24 Heures du Mans (sur la livingroom)

[Woolley]

Originally Posted by Shelagh

And apologies to Woolley for having to edit my previous post - I thought I'd done enough asterisks but obviously not. I'll try to remember....

LOL. Actually, it's the putting in of asterixes that counts as 'dodging the autocensor'. On the plus side, I get to type the word back, which can be quite satisfying when you're having a bad day... Advice is always that if you want to put a rude word, just type it and let the autocensor deal with it if it wants. Sometimes you get lucky and find one that isn't censored anyway!

[terence]

Originally Posted by dno

I'd definitely recommend marshaling at it - the facilities aren't great (although hopefully will be a bit better next year with the promised addition of a second portaloo on Poste 70) but are probably better than the cramped mudbaths that many spectators had to camp in.

Not to mention that on 70 you are as close to the action as you'll ever be on a circuit, with the cars speeding past at 200+ mph. Plus, you still get plenty of time off duty to see the action from other points and take photos.

Thanks to all at 70 for putting up with us and our silly hats. To add to the McFerrari story, Tim Mullen was driving when it pulled off with us and he had seen us all at scrutineering on Tuesday - he had even taken pictures of us in our 'see-you-jimmy' hats in front of the car!

So he can't have been too shocked to see our daft headgear. He appeared absolutely gutted though (I kinda felt the same myself )

I hope Mel was on his best behavior!!

[Jennifer_ni]

Originally Posted by Bodysnatcher

As for Rockenfeller's crash, some Brits/Irish were in attendance soon after it happened, I think they were on "standby" at the time. The car did go through 2 of the 3 layers of armco AFAIK, but I'll leave it to Jen/Hollywood to tell more when they get home (probably tonight)

Basically its as Al says! Unfortunatly i didnt see it as i was having a quick nap whilst on standby before going on duty at 6pm. The whistles went for assistance, when i got up to the post all there was to see was a stricken audi in bits! He had punched a large hole in the 2 bottom rows of the armco, very lucky not to have went all the way through. He was insistant on getting the car back to the pits dispite both drive shafts not being attached to the car. Full marks to Rockenfeller for the determination involved in trying to fix the car even if it was a no hoper, eventually after about 45mins he was told to give it up by the aco!!

[fazza]

Steve,

Do you not have a case for discrimination here if you fell able and have been proved capable of carring out these duties then what is seen by the officals and a concern could infact be classed as disability discrimination and that quite a big no no in europe.

keep your chin up and don't lose faith.

Regards
Allan

[Dan Friel]

With regards to Steve's shambles of a weekend, what do the MSA require (and perhaps the FFSA)? Surely a position of consistency can be agreed with the ACO over the coming year?

[Steve Tarrant]

Hi All

I now have an update on the Le Mans situation.

Basically, during the weekend of the French GP, Bernard Nirrengarten (my chef de poste) met with the same officials who had removed me from marshalling duties. The outcome of this was that it was perceived there had been "a misunderstanding" as the official is saying he was not aware of the written authority I have from Daniel Poissonet, as it had not been passed onto him.

NOW that he is aware of this, it has been stated that I can happily return to Le Mans AS A MARSHAL in 2008, doing the same duties I was signed up to do this year and without any further problems.

Sadly, no-one in an official position has considered writing direct to me, my news only reaching me via Bernard. Maybe I should accept this as being the French way of dealing with issues like this, different from our own.

But I know I have the support of Bernard and my fellow European colleagues of poste 106, and will carry everyone's support from this forum with me should I decide to return in 2008.

Steve

[rescue dude]

I'm pleased to see that it's now all sorted but as you say a letter of apology/explanation to yourself would have been a better way to hear the good news.

[Hepatic]

maybe it's stuck in the post

[BSA Susie]

Such a shame that a ''Misunderstanding'' caused to ruin your event.
It would be nice to get an apology letter.
Don't let it put off going back next year.

[PeterM]

That's excellent news Steve. As you say, a letter would have been good too.

[Sheila M]

Brilliant news Steve. Perhaps next year you ought to carry several copies of the letter of consent to hand out to officials who are unaware of the situation?

[gwar]

Originally Posted by Steve Tarrant

Hi All

I now have an update on the Le Mans situation.

should I decide to return in 2008.

Steve

Should you decide to return in 2008......
I bet you,ve packed your kit already......... You might as well keep those transfers on your car........No seriously well done steve

[Aysedasi]

Good news Steve - good to hear you'll be back where you should be.......

[Ty Nicholson]

Steve,

have been back a few weeks now but only got round to reading this post as I had thought, from it's title, it was only related to 'airchair viewing'.

Glad to see you appear to have the issue resolved. I'm on Post 100 for 24 Hours but did the "Classics" last year at Post 106. Bernhard was not due to marshal but his plans changed and he turned up. He stood down as Chief de Post in favour of the already appointed Post Chief (my Post 100 Team Chief).

I had the pleasure of being teamed up with Bernhard for the weekend and can only say if you've got his support and understanding that your 'problem' has been resolved, take it as being so. We all encounter issues like this during our time. We WILL see you there in 2008. I'll even walk the 600 meters to make sure you're on post

[ChrisA]

Excellant news Steve, long may you continue.

[Shelagh]

Steve,
we only ventured to the centre once but did see your car parked up in the marshals' carpark. Unfortunately we didn't actually see you during our sojourn through "the village" (not a patch on 5 years ago when we were last there - which wasn't a patch on 10 years ago!).

We only do Le Mans on a 5 yearly basis (the memories of the thunderbox have to recede), so we won't be there next year - but hope that you will make it.