A bitter sweet weekend - Le Mans
The morning sun started to show itself above the cover of the distant horizon. As Brittany Ferries' finest docked in Cherbourg the man on the car deck signaled for us to start the disembarkment. The overnight crossing from Poole only had a handful of travellers on it, however by simply pushing the now scarlet-lit crystal starter button on the dash, the Vanquish S was reaffirmed as king of the deck with the electrics summoning 520 horses into life. Even the most wearisome passengers had to nod in acknowledgement to the best of British muscle.
Our journey to the 74th Le Mans 24 hour race was to be a memorable one for many reasons. Firstly it was the first time that Sharon, my wife, and I had been to one. We had always talked about it, yet when the time came, there was always a reason we couldn't go. Also, we were to join many of our friends and customers alike in cheering along the 4 DBR9 racers that were competing this year from the air-conditioned comfort of Aston Martin's hospitality area. The other big attraction for me however, was the opportunity of stretching the legs of our Vanquish S demonstrator there and back. This was to be a big tick in one of the boxes of life. This was to be a good weekend.
I pointed the snout of the car for Caen and pressed the loud pedal towards the carpet, every gearchange a finger stretch away from the wheel, every ratio pushing the car deeper into the French countryside, the click-click of every pull of the paddle-shift a tactile pleasure. But if God is in the detail, then the Devil himself is in the exhaust gargling on glass whilst singing a duet with Sammy Hagar from Van Halen. Oh the choice of that unforgettable noise or enjoying the standard LINN audio system. Life is full of unfair decisions..
At Caen, we peel off the main motorway and head for Alencon, passing through some typically French countryside. Mindful of the ever vigilant French police, we keep the car to comfortable speeds and make good progress to the region of La Sarthe. Ever more impressed by the scenery (not to mention the Scottish nature in me of not wanting to pay for the tolls!), we decide to keep to the back roads.
And what a delight to see the famous signs of the circuit appear before us, our arrival in the finest Aston Martin has to offer greeted with thumbs-up from locals and Gendarmes alike. At one stage a plethora of camera phones are brandished at us like a gunfight at the Corral is about to take place. No other car I have ever driven gets this sort of welcome. A warm, agreeable welcome.
The 24 hour Le Mans circuit itself takes in some public roads, so traffic getting into the area to collect our tickets is, naturally, heavy. Here the Vanquish shows us its other side as a friendly, luxury car in which to spend time.
Suitably informed of where we need to be we head off to meet up with Aston Martin next to the Karting Nord area of the circuit. Its slow progress to the other side of the aerodrome because of the crowd, but it gives Sharon and I a chance to soak up what can only be described as a festival atmosphere that is surrounding us.
By lunchtime the heat is washing over us like a warm wave of humidity and mixing in with the dust being kicked up by the Vanquishs 19 Yokohamas, the draw of a cool glass of Jacquesson champagne is too much to deny, so we park the car in the secure area specifically set aside for Aston Martins VIP guests and head into the huge hospitality unit. One of lifes little necessities: air-conditioning!
Once inside, we are greeted to a surprise the new Aston Martin DBS. This is the new James Bond car, and the first public viewing of it. I have to admit that after seeing the car in the flesh I am sure that the car will be a winner.
We head to the grandstands over the start/finish line to watch the great race begin. Tension rises as well as the temperature. The 74th Le Mans is but a few minutes away, this year starting an hour later at 5pm due to the World Cup. A cacophony of noise fills the air as the entire grid moves off for a warm-up lap. Once the cars come up to the line at the end of this 13.6 km lap, the crescendo builds as the clock hits 5 and a rolling start is under way. Time for the DBR9s to prove their mettle in their second attempt for GT1 honours at La Sarthe.
