DDK - Die Deutschen Klassiker

My thoughts for what (little) they are worth

For me DDK trips are all about the whole road trip, and there have never been any disappointing ones. If something is not quite as expected, there no bitching and moaning, we just get on and enjoy ourselves regardless - which is the DDK spirit.

The overnight ferry having some beers (and Jack Daniels) with mates, the drive there and back, on deserted country roads with Sladey's Satnav set to max (windy) fun. Rocking into a small rural town and having a great lunch.

Oh, then there's the bit in the middle - the actual event.

Bleu Nord last year didn't seem to be quite the same as Karting Nord in previous years. As a group we were a bit disjointed, the weather maybe not so conducive to rubbing a couple of boy scouts together and singing Ging Gang Goolie. But the general camp site atmosphere was not quite as comradely. The tossers with the 'race' cars were maybe indicative of the growing event seeming to attract more of the 24 hour yobbos for a second bash. I am not a snob, but behaving like a twat, knowing that you are pissing plenty of people off dosen't make you 'a maverick' .

Having said all this, I enjoyed it all, and would still rather be camping at the circuit, and as close as possible. It's great to dip in and out at will, without worrying about parking. You can have a few beers during the day if you want, without thinking about having to drive a back to a campsite/hotel some distance away. You can just walk over to the pits in the middle of the night. I know the facilities are not great, but would question whether I would want to spend the extra for the 'private' camping. (I seem to think it was quite an uplift in costs last year if we had opted for this), but I am not adverse to it. But I am a bit in two minds about Sunday night - and could be persuaded into a hotel, that didn't involve packing up in the morning and having to leave early in the day to drive a long way.

Whilst typing all this drivel I have just had a look at this
http://www.le-man-camping.co.uk/index.html
Could be interesting comproise? Anybody any experience? Regular free shuttle to circuit. Might attract a better class of car enthusiast

I think Rich (Abzadams) may have done this last time?

jb wrote:I think Rich (Abzadams) may have done this last time?

You might be right Jason, and he his keeping quiet about, so not to encourage the riff-raff

Yes: rich, Stephen, Peter (orange peril), his dad, my dad, Justin and I did this place last time.
It's perfect.
Book early to avoid disappointment !

Ian's comment

Le bounty is well known and popular , suggested it as an option for 2014, I'd be happy there

I'd like to get us all into Maison Blanche, but it does seem to get block booked by companies etc.

Ian, Sunday afternoon out group has always headed off for a cross country drive and a night in Rouen ... Although I thought we might try somewhere else this time. Highlight of the trip, a hot shower and comfy bed on the Sunday night

Ian 2.2S wrote:

jb wrote:I think Rich (Abzadams) may have done this last time?

You might be right Jason, and he his keeping quiet about, so not to encourage the riff-raff

And stopping this happening again!!

That must have been those rough arsed Northern boys

abzadams wrote:

Ian 2.2S wrote:

jb wrote:I think Rich (Abzadams) may have done this last time?

You might be right Jason, and he his keeping quiet about, so not to encourage the riff-raff

And stopping this happening again!!

I'm keen on going again and agree the trip is often the highlight rather than the event itself. I've previously combined it with a longer drive to the Alps which was excellent.

Nice to be near the circuit but 2 days in a tent is more than enough for me. I would be interested in hotel / lodgings or even a private campsite near the circuit if there was something.

All good fun though.

abzadams wrote:

Ian 2.2S wrote:

jb wrote:I think Rich (Abzadams) may have done this last time?

You might be right Jason, and he his keeping quiet about, so not to encourage the riff-raff

And stopping this happening again!!

Remember that night.....Happy days !

Me and Vix will be up for it again, pending her next scan. She is turning into something of a CLM veteran ... but last year was my first and a bit of a recon mission for me..and I had to stick with my lovely old Dad. And after all that he refused to come on the track with me - can't think why

I am happy to go with the experienced vote for the camping - although the toilet block was 'borderline' last year, and I would echo that it would be good to camp in a brotherly/sisterly circle instead of a stretched out line.

I'll have 6 cylinders and 5 gears this time..

hot66 wrote:Keep an eye on the members area

Thanks, will do

I'll be there, barring disasters. However this would be my ~20th Le Mans trip since 1980 and I'm afraid my camping days are behind me, so I've re-booked 'my' usual place at Louplande, west of Arnage. Its a comfortable house surrounded fields that sleeps 12 or so, and I'm guaranteed a warm,dry comfy bed, hot shower and decent breakfast. The nice old chap who looks after it can also provide an excellent dinner or barbecue by request

>C

Last year was first time around for me and I agree re the camp layout and toilets/showers, would prefer something with slightly better facilities or a hotel. That said I'll follow the stream and stay wherever most of the DDK brigade chose to stay for the good company

Just to throw it out their, would it not be nice to do Le Man Classic in a slightly different way than the norm, beit private camping with 1st tickets or organised camping off site, especially after the down pour of 2014

As mentioned before, part of the trip is the drive down, drive back, the craic and of course the racing. All this should stay the same either way we decide to do it

Just a thought, just a thought