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To pause display place mouse over picture. To
view larger image double click on picture. (Thank you Joy Batchelor, Chris Hart and Peter Burnham) More pictures may be viewed here Catching the overnight Portsmouth – Caen ferry we were the
first to arrive at the Circuit. Unlike previous years our allocated encampment was inside the circuit so some tickets had
to be purchased at the gate.
 This was a minor inconvenience compared to persuading those
on the gate that we had booked a dedicated site. We did eventually find the enclosure ourselves and leaving some head scratching
back at the gate as to where we had disappeared to. The site was much superior to those that have been provided in previous
years, the shower/toilet block was in place and functioning and the generator was also in place but alas not running. Eventually
a team arrived looked at it and in true French tradition disappeared to fetch a connecting junction box and cable. I wonder
why they thought they might need anything else and so could have brought it in the first place. I have to say that Le Mans
has upped its game as far as the sanitary stakes go in general. Our block was brand new and was cleaned regularly through
the day.
 On the down side the weather got worse as we
arrived and thoughts of the 2007 event came flashing back, surely it could not be that bad again. We set about putting up
the awning in the wind and rain. Things did not go well, after getting it to a standing position the wind decided to pick
it up and dump it on its side bedding several tubes. That task was then abandoned for the time being and when the weather
improved and ably assisted by the Suffolk contingent, rudimentary repairs were made and said awning was duly erected.
As more people arrived
the site looked a little more “lived in”, with hard standing for motor homes and ample grass for the tents. The
Club Fridge was set up and quickly filled with beer and we settled down for a relaxing and enjoyable few days. Certainly from
Thursday onwards the weather was perfect.
 RML kindly arranged a visit to their pit garage to see work in progress
on the final preparations of the Lola Mazda coupé. Michael gave us a very comprehensive run down on this new car. By
Friday evening all were present and correct and we departed for an evening meal at the Hotel du France at Chartreuse Sur Loir.
For those of you in the know this hotel is steeped in the history of
Le Mans particularly with the Aston Martin Team. The walls are adorned with signed photographs of many of the great names
from the past and present. As always the food was excellent and served by the same waiter who served Stirling Moss all those
years ago!
Saturday saw the
final preparations for the race and some on track support races. At 4pm in the baking sun 55 cars took the start. The actual
race has been covered by all the motoring press so you will know the results already, but to be there and hear the thundering
Corvettes and the howl of the V12 Aston Martin Lolas was something to behold. With this sound background running for 24 hours
with no break really sets this event aside from any other. Unfortunately the RML car ran into problems and finally retired
Sunday morning with engine problems. While some of the group managed to stay up all night and watch the sun rise over the
Dunlop bridge others turned in for a brief sleep which came surprisingly easily despite the constant noise. Being more central
than before we not only had the sound of cars on the Mulsaane Straight but also the down changes into the Ford Chicane and
the blast down the pit straight, the sound amplified by the grandstands
And
so it all came to a close at 4pm Sunday afternoon with the traditional last lap parade and much applause as the cars came
home. One of the Corvettes treated us to a burn out as it crossed the line to great applause, this being the last time we
shall see these cars in GT1 trim.
So
the crowds made there way back to the campsites, which seemed somewhat quieter than of recent years with very few fireworks
being let off. As the Mallock Club site was dismantled on Monday morning it rained again to help us on our way. All
in all it had been a terrific few days with all those who came as members or guests of the Mallock Club enjoying a convivial
time.
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