07.06.2004, 20:41
Hello all, the roaring and rumbling are getting pretty close!
Here is a round of "final" Q&A and other informations for a fun-fillled weekend to come.
Question: when is that famous barbecue at the EVT (Euro-Vette Trailer) site?
Answer: thanks for the question Dave: the real Euro-Corvette Barbecue Feast is indeed on SATURDAY NIGHT, from 19:00 until 22:00!!! (I hadn't mentioned date or time in my early questionnaire). Drinks will be sold separately. We have invited such stars as Dave Hill (Chief Engineer and Vehicle Line Executive for Corvette and Cadillac XLR), Gary Claudio (GM Racing Marketing), Doug Fehan (C5R Team Manager) and other personalities; note that their presence cannot be guaranteed, of course, but if they can, they always accept our invitation and it is a great honor and pleasure to welcome them.
Q: How about food and refreshments the rest of the time?
A: There will be food and beverages available troughout the weekend at EVT. We will have coffee, water, beer, wine and soft drinks for sale from Saturday morning until race ends, as well as hamburgers and hot dogs with chips (crisps) around lunch time on Saturday and Sunday.
Q: how do I get to my passes, vouchers, etc.?
A: I will be at the Rotonde du Parc des Expositions ( 2 times right at the N23 exit "Le Mans-Pontlieue/D315", top left of the attached Track Map) from 10:00 to 12:00 on Friday and Saturday to distribute the documents. Sorry: I can only take cash or french checks (~30€ charges on others!). In case you miss these two windows -or in any other case!- do not lose my portable
number: +33 (0)6 85 05 09 37
Q: do we meet the drivers?
A: you know how tough it is to get into their schedule! There is one opportunity however that they cannot escape: just before starting the Drivers' Parade on Friday. We are trying to get the Corvette drivers to come to the Pre-stage area early enough to give us ample time for photos, autographs, etc. Also, whenever Corvette won, fans stayed long enough around the pits to be able to catch them and chat with them before their reception by GM Management and GM Racing. An interesting feature of the http://www.lemans.org website is that you can send messages to the teams: don't hesitate to pass on your best wishes to our heroes!
Q: am I selected for the Drivers' Parade on Friday afternoon?
A: this is a complicated task which is not completed yet. I will call you before Tuesday night, June 8th if you are selected. If you are, note that you would have to come and get your stickers with your credentials on Friday morning at the Rotonde, and be at the center of town at 14:00.
Q: regarding the EVT parking:
1) Where is the entrance? A: right across from the main entrance to the Karting Alain Prost facility itself. So actually, it is not at the Porsche Curve, as I mentioned in some mails, but just before Maison Blanche! Sorry for the confusion.
2) How do we get there from outside the circuit? A: (see Track Map) you can either turn right just before the main track gate, drive outside but along the track, past the airfield until the Porsche Curve crossing; there, take east (left) under the track, left again after several hundred meters, left again through the Karting gate. Or you might want to avoid usual heavy traffic by going to Arnage and turn left at the entrance or in the middle of the village to reach the Porsche Curve, then straight under the track and follow as above.
3) Will we be able to come and go at any time? A: yes, you will have the necessary passes to get in and out freely
Q: what about the Corvette Club France parking and activities?
A: CCF is alive and well. They have booked their usual parking north of Red Parking (and outside of ACO requirements!) for those who seek a quiet break further away from the track, a rock-bottom cheap parking and the most informal atmosphere. There wil also be a barbecue there on Saturday evening, but booking for that one has to be done directly through CCF. Many of you have signed for both parkings, which is fine. Note however that the activities mentioned in my communications will take place at the EVT as it is very difficult and confusing to do things at both places. The Club's website (http://www.corvetteclubfrance.com) will give you more info.
Q: how do I get to the dorms?
A: dorms are actually the sleeping quarters for a nurses-aides trade school. It is in a village 15 km west of Le Mans center. There are mostly 2-bed rooms and several others with up to 6 beds. 2 bedsheets and a pillowcase are provided. Bathrooms and showers are shared. If you have booked it (can hardly beat the deal!), you will get a map with your credentials. Rooms will be allocated in order to avoid some past mishaps. Actually, I was told that one could camp in the garden as well (we would gladly take a donation for usage of showers in this case).
Q: so what are the main activities at the EVT?
A: first "official" activity is breakfast on Saturday morning from 8:00, for those sleeping at the dorms, camping or just arriving directly then. A bar will be open most of the time. Throughout the day, raffle tickets can be purchased, a Corvette speed-puzzle tournament and a Corvette Generations test are organized. About 20-25 people at a time can enjoy the action on the track from the trailer's roof, and a big screen TV is installed to allow watching the rest of the race. There's a huge tent in case of rain or too bright sun. The Corvette Show 'n Shine judging will take place in the adjacent parking from the beginning of the race until dinner time. Catered barbecue with gargantuan menu will start around 19:00. Trophies and prizes winners for Show 'n Shine, raffle, puzzle contest and Corvette Generation test will be given out between 19:30 and 21:30, so during dinner. Note that EVT parking will be professionnally guarded from 12:00 on Saturday until 14:00 on Sunday, including guard dogs at night. Breakfast is again served at EVT as of 8:00 (give or take..) on Sunday morning.
