CHAMPION RACING ON DISPLAY AT LE MANS |
A big part of what makes Le Mans so popular is that
the cars,
drivers and teams are frequently on display for photo ops and the enjoyment of the fans. One of these was an Audi group shot taken on Wednesday prior to the first track action, including all four R8's both with and without drivers. All set up by Audi with typical precision, and a nice view of it all from high in the grandstand. After Wednesday and Thursday's Practice/Qualifying sessions, the pace of things calmed down briefly on Friday, where there was no track action. Friday at Le Mans is Pit Walk day, where the public is admitted free, and thousands of racegoers from all over Europe and the World packed pit lane from early till late, watching and taking photos while all the teams are required to have their garages open for the public to view. The Champion display was a bit special for the pit walk - while the mechanics worked on the car in the garage, we took a full set of bodywork and buckled all the parts together to form a "car" out in pit lane, even including four wheels/tires stuck in the wheel openings of the bodywork. It was a real hit with the many hundred onlookers, and must have been photographed thousands of times. Even periodic rain showers all throughout the Pit Walk day didn't dampen the enthusiasm of the gathered public...when a shower came they just continued looking and taking pictures, and were exceedingly friendly with all the teams, and in many languages. Later in the afternoon the drivers came to the garage to do practice driver changes, and this was especially popular with the fans, who lined up ten deep behind the barriers to catch a look at the drivers and shoot photos. Johnny Herbert in particular had a large British fan club stationed at the barriers throughout the day, and they were very vocal in their approval whenever he was in the garage. It was a very special day that we'll all remember... |
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