Grand Prix de Pau Historique

[Peter Mallett]

Sixties' Endurance - Plateau 356 - Légendes...

[retrognome]

Looks to be a popular venue with British drivers I will be there and really looking forward to this classic venue. Anyone else?

[delta]

Blooming shame Pau date this year the weekend befor Monaco. You will have a brilliant time. I will be back next year.

[grantp]

Originally Posted by retrognome

Looks to be a popular venue with British drivers I will be there and really looking forward to this classic venue. Anyone else?

Are you feeling fit Peter? Great place for photos but a lot of steps, climbs and sloping banks to get to the best locations on the 'right' side of the fence. You probably already know that of course.

Would love to be there but it clashes with so much this year there was no way to fit it in.

[johngee]

It's a real shame (well more than a shame!) that there's just too many clashes - the weekend of 5/6/7 May has the 360MRC at Snetterton (incorporating the HRDC), HSCC Donington, MGCC at Brands Hatch, CTCRC at Silverstone, Pau plus the preparation for those going to Monaco. It's madness and we are all cutting each others throats in the middle of the worst recession that Europe has ever known.
Historic motor racing is a victim of its' own success but by having such an uncordinated approach to the scheduling of meetings, it's in danger of destroying itself.

Rant over!

[retrognome]

Originally Posted by johngee

It's a real shame (well more than a shame!) that there's just too many clashes - the weekend of 5/6/7 May has the 360MRC at Snetterton (incorporating the HRDC), HSCC Donington, MGCC at Brands Hatch, CTCRC at Silverstone, Pau plus the preparation for those going to Monaco. It's madness and we are all cutting each others throats in the middle of the worst recession that Europe has ever known.
Historic motor racing is a victim of its' own success but by having such an uncordinated approach to the scheduling of meetings, it's in danger of destroying itself.

Rant over!

What about us poor magazines! Lets go back to to a more peaceful age in motor sport

[johngee]

Originally Posted by retrognome

What about us poor magazines! Lets go back to to a more peaceful age in motor sport

Agreed "The right crowd and no crowding" , which I believe was the mantra of Brooklands, has much to commend it.

[HFJ Drifter]

I'll be there racing in the Historic Formula Juniors, pale blue Alexis Mk2 number 12. Lets hope for good weather.

Stuart Roach

[rwindle]

The Historique Pau website shows FFord and FJunior for 2012. Does historique/classic F3 alternate with one of these race groups?

Just a curious fan of Classic F3.

[Peat]

Classic F3 ran with the contempory F3 race (weekend after) last year.

I went last year and loved the place. So many good vistas, a lovely atmosphere and a hangover to end all hangovers. Classic.

[rwindle]

Thank you Peat ... so Classic F3 is on same race weekend as contemps ... note to self: Pau F3 on bucket list.

[delta]

If someone said to me would you like to do your very last race it would be Pau.
I hope to have a few more years in me ,so we will not worry about that for the time being.
I was having a good old ding dong with your dad a few years ago Stuart in Duncan's Carrot but got clobbered with a drive through penalty..Again

[retrognome]

I'm flying into Lourdes airport, 50kms from Pau, does anyone happen to know, is there a train/bus connection, otherwise it's a damn long walk!

[grantp]

Originally Posted by retrognome

I'm flying into Lourdes airport, 50kms from Pau, does anyone happen to know, is there a train/bus connection, otherwise it's a damn long walk!

If no obvious link just go and take the waters at Lourdes Peter. I'm sure something miraculous will result. Have you considered a hire car?

Great shots available at Pau but even better if it rains (presuming you have your Media accreditation arranged).

Election day on Sunday too - could be an interesting sideshow.

[retrognome]

[QUOTE=grantp;3068478]If no obvious link just go and take the waters at Lourdes Peter. I'm sure something miraculous will result. Have you considered a hire car?

Great shots available at Pau but even better if it rains (presuming you have your Media accreditation arranged).

