Le Mans 2011 - Ayse's Story - Page 15 - Sunday
Those Wonderful Early Hours
We got out to Arnage just as the half-way point arrived, having no difficulty at all parking in the primary car park there. By now I was really beginning to feel the cold, even wearing a pullover and a bodywarmer under my coat - actually, my top half was like toast, but my legs, sporting just one relatively thin layer were really very cold!
For the time of the morning, there were a heck of a lot of people still out at Arnage and Indianapolis and it seemed to me that over the last 2-3 years more people than ever are trying to brave it out through the night now. Of course, I firmly believe everyone should, although I'm also kind of glad that they don't!
So I settled down for a good long stint with the cameras, both still and video, gradually moving closer to the fencing right in the corner at Arnage - where all the action is - and can just about be photographed, although the fencing is still awful. I always knew the chances of getting any decent shots with both very slow - and I mean very slow - shutter speeds and the heavy debris fencing were virtually non-existent, but as always I was determined to try. So I spent around 45 minutes snapping away, hoping for just one good photograph.
I'd intended to take some more video footage as well here but alas, when I retrieved the camera from my bag it was hors de combat, the battery was completely flat, I can only think that I'd left it running in my bag and exhausted the battery. Very unlike me, and as I'd been using my largest and most powerful battery which should have easily lasted all night, I hadn't bothered to pack a spare - note for self in 2012!!
Before going to Le Mans this year I'd wondered how I would be likely to feel at this time. By the same time in 2010 I'd begun to suffer with a badly aching back, arms and shoulders, which I put down at least in part to my old traditional (and very heavy) camera bag. I'm not getting any younger of course and definitely not any fitter so after last year I was a little concerned about how I would cope. Thankfully, aside from the cold, I was feeling much, much better than at this time last year and I put that down almost entirely to my new rucksack. James had been completely right about it when he first suggested that I ought to change to a rucksack before the race last year. I really ought to have bought myself one years ago!
We spent a long time at Arnage but eventually the desire the keep snapping waned and I just stood watching the race while listening to Radio Le Mans. Tony and Tim had brought some fold-up chairs from the car and I confess that I was beginning to feel a little envious. But I also knew that sitting down now at close to 5 am could be fatal!
We finally left Arnage and Indianapolis as the dawn began to make it's presence felt. I really needed to move my legs - for circulation if nothing else - and the walk back to the car put some welcome exercise into my now fairly well-frozen muscles. I really think I may have to invest in some thermal long johns for next year!*
* Post-Le Mans note: the thermal long johns were bought just before Christmas 2011. I believe in being prepared! Of course, this fact alone probably means that it will be a blisteringly hot night in 2012!
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