At Long Last – This Year’s Lady

In gives me great pleasure, even though it’s late in the day, to unveil our travelling companion for this year’s trek from the North West down to Le Mans and back.

After several false starts, even though I booked a six berth vehicle in January, I have only just now had confirmation that this is our home for the six days of our Le Mans 2011 sabbatical.

Without boring you too much about the finer detail of the shambles of this year’s arrangements the motorhome hire company we’ve used this year (which is the same as 2009 but not last year’s as they appear to have gone bust!) have been appalling and we will not be using them again.

Suffice to say I have identified a replacement hire company for LM2012 (which, incidentally, is the company that is providing this year’s lady albeit through the original hire company – complicated, I know) assuming this year’s arrangements and vehicle tick all the expected necessary boxes.

Without further ado (drum roll….) here she is in the flesh.  She’s based on a Ford Transit, as opposed to the Fiat from previous years, and although she does have a rear lounge area (like last year’s Sundance Kid) she isn’t quite as long.  The plus side to that is that both Chadders and KL will have a separate double bed each (with Sniffer obviously taking the above cab boudoir as usual).

She’s virtually brand new

 

New for this year – swivelling front seats !

 

The rear lounge – too short to be two single beds as per last year – just right for one person

 

Nice bathroom – with a proper shower cubicle – no dirty boys this year

 

TV in the rear lounge – ready to be connected to our very own satellite dish

 

Our indoor kitchen and drinks cabinet

 

A long view of Sniffer’s bed

 

She has quite a nice profile

 

The layout

 

A sample photo with the swivelly seats

 

The rear bed – in preparation for a Sunday morning lie-in

 

Considering the potential disaster that nearly was this year’s arrangement I don’t think we’ve done too badly.

I’ll be picking her up a week today (next Monday afternoon) in time to fill her up and pack her to the gills.

Le Mans 2011 - this year's gigs

Between 8th-11th June, six singers and groups will appear on the stage just beside the Dunlop footbridge: here are the details.
Wednesday 8th June: Raphael and Sarah Bessie
Sarah Bessie
Sarah Bessie needed only two appearances to create a buzz in the Le Mans music world. The self-taught soul singer of Arabian-Ethiopian origins grew up in Toulouse and the United States before settling in the Sarthe four years ago. Her performance on the stage for the ‘Talents du Maine’ show made a big impact. Her pure, crystal-clear voice touched the spectators’ hearts and her circle of fans grew bigger as the weeks rolled by. Not to be missed!

Raphaël
His angel face, his high-pitched, sensitive pop style, and his association with Jean-Loyuis Albert for ‘Sur la Route’ have all contributed to making him one the stars of French songs of tomorrow. He writes simple lyrics that speak to everybody about love, death and existential doubts. It’s as if Raphaël, in the full flush of his wild youth, has acquired wisdom and exemplary maturity. This is also what makes his charm and the attachment you feel when listening to his albums. They encourage us to go father and to find out more. Raphaël is an artist of the future who has already achieved timeless status. www.raphael.fm


Thursday 9th June: Julian Peretta and Mia Wallas
Mia Wallas
The Others are dead Long live Mia Wallas. The musical recipe hasn’t changed and the Pop and Folk references are still the same. On the stage, the Group takes on its true dimension. These four guys know like nobody else how to share their energy...

www.myspace.com/miawallasfr


Julian Peretta
Julian Peretta is considered as the Pop revelation of 2006, and this young British singer/composer is becoming a huge star on today’s international musical scene. Although this artist from London is only 21, he is now among the coming idols of soul music, in particular with his single ‘Wonder Why’ and his first album that’s about to come out.

www.julianperretta.com


Saturday 11th June: Razorlight and Concrete Knives
Concrete Knives
While some consider them as the inheritors of the B52s, others see in their music the influence of the New York scene at the start on the 2000s. The Concrete Knives are led by two masculine and feminine voices, and when you hear their joyful tones you can’t help but to want to sing along. Their music plunges the listeners back in time to the 33s of yore, where you can hear current melodies with organs and keyboards beating out syncopated rhythms. It’s fresh, it hits the spot, and it’s a bridge between the blade and concrete because it’s a really distinctive sound. Concrete Knives revive the pop music of the eighties and also create a clever mixture of tropical pop/rock.

www.myspace.com/concreteknives


Razorlight
The WHO adopted this group – would you believe - after meeting them during their concert in Live 8. Johnny Borrell and his mates are back on the scene to our great delight. For the last four years, Razorlight has been one of the flag bearers of the new UK pop sound following in the footsteps of The Libertines, the Strokes or Oasis. An exceptional event not to be missed at any price!

www.razorlight.co.uk



ENJOY!!

LM24 R Us

LM24 has now been amended to point here, given Sniffer's recent post bender and the lack of actual coding required for this domain the switch has been made.

We are now accessible via t'interweb at www.lm24.co.uk

Not long to go till the big event, woohoo!

