Le Mans Classic 2014 round-up

So that brings The 2014 Le Mans Classic to an end, just as the sun starts to break through 

Apart from the weather it has been yet another breath-taking event. The statistics alone are mind boggling .. around 110,000 spectators have fought the weather.. around 450 superb, fully functioning,  racing classics driven hard by around 1,500 ‘pilots’ have given us some splendid racing.

Add to that the massive 8,500 strong collection of road going classics on display ranging from the exotic Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Aston Martins to the slightly more humble MGB. There must be at least one of virtually every marque ever built. The crowds are cheerful, well behaved and very knowledgeable.

The whole operation has taken a big step up this year.. we are convinced that there are far more than just the 1,000 additional spectators than we saw two years ago.

Maybe they all brought a car along because the traffic was as challenging, or maybe even more so, than at The 24hrs of Le Mans.

There was so much to see beyond the actual racing and club displays. At the outstanding Artcurial Auction, there were examples everywhere of the French skills in ‘carrosserie’ (coach-building).

There were very classy retail outlets persuading you to part with €€€, even a re-creation of the ‘Drive in Cinema’ where you could relive films like ‘Un homme et une femme’ , ‘Bullitt’’ Le Mans’ the movie. You can even take another look at the infamous ‘ That was a rendezvous’’ shot at speed in the streets of Paris! If your nerves could stand it there was a traditional ‘Wall of Death’ or in French , more dramatically, ‘Mur de la mort’!  There were cafes, bistros, diners and even an ‘English Hall’.

You need at least three tiring, foot sore days to this weekend justice. Outside the Circuit bars and restaurants are serving ‘normal’ food not ‘menu rapide’… and so on.  It is expensive  we agree and that may deter some enthusiasts . We do feel that food and beer prices in the circuit were excessive but where else can you enjoy such a feast of exotica?

Why not pencil in a visit for two years’ time .. You won’t be disappointed.

Final results can be found on this link 

Jock Simpson and Tony Light