Not bothering this year :(

Not bothering this year :(

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Discussion

Matt Harper

6,613 posts

200 months

Thursday 20th November 2014
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YankeePorker said:
now we make do with the Sebring 12 hour race which has a certain charm too, despite the radically smaller scale. Sadly last year Sebring was not an obligatory stop for the LM series so no LMP1 and thus a bit less of the wow factor.
Totally agree that the inaugural TUSC (NASCAR) 12 Hours of Sebring this year was a bit of a mess from an organizational and logistical standpoint - but I would never, ever describe Sebring as 'making do' when compared to Le Mans.
Just my personal view, so not saying you are wrong YankeePorker, but Turn 10 at Sebring (and most of Green Park for that matter) has a feel and atmosphere that is hugely evocative and very reminiscent of Le Mans back in the 80's/early 90's - i.e. before the corporate takeover of a previously more laid-back and inclusive event.
Anyone who misses Le Mans of old and hasn't done so already, should experience the Weds to Sun that is the 12 Hours of Sebring, before the forces of evil (Messrs France and Panoz's minions) turn it into another money-grabbing spec-race.
Because fans can get SO much closer to the action at Sebring and have their RV's/camps right on the fence alongside funny and civilized people (in the main) - I think it beats Le Mans - even with Daytona Prototypes - mainly because the race itself is not the sole focus of my attention.

vincegail

2,456 posts

154 months

Thursday 20th November 2014
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fatboy18 said:
Think I may be riding Shotgun for 2015, but no fixed plan at the moment, May is looking very busy car wise at the moment driving
party

I knew it!

YankeePorker

4,763 posts

240 months

Thursday 20th November 2014
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Matt Harper said:
Totally agree that the inaugural TUSC (NASCAR) 12 Hours of Sebring this year was a bit of a mess from an organizational and logistical standpoint - but I would never, ever describe Sebring as 'making do' when compared to Le Mans.
Just my personal view, so not saying you are wrong YankeePorker, but Turn 10 at Sebring (and most of Green Park for that matter) has a feel and atmosphere that is hugely evocative and very reminiscent of Le Mans back in the 80's/early 90's - i.e. before the corporate takeover of a previously more laid-back and inclusive event.
Anyone who misses Le Mans of old and hasn't done so already, should experience the Weds to Sun that is the 12 Hours of Sebring, before the forces of evil (Messrs France and Panoz's minions) turn it into another money-grabbing spec-race.
Because fans can get SO much closer to the action at Sebring and have their RV's/camps right on the fence alongside funny and civilized people (in the main) - I think it beats Le Mans - even with Daytona Prototypes - mainly because the race itself is not the sole focus of my attention.
We'll be there again next year Matt, I wouldn't miss it even if it can't compete with the sheer scale of a LM24. I haven't been online to check yet whether the Porsche 919s will be there in 2015, but with or without it'll be a great weekend.

You're right that in general the people are more civilised - less drunken tttery, no thieving gits and plenty of scantily clad girls having a good time! One plus side of the smaller circuit, once the racers have spread out you always have cars coming by, the action doesn't let up.

TransverseTight

753 posts

144 months

Friday 19th December 2014
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I won't miss it for the world. Last year was one of my favourites. Only been going 6 years, but instead of the previous years 25 of us with 1kW sound system, we had just 4, a 2W battery radio, and a much more chilled out time. I haven't even been to watch the mad Friday antics the last few years having seen that the first few years. You might have seen me whizzing past karting nord on a borrowed scooter in a full length purple velvet ball gown. ;-)

Didn't leave the fridge freezer behind though... and had a new 4x4m Gala tent as a mess hall. Got fed up of throwing away those "cheap" 10x3m gazebo which self destruct at the first gust of wind.

This year we're staying low key and doing more of the same. Last year we sat drinking G&Ts as the drivers parade went past and a posh meal afterwards. We have agreed this year we should actually try and see the drivers parade before starting the G&Ts.

We're all grown up now, and it's more about a relaxing week away with the boys instead of a 6 day piss up. Obviously we still get tweeted every day, but now have the ability to get into a sleeping back at the end of the day instead of sleeping in the mud/camping chair.

Chr1sch

2,585 posts

192 months

Monday 22nd December 2014
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I guess many on here would find my version of LeMans boring but I utterly love it.

I cant stand the idea of camping on the circuit (crap food, crap loos, security concerns, no sleep etc etc) - we stay at a local chateau, which goes to town with a great crowd of enthusiasts supporting a car show, pretty decent food, good facilities and we even make into the pool at least once!

We cruise down on the thursday, and back monday - we have good beer/wine/food and make sure we see probably i'd say about 12hrs racing over the Sat/Sun (which is more than enough for me tbh)

Its pure petrol headed nirvana which i guess is why its gone from me & dad to about 15 of us!

Cant wait for 2015, i'd just like some decent weather...

Great Dane

2,719 posts

165 months

Monday 22nd December 2014
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A couple of years ago someone came up with a guide for those who are not going but who want to replicate the experience:

You should sleep in a tent in the garden for five days
Not wash during that period.
Pee in the flowerbeds.
Eat up to 16 pancakes a day as a between meals snack.
Only eat BBQ food (also breakfast: eat the remains left on the grill from the night before). Menguez sausages are a must!
Sit on uncomfortable garden chairs.
Drink warm beer out of small stubby bottles.
Have loudspeakers in the garden for Radio Le Mans.
Move the family's flatscreen out in a gazebo in the garden for 24h coverage.
Make burnouts on the road outside the house with the family saloon.

