CLASSIC LEMANS

[AC Ace Bristol]

.
   
   THANK YOU !!
   
   A BIG Thank you to all who supported Jean Marc Dubost & I and  made this year's Le Mans Classic a HUGE Success..[:)]
   
   Thursday Afternoon ,  5th July....... Sunny Start arrived wearing  short sleeved shirt, Met up with most at Portsmouth and spent a pleasent hour or so socialising with not just ACOC members but may Classic Car Enthusiasts......  Petrol Heads....... Really is surprising how so many people from all walks of life and all nationalities love the AC Marque....... long may it continue.[;)]
   Majority of Sea crossing spent eating , drinking and chatting with like minded AC OC members, bed 02.00,  awake 06.00 Shower, down on car deck, rerady for departure like a  pack ? Swarm ? of Lemmings.
   06.50 arrived in Caen and managed to dodge the heavier showers, as long as your doing more than 50 mph you stay pretty dry, It's the slower Tin Tops and Moderns that hold you up,  Ahhh.. Another change of socks, wring out the carpet and onward.
   
   The Friday Night ACOC  Dinner lived up to expectation as did the lack of Taxi to get one back to Chateau.  We got Back by  02.20.
   
   Saturday, Early Breakfast,  15/ 16 Km run and into circuit by 8.30 /9.15. Not the First by any means. (Don't any of you SLEEP)[?]
   Put up the very large picture of John Devesons Le Mans 24hr (1959) Class winning Ace, and spent some time talking to Patrick Peter and furnished him with this years Rally Plaque.
   
   Great racing all day dodge the heavy rain, very long delay for the Group 4 night race, As marshalls worked from three different grid sheets, ( Only the French ) we watched the race then left the Circuit at 02,30 Sunday morning and returned to Chateau just after 03.00, Sorry for waking those in the bedrooms above the garage.
   Late break fast... 08.00.  Return to Circuit,  meet many Old Friends and make many New Ones.
   Nice to meet up with Constant Wagner between races and other Eurpoean ACOC members.
   
   Thankfully  Craig and I were in Plateau 3 paddock when the Heavens really opened up,  Waders and Snorkells being the order for the next 10 minutes. (How that fits in with dress  Smart Casual ? I aint the Faintest),  BEX289 piloted by Piere Modas/Patrick Percevault and Fredrick Berchon......  What a great looking Ace.. [:p]
   
   The Cobras did Bloody Well against the Mighty GT40s, but the Aces didn't fair so well, I Did offer Bertrand Leseur my Disrtibutor to continue racing, but too big a job to dismantle BEX333 remove drive shaft to assist David Allborough's Ace Bristol continue racing.
   
   Mid Sunday Afternoon after saying goodbyes, travelled back to Chateau then onward to next destination, dinner and chill out with a dozen friends until early hours.
   
   Monday arrived dry,  quick photo session, Can there ever be a Quick photo Session when John & Rev Limiter (Dee) direct Peter de Rousset-Hall for a photo shoot..[?] Fairwells, then thunder along the French D roads to Cean, stopping for yet more Go Juice, Coffee and Beers.
   Felt so sorry for the guy in the E-Type who thought he could simply overtake 4 cobras, a Supersonic and a Ace Britsol in one go, Did any one pick up his Baseball Cap[;)]
   
   Craig and I in BEX333 enjoyed driving in the usual Cobra Company with the added bonus of having the  Willment Ghia Supersonic of Mark Chowis with us for 4 days, We couldn't believe the attention the Red Willment Ghia Supersonic (427 Cobra Coupe) attracted..[8D].
   
   Caught up with many on the Ferry returning to Portsmouth and spent a few hours with Kevin Kivlochan and Mark Freeman who competed successfuly in Marks 1964 Cobra (Plateau 4.)...Well Done !
   
   
   A big thank you to all who helped make the 6th Le Mans Classic weekend a success, Especially Jean Marc for securing the various Chateau and arranging the ACOC Gala Dinner at Auberge des Matfeux.
   
   Hope you all arrive home safely.
   
   Last but not least, furthest travelled this year were a group of 4 from OZ, with members from South Africa, USA, Germany,England,  France,etc.  so didn't break 2010 record.
   
   Cheers
   
   Keith ..[:)]..[:)]
   
     

[administrator]

Thanks Keith and Jean Marc - another great weekend.  It didn't rain all the time but when it did - a 3000ME was a good place to be!
   
   
   
   
   
   

[cobham cobra]

Keith,
   Thank you for a great weekend. The whole trip was very enjoyable and well organised with good accommodation and road books etc – well done yet again #61514;.
   I'm sure you and your Ace will dry out eventually.
   
   Half-Shaft Harry and the Rev-Limiter.

