[LM24] The Official 2013 10Tenths Le Mans Garage Visit - Oak Racing

[JMW964]

Congratulations to the lucky few. Sure you will have a great time!

[lemansfan]

Originally Posted by GT6

Eric please do not put yourself down, that is to english by far, you have worked hard on our behalf and we are all very grateful.

This Man ( Eric ) lives in the promised Country ( or Town )

[GT6]

I think Le mans is a city but i know what you mean

[vincegail]

Cathedral: check.
So indeed a city. Don't know if that criterium is still valid though?

[Gingers4Justice]

Originally Posted by vincegail

Cathedral: check.
So indeed a city. Don't know if that criterium is still valid though?

I think that only applies to the UK.

Not sure exactly what makes a city in France - probably the central government.

Either way, Le Mans is too big to be called a town, by French standards at least.

Although its English twin is Bolton which is a town in the UK of roughly the same size.

Not sure Bolton has a team of quite the same calibre as OAK Racing

[Steve Tarrant]

The French word for city is the same for that for a town, ville. In France, there is no distinction between a town and a city.

[Breitling24]

Originally Posted by vincegail

Cathedral: check.
So indeed a city. Don't know if that criterium is still valid though?

...and a train station, an airport, a couple museums...

[batmobile]

Le Mans is a place where 170000 persons live, where there is effectively an airport, a train station, a river...........but something we can't see anywhere else: its circuit!!!!! So no brainstorm...........please

[Aysedasi]

It's still my favourite place in France, whatever it is.......

[Simmi]

Originally Posted by Gingers4Justice

Not sure Bolton has a team of quite the same calibre as OAK Racing

RLR Racing who ran the Murphy operation until this year were based in Bolton. Good Bolton fact for you there.

[CTD]

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

It's still my favourite place in France, whatever it is.......

I'll drink to that!
And i'll add that it's my favorite place outside of Scandinavia! (most say, I haven't been to many places)

[rblanshard]

I'll drink to whatever. I'll have to get my timing right so I can share a toast with you guys on Saturday.

If I do my math right, noon at Le Mans is 5AM here in Dallas. That's not too early for a Woodford Reserve or a glass of pineau des charentes, is it?

[CTD]

Originally Posted by rblanshard

I'll drink to whatever. I'll have to get my timing right so I can share a toast with you guys on Saturday.

If I do my math right, noon at Le Mans is 5AM here in Dallas. That's not too early for a Woodford Reserve or a glass of pineau des charentes, is it?

It's never too early, or late, for a Woodford Reserve

[vincegail]

It's always 17 o'clock in Pineau des Charentes ville

[GT6]

woodford reserve? is that the lovely stuff you brought last year

[batmobile]

Originally Posted by Bentley03

I think Eric was just referring to the geographical convenience of Oak being based in his home town....which just happens to be the 'Mecca' of sportscar racing for many of us.

Eric has been working on this since before Le Mans last year. And, (now that the team is sadly no more) I'm sure he won't mind me revealing that he was in negotiations with Pescarolo before that, in an attempt to secure a garage visit for us with the team last year. For logistical reasons, this was eventually not possible, and his efforts sadly came to nought.

Yes, Eric has been working VERY hard, and over a long period of time, on our behalf......

The small history to organize this visit. Last year, In May, I went to the Technopole to try to get a garage visit either with Pescarolo .
When I entered in the Pescarolo factory, requiring a visit for an international fanatics' group, I was replied that they didn't know because tehy were a small team and couldn't say how they would be organized for this visit. Seeing the Dome in the site, I asked if I could look at it and took some shots:
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-c...4+17.06.01.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8...4+17.06.31.jpg
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-s...4+17.05.39.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-h...4+17.06.01.jpg
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-2...4+17.06.10.jpg
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-F...4+17.06.16.jpg
But before going out they only gave me their card and say I could try to call them later . at this moment, I didn't feel a real possibility to visit.
I was very disappointed. But one week later, I met a friend who knew someone in the Oak Racing team. An incredible chance.
Calling him he said it was a very interesting project and I had to recall him 1 week later. Then he said then unfortunately, it was too late.
But I had to call him for 2013 visit in October. In october he answered recall in november. Like that each month. In February I had a big doubt for the visit and I said my doubt to my interlocutor who answered I had no to be worried, only it is very difficult for the teams to organize an event like the 24 hours.
At last I have got the appointment to get our great visit ready .
That's all Folks.

[Aysedasi]

Fantastic work Eric - thank you so much

[CTD]

Again. Thank you so much Eric!
I truelly appreciate this and the video from my GS seat!
Can't really express my gratitude enough!

[GT6]

Eric, you are a real star and I appreciate everything you have done if you get a chance and are close by come into the camp site on TR on Wednesday or friday and you can sample the red wine that has been discussed else where on the forum or you can have a beer will be plenty of familiar faces on TR this year

[nobster]

Originally Posted by GT6

woodford reserve? is that the lovely stuff you brought last year

No Robert Blanshard took it from the States last year.
thanks to Robert I now drink it at home as well, real good stuff!

[isynge]

Originally Posted by batmobile

The small history to organize this visit. Last year, In May, I went to the Technopole to try to get a garage visit either with Pescarolo .
When I entered in the Pescarolo factory, requiring a visit for an international fanatics' group, I was replied that they didn't know because tehy were a small team and couldn't say how they would be organized for this visit. Seeing the Dome in the site, I asked if I could look at it and took some shots:
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-c...4+17.06.01.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8...4+17.06.31.jpg
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-s...4+17.05.39.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-h...4+17.06.01.jpg
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-2...4+17.06.10.jpg
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-F...4+17.06.16.jpg
But before going out they only gave me their card and say I could try to call them later . at this moment, I didn't feel a real possibility to visit.
I was very disappointed. But one week later, I met a friend who knew someone in the Oak Racing team. An incredible chance.
Calling him he said it was a very interesting project and I had to recall him 1 week later. Then he said then unfortunately, it was too late.
But I had to call him for 2013 visit in October. In october he answered recall in november. Like that each month. In February I had a big doubt for the visit and I said my doubt to my interlocutor who answered I had no to be worried, only it is very difficult for the teams to organize an event like the 24 hours.
At last I have got the appointment to get our great visit ready .
That's all Folks.

Story about how it all came together adds to appeal of this year's visit.

Mind you, should probably be careful next time I enter the US now I've been described as being a member of a group of international fanatics!

[GT6]

Originally Posted by nobster

No Robert Blanshard took it from the States last year.
thanks to Robert I now drink it at home as well, real good stuff!

That is what I meant, english is strange the same word or very similar can have many meanings, it this context I was saying he brought it to le mans from home rather than bought it (purchased it) in Le mans.

English has a habit of doing this and also absorbing words from other languages so sometimes the same thing/activity can be called many different things so I have great respect for those not brought(this time it means raised/taught) up with english who then learn it.

[batmobile]

Originally Posted by isynge

Story about how it all came together adds to appeal of this year's visit.

Mind you, should probably be careful next time I enter the US now I've been described as being a member of a group of international fanatics!

, I'm very confused if I made a mistake with the vocabulary I used. Of course I wanted to say international 24 hours of le mans fans'group. Am I Correct like this?

[GT6]

Don't worry Eric, it is the same thing i have mentioned on another section of the forum. English can take one word and put several meanings to it, in this case the word Fanatic, which is often used these days to describe people that are called terrorist by others. The meaning of words in english can change very fast and that can catch people out, if you describe some one as Gay in the days of the TV show the flintstones it did not mean what it does today.

[vincegail]

But you can have gay gay people of course. Most of them I know are, btw.