Le Mans (not just) for Dummies The Club Arnage Guide to the 24 hours of Le Mans 2008 "If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough." (Mario Andretti, 9 times Le Mans participant between 1966 and 2000) Copyright The entire contents of this publication and, in particular of all photographs, maps and articles contained therein, are protected by the laws in force relating to intellectual property. All rights which have not been expressly granted remain the property of Club Arnage. The reproduction, depiction, publication, distribution or copying of all or any part of this publication, or the modification of all or any part of it, in any form whatsoever is strictly forbidden without the prior written consent of Club Arnage (CA). Club Arnage (CA) hereby grants you the right to read and to download and to print copies of this document or part of it solely for your own personal use. 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The Club Arnage Guide to the 24 hours of Le Mans 2008 2 Table of content Foreword…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 4 Call for Donations…………………………………………………………………………………………………………... 5 Le Mans for Dummies – introduction…………………………………………………………………………………….. 6 The “Circuit 24 Heures”……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 12 War of the classes………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 15 Sporting regulations………………………………………………………………………………………………………... 18 Map of the circuit…………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 20 Where to watch……………………………………………………………………………………………………………... 21 Race week schedule……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 25 Entry list……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………... 26 Pit allocation………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 42 Administrative Checking & Scrutineering………………………………………………………………………………... 43 The drivers parade………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 45 The support race…………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 46 History: Eddie Irvine at Le Mans…..……………………………………………………………………………………… 48 Rising like a phoenix – the Kruse Schiller Motorsport story…………………………………………………………… 50 The campsites……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 53 What to take and what to leave behind………………………………………………………………………………….. 70 Transport in Le Mans……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 72 Forgot something at home? – Shopping in Le Mans…………………………………………………………………… 74 Bars & Restaurants………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 80 Team Rollcentre at Le Mans……………………………………………………………………………………………… 84 History: Mark Galvin - Racing at Le Mans………………………………………………………………………………. 91 How to get tickets…………………………………………………………………………………………………………... 96 A.C.O. Membership………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 99 Other useful stuff…………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 101 The A.C.O. village……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 101 Concerts………….……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 101 Breakdown Service..…………………………………………………………………………………………….. 101 Golf Course………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 101 First Aid – the Medical Centre………………………………………………………………………………….. 101 The automobile museum……………………………………………………………………………………….. 102 Wi-Fi Hotspots…………………………………………………………………………………………………… 102 Karting……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 103 Funfair……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 103 Visitors with physical disabilities……………………………………………………………………………….. 103 Banking services – ATMs at the circuit………………………………………………………………………... 103 Kangaroo TV - Portable TVs for rent…………………………………………………………………………... 103 The “Ceremony of Hands”………………………………………………………………………………………. 104 Helicopter flights…………………………………………………………………………………………………. 104 Mad Friday………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 105 Team LeMansZone – 23 pilgrimages to “La Sarthe”…………………………………………………………………… 107 Radio Le Mans – Tune in at 91.2 FM……………………………………………………………………………………. 109 The Saint Saturnin Classic British Welcome……………………………………………………………………………. 110 We all love Le Mans, except for going to the toilet!……………………………………………………………………. 111 France and the French - Instructions for use……………………………………………………………………………. 114 Waving the flags and so much more – The marshals………………………………………………………………….. 118 Team Beermountain - One of life’s great adventures …………………………………………………………………. 120 Club Arange Forum Gathering at Le Mans……………………………………………………………………………… 122 Following the race from home…………….……………………………………………………………………………… 123 The Club Arnage Charity Fund…………….…………………………………………………………………………… 124 The Spyker Squadron at Le Mans 2008.….…………………………………………………………………………… 125 Drinking for Holland …………………………….………………………………………………………………………… 131 How to get there …………………………….…………………………………………………………………………… 133 Le Mans related web sites and forums…………………………….…………………………………………………….. 145 The Club Arnage Guide to the 24 hours of Le Mans 2008 3 Foreword Welcome to the Club Arnage (CA) guide to the 24h of Le Mans. The 2008 edition of the mother of all endurance races has seen a record number even before the start: by the beginning of February, the organizer A.C.O. had been flooded with entry applications, 88 cars were entered for a place on the grid of this year’s 24h race. 55 cars were chosen and almost a full grid – 33 cars – had to be rejected (hear that, Bernie?). Prototypes have become the trend and outnumber the GTs relatively clear this year by 33 : 22. A quick look at the 4 course menu is mouth-watering: LMP1: Coupes have become another trend, with Peugeot, Lola, Epsilon Euskadi and Dome there are already 4 manufacturers building them. Peugeots target for this year is unmistakeable: Beat the Audis, win the race! Last year saw them unable to follow Audi’s pace and struggle with mechanical problems at the end of the race – so let’s hope they’ll give the Germans a run for their money this year. The Peugeot drivers’ roster looks fantastic – the 9 pilots share the experience of more than 300 Grand Prix – but will this beat the routine and the experience of the accumulated 20 Le Mans wins of the Audi drivers? An entry many people look forward to is the Lola-Aston Martin – it’s been a while since we last heard a 12 cyl. petrol engine roaring in the back of a prototype chassis. Having some factory backup from Prodrive / Aston Martin, this may well be the quickest petrol engine powered car in this class. LMP2: In 2007 we saw a classic “last man standing” story with not even enough finishers to fill the podium. The return of Porsche sports prototypes to Le Mans – all entered by privateers – will most likely lead to a higher level of competition and reliability – but unfortunately also to higher budgets; that’s if you want to win in this class. The drivers’ side sees some big names: former Le Mans overall winners John Nielsen and Guy Smith both drive LMP2 cars this year and ex-F1 driver Jos Verstappen is behind the wheel of one of the Porsches. Remarkable is the technical variety in this class: the 12 car-strong field sees 8 different chassis powered by 5 different engines. Favourites: probably one of the Porsches, but they have yet to prove that they can last for 24 hours. GT1: The battle between Corvette and Aston Martin for a class win at Le Mans will see its 4th round this year; current score is Detroit 2 : Gaydon 1. A single Saleen and a Lamborghini are filling the gaps in a rather small GT1 field, with just 10 cars – compared to 15 cars in 2007 – it is the smallest class on the grid. GT2: This class seems to be on its way to becoming a