Photo: Iron Dames wave to the crowd

Good morning from Le Mans on a cool clear arce day. The race begins at 4 pm local time. Temperatures should be in the low to mid 60s but dry for the first 12 hours. It looks like when the rain begins around 4 am it will last through to the end.

If the Cadillacs can avoid issues, I think they have a good chance to win. While the Toyotas have some work to do, don’t count them out just yet. I have never seen this deep or strong a field in the top class.

Yesterday’s drivers’ parade at Place de la République was a lot of fun. It’s nothing like the 500 Festival Parade. I am finding the two events are not comparable except in worldwide prestige.

The parade route is short, maybe four or five blocks. The first drivers didn’t appear for almost 30 minutes after the start time. A lot of dignitaries headed the procession, followed by many motorcycles.

As I have found to be typical here for race related activities, a massive crowd was on hand. Fans who did not arrive at least two hours early to get a spot against the railing, were relegated to get photos of arms and hands and other people’s cell phones Some folks had to have been standing in the same spot for six hours.

Drivers pass by and end at a staging area in the plaza. As they go past, the drivers toss trinkets to the crowd- key chains, bracelets, flags, hats, T shirts. It made scrambling for a foul ball at a baseball game look like picking an item off a grocery shelf. I was fortunate enough to get a key chain.

Not only were fans watching on the street, but people observed the festivities from their offiuces and apartments.

The parade also featured bagpipers, a couple of Latin dance troupes which looked to be more appropriate at Carnival, the Michelin Man, and even Mickey Mouse. The Parade was a great start to race weekend.

Saturday begins with a brief warmup at noon, then the race begins at 4 pm. In the United Staes the race is on Motor Trend TV and Max beginning at 10 am Eastern.

Lodging at the Track

I am staying in a popup village just outside the east gate of the track. My lodging is basically a converted storage shed. The complex is run by Motorsports Travel destinations. They specialize in packages for several races in Europe.

While the conditions are spartan, each unit has a coffee mug, small race radio, an umbrella, which will come in handy later; and a small backpack

The outside unit of each row has a photo from a classic Le Mans race. I liked this one.

It is time to head into the track. I am so excited for the start of the race today and the ceremonies which precede it. I will post when I can with race updates, and i will trryt to post something in the early morning hours. I hope tomrrow’s forecast improves.