Aysedasi's Le Mans

Poor weather or not, the time before the start of the race, particularly after the cars had set off on their parade lap, was as electric as ever and I was able to catch the stream of cars on video as they started the first lap of the 24 hours.

The opening laps were pretty exciting, too exciting for some with cars falling off the road every few minutes, notably the Johansson Audi and David Terrien in the FFSA Viper - what an effort he made to get the car back to the pits!

Eventually, we quit the tribunes and made our way around to the Dunlop Chicane. We watched in increasing alarm as the black clouds moved overhead and as we crossed the bridge and walked down towards the Esses, the heavens opened, drowning us all in a matter of minutes. At that stage, we decided to give best to the rain and headed back to the van to make an early getway for Le Grand Lucé and a change of clothes and dinner!

Naturally enough, with weather as bad as this, I was giving some very serious thought to my intention of staying at the circuit all night, but in the end the risk of getting very wet had to come second to watching the 24 Hours at night. We returned to the circuit (after a quick visit to the Mulsanne restaurants), and the others left me for the comfort of a few hours in their beds at about 1.00 a.m.

My "Le Mans at night" tour was slightly more limited this year than usual, as I was just a little wary of being caught out in the open if there was another downpour. By the time I had arrived back at the circuit, the rain had eased to just a fine drizzle. As a result, I tended to divide my time between the top of the Welcome building and the tribunes, whilst further dividing it between still and video photography.

The Welcome area was always an irresistible lure as it not only provided me with my favourite view of the track, but a non-stop supply of revitalising coffee from the bar there.

Eventually though, I dragged myself away from that view and headed off to look around the few stalls that were still open at that time of the morning.

As far as the race was concerned, rather like last year, the works Audis had done the rest of the field up like a kipper, and that included the two Bentleys, although we still had the No. 8 Bentley to cheer on, even if the two lightning-quick but fragile MGs had bitten the dust.

As dawned arrived, I decided to rest awhile in my customary lofty perch. It has never ceased to amaze me how many people quit the circuit during the night and early morning, or who give in to the temptation to waste the time by sleeping! I guess that most of the time I was atop the building during the night, there were no more than half a dozen others up there at any one time.

Once more, at about 7.30, I left the Welcome building and wandered back through the Village and the underpass, to spend a bit more time watching the race and the pits action from the tribunes. I should mention that Radio Le Mans had been superb company throughout the nighttime hours. I think I must have listened to more RLM this year than any other.

I was waiting (and nodding off) outside the Welcome area when I received a tap on the shoulder from Paul. He, Howard and Robert had kindly returned in the bus to collect me. I was impressed by the fact that Paul and Howard had come back - as Le Mans newcomers, they were obviously keen enough to leave their beds - unlike some others!

After breakfast back at Le Cheval Blanc, we made our by now routine visit to Arnage and Indianapolis, again having to park in the overflow car park. As lunchtime drew on it was frites, omelettes and merguez all round as the race headed for a crushing victory for Audi, Kristensen, Pirro and Biela heading for a second consecutive win.

All too soon, the 24 Hours was over for another year and we were trudging back to the bus. This year we were in no great rush, as we were staying in France that night. We journeyed from the circuit to the Hotel Restaurant Le Gue du Holme at Saint-Quentin-sur-le-Homme, just 6 or 7 kilometres from Avranches. I didn't actually observe very much of the journey, about 5 minutes at either end - I slept the rest of the way.

The hotel was a very nice place indeed - if you get the chance, visit their web-site - www.le-gue-du-holme.com - you can see what's on the menu! The food was glorious - I can still taste the fois gras now! And the desserts - well, suffice to say that we weren't watching the calories!

After a very good night's sleep and a good breakfast, it was time to pile back into the bus for the first stage of the journey to Cherbourg for the boat back to Poole. But not before Madame kindly assisted us with our 2001 team photo!

After stopping at the war cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer, we lunched in a lovely little seaside restaurant, the sun now fully observing Sod's Law by shining warm and bright.

Yet again, an excellent Le Mans trip, in great company. Yes, the rain did put a bit of a dampener on it at times, but not enough to prevent me from signing up for Le Mans 2002 - watch this space!