Friday
- Pitlane & Parade
With
the change to the weekly schedule, and the introduction
of an official autograph session on Tuesday
afternoon, the emphasis for Friday has become
focused on the evening Drivers' Parade through
the city centre. For the engineers and mechanics
the expectations remain unchanged. Friday is,
as always, a day of hard work in the garage.
This year has been no exception, although the
RML personnel have appreciated the knowledge
that the car they're putting together has passed
through two days of practice and qualifying
without a hitch. The race engine has gone in,
mated to a fresh gearbox, and all four corners
have been rebuilt from scratch. The atmosphere
was noticeably relaxed and there was no evidence
of the stress that pervaded the squad ahead
of last year's 24 Hours.
The
weather was exceptionally kind on the drivers.
The skies cleared and the sun blazed down as
they paraded through the streets and squares
of Le Mans. Mike, Tommy and Andy were chauffeured
through the streets by Monsieur Claude Chaumulon
in a 1930s Citroen. Hopefully the images below
will offer a flavour of the occasion.
For
high resolution images, please view the dedicated
Le Mans Gallery.