This year will see the return of the famous Le Mans Classic weekend for the fourth and biggest event yet with nearly 400 cars and 1000 drivers from 30 different countries competing. The bi-annual Le Mans Classic is much more laid back than the modern 24 hours Le Mans race and is an enthusiast’s dream with staggering grids of ex-Le Mans racers from between 1923 and 1979. Think pre-war Bentleys, Lagondas and Bugattis, think Jaguar C Type and D Type, Aston Martin DBR1, Austin Healey 3000, Ferrari 250 GT, AC Cobra, Ford GT40. This year there will also be five Triumphs on the grid and a Peerless GT which ran in the 1958 Le Mans 24 hours and that raced again at Le Mans Classic in 2006. The cars are divided into 6 ‘grids’ based on their age with each grid racing 3 times during a 24 hour period to ensure continuous action right through the night in the true spirit of Le Mans.
For this event, we have space reserved exclusively for Swallow Doretti owners and their cars. Originally we hoped for a group of 10 cars but at present we have only four Dorettis and their owners confirmed, with one guest Austin-Healey 3000. This means that you still have the opportunity to join us for the weekend and and your car will be parked within metres of the track with excellent viewing opportunities and only a few minutes walk from the paddock and the start/finish line. We also have accommodation reserved at a hotel within a 15- 20 minutes drive from the circuit. This enables us to have a drive through the French countryside each day plus the bonus of not paying premium rates for accommodation close to the circuit.
Regarding costs, it will be £29 each for general admission to the circuit including the paddocks. If you want to do the track laps, they will be on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning (your choice), its great fun but is not particularly cheap at £68. Their are no firm figures for accommodation or ferries yet, but as an indication, last year it was £178 for 4 nights (twin or double occupancy) or £150 for a single occupancy. The ferry, Portsmouth to St Malo, was £320 return (with a cabin) or £205 without. A crossing at Dover would be a lot cheaper, at about.£100, but is a further 200km from Le Mans and might necessitate an overnight stop. Should any of you prefer to make alternative route or ferry crossings, just advise Roger if you wish to make your own travel arrangements.
The proposed itinerary is, that we would catch the ferry on Wednesday evening the 9th July, land in France about 0700hrs on Thursday morning 10th and have a leisurely drive to our hotel arriving mid afternoon. Friday, Saturday and Sunday would be spent at the circuit. We would leave the hotel on Monday morning 14th July to drive back to St Malo and catch the evening ferry back to the UK.
For more information contact Roger Giles: roger.giles@hotmail.com
Last updated: 1st March 2008