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We had to make a decision where to watch the second qualifying
session from. Those who have read my earlier Le Mans stories will know
that for many years I always got a grandstand seat in T34, better known as the pits grandstand.
Although I should say from the outset that I've been very happy indeed with my
new home with James and Tony in T18, it has to be said that from the photography perspective, I've
missed T34 and the splendid views that it gives, particularly looking down on
the cars as they enter the pits. It also has the benefit of no debris
fencing, so the chances of getting some decent unimpeded shots are much higher in T34.
I'd said for a couple of years now that I'd like to watch a
session from T34, and James and Tony agreed that this would be the time! The
Legends practice came to a close at 5 pm, which meant that we had the hour or so
of the Ferrari Challenge to watch a few laps and to then get ourselves
around into T34 ready for the start of the qualifying session.
On our way over there, we bumped into a number of Tenthers at the
back of the grandstand, namely Bernard B, Dominique, Eric, Stéphane,
Guy and his friend, eps (whose real name I can no longer remember -sorry!).
After a chat there, and by the time we got up into the stand - for the
first time since 2010 for me - there were about 20 minutes to go to the start of the
session and the weather had taken a turn for the worse - it was absolutely bucketing down...
The session started but only a few cars ventured
out onto the soaking track. But then, as is the way with Le Mans, the rain
stopped as suddenly as it had arrived and out came the sun!
We sat there enjoying the view for a while and then Tony and I ventured down to the
rail and took some shots of the cars coming in for pitstops. It's a
vantage-point I never get tired of. When I headed
back up to the top of the stand again, there was Walter! Once again, the
session was halted prematurely, if I remember rightly, the intention being to
start the third and final qualifying session slightly early. By this time,
as you can see, the torrential rain had been replaced by bright sunshine!
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