800 cars participating in the races and 235.000 spectators at this years LeMans Classic. Surely one of the largest classic cars events in the world. But it is not only the size which had impressed most. It is the great enthusiasm of the French for cars. The iconic location and the incredible number of participants created of course a decent level of chaos. But unlikely the typical German approach to try to organize everything in detail with strong rules and enforcement, the French handled the situation with charme, coolness and friendliness.
And here comes the evidence: the two German classic car afficionados Kay Hafner and Alexander Schroeder-Frerkes realized much to late, that the accreditation center for the journalists this time was not inside the event, but outside – far away. Onside the location the 2CV/Méhari Clubs, various VW Bus clubs and some clubs of Willys Jeep owners organized a shuttle service. This shuttle service had of course clear routes or were designated for pilots or VIPs. As the two Germans were – lost in France – they approached one of the drivers in – what they thought – a Willys Jeep and asked for direction. Language barriers were overcome by signals and a map. The driver Jannick decided against all rules: I have to help them. He asked them to enter the car and drove them to the accreditation center, waited outside and drove them back to the paddock. This is how Jannick became „Jannick The Hero“ ! A friendship was created and finally the journalists had to learn that Jannicks Willys was no Willys, but a 1960 Hotchkiss! What an experience. Jannick is a role model in a world, in which egoism seams to drive society. Merci beaucoup , Jannick !
