Aysedasi's Le Mans

Le Mans 2013 - Ayse's Story

Page 5 - Wednesday

"This is the Time, This is the Time for Action....."

After three nights already in France, we had finally arrived at the 'time for action' and I think it's fair to say that all three of us were looking forward to it immensely.  I was up and about at around 8.15 and I was pleased to see that the weather was pretty reasonable - it wasn't raining!  James, Tony and I made our now de rigeur trip up to the Bar Havane for breakfast before heading off to Auchan for a spot of shopping.  Sadly, by the time we left at around 11.30, it was absolutely lashing it down.  Leaden skies, thunder and lightning and the car park was literally awash....  Terrific.

There was nothing in particular to do so after returning to our rooms we just relaxed for a couple of hours, while all the time the rain continued to fall.  We left the hotel for the circuit at 1.20 and arrived, with the rain still showing no sign of abating at around 2 pm.  We parked up in the garage blanc for the first time in 2013, and decided to wait in the car for a while instead of getting soaked!  The car park was very wet, with huge puddles everywhere but fortunately, after 20 minutes or so, the rain finally eased and we made our way into the circuit.

We decided to head straight down to the ACO's Espace Club on the inside of the circuit at the Dunlop Bridge in order to collect our armbands and wandered through the top part of the Village on the way, bumping into Eric and his brother Stéphane  - as well as a glorious Porsche GT1!

By the time we got there, the weather had totally changed.  It was now bright and sunny and coats and waterproofs were being quickly divested!  The Espace Club was supposed to have been open for business from 3 pm but there seemed to be no urgency as a queue began to develop, most of whom seemed to be British, apart from Eric and Stéphane who joined us there.  We got in about half an hour or so late and signed on, before making out way straight out to the inside of the track to watch the start of the four-hour free practice session from 4 pm to 8 pm. 

The cameras were quickly out as the cars appeared on the track for the first time and I was able to catch most of De Grassi's spin in the Audi just nine minutes into the session. 

We also saw Hugh Chamberlain in deep conversation with a friend and although he acknowledged us, it was clear that he didn't remember meeting us at Silverstone last year! 

At about 5.45 we walked back up from Dunlop past the bridge and happened upon what turned out to be the new Audi Fan Area.  A bit like a stand (with no seats) overlooking the Dunlop Curve.  We didn't think there was much chance of getting in there but went up the stairs to have a look anyway.  There was no queue and only about a dozen or so people standing at the front rail with a superb view over the corner!  Although there were Audi people there, no-one seemed to be concerned about who came up to watch, so we settled down with our cameras - only for the rain to bucket down again! 

Fortunately, this was only a brief shower and before long, the sun was out and it was actually getting quite hot!  Luckily though, the Audi people were even dispensing bottles of cold water from their fridge to all-comers - nice touch!  We stayed here until the end of the free practice session - the premature end at 7.35 that was, due to Tracey Krohn's massive accident just past us on the run down into the Esses.  While James and I just nipped out for a moment, we bumped into Tenther Chris (Kpy). 

The fan area provided a great vantage-point, particularly for the photographers, up above the debris fencing.  That it was available for 'ordinary' spectators and not corporate guests was a real surprise - and well done to Audi for that.  Of course, we Tenthers like to think that it was our association with Audi in 2011 which started all of this 'fan' stuff off.....