South Western Centre
Visit To Angouleme 2008 by Rodney Manners
Michele and I had a memorable trip down to Angouleme in September for the annual "Les circuits des ramparts" races for historic cars ( and drivers, some were over 70 years of age! )
We were accompanied by Austin & Maureen Laferla from Northleach in their delightful 100.
With Michele on board knowing the lingo, and Maureen armed with her Mitchelin Guide to restaurants, the trip was a gastronomic delight.
We enjoyed good weather, both Healey's ran beautifully, and were much admired en route,and at Angouleme.
There was only one Healey competing in the races, a right hand drive 100 M in white, with a blue strip "a la Briggs Cunningham".
It was running on French plates from Paris, and aquitted itself well, as is usual for Healeys, against much more powerful opposition.
On the Monday, after the racing weekend, we left Maureen and Austin in the south to visit friends, whilst Michele and I returned north alone, or so we thought !
Just north of Poitiers, well off the main roads, we became aware of another car running alongside us, with two grinning occupants.
It was none other that the blue & white Healey that was competing at Angouleme.
It was quite an amazing coincidence to meet up with them, as there are so few 100's in France.
Jerome Auzanneau, and Etienne Raynaud were returning their Healey to Eric Perou's Healey workshops about 50 Km. further north
After a certain amount of back slapping, we were invited to join them and visit the "wizard". Although I expressed to Jerome that I was not a racing driver, and that my 100 was in a modest touring state of tune, there ensued a country drive which turned into an out and out road race, with Michele under the scuttle with her eyes firmly shut, and white knuckles gripping the passenger handle !
I was surprised how well my old hundred went under pressure, but less impressed with Michele!
On arrival at Eric's we had a brief but very interesting look around, viewing cars being prepared for the following weekend's 6 hours race at Spa.
Our new French friends then headed back to Paris in their 911, and we pottered back to Michele's home in the Loire in lovely evening sunshine after a great Healey weekend.
Austin and Maureen were never seen again, until the centre Christmas Dinner at the Highwayman ! ( it was the lure of the food ! )