|
There are advantages and disadvantages to writing
a postscript so long after the event. As I write this, we're barely three
months away from Le Mans 2016. It means of course that some
memories fade, particularly of those times when I wasn't snapping away with my
camera (what did happen to the early hours at Arnage?!!), but it also
means that I can take into account things that have happened since.
We've had a lot more publicity for Le Mans and the
WEC since last June, with many more people openly contrasting the continued
descent into the depths of boredom for Formula 1 with the rise of superb racing
and amazing machinery in top sportscar racing. We've had the demise of
Nissan. It was a rather sad sight to see these strange cars unable to
compete to any serious degree in LMP1, but I was looking forward to a year of
development and a strong showing this year - but it was not to be.
We've seen terrorist atrocities in France and many
of us have firmly displayed our support for the French people - and particularly
our French friends from Le Mans. On a personal note, my old friend Ian,
the Chief Tourist has been very poorly and was unable to get to Le Mans in 2015
and I hope to see him back there this year, with the rest of my old friends.
I didn't see my old Tourist pals until a chance meeting on the ferry on the way
home. Ironically, when I watched back the final video showing the end of
the race, there they are, just a stone's throw away down on the tribunes in
front of the grandstand!
Le Mans 2015, irrespective of what happened on
track, was a great Le Mans. Without doubt, one of the best.
Incredibly this was my 30th visit to the World's greatest motor race - 30 years
without a break since 1986. It really is a special event to me. The
weather largely smiled on us and as always, the company was top-notch. It
was a real pleasure to share Le Mans this year with James, Tony, Tim and Allon
and I'm looking forward to doing it all over again in a few months time (with
the dress rehearsal of course at Silverstone in April!). I'm still working
as so many of those around me are enjoying their retirement. I can only
force a smile when they tell me..... Soon I hope it will be my turn.
As to my website, I know it's a bit tired and
badly needs bringing up to date. A task for 2016, perhaps. I could
use someone (Tim?) with some knowledge to help me to do a revamp which isn't
going to cause me to have to spend huge amounts of time (or more to the point -
money!) updating things. Photography wise, I know my shots are generally
not brilliant, but I try and they are important to illustrate the story and
remind me of what we were doing and when. (Besides, I quite like the night
shots at Mulsanne on Thursday....).
So onward and upward. I hope those who read
this story enjoy it. Of course it is much of the same as before, but then
as we do much the same each year, there should be no surprise in that! To
all of my friends heading to La Sarthe in June, here's a toast to you and the
84th running of the 24 Heures du Mans.
|
