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...
.