As we arrived back at the Le Sarthe circuit on Sunday before the race week, the sun was shining and the temperatures were beginning to soar. As all that attended the event will testify, this continued to be the trend for the duration of the event.
On Monday morning the hard work began, with the important job of marking out the campsite plots – quite a task getting 200+ plots, all 7m x 5m onto a rather uneven piece of land!
By Tuesday the marking out was completed, and the site was beginning to take shape with the arrival of the toilet and shower blocks.
On Wednesday, the Travel Destinations cavalry arrived and we could get the site branded appropriately. Up went the flags, banners, and signage. We then had the not so insignificant task of collating and packing 400 ‘goodie bags’, one for each of our customers at our site. At around 9pm our work for the day was done and we headed off for some rest.
Thursday saw the first of our customers arrive. In the morning we had finished the site with the installation of the gazebos and tables and chairs. The temperatures continued to soar in to the mid to high 30Cs. During Thursday we greeted and helped over 120 cars to their camping plots, always with a smile and a bottle of water to help them cool off after a hot and long drive! As we considered leaving the site at about 10.30pm we watched the distant night sky provide an amazing electrical storm with the most amazing lightning. Unfortunately, the promise of rain from the storm never arrived!
Friday morning saw the weather conditions unchanged – and the arrival of the rest of our customers. At 6pm we opened our now customary free bar, to welcome people to our site at Hunaudieres and to the Le Mans Classic. For two hours we gave away cold beer and wine as quickly as our hands could muster! Given the warm weather it certainly was well received!
Saturday finally saw the start of the event! At 9am 120 of our customers arrived at the Bugatti circuit ready to enjoy their ‘parade track laps’. After initial confusion over where our allocated parking site was, we adopted an area and all waited patiently until we persuaded an official to let our customers out on to the circuit. As our customers returned back to the campsite, it was clear from the beaming smiles and ‘giggling’ that these laps had been quite an experience! Given that the temperatures continued to soar, we spent the rest of Saturday giving away water to our customers in an attempt to stop them from over-heating! 4pm saw the start of the first grid race. Just 24 hours to go.
Sunday arrived and ironically that signalled the start of some of our customers departing for home. Fortunately, whilst still bright and sunny the weather was slightly cooler. 4pm arrived and the racing was over, and so ended another spectacular classic motor event at Le Mans. And what a wonderful time we all had.
Sunday evening and Monday was spent breaking down the campsite and generally tidying up. The last campers finally departed the site at around 1pm Monday.
And so the preparations and ideas begin for Le Mans Classic 2012!
If you would like to be at our campsite at Hunaudieres for the Le Mans Classic in 2012 please register your interest with us today on (0844) 873 0203. Our registration list is already active!