Election day on Sunday too - could be an interesting sideshow.[/QUOTE

Accreditation sorted but religion more mechanical than metaphysical and as I have no wish to pour any Duckhams over troubled waters maybe the hire car option is best.

[Bodysnatcher]

Originally Posted by retrognome

I'm flying into Lourdes airport, 50kms from Pau, does anyone happen to know, is there a train/bus connection, otherwise it's a damn long walk!

Went to Pau by TGV last year - Lourdes being the final stop on the line.
So if you can get into town, Lourdes to Pau by train is easy enough
1/2 an hour or so, less than a tenner each way. TGV might be a Euro or 3 more than the regular trains & saves only a couple of minutes.
Quick search shows bus into Lourdes 2€, takes 15 mins
Sure you can figure it out - http://www.tlp.aeroport.fr/medias/fi...ires_gaves.pdf

[retrognome]

Originally Posted by Bodysnatcher

Went to Pau by TGV last year - Lourdes being the final stop on the line.
So if you can get into town, Lourdes to Pau by train is easy enough
1/2 an hour or so, less than a tenner each way. TGV might be a Euro or 3 more than the regular trains & saves only a couple of minutes.
Quick search shows bus into Lourdes 2€, takes 15 mins
Sure you can figure it out - http://www.tlp.aeroport.fr/medias/fi...ires_gaves.pdf

Many thanks and much appreciated

[retrognome]

Weather forecast for Pau. Thunderstorms both Saturday and Sunday. Is there no escape?

[grantp]

Originally Posted by retrognome

Weather forecast for Pau. Thunderstorms both Saturday and Sunday. Is there no escape?

Not unusual in the area but downpour to sunny skies and back seems normal, apparently. Some excellent potential snaps when wet.

Pics from last year's event can be found here.

However last year when wet it was truly wet but not as cold as wet can be in the UK - as I am sure you are aware.

[Stephen H]

Originally Posted by grantp

Are you feeling fit Peter? Great place for photos but a lot of steps, climbs and sloping banks to get to the best locations on the 'right' side of the fence. You probably already know that of course.

Would love to be there but it clashes with so much this year there was no way to fit it in.

Do you know what it's like to take photos from the public spectator areas? Keep promising myself I will make the effort to go, but with an SLR that has recently died and waiting repair, it won't be this year.

[grantp]

Originally Posted by Stephen H

Do you know what it's like to take photos from the public spectator areas? Keep promising myself I will make the effort to go, but with an SLR that has recently died and waiting repair, it won't be this year.

Some locations are pretty good (given a suitable lens) and others less good due to temporary fencing despite being quite close to the track compared to many circuits. Turn one has some steepish banking to get a view above the fences with being miles away. The grandstands there offer some scope as well, as do one or two of the other grandstands around the circuit.

The top half of the long uphill straight can be covered from the road that runs along the top of the cliff/wall. I did not take an opportunity to assess al the enclosures around the circuit but no doubt there seemed to be some favoured locations for people with cameras.

Beyond the track action the compact paddock (assuming the layout is not changed much year on year) should offer some excellent opportunities and the car clubs that were gathered together in the grounds of the casino could easily have occupied a few hours had I had the spare time.

Highly recommended - but if you plan on getting around a lot during the day make sure you are fit for hills and steps when carrying kit and prepared clothing wise for any eventuality (except, maybe, snow at the time of year ...)

[Marcus Mussa]

A very good spectator spot is the grandstand at Foch (you may have to pay to get in) - this is the corner after Parc Beaumont - cars usually put four wheels up on the kerb (not sure if historics do this!).
You can practically walk around the whole track, there is just a bit when the track comes downhill (after Foch) that is inaccessible).
To get to Foch you go over to the pit side and walk up the parc.
From outside the first right hand corner after the pits (I think called Virage de la Gare) there is good spectating/photographing. I think this is technically turn 2 as there is a very fast corner on the pit straight.
All in all a very spectacular and picturesque track.
Incidentally the railway station is right on the track (it is the entry to the outside paddock).

[grantp]

Originally Posted by Marcus Mussa

A very good spectator spot is the grandstand at Foch (you may have to pay to get in) - this is the corner after Parc Beaumont - cars usually put four wheels up on the kerb (not sure if historics do this!).
You can practically walk around the whole track, there is just a bit when the track comes downhill (after Foch) that is inaccessible).
To get to Foch you go over to the pit side and walk up the parc.
From outside the first right hand corner after the pits (I think called Virage de la Gare) there is good spectating/photographing. I think this is technically turn 2 as there is a very fast corner on the pit straight.
All in all a very spectacular and picturesque track.
Incidentally the railway station is right on the track (it is the entry to the outside paddock).

Correct Marcus, the "Station Turn" is technically turn 2. Turn 1 is now rather infamous after the WTCC incident with the Safety Car deployment a few years ago.

The Station also has a pretty good eaterie for lunchtime refreshment should one find oneself in the vicinity. However the schedule is a little more packed this year than last (2 days instead of 3) so there may not be any time for such frivolities as eating.

I think some of the Historics get 4 wheels on the kerbs ... others seemed to take different lines, often experimental it seemed.

To be very fair, having watched a number of the more recently YouTubed Hi-Res videos where one can see in detail what it is like to drive the course, I have nothing but admiration for anyone taking it on.

[retrognome]

I will be arriving on the train and then signing on, once done and have pass I guess I have the usual freedom to visit marshals posts etc. I'm thinking it's a bit like Angouleme where a bit of investigation puts you in some great spots. I'm taking the Ryanair flight out of stanstead at 06.20 tomorrow, so have to leave home at 02.15 ish. Arrives at 09.15, then bus into Lourdes and train to Pau (thanks for info). Qualifying is Saturday afternoon with racing Sunday. Andy Harrison is racing with Team Retro-Speed stickers so looking forward to the mini race, it has twenty nine minis on grid. They get 30 mins practice, 30 mins qualifying and then 30 min x 2 races. Mixed weather should make good pics.

[grantp]

Originally Posted by retrognome

I will be arriving on the train and then signing on, once done and have pass I guess I have the usual freedom to visit marshals posts etc. I'm thinking it's a bit like Angouleme where a bit of investigation puts you in some great spots. I'm taking the Ryanair flight out of stanstead at 06.20 tomorrow, so have to leave home at 02.15 ish. Arrives at 09.15, then bus into Lourdes and train to Pau (thanks for info). Qualifying is Saturday afternoon with racing Sunday. Andy Harrison is racing with Team Retro-Speed stickers so looking forward to the mini race, it has twenty nine minis on grid. They get 30 mins practice, 30 mins qualifying and then 30 min x 2 races. Mixed weather should make good pics.

You are missing the opportunity to enjoy the ambience of Pau this evening. A shame but good for the wallet.

Last year, 3 days, I found that things were quite relaxed in terms of access on the Friday (Free Practice). A little more controlled on the Saturday (Mostly Qualifying) and many Marshals posts, being more fully manned for the pure race day, were a tad less accessible for Sunday, especially those between the start and turn 2.

The Minis are excellent to follow through the section past the casino - the drift lines are very visible. I didn't manage to cover the entire circuit from a photographic perspective last year - the hairpin section between the top of the hill and the casino section seemed to be something I missed - but the potential is pretty fantastic anywhere, the only unaccessible parts being between the last chicane and the early part of the Start/Finish straight.

Trying to think of a UK equivalent. Think Cadwell on multi-dose steroids set in the middle of very large town.

If it's chucking it down and you want to retain easy access to the paddock (assuming it's much as last year) the inside of turn 2 (Gare) gets you close to the action with relatively low to moderate speeds and lots of water being lifted from the tarmac. You can capture water drops rather than merely spray. Other places too but there are some easy flexible options in that area and decent backdrops can be expected.