A night to remember
There was never much chance that Region 20 wouldn’t be heading to Le Mans this year, to watch what we all hoped would be Porsche’s triumphant return to the top echelon of endurance racing. In the end, fate put the 919s out of the running after 22 hours, but even so it was a weekend to remember for a very long time to come. Report by Ed Pike. Photographs from Ed and Nick Pike, Nick Francis, Alan Armstrong and John Hearn
I
t’s four in the morning, and the alarm clock is insistent. Time to get going. The anticipation and the banter have been growing over the weeks, from tales of tents to VIP tickets and the beer budget. We join one of the many R20 convoys to Le Mans. The London contingent is the largest ever. We lost count months ago, yet Lycian Events, our regular hosts, have taken it all in their stride. Much hilarity ensues as new campers attempt to erect their tents, while old hands give advice. Lycian has a great set-up, with plenty of working toilets and showers, high-speed wi-fi, power points and even a shuttle bus to take us to the main action. The catering is top-notch. Unable to resist the distant roar of engines, we climb the Porsche Curve banking. The track is literally on our doorstep. Race cars scream past, practising for the real thing, and the excitement grows. As the sun sets reflective numbers light up, and coloured lights tell you their class and position. The noise is constant and loud. The practice ends after midnight, and quiet descends upon the campsite. Sunrise, and dew-covered Porsches wait patiently while their owners sleep. The campsite comes to life as we head for showers, coffee and breakfast. There is no practice session today. The paddock is open to the public while crews rebuild and repair their cars, ahead of tomorrow’s
race. In the pits the Porsche LMP1 mechanics have the cars’ distinctive nosecones off and are diligently working on the hardware beneath. Out on the track is an impressive display of historic Porsche Le Mans race cars, including a stunning bright-orange 904 GTS. Nick eyes up the Team Holland decals for his special-edition Boxster ‘S’. Walking the track you understand some of the challenges the drivers face: uphill blind bends, the Dunlop bridge, into a downhill series of dauntingly quick ‘S’ bends. Back at base for a cold beer and the legendary R20 barbecue. A seemingly haphazard event which always comes good. The pit crew procure concrete blocks for the barbecue base, and extra charcoal to keep things going. We stay up late. Waking to sunshine, anticipation is in the air. Today is race day. An early position on the bank gives fantastic views of the shakedown practice, with the number 27 LMP2 car spinning out in front of us. The driver is fine, but his car is unlikely to be racing this afternoon. A call for help. Billy Smith has done the one thing we all dread, and locked his keys inside his Cayman, together with his wallet and race pass. Porsche Club GB’s Boxster technical representative Nick Pike steps in. A quick call to Porsche Centre in Byfleet, where Tim Munford the service director confirms the plan of attack, and with a borrowed 986 jack and tools in hand Nick disappears underneath. ➔
The Club shop, top, was managed by Cornbury House’s Jen Doran during the event. Meanwhile image immediately above, shows Porsche’s eyecatching paddock transport
Porschepost August
2014
www.porscheclubgb.com
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