Dave Murry's Le Mans Journal
Submission #8
"Race Day: 12:00 Noon"
Its 'Game Day' folks. The 66th running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The history, the shear glory of this place is overwhelming. Its like Indy in some ways. The stands have been packed for just about every practice session. There are drivers parades, press dinners, autograph sessions.
I guess I'm still astounded by how many people have asked for my autograph or ask for a picture. One of the journalists that has been invited by the Porsche PR staff says that its because, if the history of this race proves one thing, its that anyone can win. So my signature could bethe signature by 2:00 PM tomorrow afternoon. Awesome.
What's also awesome is how the people of Le Mans and the fans in general open their town for us. Yesterday afternoon, was the "Grande Parade Des Pilots" through the center of the town of Le Mans. I was sitting on the backseat of an old open top French Berliott, waving to a crowd of nearly 100,000 fans and towns people.
After that, my wife Trudi and I had dinner with a group of journalists at a wonderful little French auberge. Bob Wollek joined us to add his special perspective on today's race. While all this was going on, the Porsche Motorsports and Joest teams had trucked all four cars to the small airport across the street from the track for a final shakedown 'cruise'. James Weaver, who will start number 8, had the duty on our car. (Later he told me that the changes they had made to our LMP 98 had vastly improved the car.) So it was lots of great food and good company, but by 9:00 it was time to head back to the motel and grab some shuteye.
This morning was sort of a blur. We had a 9:00 am warm-up, which James handled, just to make double sure that nothing has changed since their shakedown last night. He says that the car is good, much better in fact than our last practice on Thursday. The Joest Team has vented the nose of the car to let some air out from under it. They have also raised the chassis slightly. This gives us a little more downforce on the front end and has cured some of the understeer we have had and has helped balance the car.
By 10:00 am, number 8 was back in the garage and James, Pierre Henri Raphanel and I were practicing driver changes with our crew members. I'm also trying out a helmet fix: A big chunk of foam taped to the back of it. It looks like hell, but Pierre says that it helps you withstand the terrible buffeting your head takes as you cruise down the Mulsanne Straight at 200+ mph. Afterwards, one last pre-race meeting with my teammates.
Then I realize that I've misplaced my wife...I need food, something to drink and Trudi!
In the back of my mind I'm always thinking about how I'm going to go faster. I laid my computer times over Pierre's, and I'm losing time in the Porsche Curves (horrors!) and at Indianapolis. I brake at the same place as Pierre. I get on the gas at the same place, but I'm slower out of the turn. I have an idea as to what it is, though. And I'll tell you if I've found the answer at about 6:00 PM tonight!
Talk to you later...
Photos courtesy of www.cyberspeedmedia.com
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |