Finally have internet, an update so far

11:26 am - Just got Internet in the MC. An update so far:

I wrote the following at 6:39 PM Le Mans time yesterday (11:39 AM Wisconsin time):

The anticipated blog from O’Hare didn’t happen, as attempts to get on the wireless failed. I know, I wasn’t trying hard enough; alas, here is a brief summary of the travels up to this point. The bus ride down to Chicago was fine, and quite empty, maybe 10-12 people on board a big Coach USA bus. Security at O’Hare didn’t take long and there was no need for a scene reminiscent of Home Alone when the McAllister family decided to chase like hell to run through the concourse to make their flight to Paris. This was not quite the case getting through security over three hours in advance of our flight.

As life sometimes imitates art – my inaugural visit to one of America’s largest airports was also for a trip to Paris. My aunt and I boarded our United flight, after some time waiting and then seat-swapping once on board. There was some turbulence and a selection of B-movies, all chick flicks, with either a chicken or pasta dinner (though the chicken was glorified curry rice with one or two pieces of chicken mixed in). It wasn’t the most glamorous flight ever but boom – after 8 hours, we landed in Paris.

The funny thing was we beat our other writer and tech guru to Paris, as he was getting in later from Toronto. We had time to spare before meeting at Café Ritazza in the Terminals 2A and 2B connector. Getting there was easier said than done. Unbeknownst to us we made several wrong turns, then after arriving on a tram it decided to take an abrupt stop on the tracks. Mechanical gremlins sent everyone forward and one woman with a hiker’s backpack to the ground. We were thrilled.

Eventually we arrived at the connector, after much chasing and basically getting off a replacement tram on the other side. Our friend was already there, and had been for 25-30 minutes. But no matter, we still had to wait for the main photographer who was arriving by train.

That took over an hour, but mercifully we were all set. Getting the rental car in order was another ordeal. It was a Renault Espace minivan, which my aunt and I described appropriately as a “big ass van” (this after we also concluded our Boeing 777 was in fact, a “big ass plane”). Several hours on the road, and a number of intermittent rain showers later ensured we arrived in Le Mans, saw the circuit and dropped my aunt off at her hotel.

We got to our bed and breakfast, found our way in, and settled in. Waiting on food, which will be a sampling of the local culture. More pics and info to come, knowing that internet occasionally works and the power adapters to European outlets works.

Written at 12:22 AM LM time:

A post scriptum to the previous entry. We just got back from dinner which in France takes FOREVER (like Squints said in Sandlot). It was about four hours – I missed the cue to order the three main course meal and ordered a three-cheese pizza of blue, gorgonzola and mozzarella (odd, not great). We ate with Rainer and his father, two people who write/shoot for endurance-info.com, and also Olivier Pla who co-drives the No. 40 Quifel-ASM car in P2.

My room is tiny but at least I have my own room. For now, its seven hours of sleep (after really, maybe 3-5 hours combined from plane to Paris and then car ride from Paris to Le Mans) and then the real fun of Le Mans 2009 begins, with scrutineering and Drayson Racing interview tomorrow. Out for now, cheers.

June 8, 2009

Written this morning at 10:56 AM in LM (3:56 WI) No internet in what is an incredibly expansive media center. We took a lap of La Sarthe – it was awesome. Like holy crap, I just did a lap of the track. Eric had a couple infamous quotes. First – “Tony can I use your hand?” - it was just to carry a bag, I promise. And second – “I want my farm house!” – by Tertre Rouge, sand pit now covers the area right in front of where the farm house is overlooking the track. We have some scrutineering later today and then the Drayson interview at 4.

More pics are below: