First held in 2002, the Le Mans Classic is run on the semi-permanent track that includes the public roads connecting the city of Le Mans with the towns of Mulsanne and Arnage. This year, the bi-annual fifth and biggest event yet, was attended by a contingent of seven Swallow Doretti sports cars, a significant increase on 2008, along with three guest cars which had also been on the 2008 trip.
The main party, consisting of five Swallows, an Austin-Healey 3000, a Triumph TR6 and an MGC-GT, rendezvoused at Portsmouth Ferry Terminal on Wednesday evening July 7th to embark on the overnight ferry, MV Bretagne to St Malo. Included in the Doretti group were Regal Red RRH 389 (Ch.1098) and Powder Blue CAS 293 (Ch.1211) both owned by Roger Giles, the recently restored dark blue VVT 497 (Ch.1150) belonging to Geoff Mansfield, Alan Gibb's red 362 ERE (Ch.1189) and George Niblett's cream VBH 369 (Ch.1257).
On Thursday morning after an overnight crossing to France the convoy headed for their accommodation just outside Le Mans at the Domaine de La Blanchardière Motel in Changé which was to be our base for the next four days. After a leisurely drive of about 200km with a stop for coffee we arrived at the motel around 2:00pm, just in time for lunch. Following a quick shower it was time to explore the local area and locate an easy route for the ten minutes drive to the 24 Heures du Mans circuit. Rather than eat at the motel some our group decided to have dinner at a pavement café in nearby Arnage. From an excellent vantage position on the Av. Nationale (which seemed to be the main cruising throughfare) it was surprising how many people stopped to look at the powder blue and the red Dorettis parked at the roadside.
Friday was practice day for over 400 cars that were entered in this year's event and the entry list boasted both Le Mans winning cars and drivers. Spread over six 'grids' the Le Mans Classic includes cars that raced at Le Mans between 1923 and 1980. With the temperature in the 30°C plus range we found our allocated pitch within the Bugatti Circuit, once again fortunate to have a pitch only a short walk away from the pits and grandstands. After arranging our cars we then went to inspect the cars in the various paddocks. The rest of the day was spent walking around the huge site, viewing the many displays and watching the numerous practice sessions. In the evening some of the group had dinner in the motel and others dined at a restaurant in Changé.
On Saturday morning, five Swallows became six when we were joined by Pierre and Claire Damiron in their newly acquired maroon Chassis No.1011, still on its German number plate because of a technical hitch in the French prefecture licencing system. A couple of hours later Mike Nangreave arrived in UVK 775 (Ch.1196) superbly finished in a dark metallic BRG.
The race started at 4:00pm and continued for 24 hours with the age-defined grids sequentially participating in 45 minute sessions. Complementing the action on the track, the Le Mans Classic also attracts hundreds of clubs representing specific manufacturers and even models. It is estimated that over 7000 cars are lined up along the Bugatti section of the circuit. Some of the real race enthusiasts in the group stayed on at the circuit to watch the evening and night race sessions while the rest went to a local pizzeria.
Sunday dawned a little cooler and the seven Doretti cars were again lined up in the display area in readiness for the many photographs that were to be taken by their owners and interested spectators. Race after race had continued all through the night and now it was building to a climax which would peak at 4:00pm with the results being declared. Following another long hot day, the whole group had a final dinner in the motel and rounded off the evening with drinks on the terrace.
A highlight of the trip was an invitation from Pierre and Claire to have lunch on Monday at their delightful country house in La Perriere which just happened to be en route to Caen for our return crossing back to Portsmouth. As we approached his residence, two huge wooden doors opened and we entered a large courtyard and parked the vehicles. Following introductions to his family and an exchange of pleasantries we were treated to a splendid meal which was washed down with lots of home-made cider for the non-drivers. After leaving La Perriere the convoy headed for Ouistreham, a small community on the coast 15km north of Caen and connected to it by a fast dual carriageway. The route via Sées, Argentan, Alencon and Falaise was a fast uneventful journey which gave us a couple of hours to enjoy dinner at a café near to the ferry terminal. Then it was time to board the MV Mont St Michel the 11:00pm ferry for the return overnight trip to Portsmouth.
For the whole of the trip the weather was extremely hot making keeping cool and hydrated a priority. As always, however, the cars created a great deal of interest and the trip, very well organised by Roger Giles, was considered a great success with everyone looking forward to the 2012 event.
Ken Yankey 16-07-10