Le Mans Classic 2022... a few pics

[RobTwin]

Our mate Paul had previously said that the boyfriend of someone he knew was there with a team who were racing 3 cars, so we tracked him down in the Paddock and introduced ourselves We were welcomed into their garage space and had a 15 min chat. By Sunday 2 of their cars had withdrawn due to mechanical issues but one, the 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB 'Breadvan', was still in one piece and was due to go out for their final race at 3pm - the last race of the event.

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Oliver (centre pic, in grey), talking to my bruv Stu, and Paul (army surplus hat)

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[RobTwin]

And a few others from the paddock...

Sorry about the odd 'portrait' pic that comes out 90 deg out of whack...

[RobTwin]

and finally...

Oliver (Breadvan) asked if we could get some video and/or photos of the car in their 3pm race, so Paul/Andy/Stu agreed to head back to my favoured spot on the bend before the Mulsanne Straight...

I got a photo of the Breadvan on each lap it passed me until it didn't appear again on about lap 6 (of approx 10). We heard over the PA that it had gone off and sustained some damage At least I got a photo of it in its £30m pristine condition just few minutes before it became a £30m wreck
To be fair I haven't seen what damage it sustained so I don't know how bad it was but I did speak to Oliver about it when we were in their garage and has had a fair amount of body work over the years so it was already a bit of a Trigger's Broom



Andy and Stu's greeting from the other side of the track

[Slowhand]

Great diary of your visit Rob - Just wish you'd taken some photos.

[Derek]

It looks like you had a great time, some fantastic photo but some how I just don't think it's for me, I'll talk to you at the Nats about it.

[RobTwin]

It looks like you had a great time, some fantastic photo but some how I just don't think it's for me, I'll talk to you at the Nats about it.

I know what you mean... not enough Chargers, eh?!

[sublimemike]

Great pics, thanks for sharing. I saw some pics on the media of the Breadvan and its encounter with a tyre wall. That will keep someone busy for a few months straightening it out. It looks like a great few days away.

[Stu Twin]

funnily enough most of those cars in the night race looked blurred like that through my eyes as well, it must have been the Speckled Hen.

[RobTwin]

The large supermarket we used for supplies on Thursday and Saturday seemed to be half full of other Brits stocking up for Le Mans and there were a few nice cars with UK plates in the car park too.

The only ones I stopped to take a pic of were these 2 Austins...

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Back at camp, Sunday evening, we made sure we used up any food that needed using - beer, sausages, baguettes, ie our staple diet for the weekend while some scallywags (including Matt ) sneaked onto the circuit for a bit of unofficial hooning until the gendarmerie cottoned on and put a stop to their fun. I didnt get any pics but Matt and Jack made the most of the opportunity and got a nice photo of Matt's Challenger under the Dunlop Bridge

[Derek]

It looks like you had a great time, some fantastic photo but some how I just don't think it's for me, I'll talk to you at the Nats about it.

I know what you mean... not enough Chargers, eh?!

No, being awake in the middle of the night.

[RobTwin]

It looks like you had a great time, some fantastic photo but some how I just don't think it's for me, I'll talk to you at the Nats about it.

I know what you mean... not enough Chargers, eh?!

No, being awake in the middle of the night.

If you're a light sleeper, I can see it being a problem, with racing going on late Friday night and then through the night on Saturday but that didnt really bother me. We stayed up till it finished on Fri nite (2.45am) and by the time we decided to turn in on Sat nite (3.30am), we were pretty well shagged so could have slept thru top fuel racing too!

Where I did struggle was on the ferry. Being a night-crossing (11pm -4am) Matt and family were sensible and booked a cabin so at least had beds to use but as we just relied on the comfy chairs, I don't think I got more than 1/2hr sleep during the crossing as I can never sleep properly on planes either, so by Thurs night I was ready for my air bed

[RobTwin]

So up by 5am on Monday morning, all packed away and ready for the off by 5.45. As our camp site was only about 1/4 mile from the entrance/exit we thought we'd make a swift exit and be on our way but no, that gate was firmly kept shut so we had to follow our noses and find a functioning exit. This took 15mins, which gives an idea of the size of the place!

Out on the road tho, and topped up with le diesel, there were no hold ups till we got to Rouen, by which time it was the morning rush hour.
Before then tho we stopped off for liquid refreshment at a service station, where these beauties had the same idea...

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Once thru the traffic in Rouen, next stop was the ferry port at Dieppe. Passport control was pretty quick and got put in our lane with other large camper types, in between rows of other classics

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[RobTwin]

It seemed like we were going to be last on but we beat this lot

Sorry for the neck-achers

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Ready to leave Dieppe

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And finally... Newhaven

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