ST GOUENO 2015

One of the events planned for next year is hillclimbing in France!

The main event is St Goueno, and there is also the opportunity to enter La Pommeraye hillclimb the week before as well.  Consequently, if your doing both events it would be a 10 day excursion.  These are both rounds of the French National Championship, but there are also classes at both these events for Brits, Irish and Channel Islands competitors.  These are nothing like British hillclimbs, so have a look here for a taster:

http://www.hillclimbfrance.co.uk/

A typical "run" at St Goueno comprises convoy run for 3.5km from the paddock to the start line on public roads (when we last went in 2010 the convoy leader was mad Jacues someone or other - an ex Ferrari F1 driver from the 70's - who was driving a Ferrari road car!)  The actual hillclimb is an amazing 3.2Km in length, then at the end you are on public roads again (solo this time) for a 1.3Km drive back to the paddock.  There is an amazing carnival atmosphere which runs from Thursday, all the way through to Sunday night, with lots of festivities in the local village.

I have made enquiries for next year and have this advance information:

Hello Billy,

How could I forget Ecurie Rosbifs, you will always be welcome at Saint Goueno!
The provisional date for 2015 is the weekend of 30-31 May, but as you will probably remember we start the party on the Thursday.
The date is not official until published by the FFSA usually September / October, however it is unlikely to differ.
Yes La Pomm is generally the weekend before, I no longer have anything to do with the event, running the two became too much work.
I created two Masters classes for Seveneque cars, up to 2000cc and over 2000cc, road going and race cars alike.
The RWD Fiesta would run with the other tintops in the over 2lt class if it has a turbo which I assume it does (1.7 coefficient).
Are you aware that a HANS device is mandatory for all drivers of cars first produced after 1977?

Sportivement.
John.

We would again enter as a group, probably once again as "Ecurie Rosbifs" but with "High Speed, Low Cost" as our motto.  Main points to note at this stage are that HANS devices are required and also a race or speed National A MSA licence.

Anyhow, have a look at the website, and if your interested please let us know on this thread.

May have to get the FIA MGB ready for this one..... don't think the Vette will be finished by then!

There is also what can best be described as a track day up the hill on the Friday. From what I saw last time, this was undertaken by a classic car club. They ran from the start to the finish, but at the finish they turned left and held at the crossroads junction half way up the hill. When they had all completed the run, they WD'd from the junction back to the start for the next run.

Not sure of the regs, but there is no need for HANS, motorsport licence, etc. Consequently, you could use the E Type if you wanted.

You are not helping at all Billy! I was trying to keep the E Type off the track........ I will let you explain it all to Adelle! ;0)

So reading the email you have been sent Billy we all need Hans devices

Ian

Yes, more detail is here:

http://www.hillclimbfrance.co.uk/driver-and-technical-regulations

Sound I will start having a shufty in the evil bay

Ian

I don't have a HANS either, let us know if you find any good deals.

billy f wrote:I don't have a HANS either, let us know if you find any good deals.

I have, if you have a Hans helmet and are in a different class your welcome to borrow mine.

Well I think I will take one of my pre 1977 cars so I would appear not to need one. If that is the case I will have one available to borrow if someone needs it.

Martyn wrote:Well I think I will take one of my pre 1977 cars so I would appear not to need one. If that is the case I will have one available to borrow if someone needs it.

I will take you up on that offer mate im sure I can square you a few beers in return and of course if it will fit me ! I have no desire to wear one over here until it becomes compulsory

There is a fairly active thread on the Uphill Racers forum regarding this event:

http://www.uphillracers.com/showthread.php/saint-goueno-2015-date-10050.html

The Brits and Irish are also talking about doing additional hillclimbs whilst they are over there, so I will keep a close eye on this.

Judging from that thread it looks like the popularity of the event is (not surprisingly) increasing every year, so when the entry forms are released (possibly January), we will have to enter early.

Can we have a breakdown of expected costs so that I can budget for it? (might have to do one less trip to Monaco)

Thanks

Hi Ed

Further information is available here:

http://www.uphillracers.com/showthread.php/questions-and-answers-france-2015-10028.html

However, St Goueno entry fee will be about 130 Euros, Ferry (Dover/Calais, early or late crossings) will be about £95 each way, then fuel/tolls. Accomodation will be in our motorhomes etc, so virtually free, then booze and food. Will also need repat insurance at about £25 per event.

Also looking at doing another event while we are out there, details to follow.

St Gueno was my first ever hillclimb and I came back with a huge trophy and bottle of champers. Went courtesy of the RAFMSA as an associate but that's another story. Never mind been every year since apart from this year due to medical problems which unfortunately stopped all my racing. Fully recovered now and will be there without fail next year.

Pete

Hi Pete

Great to see you on here

As you've gathered were looking to go back to St Goueno next year and to also take in another hillclimb, either the week before or after.

It looks as though they now have a mini-bus service to and from the paddock to the village in the evening - do you have any experience of this?

Also in your opinion, has the event improved or changed since we were last there?

Sorry to hear you have been unwell, but good to hear you are up and running again. Seeing as you have missed most of this season, are you interested in racing at Snetterton next month (four 20 minute races for £250)?

Pete,
Just opened my e-mails and seen you have requested an entry form for Snetterton - I have sent it to you

Billy

St Goueno continues to be a fantastic and friendly event. It's a French championship round so the cars are fantastic. The minibus system works well but last time we were there we had a slight problem on the Sunday evening but a lift back to the paddock was quickly arranged. A couple of years ago the entry was 140 euros with additional meals on Friday evening 14 euros. Meals on Saturday evening and Sunday lunchtime were 14 euros/person. Particularly good value on Sunday lunchtime especially if you are not driving with the free wine. Sunday evening buffet etc was free. Repatriation insurance as insisted on by the French was a problem last year but was sorted at extra cost to previous years.

An event not to be missed.

Pete

Ive been having a look at the Ferry Crossings and the Channel Tunnel cheapest ive come across is £189 for a Dover to Calais return crossing

Departing 27th May and returning on the 01st June. (I have got to tie my dates in with the school holidays and its Whitsun week)

Channel Tunnel was £300 approx

Portsmouth to Caen/Cherbourg (Shortest Drive) was coming in at £700 approx

That was for 3 adults and 2 kids, Sprinter is 7m long 2.7m high Trailer is 5m long and 2.5m

It's a long drive but cheaper going by ferry to Calais, or as we have used before Dunkirk, including the fuel and road tolls. We've found it best to go late evening, drive a short way then stop for the night. An early start then gets us to St Goueno early/mid afternoon.

Pete

When Bill and I went to France earlier this year, we went out to Dunkirk and back through Calais, and also slept in the motorhomes at Dover to get the cheaper crossings. While we were in Calais we found a very large empty car park for a nature reserve which is right next to a motorway junction and also half a mile from a 24 hour booze warehouse

Consequently, we were looking at leaving straight after work, travelling to Dover, getting one of the cheaper crossings then grabbing some sleep and booze at Calais, then travel to St Goueno. Also looking at stopping at the same place again on the way back.

If there are several travelling the same days, then I will look into getting a group discount.

Time to think about booking??

http://www.uphillracers.com/showthread.php/brittany-ferries-st-goueno-2015-10268.html

I need to be back in Dover for the evening of the second at the latest because of Emelias school. Are we planning to do another event before then? Just planning dates with the boss

I think Billy and a couple of others are planning to do la Pommeraye which again i think is the weekend before ST Goueno. Personally speaking im looking at heading out on the 26th/27th May.Good call to book the ferry early as this is whitsun week

Also three looks like we might be able to get a 20% discount with that link