SamZ4M's impromptue euro trip ft. Le Mans content
Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2017 2:34 pm
I’d umm and err’d about doing Le Mans for weeks, it’d be a solo trip, so was hesitant. I’d booked the days off work, including the week after, and last Friday I decided I had to do it. A last minute call to 1st Tickets and I had a spot at Premier Vert. At the very last minute (12 hours prior to the crossing) I purchased a ticket from an other PH’er for a cheap crossing. Not knowing if I’d just come home Monday, or extend my trip over the following week.
The Z4M was loaded up, I packed bloody everything. Clothes for hot, cold, rain and 10 days worth. Beer cooler ended up in the footwell as the boot was so packed! Le Mans was on! My ‘bulb gone’ light appeared 40 miles outside of the track, I’d decided to get some supplies, pulling off the motorway I spotted a BMW dealer, some result. We struggled to understand each other, but got to the point they understood my Xenon bulb had gone (£176!). But, I remembed I’d struggled changing the beam deflection for driving abroad, turns out I’d managed to knock the connector off, money saved. Stuck to a sensible speed, plod seemed to be up to all sorts, saw at least 4 people pulled over. Upon arriving I setup camp, had a warm beer, thanks ‘cooler’ and settled in. Quickly joined a group, and others also joined. 8 of us sat around the telly and someones camper, I had a good spot. Their telly suffered a stray bottle (as the dish wasn’t doing it’s job), so already onto the 2nd tv…
The temptation to sit in the shade watching the TV with cold beers and a toilet the other side of the camper meant I didn’t see as much track side racing as I’d have liked, but it was a good spot. Managed to see the last 4 hours from the Guiness bar near tertre rouge with a great vantage point (the last of the photos). We headed over to the music, which was very disappointing. Possibly the worst DJ I’ve ever heard, followed by some shite band. Ultimately lost 3 hours of night racing to that…
I got back to camp at 3:30, and learnt that the dish had flown off the roof and taken the 2nd TV out at 3:10, good timing! A few post race beers and to bed. I woke up still not knowing if I was going to go home, or make a trip out of it. I decided I was silly not to explore a bit, so started making plans. I figured heading towards Germany, for some ring time, or museums etc. I settled on Dijon, it was far enough to get me into Germany and cheap for an overnight. 6 hours later, I arrived in Dijon, had a well deserved swim and shower and headed out for some proper French food, steak frites!
That brings us up to now. Sitting in my hotel in Dijon, planning the rest of the trip, I’ve figured I can get down to Italy before heading home. So, Stelvio Pass tomorrow, just the 7 hours (343 miles). I plan on staying local, so I can do a few drives tomorrow and wed. Before heading off again. Loose plan is to head over to Munich, get to the BMW Museum. Then onto the ring, probably for some mentalist to take me for a spin. Then onto Luxemburg & Ghent before getting what ever crossing I can manage. Nothing is booked, I’ll do it on the road at pit stops. Lets see what happens.
Here are some photos so far, watch this space for more updates…
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Your winner...
The Z4M was loaded up, I packed bloody everything. Clothes for hot, cold, rain and 10 days worth. Beer cooler ended up in the footwell as the boot was so packed! Le Mans was on! My ‘bulb gone’ light appeared 40 miles outside of the track, I’d decided to get some supplies, pulling off the motorway I spotted a BMW dealer, some result. We struggled to understand each other, but got to the point they understood my Xenon bulb had gone (£176!). But, I remembed I’d struggled changing the beam deflection for driving abroad, turns out I’d managed to knock the connector off, money saved. Stuck to a sensible speed, plod seemed to be up to all sorts, saw at least 4 people pulled over. Upon arriving I setup camp, had a warm beer, thanks ‘cooler’ and settled in. Quickly joined a group, and others also joined. 8 of us sat around the telly and someones camper, I had a good spot. Their telly suffered a stray bottle (as the dish wasn’t doing it’s job), so already onto the 2nd tv…
The temptation to sit in the shade watching the TV with cold beers and a toilet the other side of the camper meant I didn’t see as much track side racing as I’d have liked, but it was a good spot. Managed to see the last 4 hours from the Guiness bar near tertre rouge with a great vantage point (the last of the photos). We headed over to the music, which was very disappointing. Possibly the worst DJ I’ve ever heard, followed by some shite band. Ultimately lost 3 hours of night racing to that…
I got back to camp at 3:30, and learnt that the dish had flown off the roof and taken the 2nd TV out at 3:10, good timing! A few post race beers and to bed. I woke up still not knowing if I was going to go home, or make a trip out of it. I decided I was silly not to explore a bit, so started making plans. I figured heading towards Germany, for some ring time, or museums etc. I settled on Dijon, it was far enough to get me into Germany and cheap for an overnight. 6 hours later, I arrived in Dijon, had a well deserved swim and shower and headed out for some proper French food, steak frites!
That brings us up to now. Sitting in my hotel in Dijon, planning the rest of the trip, I’ve figured I can get down to Italy before heading home. So, Stelvio Pass tomorrow, just the 7 hours (343 miles). I plan on staying local, so I can do a few drives tomorrow and wed. Before heading off again. Loose plan is to head over to Munich, get to the BMW Museum. Then onto the ring, probably for some mentalist to take me for a spin. Then onto Luxemburg & Ghent before getting what ever crossing I can manage. Nothing is booked, I’ll do it on the road at pit stops. Lets see what happens.
Here are some photos so far, watch this space for more updates…
[url]
Your winner...