[LM24] The New Stuff Thread

[Tim the Grey]

Following the 2012 thread, I wondered what folks may have acquired to make 2013 a better experience?

I'll kick off with the Cobb BBQ I got for Christmas, which can produce a roast chicken, with all the trimmings... It will be geting a LOT of use first, so I know what it can do!

I'm still unsure if I got a steal of a deal, or not, on the camera front though? Ssamyang 800mm mirror lens. The issue is, it's Manual focus, and VERY quick geared, so all too easy to change the focal point. As it's a fixed f8, this can be very narrow, and ultimately frustrating! I may invest in Gaffer Tape to slow it's gallop. Hopefully I can get some practice with it to confirm if it will work for head on shots... It's a bit physically short, and light, for such a long focal length, and it is NOT easy to use hand held!

[GT6]

i have taken my Cobb BBQ down for the last few years, but last year we did have a small problem with it, we were cooking a lovely beef joint with the onions coking in the reservoir in red wine, unfortunately someone decided to keep topping up the red wine not realising that it was overflowing and downing the cobblestone putting it out, dinner ruined. Meat was sliced up and cooked on the bbq. H.owever Cobb will go down this year
This years new item is a heavy duty camping chair as feed up with the flimsy folding ones

[Simmi]

New radio for me this year to prevent a KKSSHHHHHHH*%^(*^(&^&^ noise every time I move too much.

Let's see if it works.

[CTD]

Originally Posted by Simmi

New radio for me this year to prevent a KKSSHHHHHHH*%^(*^(&^&^ noise every time I move too much.

Let's see if it works.

I'll be looking for this as well!
Thinking of an iPod Nano (the "old" square one, 6th gen), anyone tried an iPod for Radio at Le Mans?

Otherwise I'll be taking a lot LESS stuff, than the first time

Something extra could be this:
Raincover for Camera (eBay) (Just incase Ayse is wrong )
And a new camping chair. (the last one was stolen)

[Victor_RO]

Originally Posted by CTD

Otherwise I'll be taking a lot LESS stuff, than the first time

Speaking of which, what would be the checklist for items for a first-timer? I'm not 100% sure at the moment whether I'll be camping (and with what group, if so) or whether I can manage to find somewhere else to stay through other means, I'll probably know the second bit some time in February.

[CTD]

Originally Posted by Victor_RO

Speaking of which, what would be the checklist for items for a first-timer? I'm not 100% sure at the moment whether I'll be camping (and with what group, if so) or whether I can manage to find somewhere else to stay through other means, I'll probably know the second bit some time in February.

• CAMERA! (extra batteries) (A good lens with long objective)
• Battery charger for iPhone (or old phone with a week worth of battery)
• EU Health insurance card.
• Toiletpaper (they could run out on the toilets)
• Chair
• Warm clothing for the night
• Sun screen
• Rain cover (for you)
• Radio - Good quality
• Map
• Spottersguide

Just off the top of my head
If you camp Victor, then there are of course more items to remember.

[vincegail]

Originally Posted by CTD

And a new camping chair. (the last one was stolen)

Better not leave the new one outside the toilets at Tertre Rouge then. I heard the whole campsite is crawling with crooks and robbers!

[CTD]

Originally Posted by vincegail

Better not leave the new one outside the toilets at Tertre Rouge then. I heard the whole campsite is crawling with crooks and robbers!

Haha!, that is noted .

[GT6]

Originally Posted by vincegail

Better not leave the new one outside the toilets at Tertre Rouge then. I heard the whole campsite is crawling with crooks and robbers!

That is a complete lie, some of the best crooks and robbers there are teetotal and don't have to crawl whilst some us honest campers have been known to crawl back to our tents in the early hours. Seriously I have only heard of 1 thing going missing on TR itself in all the years i have camped there, although we did watch a rather inept thief struggle to free himself from the barbed wire on the wall top one year, everyone eventually got bored and someone called the french police who took him to hospital before hopefully sending him to jail.

[vincegail]

Originally Posted by CTD

And a new camping chair. (the last one was stolen)

Originally Posted by vincegail

Better not leave the new one outside the toilets at Tertre Rouge then. I heard the whole campsite is crawling with crooks and robbers!

Originally Posted by GT6

Seriously I have only heard of 1 thing going missing on TR itself in all the years i have camped there

Than this must be the second thing, because if memory serves me right, CTD's chair was actually stolen outside one of TR's loos.

But I hope you're right about TR's security, because that was one of the factors that made me come over there as I bring rather a lot of kit that I also intend on bringing back home

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by CTD

Something extra could be this:
Raincover for Camera (eBay) (Just incase Ayse is wrong )

Oh ye of little faith.........

