OV9

speedingfine wrote: ↑Fri Jun 20, 2025 12:58 pm Huge accident for Vanthoor in top qualifying, but he's out of the car and walking thankfully: https://www.youtube.com/live/G6DhWhXCHc ... -c0Z0AHWRG

Crash is about 37 mins into that live stream

mik wrote: ↑Fri Jun 20, 2025 1:07 pm

speedingfine wrote: ↑Fri Jun 20, 2025 12:58 pm Huge accident for Vanthoor in top qualifying, but he's out of the car and walking thankfully: https://www.youtube.com/live/G6DhWhXCHc ... -c0Z0AHWRG

Crash is about 37 mins into that live stream

We had a drink with one of the marshals from Aremberg last night, imagine he'll have a story to tell this evening

Top qualifying about to resume

A big crash in qually, thankfully driver unhurt.

Controversially this total brain fade by another driver speeding through the resulting 8 red flags is not going to result in an immediate ban but a post-race one.

RobYob wrote: ↑Sat Jun 21, 2025 12:19 am A big crash in qually, thankfully driver unhurt.

Controversially this total brain fade by another driver speeding through the resulting 8 red flags is not going to result in an immediate ban but a post-race one.

First I'd heard of this, thank you.

In addition:

One of the weirder reasons for a red flag I've heard, a power cut in the pits

*power is back

speedingfine wrote: ↑Fri Jun 20, 2025 1:11 pm

mik wrote: ↑Fri Jun 20, 2025 1:07 pm

speedingfine wrote: ↑Fri Jun 20, 2025 12:58 pm Huge accident for Vanthoor in top qualifying, but he's out of the car and walking thankfully: https://www.youtube.com/live/G6DhWhXCHc ... -c0Z0AHWRG

Crash is about 37 mins into that live stream

We had a drink with one of the marshals from Aremberg last night, imagine he'll have a story to tell this evening

He had a piece of the armco, and a brake disc signed by Vanthoor

speedingfine wrote: ↑Sat Jun 21, 2025 4:44 pm

speedingfine wrote: ↑Fri Jun 20, 2025 1:11 pm

mik wrote: ↑Fri Jun 20, 2025 1:07 pm

Crash is about 37 mins into that live stream

We had a drink with one of the marshals from Aremberg last night, imagine he'll have a story to tell this evening

He had a piece of the armco, and a brake disc signed by Vanthoor

1st and 2nd battle right now is

Been some excellent racing whenever I've tuned in.

Still up in the air for the Grello time penalty.

Stewards this year have made some calls that will debated for a while.

Shame about the penalty, but they're still racing as if it doesn't exist

Hi folks, first attempt at trying to write this up since I got back, been strangely tired for some reason, can't think why

Packing for a trip like this is key, especially after hearing the 'characterful' music last year in Germany, not to mention the problematic weather we had (it was the 7 hours of Nurburgring last year, not 24, due to fog)

So in went the DJ decks and the 3x3 gazebo (replacing the much mocked utility/toilet tent from last year that really was quite inadequate for storage and in fact drying clothes from monsoon rains)





You may think an S Class isn't the ideal vehicle for this much camping equipment (a van perhaps), but after doing 1500 weary miles over the couple of weeks, I beg to differ

First stop of a Le Mans trip is the ferry queue. Exceptional cars, very happy people, I've been going Portsmouth to Caen overnight for my last couple of trips and despite some problems (see photo of the sleeping quarters for details) it's always a great atmosphere.







One of twelve in the world Turbo R shooting brakes. Bought for the guys dad to transport his mobility scooter around,couldn't very well have something normal could he. Expect mpg in the low teens apparently... and thankfully the chap was well aware the colour was hideous



I got talking to a Caterham owner (quelle surprise) and it turned out he'd done three 24hrs himself... albeit in the Citroen C1 Championships. Very jealous, slightly slower speeds than the two I would be attending but the same high emotion apparently

Highlight of the queue though (sorry, interesting Caterham owner) was this beautiful 635CSI with the ultimate wheels of correctness, BBS RS:





After the riveting bubble show (photo proof below) and some fitful sleep in the creche (they'd run out of cabins months ago and the snoring in the communal rest areas on a car ferry full of powerfully built company directors is unholy trust me), it was time to set out for Le Mans. In heavy not at all forecast, rain







If you think I could resist a last photo of the 6 series, you were wrong:



After an uneventful run to Le Mans with no real high speed running due to all the rain, it was time to dump all the stuff at the (very nice) villa where we were staying and head to the track. Luckily the weather cleared up entirely around ten minutes before arrival at the villa, so I was a very happy bunny, as you will see



Here was the first chance have an hours long beer fuelled discussion with like minded enthusiasts about whether the barrel chested blare of the Cadillac really was a match for the sonorous Alpines and Aston Martins. Spoiler: each visit to a different section of the track yielded a different answer Many thanks to Nicholas and Thomas who were brilliant company, despite us only knowing each other for one day! (Thomas posing with a tired and emotional OP on raceday)



There was also a chance to look around the Le Mans village too, but given I was too busy listening to the sound of the engines from various corners to take any photos, here are some of my friend Ben's photos from the pit walk earlier in the week, along with some of the Le Mans Village cars. Hopefully they'll show some of the atmosphere...



























