Le Mans Classic 6/7/8 July 2018

Paul - we didn't get 'what was left' - we got a stand closer to the action, more visible than before to encourage people to stop and chat, within easy walking distance of 'the village, Dunlop bridge and our camping (within the circuit). Yes, regrettable that the ground behind the kerbstone was worn away whch presented a large step but we several of us brought strips of wood and blocks to help owners (the wood was left on the stand for anyone to use) and frequently helped guide owners over the step - I'm presuming you were on your own in your car ?
In 2016 I spent all of my weekend on the stand welcoming, advising people - this year I, like everybody else, wondered around into the paddocks, watched the race, took shelter from the blistering sun but was available for those who contacted me by telephone - the proof - Rob C called me and within an hours John and I drove through all the security posts to park up in the Z's paddocks (great attitude John - thx) but many others called me and we met up either on the stand or around the circuit. We had over 40x Zs on the stand plus a few others (GTRs and couple of unfortunates that, at the last minute, had to come in other cars (Merc, Opel Monza etc).

I heard that you were sulking and too happy with a beer by the pool to come down and join us...I served up a champagne apperitif on Saturday midday (as planned) - there were dozens of Z people on the stand then ! Photos later.
 
My write up was not a dig at you it was wot one of the others said ie the Datsun get wots left allways bin the same cos it’s japanese it’s the jap crap stigma that still surrounds us I’m afraid but dradually going,I think Jon was the only one from our gang that went during the day on Saturday ,We were all there Saturday evening sorry we didn’t bump into you as for the champers not for me young man I prefer to stay as a lager lout and I wasn’t sulking,something I don’t do unlike sum on here,truth of the matter is I had to get home in the Datsun yes I was pissssed of about the damage but Shyte happens so we get in with it another reason after walking round Friday,the gang decided it was too hot to walk around again all day saturday hence going in the evening where was you Friday anyway we missed yer overall the Datsun got a hell of a lot of great comments ( more than most other car makes from wot I could make out ) which when you’ve spent time and lots of dosh makes it all worth while and just to remind you of wot I said ,it took us almost ten minutes to get my car over thar kerb with the help of the wood whilst doing that Jake ripped his exhaust out which My mate fixed for him so that was one reason and not fancy walking round in that heat was another and probably the main reason we didn’t attend during the day but we had a brill time anyway
 
Well you attended status which is more than I did. I remember you damaging your exhaust one of the years I went (2008?) and didn't go on track. You need my X Trail.
 
Yeah DJ helped me out there Rob I think it’s more of an occasion now which is great,lots more to see and do,it’s realky come a long way since I was last there and was a bit gutted as to not being able to get the Zed down there on the sat but like I sed Shyte happens and we were a long way from home,should get the windscreen sorted this week and then I’m getting a centre section made to fit to go into the Nismo header so might have a GDS system for sale then get the damaged spoiler and paint sorted when that’s done so all good and the Datsun got us home it never let us down how many modern day cars can say that
 
Had a great time as usual and the car performed faultlessly. Glad I had the opportunity to help out a fellow zedder and my car held together for the journey home with Rob Crofts damaged stub axle and companion flange. Thanks you to Sean and the Zclub of France for organising again and look forward to the 50th birthday event at Spa classic next year.
 
Glad you got home ok Jon,lost sight of yer near Dartford I think,just about to get the windscreen sorted
 
Thanks Paul. I cut off on the A228 and dropped down to the M2. Traffic was still very bad and stop start all the way but got home in the end.
 
Yeah we made it to the start of my lane then the exhaust started to ground so drove slowly to get to my house only a mile,just booked New windscreen to get fitted then off over the field to sort out getting exhaust banged in again so I can get a bespoke section made up then into the paint shop for body repairs,now wot car shall I use now,might get the other Zed out as only got it just before going to France,think we all had a great time ,good luck for today and I’ll pop over in the other Z soon
 
Got back late last night car didn't miss a beat. Once again a great weekend
Thank you Sean and Z club France for you help / hospitality.
Count us in for spa next year.
Neil
 
Many thanks for organizing Sean, and Datsun France's hospitality. We got back this morning by 9am.