Q: how about Corvette apparel and accessories?
A: there are two sources for you this year:
1) 10% discount-vouchers at the GM store will be available as in the past and distributed with your package. This stand is in the Village, between the main track entrance and the pits (see Track Map).
2) Also, Corvette-Europe has produced a limited edition collection of accessories which will be sold this weekend. Further commercialisation after Le Mans is not decided yet. Those articles and their prices appear in the attachments. The quality/price ratio is excellent! Please note that you can get a sizeable discount by ordering a complete kit. Pre-ordered apparel will be handed over to you at the Rotonde on Friday and Saturday morning, 10:00 to 12:00. We will continue selling this unique collection at the EVT Saturday afternoon and Sunday.
Q: what happened with the possibility to drive around the Le Mans track on Saturday morning?
A: the most exciting and highly expected event for many of you, but again a difficult question to answer. We do not know yet how many places will be available for us. This year, a financial contribution will be needed to participate, but its amount is not known yet (note that actual cost is over 200€ per vehicle!). I'm afraid that the final situation will not be known before Friday. Let's keep our fingers crossed on that one! Latest information will be displayed on Friday morning 10:00 at the Rotonde. For those who time their travel depending on their participation on the track or not, please call me as of 10:00 on Friday.
Q: how about grandstands?
A: we had quite some difficulties managing the sharing of grandstands a couple of years back and I wasn't going to do it again... I still got onto the waiting list for 2 tickets in the ACO tribune (the one right across from the Corvette pits)! Well, that's one fresh off the press: ACO called to confirm that I was allocated 2 tickets. So, if some of you want to spend some time up there, we can do the share trick again, by 2 hours bits, starting at 15:00 on Saturday (so: 15-17, 17-19, etc...). Attention: 1st come - 1st serve on the Questionnaire #2 for the choice of time slot!
Well, I hope that I could answer many questions you still had. If you still need clarifications or informations, write to: gerard.planche@fr.opel.com or call +33 (0)1 34 89 86 21 (office) or +33 (0)6 85 05 09 37 (portable). And we'll see you there!
Gérard Planche
PS: attachments sent separately (size!)
Here is a round of "final" Q&A and other informations for a fun-fillled weekend to come.
Question: when is that famous barbecue at the EVT (Euro-Vette Trailer) site?
Answer: thanks for the question Dave: the real Euro-Corvette Barbecue Feast is indeed on SATURDAY NIGHT, from 19:00 until 22:00!!! (I hadn't mentioned date or time in my early questionnaire). Drinks will be sold separately. We have invited such stars as Dave Hill (Chief Engineer and Vehicle Line Executive for Corvette and Cadillac XLR), Gary Claudio (GM Racing Marketing), Doug Fehan (C5R Team Manager) and other personalities; note that their presence cannot be guaranteed, of course, but if they can, they always accept our invitation and it is a great honor and pleasure to welcome them.
Q: How about food and refreshments the rest of the time?
A: There will be food and beverages available troughout the weekend at EVT. We will have coffee, water, beer, wine and soft drinks for sale from Saturday morning until race ends, as well as hamburgers and hot dogs with chips (crisps) around lunch time on Saturday and Sunday.
Q: how do I get to my passes, vouchers, etc.?
A: I will be at the Rotonde du Parc des Expositions ( 2 times right at the N23 exit "Le Mans-Pontlieue/D315", top left of the attached Track Map) from 10:00 to 12:00 on Friday and Saturday to distribute the documents. Sorry: I can only take cash or french checks (~30€ charges on others!). In case you miss these two windows -or in any other case!- do not lose my portable
number: +33 (0)6 85 05 09 37
Q: do we meet the drivers?
A: you know how tough it is to get into their schedule! There is one opportunity however that they cannot escape: just before starting the Drivers' Parade on Friday. We are trying to get the Corvette drivers to come to the Pre-stage area early enough to give us ample time for photos, autographs, etc. Also, whenever Corvette won, fans stayed long enough around the pits to be able to catch them and chat with them before their reception by GM Management and GM Racing. An interesting feature of the http://www.lemans.org website is that you can send messages to the teams: don't hesitate to pass on your best wishes to our heroes!
Q: am I selected for the Drivers' Parade on Friday afternoon?
A: this is a complicated task which is not completed yet. I will call you before Tuesday night, June 8th if you are selected. If you are, note that you would have to come and get your stickers with your credentials on Friday morning at the Rotonde, and be at the center of town at 14:00.
