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
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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
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‘Back at base for a cold beer and the legendary R20 barbecue. A seemingly haphazard event which always comes good. We stay up late’ Clunk! Soon the front lid opens, and the alarm sounds. Sighs of relief all round. Where to watch the start? The start/finish straight, with the atmosphere and sound of thousands of people singing? The Mulsanne straight, as the pack descends upon it? The Porsche Curves? Or perhaps on the big-screen TV in the marquee? We opt for the banking, and are not disappointed. The cars complete their warm-up laps, fall into grid sequence for their rolling start, and then they are off. For the first few laps the classes are apparent, bunched together. Soon the faster cars lap the back of the field, and it’s all about endurance. We watch for an hour, as Toyota dominates the lead in the LMP1 class. A race of this length is all about energy management – for spectators as well as drivers. We settle in to our comfy chairs in the sunshine as a sudden and heavy shower appears from nowhere. Running for cover, we secure tents and huddle under the R20 gazebo. On the track several cars aquaplane through the Mulsanne chicanes, spinning out of the race, so soon after the start. The storm passes quickly, though, and the sun shines again. The roar of the race is incessant. You can tell whether or not the cars are running well by the sound of the acceleration and downshifts, and the intervals between them. From the trademark throaty cough of the Corvette, to the almost preternatural whoosh of Audi’s R18 hybrids.
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These two contrasting images really do sum up the spirit of Le Mans. On the one hand, the relative calm of the Lycian campsite, on the other the Porsche 904 which participated in the Porsche parade. This particular car was driven at Le Mans in 1964 by Ben Pon and Henk van Zalinge, finishing 2nd in class and 8th overall
More disturbingly, the sound of silence leaves you wondering what might be happening, like a concerned parent. You feel connected. Early evening and the number 20 Porsche and number 7 Toyota alternate the lead. Each 13.6km lap takes just three-and-a-half minutes for the LMP1 class. Drivers spend two to four
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hours at a time to get in as many laps as possible, a real feat of concentration. The sun sets, we don our R20 team shirts, and surround the Motorwerks 935 for the obligatory photo. Darkness falls and we meet my brother, Mark Sanders, for a night-time tour. The natural hill at Tertre Rouge provides a mesmerising view of
the race streaking through the ‘S’ de la Forêt. A surprising number of drivers choose to overtake through the bends before speeding down the Mulsanne straight. At the Porsche pits the crew members are standing, waiting, ready. We wait, too. The number 14 car zooms in, the crew work like a well-oiled machine, and in seconds the car is back out on the track. Wow. At 3am the track is still busy with people. We head for bed. Sunday morning, and soon the sun is high in the sky. Word spreads that Porsche has edged up to second place behind the number 1 Audi. It isn’t clear what has happened to the Toyotas that had so dominated the early racing. An enthusiastic bunch heads into Le Mans old town for coffee, croissants, and not least to go to church. Le Mans cathedral is an impressive sight with the soothing sound of the choir singing. A world away from the high-speed racing. Back at base it’s a slower start. Cars continue to roar in the background as we tuck in to hearty English breakfasts, all the time captivated by the big television screen and a driver’s eye view of the race. We take our coffees out to the banking to watch the live action unfold before us. The lead Audi has blown a turbo, putting Porsche number 20 and long-time driver Bernhard in the lead. It takes the Audi pit crew just 17 minutes to change the turbo. This is rapidly turning into an F1-type race with the lead cars jostling for position. Porsche swaps Bernhard for Webber. It is rumoured he will stay in the car for the duration to lead Porsche home. But it is not to be. Number 20 limps past us, and minutes later Audi is showing in the top two places. The number 14 Porsche is lapping at almost five minutes, slow in comparison. Twenty minutes later number 14 is in the pits with a gearbox issue. With just 90 minutes of the race to go both Porsche LMP1 cars are off the track. Toyota, the early leader, has retaken third. In other classes the GTE AM Porsches are showing the Aston Martins a thing or two. The final hour is parade-like, with each team glad to have made it this far. The two Audis have found each other and maintain their one-two formation. In the closing minutes Porsche sneaks ➔
72 hours at Le Mans Thursday, 16.00: there at last! Arrive at the campsite, check in, and set up your tent. Don’t get too comfortable, though; it’s time to get out there and explore Thursday, 19.00: orientation and practice Head over to the paddock, explore the different grandstands, which are open to all during practice. These are easily some of the best seats in the house. Wander over the famous Dunlop bridge and along the track to see the cars speeding through the ‘S’ bend at Virage de la Forêt as the sun sets Thursday, 23.00: night owl Time to practise your night-time photography skills while you have roving grandstand access – don’t forget your tripod! Friday, 01.00: time to sleep ‘Home’ to bed, and look forward to a lie-in Friday, 10.00: to the pits The pit walk takes place between 10am and 8pm for some up-close-and-personal access to the cars and their teams of mechanics. The crowds rotate, giving you a chance to take plenty of pictures. You may get to see the teams sharpening up their driver or wheel changes. All very impressive Friday, 15.00: go shopping The ‘village’ is the place to be. This is your opportunity to pick up some souvenirs, your race radio, and other essentials. With a wide range of bars to choose from, enjoy a cold beer and just watch the world go by Friday, 17.00: drivers’ parade Take the tram to the centre of Le Mans. A carnival-like atmosphere descends on the town as a parade of cars and bands fill the streets. The race drivers are ferried along in open-top cars, allowing them to hand out hats, posters and flags. Take a banner showing your favourite team or driver name for more attention and a better chance of collecting the goodies Friday, 21.00: get a good night’s sleep You will probably head for a beer or three instead, but Friday is the night to catch up on sleep if you need it Saturday, 08.00: up early Set your alarm, time to get up bright and early. Race day has arrived at last!