Apologies I didn't come in the Z as planned, it really wasn't meant to be in the end. The Healey was getting a bit too toasty over the weekend, even with no roof, cabin (leg) temperatures hit just under 49 degrees on the way in on Saturday.

We had a great weekend which flew past as usual, it was great to see some new and old faces from the French club and say hi to quite a few of the usual crowd on the Saturday. It was great to have a time when everyone could get together and have a good show of cars for the stand, despite the kerb the stand itself remains very well positioned which makes visiting the circuit and paddocks a treat!
 
Guys, any comments on the racing? Favourite cars, vantage points or were you too busy socialising?
 
Didn't really watch any of the racing or even look at the paddock cars this time. Having been to Spa and here many times you get to see the same cars over and over again. I still enjoy it though but its more for the road trip in a zed and the social side of the event.

Next time I'll leave a lot more time for the journeys to and from so I can stop in the services to check out the cars. I didn't leave myself much time coming back so didn't get a chance to stop for the whole journey. Left the track at nearly 12:30 and arrived at the port just before 4:00. Not bad for the 435km drive.
 
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For me the track action always was just backdrop to the cultural experience of the bearded lady, the prize fighting, unconscious drunks with 3rd degree sun burn and holding your breath while using the loo.
For actual car nostalgia for me it had to be the Silk Cut livery XJR9. I remember being in the crush opposite the pits for the start and finish those years which was very exciting.
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20180709_153611.jpg Yeh I realise we are all different and enjoy different aspects of meetings.

I love the racing, I very rarely leave a meeting if there is racing still going on.

I went to Silverstone many years ago to see those Jaguars, it was 1986. I got there the night before and camped in my VW Campervan. Jaguar won. I have a Jag picture in my garage too and a model on top of it!

So didn't anyone even watch Rob Crofton?
 
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Rob Gaskin said:
Guys, any comments on the racing? Favourite cars, vantage points or were you too busy socialising?
Click to expand...

Sadly it's not as competitive as I would like, the likes of Goodwood are hard to compete with for wheel to wheel action. More a case of very rich boys with very expensive toys on the whole with a few pro drivers mixed in, and who can blame them, I certainly would if I had the money!

I managed to do a bit of both so I saw the group C cars out at Dusk on Friday going under Dunlop bridge and through the Esses which was great. I'm a big fan of the Peugot 905 with its wailing V10 screamer. I haven't been there in ages but this year we walked down to the inside side of the circuit at the end of the Porsche curves on Saturday night, we watched Plateau 5 & 6 from there, it was really impressive watching one particular GT40 with red glowing brake disks hammering through the last section and the jet turbine car with a helicopter engine fitted!

I go all over the circuit in all honesty, this was my 4th LMC and I've forgotten how many times I've done the 24 hours. We were out at Arnage corner on Sunday morning and then Auberge des Hunaudières on the Mulsanne straight for lunch and the afternoon. Too many cars to choose from in all honesty, there was quite literally billions of pounds worth of machinery on site over the weekend! It's always amazing when you see sights such as three Ferrari 250 GTO SWB's parked next to each other with an Aston Martin DP212 and Lola etc in just a short row.

There was a very nice looking SCW classic 280Z G-nose on the club stand that looked spectacular, a credit to Romas and his work having never seen one of his cars in the flesh before.
 
Woody, yeh I understand and agree with a lot of what you are saying. Goodwood is somewhere I need to visit for the revival - done two trackdays there though, great circuit.
 
Thankyou - what makes it for me is a good attendance, good atmosphere...and perhaps some more Zs racing !

I'm crap at names and a lot of faces I don't know being out of the UK Z scene 'cept for this virtual merde so apologies if I didn't greet you by name.

Dates to remember then :

Nogaro Festival (Oct 2018/9) - great track sessions and social side

50yr track celebrations :

Spa Classic (May 2019) - we hope to organise a Z-only track session and you can of course book other multi-make ones as well; pan-european Zs invited
Tours* (June 2019) - social and touristic weekend...Loire châteaux
Le Mans Classic (July 2020) - pan-european Zs invited

*to be confirmed later.
 
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