Off We Go Again!

[jonclancy]

After a pretty successful last visit, we’re off to LMC again. The team comprises Splat (XI), Ken (AH3000), Ja (Lotus Esprit Turbo) and me in my XI. It’s been a pretty dire couple of years on the XI front. My car has been in storage for 16 months while I get some domestics sorted, but it’s now time to unearth it!

Jobs to do include brake service, fuel pump upgrade (electronic points, or just a Facet unit) and sort out some little electrical bits and pieces. Clearly need to book an MoT test too.

We’ve been looking at routes, how to get to and from Arnage intact (on foot, after beer) and considering what local attractions to visit on the down-day. This trip will hopefully include a ‘parade lap’ of the circuit, too.

Any general info can be placed in threads in the parent forum. Any specifics to the 2025 outing can live here.

Can’t wait.

Cheers!

[biggles]

How was it @ Jonners and Splat? Any pics?

[jonclancy]

Epic! Will post some pics when I get a moment…

The team:

Healey 3000, Esprit Turbo S2, and a pair of XI.

Here’s a list of boxes ticked:

Day 1

Car reassembled. An hour before departure!
Aeroscreen broken 30 secs before departure.
Three-ship transit to Sutton Scotney.
Meet with Splat.
Four-ship to ferry.
Refuel then check in.
Board, dinner, uncomfortable night of no sleep.

Day 2

Off near front and meet in town centre car park.
Four-ship to just outside Le Mans, routing on D roads though forest etc.
Stop for food, beers, fuel.
Arrive early at Tertre Rouge campsite.
Set up camp, shower and cold beer.
Visit the bar at Porte de Circuit.
Kronenburg 1664 and Ricard.

Day 3

Early start. Assemble for track laps - helmet required, old flying gloves worn.
Engine almost let go on Mulsanne Straight.
Campsite tune to lean off.
Awful running on way to car show at local Priory.
Italian Tune Up cleans fouled plugs.
Car running great. Back to LM.
Healey fails to proceed with fuel vaporisation.
Ken uses Anglo-Saxon.
Finally cool float chambers, then get Ken going.
Retrieve dumped XI, then return to camp.
Change, dinner at L'Auberge d'Hundieres.
View cars on Mulsanne from upper windows.
Drive to Indianapolis for night racing qually spectating.
Chance meeting with French XI owner in car park.
Drive to Arnage for some showing off, then try to beat the rain back to camp.
Get soaked.

Day 4

Try to bale out car cover. Drop pints into footwell.
Look around club stands.
Racing starts.
Get soaked, again.
Rain stops.
Few beers.

Day 5

Last of the racing.
Dinner at Buffalo Grill.
Get locked out of circuit.
Find way in.
Sleep.

Day 6

Strike camp betweeen rain showers.
Ready to go and clouds open.
XI Battery almost flat due charging jump pack for my phone!
Bump start from Ja. Works first time!
Leave circuit in rain.
Hour up road for fuel.
In and out of rain all way.
Stop at Pegasus Bridge. Wow!
Continue via fuel towards ferry.
Two small boys run out and WOW at the cars - give them a toot and treat to a good XI revving!
Arrive early at ferry.
Board, dinner, arrive.
Witness Custom deliver massive bollocking to driver in next lane who crossed line.
Usual motorway closures forcing detours.
Arrive home around 0030. Meet Ja who had my mega tent in his Esprit Turbo S2.
Finally parked XI under car port and fell into bed.

And, I've not even cleaned it yet!!!

[alleggerita]

Sounds like a good trip!

I like it you specify the really important elements too: 1664, Ricard.

[biggles]

Sounds great! I haven’t been for 25 years, must rectify that soon. Is it every other year, for the classic?

[jonclancy]

Rumour is that they are going to have the meetings more often, but for age ranges. Too much of a good thing?

[jonclancy]

And still not cleaned the XI yet!

[biggles]

I just had a look at next year dates, and they are indeed running it every year, alternating between up to 1975 cars, and 1975 up to 2015…