Saturday, 09.00: warm-up Grab your coffee and relax on the banking at the Porsche curves to watch the warm-up laps and the morning’s racing. Remember to bring your ear plugs – you’ll need them! Saturday, 13.00: ready for the off Time to make your way to the start/finish straight and join the festival atmosphere. Sing along with the crowds and enjoy the pre-race action while jostling for a good place to stand Saturday, 14.40pm: on your marks… The start procedures are under way, the drivers head for the cars and line up in grid sequence behind the officials’ car for the rolling start. Enjoy the excitement along the course while most cars are out on the track Saturday, 19.00: barbecue Take a moment to enjoy the barbecue. With the background noise of the racing you will still feel connected. Conserve your energy Saturday, 23.00: darkness descends As night falls in earnest the cars light up for night racing. Take a ride on the Ferris wheel for a bird’s eye view of the course. Hang out opposite the pits – at night they are fully lit, giving a ringside view of the work going on. For the more adventurous head to Virage d’Arnage on the shuttle bus to see the headlights powering through the woods Sunday, 10.00: go to church Time to do something a bit different. Head into the picturesque Le Mans old town for a coffee and a croissant. Pop in to the cathedral and enjoy the sound of the choir singing. Alternatively, take the shuttle or hop on a bike to the Virage de Mulsanne. At the end of a long straight the racing at this sharp righthand bend is guaranteed to be exciting Sunday, 13.00: the final stages Time to head back to the start/finish line. Find a spot near the barriers and watch the cars jostling for their final positions, and the late drop-outs limping back to the pits Sunday, 15.00: all done for another year As the race finishes, the barriers are pulled back and the huge crowds surge forward to the foot of the podium. Join in to complete your 24 Heures du Mans experience before heading home to the UK – and come back next year to do it all again, of course!
‘An enthusiastic bunch heads into Le Mans old town for coffee, croissants and not least to go to church’ Porschepost August
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the number 14 car back out on to the track, behind the Audis, to retain fifth position in class. Three o’clock comes, and the crowds cheer as the race officially ends. The marshals, ambulance and fire crews line up to salute the drivers. The cars have been on the track for the best part of 25 hours, their drivers and pit crews exhausted. Tired but happy, we head back to the campsite for a final evening of merriment. After the noise, the quiet is eerie. Something is missing. Warmed by the evening sun, we enjoy a traditional English roast dinner, chatting about a great weekend and planning for next year. Gathering around the fire, stories are told
and the banter continues on into the night. Dawn breaks, and the campsite is a buzz of activity. Tents come down, cars are packed and return routes agreed. We arrange to meet at a favourite lunch stop, Au Vieux Port in Etaples, near Le Touquet, for moules. We will be back. The weekend is much more than the race itself. Sharing the experience with so many Porsche Club members has been a real pleasure. Heartfelt thanks to Joy and Stephen at Lycian Events for their patience and fortitude, and to John Cherrington for coordinating the ever-growing R20 contingent, providing wise advice, and being such a generous host. PP
‘After the noise, the quiet is eerie. Something is missing. Warmed by the evening sun we enjoy a traditional English roast dinner, chatting about a great weekend and planning for next year’
Words to the wise... Keep your hydration levels up, especially during particularly hot and sunny weather Always take your track passes with you when you leave the tent. It’s a long way back to fetch them if you forget! Bring an umbrella. You will appreciate it when the sun is shining – and certainly when the rain is hammering down Invest in some ear plugs, or even ear defenders. Your hearing will love you for it Pick up a radio. Even a simple wind-up unit will make a difference by allowing you to follow exactly what’s happening on the track Arrange a meeting point or some similar strategy with your friends. It’s all too easy to lose each other in the massive crowds Use the grandstand access on the Thursday practice session to take your photographs, unobstructed by the chain-link fence, and with fewer spectators in the way Wear comfortable shoes or walking boots – you will clock up miles over the weekend Remember to get some rest whenever you can. It is possible to grab moments of quiet in the madness. Well, just about…
Located just a stone’s throw from the Lycian campsite, the grass banks of the Porsche Curves really are a wonderful spot to enjoy the on-track action. Meanwhile (right), the scent of barbecue cooking regularly filled the evening air
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Try not to park your Porsche near the main campsite roads. They will be covered in thick dust by the time you come to leave