[CRS9505]

Keith - Good to meet you at last, thanks for a great "Classic" week-end. Fabulous AC Dinner/Venue/route book etc(was every route book slightly different? we kept meeting groups of ACs comming from other directions?)
   Another vote of thanks for all your hard work [:)]
   
   Few more images from a damp Saturday.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

[Gus Meyjes]

Hey guys,
   
   How about some pictures of the faces that go with the cars? Isn't it about the people and AC enthusiasts?
   
   Gus

[A-Snake]

CRS9505,
   Do you have any history or background on the 'miniature' Cobra pictured?
   
   Thanks

[French Frie]

those little cars are called "Little Big Mans" (hope you like the clever joke [:o)]), and are present each year ... but I do not know what is the manufacturer !
   
   here's a body for a go-kart, if you fancy [;)] : http://www.stang-aholics.com/ShowItem/108366%20Cobra%20Style%20Fiberglass%20%20Go-kart%20Body.aspx

[AC Ace Bristol]

CRS9505..Mike.
   
   All Road Books were the same with one page detailing various routes to the different Chateau.
   
   Most  took the correct route, however the first 15 kilometers proved entertaining if one wrong slotted, which a few did.  The Light Blue GT40 was either cloned or the navigator had one too many the night before..[|)]
   The idea was to mark the route on a map, then should one wrong slot you could redirect and jump ahead to catch the main group.[:)]
   
   We watched him approach from various directions and ACtualy waited at one round-about before proceeding as we were not sure how long it would take him to get giddy and stop..[;)]
   
   Seriously,  all Road Books were the same, but a great WIZZ for 2014..[B)]
   
   Keith..[:)]..[:)]

[SB7015]

Thanks to Keith & Jean Marc Dubost for arranging such a fabulous 'Classic' Le Mans weekend. The Gala dinner was a first class gastronomic experience, sadly some people who booked did not turn up! No doubt payment must be up front in future to counter people who commit and don't pay! The variety of racing machinery and mixed weather conditions made it all the more spectacular with over 400 competitors.
   
   Thanks to John & Dee for encouraging us to participate. We are already looking forward to the 2014 Classic.
   
   Malcolm [:)] - AC Superblower 7015

[REV]

The "Little Big Man" Cobra.
   
   http://www.luxkidcars.com/

[AC Ace Bristol]

Malcolm
   
   Was good to names and Faces together. Enjoyed your company at the Chateau, circuit and Dinner on Sunday night.
   Craig & I would like to thank you and Sarah for taking over Navigation on 2nd half of homeward trip.
   
   Gave us a chance to see the scenery instead of map reading.
   Craig enjoyed Driving the Ace, reminded him of driving BEX333 back from Ollon Viller back in 2003.
   
   Rest assured all Ferry Tickets, entry-paddock passes, grand stand tickets  and ACOC Gala dinner were all paid up front.
   If Jean Marc & I organise 2014 which is doubtful, then the chateaux will have to be paid up front.
   
   Post mortum first, digest, then decisions can be made next year, in the meantime lets hope we can share some photos of the chateaux,our cars and ACOC members whom made this years Le Mans Classic (the 6th) .... a weekend to remember.[;)]
   
   Cheers for Now
   
   Keith..[:)]..[:)]

[ME113]

Keith,
   
   Many thanks to yourself and Jean-Marc for all the organisation, very much appreciated.
   
   As requested, some pics from the trip.
   
   Chateau de Courteilles.
   
   
   
   
   
   AC area at the circuit.
   
   
   
   
   
   

[AC Ace Bristol]

Jeremy.
   
   Thanks for posting a few pictures, especially of Chateau de Courteille,  We have used this Chateau for 6 consecutive Le Mans Classic, very picturesque, chic but shabby.
   Mme Lescope has proved to be a brilliant Hostess, great welcome, great breakfasts. [:)]
   Many have requested to stay year after year, However time has come when the Chateau has to be sold, so this year was the last, we wish Mme Lescope all the best in her retirement and will miss her welcome.
   
   Can one or two of you please post a few pictures of the other Chateau preferably as aback drop to our toys, OOPppss sorry Cars...  (Scale 12 inches to the foot)
   
   Thank you all for the numerous emails Jean Marc and I have received
   received.... appreciated by us both..[;)]
   
   Keith..[:)]..[:)]

[ACOCArch]

Just back from a great Classic Le Mans! 850miles of lovely AC motoring returning via Mont St Michel, Normandy beaches, Bayeux Tapestry and Pegasus Bridge. Met many similarly-minded friendly Classic Car enthusiasts along the way and the 3000ME attracted much favourable attention - as always!
   
   Many thanks Keith and Jean-Marc for your hard work in organising us all. You've got the job for 2014!
   
   Sue & John

[nikbj68]

A couple of photos from Tim Isles:
   
   BEX 313 next to COB 6107 outside La Vagotiere: