17.06.2008
The DR office is just about functional again after a brilliant few days at Le Mans. It was a great race but as anyone who’s ever been there knows, the action on the track is only half the story. The journey down is a unique opportunity to see some brilliant cars being driven ‘enthusiastically’ – and the great thing is that it doesn’t matter whether you’re driving a Clio or a Carrera GT, everyone is there for the same reason and everyone is a proper car nut.
Our shamelessly logo’d up Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera went down a storm. Amazingly it also escaped the attention of the Gendarmes, despite our best efforts to the contrary. Indeed we could fill our entire site with pics and video of it on route to Le Mans, but we thought it’d be better to show the full spectrum of cars and people who made the pilgrimage. So we’re asking you to send us your favourite picture – of the drive down, the action on and around the track and the mayhem in the campsites and fairground – for our Le Mans Scrapbook 2008. The best material will be designed in to a full e-zine feature and hosted next to our other features on the site. Please send your favourite image to contribute@drivers-republic.com
Now, a few thoughts on the Superleggera. It’s a bit of a misunderstood car, this. Yes, it lacks the cutting-edge technology and incredible focus of the Scuderia, but it counters with a simply phenomenal engine, unshakeable grip and a nonchalant charisma that the slightly contrived Scuderia could only dream about. What really impressed me about it was that it never felt like a ‘junior’ supercar – this is a full-fat, angry, big-hitter. The V10 has thumping torque and yet revs like a lunatic to 8500rpm, and it spits a deep, ugly noise that makes a Ferrari V8 sound like a miffed wasp. It’s just a richer, more insane experience. In fact it’s the definition of what a Lamborghini should be, and reminded me why I was mildly disappointed by the more rounded LP560-4.
Its faults are well publicised (clunky e-gear ‘box and snatchy brakes) and remain an annoyance even after prolonged exposure and time to try and drive around the problems. But they aren’t a deal-breaker when balanced against the sheer excitement of being in a Superleggera. And the knowledge that it’ll walk away from a GT3 RS on a track is a nice added bonus, too. That it swallowed 9000-stickers, 20,000-flyers, sleeping bags, clothes and about 50,000 peanut M&Ms was something of a surprise. It is, I’ve decided, the perfect car for a camping holiday.
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14 Comments
.tribeca
June 17, 2008Oooo stickers…
.tribeca
June 17, 2008Oooo stickers…
Andy
June 18, 2008My first Le Mans and a great experience. Was especially lucky to share the Eurotunnel with Richard and Steve on the way over. Poor chaps slumming it in an Audi TT! Photos on their way!
Andy
June 18, 2008My first Le Mans and a great experience. Was especially lucky to share the Eurotunnel with Richard and Steve on the way over. Poor chaps slumming it in an Audi TT! Photos on their way!
Gareth
June 18, 2008Would love to see a review of the superleggera, a lighter slighly faster rev happy V10 can only be a good thing.If only i had £150k to spare. I hope to go to something this year be it the ring or further afield to watch WRC it is true the jouney in itself is always fascinating!
Gareth
June 18, 2008Would love to see a review of the superleggera, a lighter slighly faster rev happy V10 can only be a good thing.If only i had £150k to spare. I hope to go to something this year be it the ring or further afield to watch WRC it is true the jouney in itself is always fascinating!
Alex
June 18, 2008The Superleggera quicker than the GT3 RS? Wow. I would never thought that.
Alex
June 18, 2008The Superleggera quicker than the GT3 RS? Wow. I would never thought that.
Jason P
June 20, 2008Heres some photos here http://www.flickr.com/photos/jasonp80/collections/72157605673792059/
Got another days of racing to add yet, then I’ll pick the best one and submit.
Must say I really enjoyed Leman, was my first time great experience and I will be attending again next year.
Jason P
June 20, 2008Heres some photos here http://www.flickr.com/photos/jasonp80/collections/72157605673792059/
Got another days of racing to add yet, then I’ll pick the best one and submit.
Must say I really enjoyed Leman, was my first time great experience and I will be attending again next year.
Phil
June 20, 2008It was my first year at Le Mans too. I loved it from the moment I got in the car to go, til the moment I got home.
On Bleu Nord this year, but hopefully will get on Maison Blanche next year.
Phil
June 20, 2008It was my first year at Le Mans too. I loved it from the moment I got in the car to go, til the moment I got home.
On Bleu Nord this year, but hopefully will get on Maison Blanche next year.
GrahamI
June 20, 2008Saw you guys on the way down, I was the biker waving as I went past!
11th time at Le Mans, can’t help feeling it is getting more and more sanitised as the years go on, the village and the pits seem to be more for corporate guests than race fans, Maison Blanche campsite was oh so tame this year and Le Plod seem to have stopped all the fun
(
GrahamI
June 20, 2008Saw you guys on the way down, I was the biker waving as I went past!
11th time at Le Mans, can’t help feeling it is getting more and more sanitised as the years go on, the village and the pits seem to be more for corporate guests than race fans, Maison Blanche campsite was oh so tame this year and Le Plod seem to have stopped all the fun
(