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Le Mans 2010 - Ayse's Story - Page 2

The 'Newbie' at Scrutineering

I didn't sleep too well that first night - I put it down to the unfamiliar surroundings together with more than a little tinge of excitement at what Monday had to offer!  So James and I were up and about pretty early for the journey into the centre of Le Mans, not wanting to miss any of the day's scrutineering.  We arrived in very good time, found a perfect parking spot down by the river and got some exercise walking up the steps to look down on the car park which now (hopefully only temporarily) plays host to the technical and other essential checks of cars and drivers.  After a quick look inside the cathedral - I wouldn't really call it beautiful, but it is very imposing and well worth it if you have a moment - it was on to the the scrutineering area.

James knew the best place to park - even if it did mean some early morning exercise going up the steps into the old town.....     And as we walked down past the cathedral, I caught my first glimpse of ACO action for Le Mans week 2010.....     Not necessarily relevant to the subject-matter, but an attractive sight, nonetheless.      The early birds were already beginning to grab the best spots to watch from....     ....while the ACO officials were no doubt gearing themselves up for another long day!

But overall, it was still relatively quiet and peaceful - in sharp contrast to what had greeted us on our arrival here the previous afternoon!

Although we arrived before any cars went through scrutineering, some were there already.  The newly-liveried JWM Aston Martin, keeping that livery under wraps for the time being and the very attractive (in my eyes, anyway) Drayson Lola, which seemed to be seeking maximum exposure (it was there virtually all day).  Other early arrivals were the JLOC Lamborghini, the Racing Box Lola, the Spyker and the Prospeed Porsche. 

I'm going to depart from my usual chronological habit for my photos here and instead group them by car/team.  That means that the photos you see here will have been taken at various times during the day. 

The schedule for scrutineering yesterday (Sunday). Each car that was scrutineered today would be added to the list.

Drayson Racing Lola #11

I was very keen to see this car, the Drayon Racing Lola #11 of Paul Drayson, Johnny Cocker and Emanuele Pirro....     ... as I was one of the lucky Ten Tenths members who would be visiting the Drayson pit on Friday.               

                   

                             

JMW Motorsport Aston Martin #92

The livery of the JMW Motorsport Aston #92 would be unveiled this morning - it was the result of a competition....                   

                   

In the first couple of hours we saw Drayson, JLOC, JMW, Racing Box, Spyker and ProSpeed. There was a nice atmosphere and everything seemed surprisingly relaxed. It was much quieter than when we arrived here the day before, I guess because most of the French were at work today! So, after getting on for two hours, bearing in mind the lack of breakfast this morning, we decided to take a break for coffee and croissants in the nearby bar, which was to become a familiar resting place during the day.

Suitably refreshed, we returned to the car park where the crowds were just getting a little denser. We actually met the one and only Ten Tenths member we would see that day, Walter, aka "lemansfan", who had already been in France for several days in the house he and his friends had hired.  (If you look at my shots of the Rebellion Lola's on page 3, you'll see Walter photographing car #12). 

JLOC Lamborghini #69

The JLOC Lamborghini arrives, samidst a plethora of 'one lap wonder' jokes.....     I made no secret of the fact that I believed this car should have been refused an entry by the ACO....     ...after the team made a mockery of the race and their entry last year.     

         

Racing Box Lola #29

              

Spyker Squadron #85

                   

         

Bruichladdich Ginetta #41

    

Michael Lewis/Autocon Lola #19

              

Oreca Aim #5

    

                   

Prospeed Competition Porsche #75

    

Risi Competizione Ferrari #83

                   

After our break, it was more of the same, with Bruichladdich, Autocon, Oreca, RML, Signature Plus and Felbermayr. We saw few drivers though as they were collecting in the centre of the car park in an area that we didn't have access to - or so we thought. Paul Drayson was much in evidence though as was his car, and wily old bird Emanuele Pirro put in an appearance too. I also spotted Andy Wallace, whose career I'd followed since his Formula 3 days, and I was pleased to see him back with RML, after being unfortunately ousted in 2009.

RML Lola #25