We return to the confines of air-conditioned luxury at the Aston Martin unit for a spot of dinner and to catch up with some of our customers. The outside terrace overlooks the circuit just at the pit entrance with views over to the famous fairground. As darkness descends lights come on, and suddenly the ambience changes from the heat of day, to a cool evening spent with good company, light banter, live music and the ever presence of champagne. At 1am, we decide to call it a night and retire to our tent, the shrill of race engines hanging in the air. By 2am car 009 is leading the GT1 class and lying fifth overall, while car 007 has climbed its way up the field from 23rd to 14th overall and 7th in class after suffering a cracked oil pipe earlier in the day. Exhaustion and Jacquesson have taken their toll on the McMorrans.
Sunday starts early. This is going to be a hot one. After a wonderful breakfast, we head off to the pits. Standing over the pit garage within the confines of Aston Martin Racings suite, we are treated to the sight of car 007 entering for a mandatory pit stop. A flurry of activity descends upon the car as it rises almost magically on its inboard airjacks. Fuelled and suitably re-booted, it slams back onto the ground in what seemed like a blink of the eye. Revs rise and the green arrow streaks away from the garage to return to the endurance of the race.
Like I mentioned, the 24 Heures du Mans takes on an atmosphere of a festival. Lobster-red spectators struggle against the French heat as ice cream vendors struggle to keep up with demand. Various large screens broadcast the race to those who havent managed - or cant find the energy - to get themselves to the edge of the track and cheer on their favourite team. Over at the fair, the rides are finding less business than usual due to soaring temperatures.
After lunch, the news comes in. DBR9 009 which has been leading GT1 for more than 13 hours has been hit with a technical problem. A slipping clutch is the issue and the decision is made to bring the car in to change it. A new clutch assembly is fitted in a staggeringly quick 45 minutes, yet the car only manages to rejoin the race fourth in class, 11 laps behind the lead car. 007 is currently occupying 2nd place, six laps down. Silence befalls the hospitality area as we watch the tv screens and are kept informed via a pit radio.
As 1700 hours on Sunday 18th June draws even closer, not even the threat of a thunderstorm is enough to stop the terrace becoming packed with all of us, eager to see the cars claw back some of the time lost, every Aston Martin owner willing them on under their breath through clenched teeth. Alas, to no avail.
As the remaining cars group up behind the overall winning Audi R10s, the sight of the two Racing Green DBR9s coming passed us on the terrace brings a little lump to the throat. So close, yet so far. Le Mans proves once again that 24 hours is a long time for any race car, and what seems like a victory early on can turn into cruelty as the god of mechanicals avenges its toll. Still we cheer, wave flags and raise a glass of bubbly to the drivers as they come past, their efforts not wasted on the Aston Martin owners who have come out to join the 230,000 spectators that this magnificent race draws in. DBR9 007 finishes 6th overall and 2nd in class, whilst 009 brings itself home in 10th and fifth in class. Time for that legendary British stiff upper lip.
Sharon and I enjoy an evening meal with our new friends and colleagues before bidding a fond farewell to what has been an adventurous weekend. Tired, in need of well-earned rest (not to mention a shower) we still manage a comforting smile as we see our Vanquish S sitting waiting on our return, like an obedient steed.
I awaken the fire in the belly of the beast and head out through the town of Le Mans which is spookily quiet now considering what has just taken place. Our ferry takes us back from Caen to Portsmouth the next morning, but we decide to head north and stay over near the port. Feeling more generous than I did on the way down, I decide to stretch the legs of the Vanquish S and so head for the toll roads, running in convoy with a few other race fans with exotica such as Porsches, Caterhams and TVRs. Yet they all want to enjoy the aura of the Aston gliding past them. Jaded and aware of the speed limit we spear the car north at a relaxed pace and let the others set their own agenda.
Was the trip worth it? Of course it was. Our Le Mans virginity broken, a good showing by Aston Martin Racing (if not quite what they had wanted), new friends met and a chance for me to reacquaint myself with an old friend Vanquish S.
Sitting outside our home I take a glance back at the car, travel-stained and ticking and clicking as it cooled in the early evening air. God what a beautiful car. What a great companion over the last 500 miles. What a fantastic trip!
I shall be returning to Le Mans for our customer track day in August, but even so, I am pleased that my first trip has been such an epic journey. Roll on next year.