Not bothering this year :(

[lowdrag]

The OP echoed my own feelings entirely. I go to the circuit once - to pick up my press passes and take a few internal photos. I take my trackside photos, write my article, and keep well clear of most of the shenanigans.I remember the days when Mulsanne bend was full of Germans and Brits, all having a good time together, when the old museum existed, when there were no chicanes and flying Mercedes, and if I really go back the sound of the GT40s as they raced to victory. But this year's Classic finally killed it for me; Beer at around £6 a pint, pizza at an exorbitant price, but most of all the lack of safety which you as public won't have seen. The marshals had to work until 3am the Friday night and then were supposed to be back on duty at 7am for the parades. All the posts were woefully undermanned and on one post in particular one - handicapped - person was on post during those parades - alone. Just as well there were no accidents there then. Maison Blanche is on life support until Porsche take it all over I guess, rumours abound that Houx Annexe will also disappear, so more and more people will find themselves a long way from the circuit entrance. But I also think that for me it is time for a change. Just what I don't know, but I'm not enjoying it like before. Sanitised is the word that sums it up for me.

Edited by lowdrag on Monday 10th November 09:15

[fatboy18]

Remember the days of being allowed to drive down the mulsanne straight, around mulsanne corner then park the cars on the grass at indy corner for an informal welcome meet, sadly that's gone too, spoilt by a few tits who thought they were racing drivers and binning their cars into the freshly prepaired gravel traps prior to the race. It was a pain in the backside for the ACO so they closed that section because of the actions of a few I can't blame them, but that was one of my hilights of the trip. Arnage Hi street used to be good natured too, then the beer throwing started and supersoakers. The petrol station at the end of the Hi street used to have black and white postcards showing their garage being used as a workshop for works entry race cars, sadly the gauntlet of the Hi street now is a no go area. You used to be able to drive down to Arnage corner and park for free in a field to soak up the athomsphere of seeing the race from a different corner, the police now stop many cars from making that trip and there are parking charges. Because of this we no longer bothered going to that spot.

Edited by fatboy18 on Monday 10th November 08:29

[DS240]

Yeah... The place is awful now. No one should travel to race, don't bother booking tickets.


........... Make it less crowded for me getting around the track :-)

I have to admit I found it a shame when lots of old buildings went during the major revamp (05/06?), but overall the place has improved for access and getting around. Things evolve over time and they'll always be changes.

If anything, the way I do the race weekend and the circuit/racing in general have made it the best few races for me the last few years and no signs of getting fed up with the place.

[Matt Harper]

This is certainly an interesting topic. Like some others on here, I was first bitten by the Le Mans bug in the very early eighties and the Group C era made for a real spectacle, despite the threadbare and slightly disheveled atmosphere about the place. I loved it and it became one of the high-spots of the year for me for a very long and uninterrupted 20+ years, at which point I emigrated to the US - but that didn't stop me making the annual trip to La Sarthe.

However it did start me thinking, because it had turned into a very expensive event - that wasn't improving as the years advanced. I didn't mind the new infrastructure - for me it was the "Audification" and the enormous influx of brain-dead numpties who seemed to derive most of their entertainment by throwing urine at strangers. The result for me was that I'd had enough and it was reasonably easy for me to nix it - added to which, watching it on TV meant that I actually got to see a good chunk of the race (something I didn't do a hell of a lot of when I was actually there).

I substituted Le Mans with US events and being based in the South Eastern US am spoiled for choice (Rolex 24, Sebring and Petit Le Mans) Sebring is wonderfully like Le Mans was in the late 80's/early 90's - though the winds of change are blowing at Hendrick Field now too.

So in contrast, I've decided to head back to Le Mans next year after passing on it for the last few years. In reality, I'm not looking forward to it all that much, because I think it will be less fun than I remembered, not more. Seeing good friends, drinking a lot and socializing with the backdrop of the world's most prestigious endurance race is my motivation, but my expectations are set quite low.

[NormanD]

fatboy18 said:

I have always fancied the Hotel Arbour, but sadly the waiting list is immense, and is fully booked for the race weekend year on year.

I starting going in the early 70's and stayed at the Arbour for the last ten years untill I gave up going in 2012, we had a room the front overlooking the track

Yes I remember the funfair and the strippers etc

As been mentioned the race insn't the same now and the only atmosfear now is the smell of pi** from all the larger louts that now attend

At one time one could drive arround the areas like Arnage corner etc but even that has got hard work

[NormanD]

lowdrag said:

All the posts were woefully undermanned and on one post in particular one - handicapped - person was on post during those parades - alone.

That would have been Steve Tarrant, a friend of mine, known to his friends as LegLess

At the Goodwood Festival in 2000, driver John Dawson-Damer lost control of his Lotus 63, and crashed into the finish line gantry, killing himself and marshal Andrew Carpenter.

Another marshal, Steve Tarrant, survived but sustained serious injuries to the lower part of his right leg. Since his recovery, despite his disability, he continues to marshal at LeMans

[MartinixxxLB]

I understand a lot of what is being said and I think it is the annual tradition that keeps me going, not the racing. Next year will be my 21st year so I will finally come of age, in body if not in mind. I started mid eighties when you could turn up and get a great campsite without booking. The fair was something to be seen with the shotgun stalls, strippers, hairy kids, fattest lady etc. and the ambiance was quite incredible, yes lots of people got very drunk but I do not remember the loutishness that is sometomes seen at the modern race. Oh, and the racing was good and noisy. Who knows if it was that much better than today, I think it is actually quite hard to compare, also I do not think the Audi presence has ruined the whole thing in fact would suggest that them being there has give the rest a kick up the backside and got them to improve their teams (controversial).

I went to the Classic this year, as recently I have been alternating with LM24, though was lucky enought to do both one year. Well this year I mssed the LM24, no I reallly missed not being there and watched a lot on TV - never seen as much racing!! I did however not enjoy the Classic as much as previously though the weather did not help, so next year I will again go to the LM24 and then take it from there. Hve benn to the Spa 24hr GT before and that was great apart from the weather, yes it was wet, and the scenery was incredible (how did that creep in?) I also fancy the Goodwood revival but will probably not do the LM Classic again.

>Martini...LB

[tel l]

As a relative newcomer to Le Mans,in spite of my not so young 57 years of age,I find the posts on this thread fascinating.
The knowledge & experience of some of the contributors, reminds me how little I know.
I have done the classic for the last 10 years without missing,but never done the 24hr.
Mates who have, tell me you see a lot more posers & bad behaviour than at the classic.
I really need to go to make up my own mind.
Even in the short time i've been going,I can relate to the stories of change,price hikes & increase in traffic & police presence.
I am hoping to do the Nurburgring old timer next year,as I have seen similar posts on here,where people disillusioned with Le Mans have suggested it as a good alternative.
It is a longer drive,which is a slight concern,have any of you guys done it,& if so,how long did it take,where did you stay etc?

[fatboy18]

Thanks for posting "tel 1",
What has been refreshing in this thread is the level of conversation. Most of my friends have booked the Honduras campsite again for 2015. But as I said earlier, at the moment I'm just not feeling it

Thank you everyone for your thoughts

[lowdrag]

NormanD said:

That would have been Steve Tarrant, a friend of mine, known to his friends as LegLess

At the Goodwood Festival in 2000, driver John Dawson-Damer lost control of his Lotus 63, and crashed into the finish line gantry, killing himself and marshal Andrew Carpenter.

Another marshal, Steve Tarrant, survived but sustained serious injuries to the lower part of his right leg. Since his recovery, despite his disability, he continues to marshal at Le Mans

Way off mark unfortunately, and not even on the same side of the circuit. The number of handicapped marshals is legion, but perhaps you didn't know about it. How they get their medical certificates is a quandary. I mean, another who sadly passed away a couple of years back had had three strokes, serious heart problems plus other ailments and still was the fire marshal. The chief marshal has leukaemia. One English person turned up last year on a French post and was told he could stay for the weekend but not marshal but chose to catch the next train home. I could go on, but you might all be getting the point here.

[LFB531]

Some of you have been going for so long and seen so many changes, no wonder you could become disenchanted.

For the newbies like me who've only done five years on the trot, it's still a marvellous experience. We rocked up the first time in a rented motorhome as complete novices and by accidental good fortune onto the TL site. We were hooked and keep going back.

But...and maybe here is the difference, we go for the racing yes, but also for that bit of escapism, the once a year under canvas, the road trip, the banter and of course the beer. No kids, no work and in our limited experience, no hassle either. We're all middle aged 'should know betters' but it sure beats the golf course!

How the pit access works, the corporate takeovers and the cost is not relevant to us as it is what it is and it's all we know.

Maybe I'll feel different in another ten years though

[Vocal Minority]

I have to say my first time was in 2011 - it was somewhere I had always wanted to go since I was little, but was 26 before I got my plans and general act together to get it done. As such I never knew of the likes of the stripper tent or Group C.

The things I get are the dislike of the lager louts etc, but I honestly find them easy enough to avoid. I can understand why increasing corporatisation can dampen the enthusiasm as well.

I have never minded a bit of a walk and tend to stay out on BSJ anyway, so whilst I can see why people are cheesed about the closer campsites, it doesn't affect my wishing to attend on a personal level.

In terms of the cars - I know this is a divisive issue, and I have never seen people get so angry with other people for holding a contrary position - I have made my peace with the fact that this is the way technology is going and that I would want P1 to be racing at the forefront of technology - as such it doesn't bother me.