New French Speeding/Driving Laws

I know I'm on a roll with postings today but this one is far more important....

As of last week new laws came into force in France which in summary are:

1. Any excess speed more than 30mph over the prevailing limit will incur a fine of 3,750 euros and the car/bike impounded. see 3.

2. The offence has now been uprated to a serious crime, and punishable with up to five years in prison

3. The vehicle will be confiscated and sold for state funds

4. Any use of a mobile phone will incur a fine of 135 euros on the spot

5. Motorcyclists must from hereon wear a high viz jacket at all times

6. The alcohol limit has remained at 0.5 grammes, not reduced to 0.2 as thought

7. The request to reduce the maximum speed limit in town to 20mph has not been applied

2011 Entry List

With the deadline having passed for teams to name drivers, the Le Mans 24 Hours entry list is now complete - barring any last minute drop-outs.


1. Bernhard/Dumas/Rockenfeller Audi Sport Team Joest Audi R18 TDI LMP1
2. Fassler/Lotterer/Treluyer Audi Sport Team Joest Audi R18 TDI LMP1
3. Kristensen/Capello/McNish Audi Sport North America Audi R18 TDI LMP1
5. Zacchia/Lammers/Elgaard Hope Racing Oreca Hybrid LMP1
7. Davidson/Gene/Wurz Peugeot Sport Total Peugeot 908 LMP1
8. Sarrazin/Montagny/Minassian Peugeot Sport Total Peugeot 908 LMP1
9. Bourdais/Pagenaud/Lamy Team Peugeot Total Peugeot 908 LMP1
10. Lapierre/Duval/Panis Team Oreca Matmut Peugeot 908 HDI LMP1
12. Prost/Jani/Bleekemolen Rebellion Racing Lola Coupe-Toyota LMP1
13. Belicchi/Boullion/Smith Rebellion Racing Lola Coupe-Toyota LMP1
15. Moreau/Ragues/Monteiro OAK Racing Pescarolo-Judd LMP1
16. Collard/Tinseau/Jousse Pescarolo Team Pescarolo-Judd LMP1
20. Amaral/Pla/Hughes Quifel-ASM Zytek 09SCM LMP1
22. Ickx/Martin/Leinders Kronos Racing Lola Aston Martin LMP1
24. Hein/Nicolet/Yvon OAK Racing Pescarolo-Judd LMP1
007. Mucke/Turner/Klien Aston Martin Racing Aston Martin AMR-One LMP1
009. Primat/Fernandez/Meyrick Aston Martin Racing Aston Martin AMR-One LMP1

26. Ayari/Maileux/Ordonez Signatech Nissan Oreca-Nissan LMP2
33. Tucker/Bouchut/Barbosa Level 5 Motorsports Lola Coupe-HPD LMP2
35. Barlesi/Da Rocha/Lafargue OAK Racing Pescarolo-Judd BMW LMP2
36. Newton/Erdos/Collins RML HPD ARX-01d LMP2
39. Companc/Russo/Kaffer Pecom Racing Lola-Judd BMW LMP2
40. Frey/Meichtry/Rostan Race Performance Oreca-Judd BMW LMP2
41. Ojjeh/Kimber-Smith/Lombard Greaves Motorsport Zytek-Nissan LMP2
42. Leventis/Watts/Kane Strakka Racing HPD ARX-01d LMP2
44. Rosier/Haezbrouck/de Fournoux Extreme Limite AM Paris Norma-Judd BMW LMP2
48. Primat/Hallyday/Kraihamer Team Oreca Matmut Oreca-Nissan LMP2
49. Nakano/De Crem/Charouz OAK Racing Pescarolo-BMW LMP2

51. Fisichella/Bruni/Vilander AF Corse Ferrari 458 Italia GTE-P
55. Farfus/Muller/Werner BMW Motorsport BMW M3 GT GTE-P
56. Priaulx/Muller/Hand BMW Motorsport BMW M3 GT GTE-P
58. Beltoise/Deletraz/Jakubowski Luxury Racing Ferrari 458 Italia GTE-P
59. Ortelli/Makowiecki/Melo Luxury Racing Ferrari 458 Italia GTE-P
64. Slingerland/Rich/Poulsen Lotus Jetalliance Lotus Evora GTE-P
65. Hirschi/Rossiter/Mowlem Lotus Jetalliance Lotus Evora GTE-P
66. Bell/Sugden/Maasen JMW Motorsport Ferrari 458 Italia GTE-P
71. Kauffman/Waltrip/Aguas AF Corse Ferrari 458 Italia GTE-P
73. Beretta/Milner/Garcia Corvette Racing Chevrolet Corvette C6 GTE-P
74. Gavin/Magnussen/Westbrook Corvette Racing Chevrolet Corvette C6 GTE-P
75. Goossens/Holzer/Van Lagen Prospeed Competition Porsche 997 RSR GTE-P
76. Narac/Pilet/Armindo IMSA Performance Matmut Porsche 997 RSR GTE-P
77. Lieb/Lietz/Henzler Felbermayr-Proton Porsche 997 RSR GTE-P
79. Hancock/Dolan/Buncombe Jota Aston Martin Vantage GTE-P
80. Bergmeister/Long/Luhr Flying Lizard Motorsport Porsche 997 RSR GTE-P
88. Tandy/Al Faisal/Miller Felbermayr-Proton Porsche 997 RSR GTE-P
89. Farnbacher/Simonsen/Keen Hankook Team Farnbacher Ferrari 458 Italia GTE-P

