Tigers on Le Mans Classic Tour

Christopher Darwin writes to a friend about the Club Tour to the LM Classic

Heather - along with about 50 other members - took her Tiger (and me) to watch. Our trip started early on the morning of Thursday 22nd to catch the 0730 ferry from Portsmouth to Le Havre . The Club had organised maps, hotels, passes etc – almost as good as the Regis Classic Tour. From Le Havre we headed south for three hours, the hood staying down apart from two heavy showers. The 10 room hotel 15 miles south of Le Mans was full of Tiger owners, including two from Germany, with others staying nearby.

On the Friday Heather and I avoided the circuit and took the train to Le Mans city. The ACO programme said the scrutineering was in the town centre – but it wasn’t, so we visited the very interesting old city. On returning to the hotel we heard tales of long queues and disorganisation at the circuit, so we had been well out of it. Saturday started badly. Driving to the circuit the important turn in the centre of Arnage village was not marked; after visiting Le Mans airport, we took an hour to cover the few miles to the allocated Sunbeam parking area. The French are unable to produce logical signs showing straight ahead at a crossroads – a vertical arrow, for most of the world – and instead provide a left arrow followed by a right; if the right is not seen/obscured/fallen off, people turn left, causing further obstruction.

Track laps cavalcade

The highlight for us was two ‘parade’ laps of the 8 mile circuit at lunchtime; we were assembled behind a squadron of Morgans, some with a bar fitted to the rear as well as the front of the car in order to carry the huge number of badges. Heather was driving in a determined mood, as were several others, and the pace was brisk; Morgans disappeared behind us. I cowered in the passenger seat and attempted to call the corners. Regis Classic Tourers from the earlier events will know the scenario; it was extremely dangerous and bloody good fun – two laps were quite enough.

The first race duly started at 1600 or so, complete with original Le Mans run-and-jump-in start, followed by a lap behind the safety car. An accident in the next race delayed proceedings so subsequent races were reduced to 30 minutes in order to catch up. Although the cars in our section of the circuit were an impressive sight, there were long periods of nothing much as each lap took at least 6 minutes. Furthermore, the commentary was mainly useless, and often consisted of music.

For Heather and I the best spectacle was the start of Race 4 at dusk; eight Ford GT40s roared under the Dunlop bridge, followed by the original Le Mans Tiger (N0 8. Ed.). This car subsequently finished 7th, the first non GT40. Unfortunately the car missed the second race at 0400 as the driver had forgotten to set his alarm to French time (!), and was therefore penalised for his third and final race at midday on Sunday. However, this time both cars finished.

We returned to the circuit early on Sunday after a few hours in our hotel bed. The local village patisserie was open at 0700 and we stocked up with breakfast and lunch. Entry at this time was easy, and the day was not quite so hot. In order to avoid the exit crush we left before the last race and had an easy drive to the hotel. That evening a large dinner party at our hotel gathered all the Tiger owners as well as the drivers and owners of the two competing cars – the party went on late.

Our trip back to Le Havre on the Monday was effortless and rapid. We left the hotel after a late breakfast to catch the 1630 ferry. I had a flash of inspiration at lunchtime as we passed Bernay and directed Heather to the local flying club, less than a mile off the main road. Sure enough, next to it was a delightful restaurant (Les Helices), full of the locals and run by a family. A three course meal and glass of wine was 11 euros. Most French flying clubs have very good restaurants – the good food at Goodwood Flying Club is an unusual exception in the UK . Bernay is an hour south of Le Havre , so it made a good stop. At Le Havre we again met a crowd of old cars and fell into conversation with the owners.

The ferry crossing was painless, and five days and 630 miles later we were home. It was a lot more effort and expense than going to the Goodwood Revival; however, it was worth it to drive the circuit and see the spectacle – so if you get the chance and can spare the time, go. I think the next one is in 2006; the LMC organisation may have improved – just remember those road signs. Christopher Darwin