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.