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So, raceday was finally here. I crawled out
of bed at around 8.20 and by 9.35 the three of us were assembled outside ready
for the trip to the circuit - in the rain again.... Thankfully for me, the worst of Friday's migraine
was now over. We parked in our allotted space in garage blanc at around
10.30 and made our way into the circuit and walked around to the Ten Tenths
meeting place in the Village.
The Ten Tenths meeting has become an annual
tradition where members of the forum (and indeed, some non-member friends and
relatives) gather at lunchtime before the start of the race. According to
my calculations, the first meeting was in 2003 and it has taken place each year
since. You can see below one of the few photos I took at that meeting, and (aside
from me) you will see three who are still regulars - Pascal, Bernard and
Dominique.
Over the years, the meeting has grown larger and larger and the
location has had to move, depending on what the ACO have decided to do with the
Village. Trees get knocked down, new stalls and marquees get erected with
scant concern for the need to ensure that our meeting place is preserved -
actually, with no concern at all!
In 2013 we found ourselves moved on again to the very edge of the concreted area
of the Village where all the shops are situated. But this year, we had
found the perfect weapon for keeping the riff-raff at bay - cheese!
For some years those attending, primarily our French friends,
have plied us with food and drink while those from more far-flung climes have
brought with them varieties of 'kill or cure' rocket fuel to ensure that raceday
goes with the appropriate bang.... This year, the theme was cheese
and even the Brits (particularly Simon and Ian) had brought with them suitably
pungent offerings.....
James, Tony and I arrived at the small piece of Le Mans which we
were determined to call our own and were soon joined by the 2013 version of
Pascal (see above), who had not only brought some delights to eat but also a
picnic table on which to put them. Some people are so well organised! Within half an hour or so we had been
joined by large numbers of Tenthers and friends, including Simon, Helen, Steve, Ian,
Margaret, Dani, Guy, Kenn, Bernard, Ker, Victor, Nobby, Mal, Vincent, Mathias, Rich,
Ben, Walter, Eric, Stéphane, Louis, Axel, Pascal2, Mike, Chris, Dominique,
Rene, Remco, Pascal2, Louis, Axel, Steve and the wonderfully named Dr. Wi Wi.
(That's 35 names. If I've missed people or have got names wrong,
I'm relying on Tenthers to let me know so I can add them in!).
Well, in the traditional Ten Tenths way, wine was drunk, much
cheese was eaten and various potent drinks were coughed and spluttered over - as
well as lots of friendships being renewed and good conversations plus drinking
to the good health of those who were unable to make it this year. Its easy
to say it, but the meeting does seem to be going from strength to strength and
this year was definitely one of the best.....
We even had a visit from some of the Toyota people
and Simon was straight in to make sure Ten Tenths got a suitable name-check!
Nice one mate!
And one Tenther was keen to ensure that our spot
was 'marked' for posterity. I think he was released from the cells in time
for the start of the race.......
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