Sitting beside me here is a small squared-section bottle. It contains clear liquid and is securely capped by one of those over-centre, thickwire latch systems used for 1950s ‘fizzy pop’ of happy memory. It bears a white and blue label reading ‘H24 – Eau de Voiture’. It was presented to me – with some ceremony – by Pierre Fillon, enthusiastic President of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (organisers of course of the annual Le Mans 24 Hours race) at this summer’s Goodwood Festival of Speed.
My friend Louis Monnier – head of