Saturday at 8am (too early given the rather excellent party at the villa on Mad Friday the night before) it was time for some lovely Gruel by the Pool (tm) then off to the track to take our spot for the start:



It was so much busier than when I last went in 2014...



Yep, if there's one thing I'd change about Le Mans is chuck half the people out. Quite difficult to get around and alas access all areas is a thing of the past.

However, all that's forgotten when the weather's good, the beer is flowing and you're watching and listening to Radio Le Mans in the right spot. Kevin Estre's charge through the field from the back of the hypercar field was great to watch https://www.24h-lemans.com/en/news/4-ho ... mans-59780

Tertre Rouge is probably my favourite corner of the track, essential for the drivers to get it right to get a good run onto the Mulsanne. It's often dramatic as the speeds the Hypercars can do through there compared to everything else is pretty barmy. Plus, there's a tunnel under the track nearby so good access to the inside and outside of the corner, and a very large screen to watch the rest of the action on from the grass verge on the inside.



Shoddy photo and surroundings, but trust me, this is motoring nirvana:



(apologies for the poor photo quality, suncream is on the lense in many of these photos as it was well over 30 deg and I'm usually trapped in a murky warehouse by day so need all the sun protection I can get )

Eventually it got late enough for me to do my usual pilgramage to Mulsanne to see if I could get caught by the Gendarmerie, thankfully got away with it again, third time lucky See the video below showing I couldn't get within 10ft of the armco as I was way too scared by the sheer energy of the cars metres away doing 200mph plus... Once you've been, you'll need to go back every time though Thank you to Henry Catchpole who back in the day advised me to do this in an evo column years ago



All too soon it was 2.30am and some folks had a long drive on the Sunday, so it was time to hit the hay. After dropping the guys at the second villa (I know right, this was a big operation with about 25 people!) we got back about 4am. Slept in until 9ish, packed the car and made it back to the track for around 12, taking care that I was the first car parked at the exit of the car park, as the French organisers had in their infinite wisdom made one exit, for one mahoosive car park. Doh.

The Team Langoustine Maserati and my finger:



Really think these guys have got the best campsite at the race, they are right next to Tertre Rouge, and have their own pub, Trustpilot reviews are good too: https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/teamlangoustine.com Must be noisy though!

All too soon it was the end of the race, congratulations to Kubica who we just about saw take the chequered flag through the sheer mass of people But commiserations to me, who ruined any advantage I might have gained parking near the car park exit, by going round and round the one way system to get to the road to Orleans, literally about five times. Must've been tired.

After some R&R involving an expertly cooked barbecue, a DJ set on a beach next to a lake and somewhat unbelievably, the offer (very quickly taken) of a drive in a Cayman GT4, we were kind of refreshed enough for a drive around the Peripherique and a very short stop in Paris with an early start to get to the Nurburgring:







The friendliest, most chill cat I've ever met, Tom:



With a new passenger, Victor, (good news this as my mate was coming back with me on the return leg, and I wasn't quite sure we were going to fit him in given all the stuff I had) we set off on the 500km to N24

More tomorrow, this has taken me hours

Bloody awesome stuff Chris!

Absolute win, I feel inspired to try a race roadtrip again.

Wow - longest forum post evah? Devoid of TL;DR also....

I had to do it in 3 bites, by which time I realised that your format perfectly reflected your story : I went through a journey of intrigue, interest, and exhaustion.

Your post-bubbles bed on the ferry looked amazing.

LeMans looks crazy busy. On the sim I hate Tertre Rouge - it is the most awkward corner and really punishes tiny errors - exactly as you note. 3m from Mulsanne Armco is slightly terrifying even on video.

Awesume write up. I already feel dissapointed that I've never done it.

Excellent write up, makes me want to come with you next time!

Looking forward to the next instalment.

You left me about to leave Paris to avoid the traffic at about 5.30am... As brutal as this was to state the obvious it was like Xmas morning tbh, so I had no problem getting up

We were tasked with meeting Alex just outside Paris and following him in convoy... Now I hate convoy driving at the best of times, never mind with a driver I'd never driven with before, and unfortunately poor Alex had a problem with his C320CDI going into limp mode up the hills... plus he was towing a trailer He did manage an impressive xxmph down a hill, but this was a rarity! I understand that turning it off on again sorted it, but not really an option on the autoroute I guess!

After a stop at Decathlon for some camping supplies, I lost him by taking my Google map as gospel rather than his Waze... And this worked out ok to be fair, as we met at the bottom of the hill up to Adenau Forst (3 mins from our campsite) at exactly the same time! I did get an all important sandwich stop in, which Alex didn't

A quick mention to the S Class being perfect for this trip, can't really think what else you'd rather do the journey in, bar a newer S Class or a Rolls. Also, get an Emovis tag if you're doing a trip through France, it saves a lot of agro at the tolls.