Originally Posted by Victor_RO

Speaking of which, what would be the checklist for items for a first-timer? I'm not 100% sure at the moment whether I'll be camping (and with what group, if so) or whether I can manage to find somewhere else to stay through other means, I'll probably know the second bit some time in February.

I made one up some time ago. You should know where to look by now......

[Victor_RO]

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

I made one up some time ago. You should know where to look by now......

Comprehensive... and might not fit in aircraft-acceptable-size luggage. Especially not when returning from the race with souvenirs and new t-shirts. Will come in very handy though when preparing everything. Thanks Ayse.

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by Victor_RO

Comprehensive... and might not fit in aircraft-acceptable-size luggage. Especially not when returning from the race with souvenirs and new t-shirts. Will come in very handy though when preparing everything. Thanks Ayse.

Yeah, true enough - when you're chauffered excellently in a car like me you can take a large grip, another small grip just to contain the camera and other electronic gizmos as well as a large camera rucksack. I mean, I have to have somewhere to put the kettle and the teabags!

[Le Vieux]

We've been using a large gas barbecue now for several years. It takes two large beef joints (one medium-well, one rare) and still has room for the Yorkshire puds. It has the advantage that the heat is fully controllable. Our numbers for 2013 are already in excess of this capacity, so the plan is for two gas barbecues! An alternative is the large slow-cooker we also took last year, which can be plugged into the power supply at our site.

Regarding the heavy-duty camping chair: I've had one of these for years and last year it was joined by a heavy duty camp bed, which, according to its Australian makers, can withstand 30 stones - enough even for the far-from-lightweight Le Vieux.

[Victor_RO]

I'll just have to figure out how to pack everything on the list (plus perhaps a small tent and a sleeping bag) in a piece of luggage that can go on an airplane. That'll be the tough part...

[CTD]

Originally Posted by Victor_RO

I'll just have to figure out how to pack everything on the list (plus perhaps a small tent and a sleeping bag) in a piece of luggage that can go on an airplane. That'll be the tough part...

I managed to pack everything in a small Duffel bag + a good volume Ruck sack, and the chair on the side.

Should we have a sticky first timer thread with all the information we got, and new travelers can ask anything they like?.
I'm not a fan of the "This has already been asked, see "x" thread" replies, but it could be good to have everything collected together with the feeling that all questions are welcome.

[Aysedasi]

I'm quite content for someone to start a 'first-timers' thread if they want to - but it will undoubtedly repeat similar threads and questions going back every year probably since Tenths started.....

[CTD]

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

I'm quite content for someone to start a 'first-timers' thread if they want to - but it will undoubtedly repeat similar threads and questions going back every year probably since Tenths started.....

I will happily start it.
The point how ever was making it "Sticky" so it will always be on top, and Le Mans Virgins always can find it

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by CTD

I will happily start it.
The point how ever was making it "Sticky" so it will always be on top, and Le Mans Virgins always can find it

It is within my gift so to do.......

[GT6]

i must agree with Ayse a le mans virgin thread would soon get very messy and it will be hard to find anything in it, the usual threads do have a habit of repeating themselves and to some extent that will always happen better that if people have specific questions they start a new thread and us old hands provide the answers

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by GT6

i must agree with Ayse a le mans virgin thread would soon get very messy and it will be hard to find anything in it, the usual threads do have a habit of repeating themselves and to some extent that will always happen better that if people have specific questions they start a new thread and us old hands provide the answers

Even so, we can give it a try. If it doesn't work, we'll soon realise that. There's nothing to stop us having a 'Le Mans - the FAQ's' thread.....

[Simmi]

Originally Posted by GT6

i must agree with Ayse a le mans virgin thread would soon get very messy

By it's very definition!

[CTD]

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

Even so, we can give it a try. If it doesn't work, we'll soon realise that. There's nothing to stop us having a 'Le Mans - the FAQ's' thread.....

I'll steal that title Ayse, hope you don't mind

Originally Posted by Simmi

By it's very definition!

[CTD]

Originally Posted by GT6

i must agree with Ayse a le mans virgin thread would soon get very messy and it will be hard to find anything in it, the usual threads do have a habit of repeating themselves and to some extent that will always happen better that if people have specific questions they start a new thread and us old hands provide the answers

One of the points is that we get a Thread where all these questions can be asked, without they "hijack" a thread. (hijack being a too harsh a word, as all questions are welcome).

Another point is that with a thread full of Q&A's would be easier for a first timer to look through, than a lot of threads covering the subject.

And finally, I think it would be helpful for us to have all the information in one thread, so we can remember everything when we are asked (personally I find it hard to remember it when someone asks)

[GT6]

Due to loft insulation people needing access I have today had to take all of the camping gear out of the loft, did not realise how much was up there, I think i need to be careful about buying anything new for this year and get rid of some of the stuff before putting it all back, surprising how much I actually had and how much I did not take last year