Le Mans Legends Race, 16 June, 2007

[John Turner]

A few rather dodgy pics of this event as I was there. Out at Arnage corner, a clear view over the top of the fencing was limited to about a 50 metre stretch as they were accelerating away from the corner. So all the pics are 'snatched' and all pretty much from the same angle. There I was, at the top of the banking, when I glanced down straight in front of me, and spectating at the fence, no more that 5 metres away was one Ted Walker, whereupon a short exchange of greetings took place along with the observation that it was indeed 'a small World'.

A big field of 59 cars, it soon broke up, and the two leaders drove away at some pace. They were the Andre and Thomas Baillie T70 MkIII and the Ferrari 275LM of Peter Hardman. I never tire of watching Hardman drive; he is truly one of the finest of our current crop of Historic Racers, and he gave Baillie a really tough time until the latter finally managed to get into his stride in the Lola and pulled away. However, the Lola failed to complete the last lap, although was classified 9th overall. Hardman in a strong 2nd place and therefore, by his standards, rather stroking it, inherited the lead, but was completely unaware of the hard charging Shaun Lynn who had started from the back of the grid in his GT40. Lynn's fine drive brought him up to and passed Hardman on the last lap. Hardman thinking that Lynn was unlapping himself was unruffled and let him go. However, I'm sure that had he known the real situation, he would have ensured that Lynn would not have got close enough to pose a real threat. Nevertheless, the GT40 driver's fine effort netted him victory. I understand that Hardman had originally been down to drive the Ferrari P3; had he done so, I really don't think the rest of the field would have seen which way he had gone! Pure speculation, of course!


Tony Dron in the 330LMB came 5th and Graeme and Ollie Bryant came 55th in their Cobra. I rather think that the latter must have experienced some problem, possibly a lenthy driver change?


Very out of focus, but couldn't resist a three abreast picture. On the outside, the Derek Hood/Gary Pearson Lister Jaguar which came in 25th, the Neil and Joe Twyman Lotus 11 series 2, which later pulled off to retire on the approach to Arnage Corner, and the similar car (35) of James Paterson and Chris Aklam which finished 31st:-


Berni Chodosh and John Young were classified 58th with their Corvette:-

[John Turner]

Originally Posted by John Turner

Tony Dron in the 330LMB came 5th and Graeme and Ollie Bryant came 55th in their Cobra. I rather think that the latter must have experienced some problem, possibly a lenthy driver change?

Stupid idiot that I am; I know exactly why they finished way down. They had an engine blow up; I have a picture of it and will include it later!

[terence bower]

What a shame !!!

[John Turner]

Henri Stepak's Renault A210 which finished 17th:-


Stephen Markey, who dare I say, I babysat for 35 years ago (but, no, he wouldn't know who I am!), drove the E-type with great exuberance and entertainment to 12th overall; a fine effort:-


T61 Birdcage Maser! Alan and Jason piloted it to 54th, so I'm thinking a problem, here, maybe? I have a list that shows that every car was classified but tells me nothing else I'm afraid:-


Expensive! Showing signs of close attention to its rump, the Ross Warburton/Robert Moores Ferrari 275GTB/C goes on its way to 43rd:-

[terence bower]

Great pictures John,have you any MGB shot,s,I,m told that Whizzo was up to his usual antic,s!After he handed over ,the other driver retired the car with a broken throttle cable after two and a half lap,s,I thought that was what the fast idle screw,s were for!!

[John Turner]

I think I have a pic, Terence. I'll put in the next post!

Two absolute classics! The sole remaining (of only two built) Project 214 Aston Martin of Martin Brewer which he shared with that great Aston GT exponent Mike Salmon, which finished 20th, and David Piper's 275 LM which he shared with Howard Spooner to take 8th place. Either that Ferrari has appalling shutlines or the door is not closed properly!:-


The little 1958 DB HBR5 of Bernard and Xecia Deligny finished 47th:-


Paul Ingram and Chris Chiles took the Cobra to 11th overall:-


My main man; always was, always will be; the maestro himself. Now into his mid 70's, Sir Stirling is, understandably a lot slower then he once was, but if this classic and evocative pose does not bring a lump to your throat, you have no soul!:-

[rpj]

Do you have any photo's of the D type?

[terence bower]

Thanks John,I think it will be a sad day when Sir Stirling hangs up his goggle,s,but as you say,he is a lot slower ,doe,s he have anything to prove though?,looking forward to th "B" shots.

[tatounet]

made by Ericerac to download here :

http://bmw318.ifrance.com/historicMans.pdf

[John Turner]

Great shots, Tatounet!

The sad demise of the Bryant's race:-


The two requests! The MGB mentioned by Terence, and taken to 37th by Barry Sidery-Smith and Jeremy Rogers:-


The D-Type requested by rpj, which took 14th in the hands of Gavin Pickering and Spencer Marsh:-


The winning GT40 of Shaun Lynn, which I had seen only the week before at Snetterton!:-



I think that's my lot. If you want to see anymore, I suggest that you look no further than Tatounet's fine collection.

[John Turner]

Originally Posted by John Turner

The sole remaining (of only two built) Project 214 Aston Martin of Martin Brewer which he shared with that great Aston GT exponent Mike Salmon, which finished 20th

I'm hoping that it is the original anyway. It certainly looks right, and was entered as a 1963 car. The only thing that bothers me is that a closer look shows the registration no. 5 BVY, whereas it has carried the registration no 5 NBY for the best part of 40 years. Why would it have had to be re-registered after all these years?

[tatounet]

Test

[terence bower]

Many thanks John,excellent shot of the ONLY genuine Works MGB. That Aston of Martins is something else is,nt it!!

[simon drabble]

I watched this race on the television (Motors TV had excellant coverage of the whole weekend and I am ashamed to say that I had at least one telly on all weekend!!
The commentator did say that they would be on wet tyres - I must find out what they are as I have always been led to believe we have to race on Dunlop L's and M's!!
The Piper Ferrari (not driven by him) T Boned Whizzo when he was peddling the Lister (he was racing 2 cars in the race!). The 275 bashed the Corvette and the Meins GT40 went impresively airbourne over the chicane. Given that all the incidents happened there I think it could have been victim to the Bryants engine going pop.
Ttally agree with yoru comments about Hardman, he is a truly imopressive driver peddling the much slower Ferrari to great battle with teh baillie's T70. However Shaun Lynn shoudl be congratulated as he suddenly appeared out of nowhere to pip PH on the last lap.
As a postscript Peter Hardman is part of a very hot team for the Spa 6 Hour this year in a Cobra

[terence bower]

Strictly Histo,s dear boy, Wet tyres simply mean,s those with more tread!