First things first, dump all the gear and get set up. Top tip though, do try and avoid putting all your gear on top of an ants nest, ask me how I know this...

Premier Parking Spot meant I was the Uber Executive (TM RichB, thanks mate) or 'James' for my camp mates. Tbf I didn't have to drive to often, just a couple of runs to the supermarket and the GP track. Impressively, we managed to get seven people in it for the (slow) drag up the hill to the campsite at one point (all private roads officer):



Unfortunately you can't really do justice to the sheer scale of all the different builds at the various campsites during the 24, so photos are pretty inadequate. Here's a few though, that along with the instagram post, indicate some of the shenanigans









Yes for some reason there is a fashion at the Nordschliefe to have a beer on a couch strapped to a tractor being driven around the campsite. Don't think I'll ever figure this one out:





Some W124 correctness:



Can't remember if this had a towbar, but if it did tow the caravan, it's somehow acceptable here, of all places





It was dusty this year, to the point guys were watering the tracks by their camps with watering cans



Hoping to get to DJ on the Swiss guys set up next year, they did invite us!









SJ look away now



We didn't hang around to see if this guy fell off and cut himself to ribbons on all the glass bottles







Anyway. We'd arrived on Tuesday, so had a good chance to look around the GP paddocks and see the site in general as I'd not had the chance last year, plus I had an expert guide in Ben this year So thankfully you're thinking, here are some slightly more sporting cars that were running in the ADAC Classic on the morning of the race. Expect superlative wheel game. Even the support vehicles had the best aftermarket wheels in the universe

I didn't ask her to pose like this, honest!













Sights like this were round every corner. We spent hours in the paddock this day. Then we went back again the next day



Did I mention the quality of the wheels everywhere?





Quick aside, I fell in love with this at the GP track car park, again, perfect period aftermarket wheels



Back to the paddock, some rarities:



A proper rarity, a cradle for a Nokia, in a racecar









Back to the Germans:





Racing Polos. Not sure I've ever seen one in the UK









Look, I've barely scratched the surface of just the cars that were running in the Classic and I've been uploading photos of them for about 45 mins. Just go, ok? I can't do it justice here!

A quick glimpse of the hard as nails 24hr cars proper:



Along with the LM24 GT3 winner on the KW stand:



I saw The Grello facing me close up (the crowd favourite Manthey 911) last year in the pits in the rain, and just as I looked it was dropped off the air jacks, lights switched on and it was started and I still haven't got over the senior moment. In the metal/carbon these exude menace. The Red Bull Huracan looked especially awesome this year:



Which neatly brings me on to the drivers parade, which is my first one, at either LM24 or N24. Good luck getting to the one in Le Mans, it's hugely popular and always runs late... however this one was sparsely attended, at least, on the route in anyway! It did get a bit busy in the centre of Adenau:





Crowd favourite (as you can see) Dacia Logan (with a 300bhp Megane RS engine)



Fab photo of The Grello and the back of a man's head:



The 190s were the HWA restomods, but I only had eyes for the 2.5 original...



Another fan favourite, the Manta that used to run in the 24 (not the classic, the real one, up until about five years ago) That's the team owner having an ice cream







As ever, seeing a full house race car outside their usual environs was fab, I'd say the drivers parade is a must do if you ever go. The Adenau kebabs aren't bad either



Now we did go to the drift show this year rather than getting let on the track this year and some of the skills were awesome, but after an hour... a bit of a one trick pony I'm afraid. Still, pretty good atmosphere with about 20,000 spectators and the sun shining, sure beat working, perhaps we should've brought more beer



The red headlamps on the E36 were a bit of a master stroke though

So I'm afraid this is going to be a bit of a damp squib ending, as I didn't take many photos or video of the very best bit about N24, which is watching the cars running at night. So you're going to have to cope with just the one photo, and the one video.

But suffice to say the proximity to the cars compared to Le Mans, makes it so much more thrilling. So many spots like Tertre Rouge where you're within feet of the cars. Watching the sun go down at Flugplatz, SchwadenKreuz and the entry to Aremberg (which feeds down to the Foxhole) will stay with me for a long time. The top flight cars are going through traffic here at 170mph (see video)

My mate and I went on a bike ride through the night and maybe watched from a quarter of the possible spots and it is the crack cocaine of motorsport viewing. Just so intense. My mate who is admittedly an engineer and has a Civic Type R, isn't that much of a petrolhead day to day, but this had him babbling incoherently. What we kept saying though, is you have to experience it to understand. So don't delay, get those tix booked for N24 next year





OK I've uploaded one more, but it does have my Brummy tones on it, sorry about that.

Again - totally awesome stuff!

I look at these now and wonder whether I'd hack it or not any more - completely screwed back and requiring fucking wizardry to sleep these days. But a mate (who I did both of my previous Le Mans trips with ) suggested last night we do the LM24 for our 50ths - five years away. Frankly I can't think of a better idea at the moment, but if I'm going to all the expense to get to Europe I might as well do the N24 too right?