Q: regarding the EVT parking:
1) Where is the entrance? A: right across from the main entrance to the Karting Alain Prost facility itself. So actually, it is not at the Porsche Curve, as I mentioned in some mails, but just before Maison Blanche! Sorry for the confusion.
2) How do we get there from outside the circuit? A: (see Track Map) you can either turn right just before the main track gate, drive outside but along the track, past the airfield until the Porsche Curve crossing; there, take east (left) under the track, left again after several hundred meters, left again through the Karting gate. Or you might want to avoid usual heavy traffic by going to Arnage and turn left at the entrance or in the middle of the village to reach the Porsche Curve, then straight under the track and follow as above.
3) Will we be able to come and go at any time? A: yes, you will have the necessary passes to get in and out freely
Q: what about the Corvette Club France parking and activities?
A: CCF is alive and well. They have booked their usual parking north of Red Parking (and outside of ACO requirements!) for those who seek a quiet break further away from the track, a rock-bottom cheap parking and the most informal atmosphere. There wil also be a barbecue there on Saturday evening, but booking for that one has to be done directly through CCF. Many of you have signed for both parkings, which is fine. Note however that the activities mentioned in my communications will take place at the EVT as it is very difficult and confusing to do things at both places. The Club's website (http://www.corvetteclubfrance.com) will give you more info.
Q: how do I get to the dorms?
A: dorms are actually the sleeping quarters for a nurses-aides trade school. It is in a village 15 km west of Le Mans center. There are mostly 2-bed rooms and several others with up to 6 beds. 2 bedsheets and a pillowcase are provided. Bathrooms and showers are shared. If you have booked it (can hardly beat the deal!), you will get a map with your credentials. Rooms will be allocated in order to avoid some past mishaps. Actually, I was told that one could camp in the garden as well (we would gladly take a donation for usage of showers in this case).
Q: so what are the main activities at the EVT?
A: first "official" activity is breakfast on Saturday morning from 8:00, for those sleeping at the dorms, camping or just arriving directly then. A bar will be open most of the time. Throughout the day, raffle tickets can be purchased, a Corvette speed-puzzle tournament and a Corvette Generations test are organized. About 20-25 people at a time can enjoy the action on the track from the trailer's roof, and a big screen TV is installed to allow watching the rest of the race. There's a huge tent in case of rain or too bright sun. The Corvette Show 'n Shine judging will take place in the adjacent parking from the beginning of the race until dinner time. Catered barbecue with gargantuan menu will start around 19:00. Trophies and prizes winners for Show 'n Shine, raffle, puzzle contest and Corvette Generation test will be given out between 19:30 and 21:30, so during dinner. Note that EVT parking will be professionnally guarded from 12:00 on Saturday until 14:00 on Sunday, including guard dogs at night. Breakfast is again served at EVT as of 8:00 (give or take..) on Sunday morning.
Q: how about Corvette apparel and accessories?
A: there are two sources for you this year:
1) 10% discount-vouchers at the GM store will be available as in the past and distributed with your package. This stand is in the Village, between the main track entrance and the pits (see Track Map).
2) Also, Corvette-Europe has produced a limited edition collection of accessories which will be sold this weekend. Further commercialisation after Le Mans is not decided yet. Those articles and their prices appear in the attachments. The quality/price ratio is excellent! Please note that you can get a sizeable discount by ordering a complete kit. Pre-ordered apparel will be handed over to you at the Rotonde on Friday and Saturday morning, 10:00 to 12:00. We will continue selling this unique collection at the EVT Saturday afternoon and Sunday.
Q: what happened with the possibility to drive around the Le Mans track on Saturday morning?
A: the most exciting and highly expected event for many of you, but again a difficult question to answer. We do not know yet how many places will be available for us. This year, a financial contribution will be needed to participate, but its amount is not known yet (note that actual cost is over 200€ per vehicle!). I'm afraid that the final situation will not be known before Friday. Let's keep our fingers crossed on that one! Latest information will be displayed on Friday morning 10:00 at the Rotonde. For those who time their travel depending on their participation on the track or not, please call me as of 10:00 on Friday.
Q: how about grandstands?
A: we had quite some difficulties managing the sharing of grandstands a couple of years back and I wasn't going to do it again... I still got onto the waiting list for 2 tickets in the ACO tribune (the one right across from the Corvette pits)! Well, that's one fresh off the press: ACO called to confirm that I was allocated 2 tickets. So, if some of you want to spend some time up there, we can do the share trick again, by 2 hours bits, starting at 15:00 on Saturday (so: 15-17, 17-19, etc...). Attention: 1st come - 1st serve on the Questionnaire #2 for the choice of time slot!
Well, I hope that I could answer many questions you still had. If you still need clarifications or informations, write to: gerard.planche@fr.opel.com or call +33 (0)1 34 89 86 21 (office) or +33 (0)6 85 05 09 37 (portable). And we'll see you there!
Gérard Planche
PS: attachments sent separately (size!)
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