Mike in Chi

Well the turtles have come out of long winter's hibernation, and are headed to the biggest sportscar race of them all.

Le Mans.

Yes, after our team's triumphant sixth place finish (in class) last year as a sponsor of The Racers Group GT3-RSR, we talked about how much fun it would be to have a team trip to the race in 2005.

Thanks to the efforts of Adrian Streather, and The Natalie Louise Streather Memorial Fund, it's happening.

We will be spending a week in the Loire Valley, June 14th to the 21st, staying on the grounds of a a 300 year old Chateau
( http://chateaudelavoloniere.free.fr/ ), and spending lots of time at the Circuit de La Sarte, with time for some quality sightseeing or relaxing, too. (And yes, there will be spouses who won't be going to the track.)

The trip was put together last fall, and filled up all 32 beds before we could get to the entire team, and the rest of Rennlist.

Unfortunately, due to business emergencies and other needs, three couples of original attendees have been forced to bow out. As a result we suddenly have three rooms to fill.

The Chateau is near the village of Ponce in the Loire valley approximately an hour’s drive from track (unless, Adrian says, he’s driving, but I’m not sure if that means it will be longer or shorter ). In fact, this property, housed the TRG team in 2002, the year they won the GT class in a GT-3RS.

It’s not far from the famous Le Mans drivers’ hotel and imposible restaurant reservation, The Hotel de France, where we will be having lunch one day. (Perhaps we can get a turtle sticker on that bar’s wall, too)
The accommodations include breakfast daily and three or four evening meals, two of which are Barbeques.

In a separate 18th century house on the estate grounds a short 250 meter stroll away, we have eight rooms. Four double rooms and 4 twin share rooms. This allows us to accommodate couples as well as race buddies traveling together who don't want to incur the expense of a single. The rooms in the Chateau itself are full.

Breakfast will be taken at the Chateau.

We hope to be rubbing elbows with former Le Mans winners.

Package dates are for 14th June to 21th June, arriving afternoon of the 14th afternoon and departing the morning of the 21th. The race is from 4pm on the 18th to 4 pm on the 19th. Pre-race events and Qualifying are during the week.

Prices for the accomodations are $1705 or $1834.50 for two people. (that's the total for you and a significant other or race buddy) Airfare and transfers are up to you. Adrian is working on track tickets options.

I will give priority to HWFMR teammates, but we will welcome any Rennlist Member.

Singles make it difficult to fill the room, but you can have the entire room for the above price. If you are a single, and are eager to go, I'll start a singles list to match you up, if the rooms haven't gone.

Adrian's goal is for this to be the trip of a lifetime for all us sportscar enthusiasts who attend. We will be laughing a lot, drinking lots of good wine, eating well, cheering on the Porsches, and participating in one of the great events in racing.

PM me if you're interested. But for just this one time, don't be slow.

jrb964

I've been to the last three races, and the last two with Adrian. WHAT A BLAST!!! I'm going again this year. but with my normal group. Adrian invited me to the Wednesday BBQ, hope to see you all there.

zoomzoom

Make sure you drop by the PCGB encampment on the Porsche Curves... There's a huge hoard of us camping on the mound (it's like the cars are driving through your tent!) and there are planned activities and merrymaking throughout the weekend. Most of us are driving down the 16th and will be taking off the 20th or thereabouts.

Eric in Chicago

What Mike failed to mention was the all star cast that is going (I cant disclose the names on such a public fourm). But just imagine, the French country side, Le Mans and a week with the head turtle, wowing us with his racing tales from the back of the pack and how he might just catch me this year As Mike stated above, this is a trip of a lifetime, great people, excellent lodging and IT's LE MANS!

DJF1

I wish I was on vacations I would come!

You guys have fun and please post pics when you return!

Mark in Baltimore

Mike,

You kids have fun!! Maybe next year.

graham_mitchell

Mike, bumping the thread for you with a shot from 1982.
Jackie Ickx and Derek Bell in the lead, and there they stayed

soltino

Bump Plus:

http://www.autoweek.com/article.cms?articleId=102124


tino

Flying Finn

I can't come but are we sponsoring TRG entry again?

RJT

Speaking of last year, what ever became of the TRG scale model car order???

JoAnne

graham_mitchell

Mike, how is the search for the last few turtles going?

Btw, I just booked a Porsche factory tour for June 13 to get me in the mood If anyone's in the area and wants to join, please PM me for the factory tour contact details.

ceboyd

looks like Eric and I will there... we won't get there until wednesday morning so we loose one paid hotel night BUT at least the flight was free (the only way I could go given the 1K prices on flights at this date) ---I'm just thankful we are able to make use of a free flight at this point!!!!

mnmblu

I must say, I am suffering very badly looking at this thread. The chance to go to Le Mans with such an outstanding package at such a reasonable price is just killing me. And... to go with the Grand Puba himself, well..... I am beside myself. I REALLY wish I could go, what a chance in a lifetime opportunity slipping just beyond my fingertips.

If I were to go, I would have taken up Graham's offer... just to actually hear him say "do a search." Just kidding Elton. I think a tour with the biggest shutterbug, Porsche fanatic in Sweden would have been a hoot, no offense Ander's

ltcjmramos

Looking at a recent issue of AutoWeek where they reviewed this year's Le Mans, but also the Hotel Le France where we had lunch reminded me of this most outstanding trip. We gotta do it again!!