-
The Z Club relies on the support of it's paid members - join the club or renew your membership here.
Le Mans Classic 6/7/8 July 2018
- Thread starter SeanDezart
- Start date
Albrecht
Well-Known Forum User
All you need to do - in my opinion - is reference the single car that actually took part in the Le Mans 24hrs race in 1975 and 1976. THAT car is your reference point:
Albrecht
Well-Known Forum User
It is in Japan (where it has always been....) and I have photos of it.
What exactly would you like to know about it?
I would love to know who owns it and what their plans are for the car - basically as much information as possible.
Do we know of any other cars out there that are true to the original Le Mans car and have their papers for racing?
Albrecht
Well-Known Forum User
Do you want to know how it was then (more than 10 years ago...) or how it is now? The car is quite different now.
"True to the original Le Mans car" is a matter of degree, clearly. 100% correct would be a tall order considering just how special the original car was. Do you know the full details of the original car?
When talking about 'papers' for cars racing in Japan vs racing in Europe, it brings up the question of the FIA's 'Historic Technical Passport' (HTP) system and its differences with the JAF Motorsport system. There be dragons...
Are you open to questions about your own car? I'd be interested to hear what your thoughts were with regard to its specification and its relevance to the original event in period? To me it appears to be radically different than the original car in configuration, body type, mechanical spec and even livery. As far as I was aware, the organisers had very strict criteria for acceptance when the LMC event was conceived, and I was told that cars had at least to *look* period correct to the original event/entry even if full mechanical compliance was subject to Force Majeure, but maybe I'm missing something?
Ah had not realised that it has been altered since then. A bit strange that it did not get an entry to LMC at the time but I guess if this was more than 10 years ago things have probably changed since then.
I do not know the full details of the original car or what happened to it. Would be interested to learn though. Do we keep a register of all cars that are racing currently?
Very open about my car - you have probably seen that I enter it into a number of different events - for example you will see it in the touring car race at Silverstone Classic in two weeks time!! Clearly it is not a touring car! All I am trying to do is to have some fun racing in events that I enjoy in a very fun car to drive.
Albrecht
Well-Known Forum User
This explains a lot.
Maybe I'm out of step with everyone else here, but my impression has always been that the Le Mans Classic event was supposed to be referencing what actually happened in the LM24hrs race in period? In which case I kind of took it for granted that people taking part would know about those that went before them.
No 240Z would be able to take part on the LMC events if Andre Haller had not managed to get an entry in 1975 (in itself almost a story from a comic book) and - having been a classified finisher in '75 - was then given an entry in '76. The end to the story was tragic. Haller was killed in the '76 event and the car was destroyed. Largely because he, his team and the car itself were attempting to punch well above their weight...
I had always hoped for a tip of the hat to Haller and his team, and at least some acknowledgement of their participation from those who followed in his footsteps. It seems to me that at least a period-correct looking car (even if the mechanical spec was impossible to replicate) would be a good tribute and a good way to pay some respect. Others have tried, and have been denied the chance.
Sorry, yes I knew that about the car and the story - I am not aware of the complete car specification though and did not know whether the complete car had been destroyed or whether it or part of it was salvaged in some way.
TimW
Club Member
What a brilliant weekend! Thank you Sean and Zclub Francefor your work in organising.
A scorcher or what?... Apologies for not being at the stand Saturday, sorry it was just too hot. Thinking the afternoon may be bearable I headed there around 4:30pm and lasted all of perhaps 45mins before heading back to the campsite. I did however return at 1:30am for the night racing and stayed until about 4am. Fantastic and heading back to the car I was able to help another Z with a flat battery on its way. Talking of the cars, yes a few mishaps, but great camaraderie. Mic sorting out Jake's exhaust. John donating his stub axle with risk of running into problems going home, truly amazing and very generous. For me, Paul 'magics up' a middle blanking switch plate which was missing and completed my interior refurb from last year.... Fantastic!
Fantastic trial for my Z, I'd not driven it under those conditions before. Didn't miss a beat... Yet to calculate MPG, need to do a final tank fill for exact figure but so far estimate about 30MPG... and thanks Jake & Chris for the easy pace!..
The campsite was brilliant, great entertainment, great facilities and great company. Will definitely stay there next time. Some nice cars at the site, especially one, I came back looking at MGB's in a slightly different light, for some reason that escapes me!..
Will post up some vids and photos shortly.
Great stuff peeps, truly enjoyable and no doubt a revisit at the next.
A scorcher or what?... Apologies for not being at the stand Saturday, sorry it was just too hot. Thinking the afternoon may be bearable I headed there around 4:30pm and lasted all of perhaps 45mins before heading back to the campsite. I did however return at 1:30am for the night racing and stayed until about 4am. Fantastic and heading back to the car I was able to help another Z with a flat battery on its way. Talking of the cars, yes a few mishaps, but great camaraderie. Mic sorting out Jake's exhaust. John donating his stub axle with risk of running into problems going home, truly amazing and very generous. For me, Paul 'magics up' a middle blanking switch plate which was missing and completed my interior refurb from last year.... Fantastic!
Fantastic trial for my Z, I'd not driven it under those conditions before. Didn't miss a beat... Yet to calculate MPG, need to do a final tank fill for exact figure but so far estimate about 30MPG... and thanks Jake & Chris for the easy pace!..
The campsite was brilliant, great entertainment, great facilities and great company. Will definitely stay there next time. Some nice cars at the site, especially one, I came back looking at MGB's in a slightly different light, for some reason that escapes me!..
Will post up some vids and photos shortly.
Great stuff peeps, truly enjoyable and no doubt a revisit at the next.
SeanDezart
Well-Known Forum User
A shame Tim 'cos you missed the chilled bubbly but next time we'll put up some shelter even if only for part of Saturday and 'forbidden' as we can't afford +€900 for a rented tent !
Each event is bigger* and better !
*meaning more Z attendees !
The best time to watch in those temperatures is from 10pm -til dawn. Next time I shall stay on the stand Saturday 'til 14hrs then back to the campsite, sleep longer and watch plateaux 4, 5 and 6 in the early morning.
We did plateau 6 at 11:25, had a beer then back to rum it up a bit.
Each event is bigger* and better !
*meaning more Z attendees !
The best time to watch in those temperatures is from 10pm -til dawn. Next time I shall stay on the stand Saturday 'til 14hrs then back to the campsite, sleep longer and watch plateaux 4, 5 and 6 in the early morning.
We did plateau 6 at 11:25, had a beer then back to rum it up a bit.
I was drinking beer at that time of night Jon as I like beer very much and Tim gis a bell on 07957881997 and I’ll have a look to see if I’ve got them things that I sed I might have and Sean I don’t think we would expect you to pay out loadsa money on a cover just a well done from us over here to you over there,At least you get things organised and for those that sed they would love to do it ,just get up off yer butt and do it cos we are a long time dead so do it,see yer next time if not before
SeanDezart
Well-Known Forum User
What ? And spoil a valuable genuine Samuri ?
Butw ait a minute- wasn't there a Samuri 'ZG' belonging to Dr Bigbum here whose car caught fire....just like the '76 race so a true replica...
Keep as you are Rob. What difference does some plastic body bits make. You have driven a very decent S30 to 24th in the 2018 Classic - after all the Classic is not the 24hr so the event itself is not the genuine thing.
Enjoy your achievement - well done!
SeanDezart
Well-Known Forum User
With respect - shut up Rob G - if Mr C wants to go the whole way, he will only improve his finishing AND that of the make. Go for it Rob - I'll help.
Thanks! Appreciated.
Yes, give us a link please.