HPI Racing - 2001 HPI Challenge World Finals

2001 HPI Challenge

All day Friday during the practice rounds Patrick's wife Beatrice was taking reservations for Saturday night's "Sioree du Gala", an evening presentation of music from the French band "XL" and some good food. XL is based from the town Bollene, about 15km north of Orange, and features performers from all over France.


Looking for a spot to sit	The opening number	The end of the first song

Guests were allowed to enter the hall at 8 PM, and by 9 the band was on stage, warming up the crowd. Able to play a variety of music with five singers and at least ten musicians, by the time the wine had taken effect XL was able to get the crowd hopping and dancing to songs that reflected the American 60's, Broadway (of New York City), many different types of French-language music and lots of others songs. Several costume changes by the band and the singers took place while at least five stage technicians did their work backstage and in the rear of the hall.


No one was sure what to expect from this group	The first solo song	One of the duets	The group used the background screen a lot

This was a neat dancing song	A Broadway musical medley	A Liza Minelli song	Patrick speaks

	Tatsuro says thanks	The mayor welcomes the racers

During one of the costume changes an MC came out and introduced the HPI distributor for France Patrick, HPI's owner Tatsuro Watanabe and the mayor of the town of Orange, Monsieur Bompard. Everyone said a few words of thanks and appreciation for the HPI Challenge World Final event, the crowd and the show, and then the first course of dinner was served - salmon and prawn with mayonnaise and a bread roll. Catering was provided by La Fine Fourchette from the small village of Piolenc - they provided the food for the whole weekend at the track.


Tapped out on bread and wine	Carving the meat is a traditional ceremony	A 60's retrospective medley	Shiny happy people

We didn't know what this was either	One of the many solo songs	14 people on stage!	Derek and Jon going to town on the main course

Chowing down	One of the male singers in a solo number	One of many costume changes	A...Mexican dance number

The band played on while waiters brought out more wine ad water (literally the only available drinks), and about 45 minutes after the first course was served, the second course of lamb, beans and mushrooms was brought out. By this time most people were tired of drinking water and the dance floor (at least 60 x 60') was packed. After another 30 minutes the fromage (cheese) course was next, but it was already past midnight so a few people had to leave - there were the main events to handle, still, and racers had to prep their cars!


The three lades singing	Werner's Swiss buddy dancing with Mrs. Williams	Dancin' machines	Germans and Brits

The three ladies again	Close-up	Mambo Number Five!	One of their last songs

Let's wrap this up by saying that Germans (ANY Germans) are interesting to walk around a European town with late at night! Also, British kids are a lot of fun. Just make sure they don't have any straws and napkins!


Dominic takes aim at his competition... okay that was bad	Okay, Jamie is a big guy, but this is a SMALL car!	Frank says hi