After an amazing weekend in France at the Le Mans 24, I thought I’d share a couple of photos and a bit of a write up on the joys of owning and taking my 16 year old Leon Cupra R on a 1127 mile round trip.
With great excitement at getting up in the early hours my 11 year old son and I set off at 3am from Liverpool heading for Folkestone to jump on the Eurotunnel at 11.30.
A couple of comfort stops and a good breakfast on the way down, as well as spotting other cars adorned with Le Mans stickers made the journey down effortless and time flew by.
The first fuel stop just before the Terminal was probably the most expensive place to top up with shell V Power but I wanted to be able to drive off the train and just go, so I shut my eyes as i payed an eye watering £2.09.9 for shell’s finest tipple.
We were there early so they let us on an earlier train.
The terminal and the train were like a moving car show.
Ferrari’s, Aston’s, Lamborghini and endless Porsche’s meant my lad was in his element and rhymed off every model.
An effortless journey through the French countryside saw us arrive at the circuit within about 5 hours including a decent stop so we were on our campsite for about 5 o clock.
The Leon’s boot swallowed everything needed for a long weekend camping. Tent, chairs, table, case and the all important bbq all went in with ease.
The car attracted lots of attention over the weekend with loads of guys saying they had previously owned one and how much they loved it. Praise indeed looking at what some of them were driving now.
On the Friday afternoon for the first time ever the track was opened up to the public to walk, cycle or whatever, the entire 8.5 mile circuit.
Knowing this before we went my lad suggested we take one of the radio controlled cars and see how far we got round with it. An opportunity not to be missed we decided it had to be the mk1 Leon body with the hope of getting some shots of it on the track.
Not only did it get lots of attention from other people, French tv even got him to drive it down towards the famous mulsanne straight so they could film it.
Saturday and Sunday was obviously spent watching the race and soaking up the fantastic atmosphere including staying up till 3 watching the race from various places.
Opposite the pits and the viewing bank on our campsite at Porsche curves were highlights.
Packing the car on Sunday evening ready for an early start on Monday meant we had time to get a few photos on the public road parts of the track before heading off and even got a shot at Porsche curves.
I’ve done this journey a few times over the years but this was the first time taking the Leon.
For a 16 year old hot hatch that is not really designed to be a comfortable long distance cruiser the journey was a pleasure and we had no aches and pains whatsoever.
The car turned heads wherever we went and over the whole weekend we only saw one other mk1 which was on the way down near Birmingham, another platinum grey but an FR with the R kit on.
Got a nod and a smile from a guy in a Mk4 Cupra Leon on the way back who obviously knew what he was looking at and I spotted a few Formentor’s who’s owners obviously didn’t.
If this new breed of Cupra’s are as well built and as comfortable as mine who knows the Mk1 may have a young sibling to share the drive with soon.
With great excitement at getting up in the early hours my 11 year old son and I set off at 3am from Liverpool heading for Folkestone to jump on the Eurotunnel at 11.30.
A couple of comfort stops and a good breakfast on the way down, as well as spotting other cars adorned with Le Mans stickers made the journey down effortless and time flew by.
The first fuel stop just before the Terminal was probably the most expensive place to top up with shell V Power but I wanted to be able to drive off the train and just go, so I shut my eyes as i payed an eye watering £2.09.9 for shell’s finest tipple.
We were there early so they let us on an earlier train.
The terminal and the train were like a moving car show.
Ferrari’s, Aston’s, Lamborghini and endless Porsche’s meant my lad was in his element and rhymed off every model.
An effortless journey through the French countryside saw us arrive at the circuit within about 5 hours including a decent stop so we were on our campsite for about 5 o clock.
The Leon’s boot swallowed everything needed for a long weekend camping. Tent, chairs, table, case and the all important bbq all went in with ease.
The car attracted lots of attention over the weekend with loads of guys saying they had previously owned one and how much they loved it. Praise indeed looking at what some of them were driving now.
On the Friday afternoon for the first time ever the track was opened up to the public to walk, cycle or whatever, the entire 8.5 mile circuit.
Knowing this before we went my lad suggested we take one of the radio controlled cars and see how far we got round with it. An opportunity not to be missed we decided it had to be the mk1 Leon body with the hope of getting some shots of it on the track.
Not only did it get lots of attention from other people, French tv even got him to drive it down towards the famous mulsanne straight so they could film it.
Opposite the pits and the viewing bank on our campsite at Porsche curves were highlights.
Packing the car on Sunday evening ready for an early start on Monday meant we had time to get a few photos on the public road parts of the track before heading off and even got a shot at Porsche curves.
I’ve done this journey a few times over the years but this was the first time taking the Leon.
For a 16 year old hot hatch that is not really designed to be a comfortable long distance cruiser the journey was a pleasure and we had no aches and pains whatsoever.
The car turned heads wherever we went and over the whole weekend we only saw one other mk1 which was on the way down near Birmingham, another platinum grey but an FR with the R kit on.
Got a nod and a smile from a guy in a Mk4 Cupra Leon on the way back who obviously knew what he was looking at and I spotted a few Formentor’s who’s owners obviously didn’t.
If this new breed of Cupra’s are as well built and as comfortable as mine who knows the Mk1 may have a young sibling to share the drive with soon.
Well done m8, it really is a beauty & stunning pics.