50. Bornhauser/Canal/Gardel Larbre Competition Chevrolet Corvette C6 GTE-A
57. Krohn/Jonsson/Rugulo Krohn Racing Ferrari F430 GTE-A
60. Giroix/Wainwright/Goethe Gulf AMR Middle East Aston Martin Vantage GTE-A
61. Perazzini/Cioci/Breslin AF Corse Ferrari F430 GTE-A
62. Ehret/Wills/Lynn CRS Racing Ferrari F430 GTE-A
63. Felbermayr/Felbermayr/Ried Proton Competition Porsche 997 RSR GTE-A
68. Robertson/Robertson/Murry Robertson Racing Doran Ford GT GTE-A
70. Bourret/Gibon/Belloc Larbe Competition Porsche 997 RSR GTE-A
81. Neiman/Law/Pumpelly Flying Lizard Motorsport Porsche 997 RSR GTE-A
83. Rodrigues/Menahem/Marroc JMB Racing Ferrari F430 GTE-A

Petrol competes with Diesel?

Petrol-powered LMP1 cars have been given a number of performance tweaks ahead of the Le Mans 24 Hours.

Le Mans organiser the Automobile Club de l'Ouest has made the changes after analysing car speed in a bid to equalise performance between petrol and diesel machines.


Petrol LMP1s will now have their air restrictors increased in size by 0.3mm and be allowed to shed 10kg from their base weights in a bid to ensure that their performances fall within two per cent of the quickest diesel-powered car at Le Mans.

In the case of cars that are unable to lose any weight, a 0.5mm increase in air restrictor size will be permitted.

Petrol-powered cars will also benefit from a faster rate of refuelling, their hoses being increased by 10mm diameter, while diesel machines, such as the works Audi R18s and Peugeot 908s, have had their fuel hoses reduced by 0.3mm diameter.

Additionally, the older-spec, ORECA-run Peugeot that won the Sebring 12 Hours earlier this year, has had 15kg knocked off its base weight.

ACO sports manager Vincent Beaumensil said that the changes had only been now because there had not been sufficient data available for analysis by until after the recent Spa 1000km.

He believes the tweaks will allow petrol-powered cars to cover five laps more at Le Mans than in 2010 and will allow them to make the same number of fuel stops as leading diesel machines.

In LMP2, cars built to the cost-capped 2011 regulations will be allowed to increase the diameter of their fuel hoses by 3.5mm compared to the older models.

In the GTE class, the Lotus Evora has had its performance tweaked while a similar boost has also been applied to the Doran Ford GT that competes in the ALMS.

Roll of Honour 2011

It's the second year of a whole new world and there are some shifts in position:

Sniffer - 19
Pikey - 18
Chadders - 16
TechSupport/Sydney 1K/King Louis - 13
JT/Bright Eyes - 12
Dr Dick - 4
DT - 4
J. Holmes - 4
Lofty - 3
Sooty - 3
Neil - 2
Joey - 2.8
D'Arcy - 1
Dobby - 1
JimmyG - 1
Pie Boy - 1
Watkins Eddie - 1
BigMac - A big FAT Zero (although his camping gear scores 1)

KL goes into a clear 4th place, Chadders starts to chase up the big man for 2nd and Sniffer is now formally in the lead - heading towards the big 20 for 2012.

With KL's year out last year Sniffer now becomes the only member to have consecutive campaigns.

Enough, of the tedious statistics - only 3 weeks today before we set off!!

Houx are ya, Houx are ya?

It gives me great pleasure to announce that this year's tickets for LM have now arrived by Special Delivery as usual. As last year, we have had to buy four general admission tickets (you have to buy two tickets for each campsite) and three grandstand tickets. My plan, again as last year, is to sell the fourth, unwanted, general admission ticket on EBay and use the proceeds to feed into the beer/food fund to offset some of the costs.


It's all new at Houx!
I did have a minor shock in that the two pitches we have are not consecutive numbers - after a quick email to Just Tickets they confirmed that they are physically adjacent and I could breathe a sigh of relief.

In order to celebrate I have provisionally booked Houx again for next year (two pitches again of course) and the usual general admission and grandstand tickets.

More Blog updates to follow (including this year's 'Lady' in photographs) as I'm aware that I've been particularly quiet in sharing our travelling companion this year - there is a reason for that which I'll explain later.