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I started to write this concluding page nine weeks
to the day after the end of the race. So what can I say about Le Mans
2012?
Well, it was my longest Le Mans trip so far and
having done the slightly shorter version last year, I was very glad that I did
the 'full' trip in 2012. It was a great experience, from the crossing over
to the return journey. We had a great day and a half at scrutineering; two
superb evenings of qualifying and a thoroughly enjoyable race. Yes, the
loss of the two Toyotas so early in the race was a big disappointment, but at
least Toyota hadn't flattered to achieve.
The weather, which at one point had threatened to
be wall-to-wall rain generally spared us the worst and I even picked up a bit of
a tan by Sunday lunchtime...
The highpoints? Too many really. The
first sight at scrutineering of the gorgeous Toyotas and the downright strange
(but nonetheless increasingly intriguing) DeltaWing; using my new camera and
lens, which has hopefully produced a few decent shots; our visits to Audi on
Wednesday evening and Toyota on Friday - both amazing experiences in their own
different ways; that first scintillating 2-3 hours of the race when Toyota
clearly shocked Audi with their pace; and the night - always the night -
as good as it's ever been. Add to that probably the best Ten Tenths
meeting we've ever had, such great fun each year.
But above all, as always, it's the company that's
the most important factor in a great Le Mans. When you spend nine days in
a person's company, you need to get on well, and I think James and I do just
that and when Tony joins us, it just gets better! And this year we had the
added benefit of having Robert with us for most of the race. So, great
company and a great time was had by all. The only sadness is, as always,
having to wait another year to do it all again.
Post-Script to the Post-Script
I finally finished writing up my story on the 9th
May 2013. This is by far the latest it has ever been unleashed on the
unsuspecting public. I blame a combination of too many other things to do
coupled with a healthy dose of indolence! My teacher's report will
certainly say - 'Can do better!'. Hopefully I will after Le Mans 2013,
which, as I write, is now only 6 weeks or so away! See you there.
Final post-script to the Post-Script
From Bernard B, via Robert - I couldn't resist
posting this one.....'Dream Team' indeed.....
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