so excited by the Le Mans start that he put the car in reverse and smacked a wooden post behnid him! I wondered if it was the 275 you have photoed above



#26 elansprint72

elansprint72
  • Member

  • 4,026 posts
  • Joined: September 08

Posted 11 July 2014 - 10:52

14646641933_024c3b4123_b.jpg



#27 elansprint72

elansprint72
  • Member

  • 4,026 posts
  • Joined: September 08

Posted 11 July 2014 - 10:53

great photos thanks, I was told by a friend competing that one driver was so excited by the Le Mans start that he put the car in reverse and smacked a wooden post behnid him! I wondered if it was the 275 you have photoed above

That looks like a proper Armco-job to me. :cry:



#28 BRG

BRG
  • Member

  • 25,883 posts
  • Joined: September 99

Posted 11 July 2014 - 15:50

..several competitors left wondering if the results had been engineered with random time penalties for alleged technical infringements allowed at every other event. 

Well, it IS the Le Mans Classic, so the ACO has to act in a classic ACO way with inexplicable decisions generally favouring French cars and disadvantaging etrangers.



#29 john ruston

john ruston
  • Member

  • 1,019 posts
  • Joined: May 03

Posted 11 July 2014 - 16:21

They got to stage where they have problems filling Grid 1 so you get things like the Largo.

Scrutenerimg wasn't bad for any of our cars but some of Brits had trouble especially Lotus Sports cars 15 and. 17 so French probably thought they were historically correct

The entrant paddock was a nightmare to get in.

Despite all the vagueness of the rules and the advantage the locals have its a very good do but why do they let drivers with no experience ( or brain ) compete ?

#30 elansprint72

elansprint72
  • Member

  • 4,026 posts
  • Joined: September 08

Posted 15 July 2014 - 21:27

As a bloke who knows not too much about regulations, I did have a bit of trouble reconciling that Lago with the rest of the grid. :rolleyes:  However, in the end its goose was cooked.

 

Big respect to the drivers, crews and commissaires, who carried on despite the conditions, while the glitterati and pipsqueak-meisters sipped on gin and tonic in their hospitality venues. :smoking:

 

14477769819_d338591ca2_b.jpg



#31 elansprint72

elansprint72
  • Member

  • 4,026 posts
  • Joined: September 08

Posted 15 July 2014 - 21:40

14664530865_04c16786e6_b.jpg



#32 elansprint72

elansprint72
  • Member

  • 4,026 posts
  • Joined: September 08

Posted 15 July 2014 - 22:35

I may be ploughing a lonely furrow... but... the Classic is really the best event of it's kind. Certain of this forum's "divas" may have missed out, originally, and be entrenched in that Goodwood thang but...... git on board the train, dudes...

14664429352_db0479ec3e_b.jpg

 

14641728246_11323fc2e7_b.jpg


Edited by elansprint72, 15 July 2014 - 22:38.


#33 GMACKIE

GMACKIE
  • Member

  • 13,011 posts
  • Joined: January 11

Posted 15 July 2014 - 23:46

Plough away, Pete....you seem to be out standing in your field. :D



#34 GMACKIE

GMACKIE
  • Member

  • 13,011 posts
  • Joined: January 11

Posted 16 July 2014 - 07:29

14664530865_04c16786e6_b.jpg

That shot reminds me of a Brockbank cartoon from many years ago. The first drawing showed the drivers all lined up for the Le Mans start, as per your photo.The second showed the cars disappearing in a cloud of smoke and dust, with one driver standing on the track looking bewildered....there are no cars left. A Brockbank classic ! Anyone remember that one?



#35 alansart

alansart
  • Member

  • 4,419 posts
  • Joined: March 07

Posted 16 July 2014 - 08:52

That shot reminds me of a Brockbank cartoon from many years ago. The first drawing showed the drivers all lined up for the Le Mans start, as per your photo.The second showed the cars disappearing in a cloud of smoke and dust, with one driver standing on the track looking bewildered....there are no cars left. A Brockbank classic ! Anyone remember that one?

 

This one?

BrockLeMans.jpg



#36 GMACKIE

GMACKIE
  • Member

  • 13,011 posts
  • Joined: January 11

Posted 16 July 2014 - 09:06

Brilliant :clap: and quick as lightning !



#37 Wirra

Wirra
  • Member

  • 1,326 posts
  • Joined: December 08

Posted 16 July 2014 - 09:52

That shot reminds me of a Brockbank cartoon from many years ago. The first drawing showed the drivers all lined up for the Le Mans start, as per your photo.The second showed the cars disappearing in a cloud of smoke and dust, with one driver standing on the track looking bewildered....there are no cars left. A Brockbank classic ! Anyone remember that one?