In terms of noise - there are 50 + cars out there. The fact that there are 3 whooshy Audis doesn't bother me. I don't personally want 50 Corvettes out there (though of course would hate for them to go) - I personally like the variety of engineering solutions there are for going as far as you can in 24 hours.

I won't be there this year as there are other things demanding my time and money. But I will be going in 2016.

I know it seems to go against consensus slightly, but there you go. That is my opinion on said issue.

[Don1]

As I have said mate, LM wouldn't be LM for me without you. There will always be a spare seat in my car for you.

My plan this year is to get to the British welcome very early. Hit a supermarket for the entire time in one hit, and one of the group will have a car that can actually hold some luggage. Everything else will involve fun, laughter and good friends set to the back-drop of cars racing. It's Tom's 40th as well....

[fatboy18]

Cheers for the offer mate

[eps]

An interesting thread!

I've only been going since '97.

In some ways it has improved and in others it's been spoilt, but not necessarily ruined..

I think my attitude towards the race has changed over the years as well, but it definitely helps to have a 'favourite' team/car/marque/driver or set of them.. We used to support the Panoz's but they're no more and then TVRs and 'Ginettas'.. but again both gone. I really liked the Toyota GT1 and it had an excellent array of drivers.
and the Pescas.. I now look more at the LMP2 (675 era anyone??) in more earnest and also the GT battles as well.

We've been here and there over the years, but tend to camp on Houx now, although this year definitely didn't help as it was a world cup year... There seems to be quite a dichotomy of attendees, those that can tie their own shoe laces and those that can't... I'm sure we used to do some random drunken stuff, but nothing quite on the same level as some of the behaviour I've seen recently.

Mad Friday seemed to be a bit more fun as well, but now just seems to be drunks being abusive to all and sundry.

Maybe it's just as we're hitting the 40s..? Although I'm just ahead of you on that front.

The cars taken used to be more interesting as well - or maybe they simply avoid the public campsites now??

For me it's still got 'it' - but we tend to start with the WEC race at Silverstone... Which gets it all going. We've been lucky recently to get tours around a couple of the garages / hospitality boxes which gave an added extra during a couple of the recent LM24 races.

I had been tempted to take a year off now and again, but next year with Toyota, Porsche, Audi and Nissan all duking it out it should be a good race. Someone's got to beat Audi consistently!!

[lowdrag]

It seems that the consensus is that things have changed and perhaps not for the better, which is how I have found it. I came across this photo taken in rather a drunken haze in 1991 (?) I think. Just walked across the track and sat on the roundabout with no one asking questions.



Now even with press passes it is difficult, and taking photos from the interior of Mulsanne bend is now forbidden "for security reasons". It seems to me that money is now the prime mover and not the passion. Plus of course some who seem to come to tick a bucket list box and know, nor care, anything about racing.

[vincegail]

Cor Euser raced his LM600 at Le Mans in 95, 96 and 97. This one is 1995.

[MartinixxxLB]

I have written here already and continue to think about the 'for and against' elements. Thinking back that horrible old building in the trees, (SE of the pits?) not sure exactly where it was but I think it was roundish and had urinals on the outside walls, inside were basins and showers and the whole place had freezing cold water, I queued until I saw a fella come out of the showers and he was blue, sod that.

Campsites that I have been on now have relatively good portacabin toilets and showers are are kept pretty clean and supplied with paper.

The new village has relatively clean toilets and enough of them, with warm water, unlike the old village, but the new lacks the character of the old which I will always remember with fondness, the champagne bar, was it mobile?

It all seemed a lot cheaper and a lot harder to spend money, but then again in the '80s life was not as commercial, well not as we know it.

>Martini...LB

[fatboy18]

Have to agree the Toilets and washing situation has improved greatly over the years, I have no issue with that part at all There is a Toilet Block very similar to what you describe on the Outside of the track near the ACO / Dunlop Grandstand.
I remember queuing back in 1982 thinking the urinals were inside the building, i was bursting, then When I was finally allowed inside all I found were footplates for a No2 and Showers and some interesting smells! (urinals were on the back wall outside of the building), that building is still there, I hope they don't knock it down, it just needs a good lick of paint and a bit of a refresh.

Lesson learnt, all part of the Le mans experience

The Champagne bar was not mobile. You entered the Green fronted ACO shop from the front and exited the shop from the rear, this took you out onto a path where there was a grassy area (not big) looking out onto the track past the pit exit road and a Building in which there was the champagne bar, it was nice to sit there for an hour or so and soak up the atmosphere

Edited by fatboy18 on Thursday 13th November 12:13

[lowdrag]

I miss the old bar at the paddock entrance.