THE ROAD TO LE MANS 2019

conaero

Forum Owner
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34,593
If buying, best to buy a pair then you can use them outside the trip, monitoring kids, two cars driving together etc
 

2b1ask1

Special case
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20,220
Definitely!

We now have some other friends, Alex and Kip who want to come so have 5 on the reserve list so am considering taking a fifth gite (Le Bois) as we can fill it.

I don't have enough brownie points.... stop teasing!
 

Felonious Crud

Administrator
Staff member
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21,012
I don't have enough brownie points.... stop teasing!

Course you do!

PS - and you can drag the elusive Mr Walker along with you, too. And while you're at it, the Vicar of Newbury can stop with all the bloody wedding excuses and tip up this year as well.
 

conaero

Forum Owner
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34,593
So we have 4 plus Dave Walker on the reserve list, so we will take that as 4. If I can get one more or even 2, we can take on a fifth gite.

Anyone consider it let me know.

Les Blot: FULL
1. Matthew Yates
2. Dave Rose
3. Felonious Crud
4. Zep (taking David place for one year only)
5. Dem
6. MAF
7. Bill
8. Benny
9. Frank
10. Spartacus
11. Matt Clemence
12. Dan!

Guys: FULL
1. Capes
2. Capes +1
3. Aran
4. Eric
5. Jon Carroll
6. Josh Carroll
7. Dave Ribands
8. Thatch
9. Thatch +1
10. FIFTY
11. Steve
12. Barry Talbot

Waynes: FULL
1. Midlife
2. MrPea
3. Adam
4. Jules
5. Athol
6. Garry
7. Damo
8. Ambient
9. Krishna
10. Stu

New Gite nr Les Blot: FULL
1. Stevo
2. Terry
3. Terry +1
4. Scaf
5. Wifedrivestheclio
6. Wifedrivestheclio +1

Reserve list (people do change their minds):
1. MarkMas
2. MarkMas +1
3. Dave Walker
4. Alex
5. Kip
 

BennyD

Sea Urchin Pate
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14,994
Taking all those reprobates across to Le france just shows our contempt for them!
 

conaero

Forum Owner
Messages
34,593
Indeed Dan, half way is 11th December.

Looks like we are taking a fifth gite for 2019 if we can find another person or pair....any takers?

See first post.

Looks like it’s going to be Dover out, Cherbourg return plus Dover return option for those whom want to.
 

midlifecrisis

Member
Messages
16,102
Are we seriously going through Dover again after the trouble we had in 2016?

With Brexit and all that, we'll have to make sure that we're not taking on unwanted passengers on the way OUT of the country...lol
 

MarkMas

Chief pedant
Messages
8,795
Could we have a thread for newbie questions and useful answers for the Le Mans Road Trip? Probably not in this thread, to keep it away from arrangement details and banter, and as it would be helpful maybe to have a page one master FAQ (a bit like EVENTS) that gets updated with all the sensible information.

My noob questions include:
- Do people usually travel in a pair (driver+co-driver) or do many people go solo? (my co-driver seems to be backing out)
- Are the hotels and gites all sharing rooms in twins?
- Is there a brilliant computer algorithm for buddying-up singles, or do you just take your chances?
- What's the walkie-talkie spec? Range? UHF or VHF?
- What has our experience been with speeding tickets?
- What as our experience been with laser diffusers, laser detectors and camera databases?
- Does anybody actually see any of the racing?
- How do it prep my 2009 QP's lights for driving on the wrong side of the road?
- What other motoring-related **** do you need in France?
- Why won't my magnetic GB sign stick to my boot? (Actually, I know that one)
- etc, etc
 

Felonious Crud

Administrator
Staff member
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21,012
Hallo Mark,

First stab at answers below:

- Do people usually travel in a pair (driver+co-driver) or do many people go solo? (my co-driver seems to be backing out)

Personal preference. I prefer to travel solo because I cherish the break from the usual barrage of life. My working days spans 18 hours of time zones, so the chance to be in my own company is one I relish. I equally relish the ridiculous company of fellow SMers when we get to where we're going.

- Are the hotels and gites all sharing rooms in twins?

Generally yes, unless you request otherwise and space allows for it. Few people have reported being violated.

- Is there a brilliant computer algorithm for buddying-up singles, or do you just take your chances?

No and yes. More or less, I think. Matt will know more.

- What's the walkie-talkie spec? Range? UHF or VHF?

I forget. Someone will be along soon to remember.

- What has our experience been with speeding tickets?

Blessed, I would say! A few unlucky souls. I wonder if Dan has a photograph he might share..?

- What as our experience been with laser diffusers, laser detectors and camera databases?

Mostly to be avoided, but many use satnavs which highlight (ahem) 'danger zones'. Which is helpful.

- Does anybody actually see any of the racing?

Yes, but how much is a matter of personal choice.

- How do it prep my 2009 QP's lights for driving on the wrong side of the road?

You probably don't.

- What other motoring-related **** do you need in France?

Matt will send an idiots' guide. We have many idiots, so it's invaluable. In brief:

Fluorescent vest
Spare bulbs
Tyre-weld stuff
Blood alcohol level of zero

- Why won't my magnetic GB sign stick to my boot? (Actually, I know that one)
- etc, etc

I bought one on the ferry last year and was briefly amazed when it just fell on the floor. I still have it if anyone wants one... Ended up without any GB signage.
 

midlifecrisis

Member
Messages
16,102
Further to Mr F Crud's answers:

My noob questions include:
- Do people usually travel in a pair (driver+co-driver) or do many people go solo? (my co-driver seems to be backing out)
Usually a pair to share costs
- Are the hotels and gites all sharing rooms in twins?
Gaffa tape is sold by the metre by Matt, vaseline too, but ask for the vaseline with the sand in it...
- Is there a brilliant computer algorithm for buddying-up singles, or do you just take your chances?
Who ever you like the look of...
- What's the walkie-talkie spec? Range? UHF or VHF?
They are UHF using the Public Mobile Radio (PMR) Frequencies so you don't need a licence if yours is less than 0.5W but you do if it's over 0.5W. Ours are 5W but how many gendarms have the correct test equipment by the roadside to measure! We used to get them from Maplin but someone on here will lend or sell you a spare. Shaun has a few knocking around but he'll want your dinner as compensation...
- What has our experience been with speeding tickets?
We don't speed
- What as our experience been with laser diffusers, laser detectors and camera databases?
Do not use them or get CAUGHT using them. Use Waze and if you get stopped disable the speed camera detection feature immediately. Learn how to do this quickly.
- Does anybody actually see any of the racing?
Yes, We definitely see the start, the end and bits in the middle. Especially the night racing.
- How do it prep my 2009 QP's lights for driving on the wrong side of the road?
full beam and drive on the CORRECT side of the road...they will move...seriously I think Maserati lights are flat.
- What other motoring-related **** do you need in France?
Gilet jaune, if you fancy a protest...
- Why won't my magnetic GB sign stick to my boot? (Actually, I know that one)
Its not magnetic or your car is full of filler!
 

BennyD

Sea Urchin Pate
Messages
14,994
All valid questions, the answers to which you simply won’t care about when your liver is doing flick-flacks across the floor. Always remember: the french are there to amuse us, not control us. :D
 

conaero

Forum Owner
Messages
34,593
Finally heard back from Michelle, Les Blot is confirmed as booked.

Just waiting on Wayne to respond, I think he disappears to Canada this time of year plus we have an option on Le Bois for a week or so while MarkMas, his plus one and Alex and Kip decide if they are coming or not.