 

And 13 years earlier

 

THere was a famous Brockbank cartoon featuring a Le Mans start. THe first picture showed thedrivers running for their cars. The second showed the field disappearing round the first corner. The third showed one driver standing in the pits wondering where his car had gone.

 

Doesn't the cartoon with the drivers arguing lead to them both jumping into the one car instead of one LHD and one RHD next to it?

 

PS. Pete, love ya work.


Edited by Wirra, 16 July 2014 - 09:58.


#38 elansprint72

elansprint72
  • Member

  • 4,026 posts
  • Joined: September 08

Posted 17 July 2014 - 20:51

Brockbank was a part of my formative years.

 

Thanks for your down-under support; I will wear it with pride (and frequently apply Dettol and a wire-brush to the affected area).

 

Here is another shot from the Talbot pit- why did I not meet these guys way back?

 

14676847264_f6f16ccdcd_b.jpg



#39 elansprint72

elansprint72
  • Member

  • 4,026 posts
  • Joined: September 08

Posted 17 July 2014 - 20:58

Plough away, Pete....you seem to be out standing in your field. :D

Cheers Greg; the bloke who farms the field at the back of my place chose today (the hottest day of the year) to run his combine harvester around. Of course we were out and left all the windows open. You cannot imagine the amount of dust and the garden is full of displaced small rodents- fortunately all the doors were closed... I think. :well:



Advertisement

#40 Racer.Demon

Racer.Demon
  • Member

  • 1,722 posts
  • Joined: November 99

Posted 19 July 2014 - 12:48

Here's my take on the event, with lots of pictures:

 

http://forix.autospo...m/8w/lmc14.html

 

And great photos, Pete!


Edited by Racer.Demon, 19 July 2014 - 12:49.


#41 Duc-Man

Duc-Man
  • Member

  • 1,394 posts
  • Joined: November 08

Posted 19 July 2014 - 16:55


 

14641728246_11323fc2e7_b.jpg

Originals...



#42 elansprint72

elansprint72
  • Member

  • 4,026 posts
  • Joined: September 08

Posted 20 July 2014 - 18:58

Originals...

I think (hope) they broke the mould (mold, USA)!



#43 elansprint72

elansprint72
  • Member

  • 4,026 posts
  • Joined: September 08

Posted 20 July 2014 - 18:59

Also available in green....

 

14515058217_844fa9bf0c_b.jpg



#44 john ruston

john ruston
  • Member

  • 1,019 posts
  • Joined: May 03

Posted 21 July 2014 - 05:56

That old green bus did a 5 52 lap which was quickest in Grid 1 on its way to winning grid and being part of Team prize for Brooklands Museum Team.

Before anyone asks what happened to the headlights.

The same as in period ,one fell off so it was decided to remove both.

Thanks Pete the photos are superb.

#45 elansprint72

elansprint72
  • Member

  • 4,026 posts
  • Joined: September 08

Posted 24 July 2014 - 09:27

Night shift in the T70 garage...

 

14545303658_438849240c_b.jpg



#46 Davidson10

Davidson10
  • Member

  • 74 posts
  • Joined: April 11

Posted 24 July 2014 - 09:54

Don't recognise that livery, Pete. Is it an 'in period' Japanese one?



#47 elansprint72

elansprint72
  • Member

  • 4,026 posts
  • Joined: September 08

Posted 24 July 2014 - 10:14

Don't recognise that livery, Pete. Is it an 'in period' Japanese one?

Don't know! It's a sort of "Surtees red" with black arrow, rather than white. Driven by Michael Thuner, from Switzerland. I guess folks can paint them how they like.  ;)



#48 raceannouncer2003

raceannouncer2003
  • Member

  • 2,944 posts
  • Joined: March 05

Posted 25 July 2014 - 05:46

Don't recognise that livery, Pete. Is it an 'in period' Japanese one?

 

Apparently originally a spare John Mecom car, which would have been blue in period.

 

Vince H.



#49 bill p

bill p
  • Member

  • 697 posts
  • Joined: December 08

Posted 25 July 2014 - 07:29

Apparently originally a spare John Mecom car, which would have been blue in period.

 

Vince H.

 

I really wish owners would keep their cars in one of its original period liveries which are much more important than a newly thought up colour scheme 

 

Oh well, it's their money and they can (and do) what they wish