PS I can't wait!!!

Please feel free to add

Great Dane

2,719 posts

165 months

Monday 22nd December 2014
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Chr1sch said:
I guess many on here would find my version of LeMans boring but I utterly love it.

I cant stand the idea of camping on the circuit (crap food, crap loos, security concerns, no sleep etc etc) - we stay at a local chateau, which goes to town with a great crowd of enthusiasts supporting a car show, pretty decent food, good facilities and we even make into the pool at least once!

We cruise down on the thursday, and back monday - we have good beer/wine/food and make sure we see probably i'd say about 12hrs racing over the Sat/Sun (which is more than enough for me tbh)

Its pure petrol headed nirvana which i guess is why its gone from me & dad to about 15 of us!

Cant wait for 2015, i'd just like some decent weather...
I call it Glastonbury for Petrolheads

Chrisgr31

13,440 posts

254 months

Thursday 25th December 2014
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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.
Ahh friends of mine stay there every year. Went to join them for dinner on Thursday this year. Fantastic viewing point to get the speed of the cars!

Chrisgr31

13,440 posts

254 months

Thursday 25th December 2014
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A relative newcomer having started going in the early 90's.2-13 we ended up in Beausjour campsite and had to run the gauntlet of the pissed up idiots on the road down from the tram station checking lord knows what at the shuttle bus. This year back to Expo.

But go for the relaxation and racing. Have a nice meal on the Friday. Not keen on this years circuit food which seemed to have lost its originality and beer had gone up considerably. However solution to that was less beer! In fact we only bought 2 rounds circuit side this year, either not drinking or carrying it in!

Still enjoy it but the corporate upgrade does bug.

Matt Harper

6,613 posts

200 months

Sunday 28th December 2014
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YankeePorker said:
We'll be there again next year Matt, I wouldn't miss it even if it can't compete with the sheer scale of a LM24. I haven't been online to check yet whether the Porsche 919s will be there in 2015, but with or without it'll be a great weekend.

You're right that in general the people are more civilised - less drunken tttery, no thieving gits and plenty of scantily clad girls having a good time! One plus side of the smaller circuit, once the racers have spread out you always have cars coming by, the action doesn't let up.
This is where we usually set up in Turn 10 at Sebring - our bar is called La Maison Blanche (coz it's white) - stop by for an icy Guinness it would be to put a face to a name.


Storer

5,024 posts

214 months

Monday 29th December 2014
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Booked again for 2015.

Much the same as previous years. Good restaurant food, comfortable bed with en-suit, grandstand seats.

No roughing it here. Yes, we may miss some of the 'cracks', but we see this as a "beano" rather than a race. Plus a bit of touring in Northern France on the way home......


Paul


marcosgt

11,011 posts

175 months

Monday 29th December 2014
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fatboy18 said:
As the title really, I have become a bit disillusioned with the place, Never really thought I would say it!

I don't like the corporate nature of the place and no longer have much interest in the teams. I loved the noisy cars, the old Panoz, Mazda, Group C, Corvettes and Vipers, all thats left now is the Corvettes.
With Vipers now pulling out of racing for a Second time, its time for a change.

Everytime I go I think back to the old days of Houx Annex, the old Village, ACO Building, sadly all gone now, The downhill straight to the esses from Dunlop bridge gone, the fairground and the Stripper tents gone, the character of the place has changed, many of the trees which used to be on the inside of the circuit have been removed frown Live Bands I have no interest in frown

I've had some memorable times, some good some not so good at Le mans and have been going on and off since 1982 (so I have seen lots of changes).

If you have never been before then you will have a great time, but I am going to try something different next year for a change.

Have a good one
I must admit I was getting that way when I last visited back in 2010 or so.

I'd been going for 30 odd years, from 1979, but the continuing 'corporatisation' of the event was finally grinding me down. As a paying spectator, I'd seen the best car parks hogged by Audi for their guests and horribly expensive stands put up where the best viewing points used to be (mostly filled with non-paying 'guests' of the corporates).

Add in the increase in catch fencing obscuring the view for those on the banks still further and Audis absolute dominance of the races for the whole of the 21st century and I really was beginning to doubt the value of going any more.

What finally broke my run was my Dad, who I always went with, getting ill. He recovered, but neither of us really felt the urge to go back.

He asked me over Christmas if I ever would return and I'd really like to, but every year I look at the entry list and think "maybe it'll be better next year"...

If you've never been, or only been in recent years, I'd recommend it. It's truly one of the great sporting 'events' in the world, but for me, it's become a pale shadow of its most recent glory days.

It's ALWAYS (well since the late '70s) been a 'bucket list' visit. I reckon a good 90% of people there neither know nor care much about the racing, but that's not really a problem. It's the 'experience' that EVERYONE goes for.

The way the sounds of the engines on the pit straight seem to go through your body, the smell of the Mergeuz, the site of some poor slob passed out in a corner, the people asleep at 10 AM on Sunday after trying in vain to stay awake for all 24 hours. It doesn't matter if you know what an LMP is or can tell a diesel Hybrid from a V8, everyone GETS Le Mans when they've experienced it.

Maybe 2016 will be better smile

M

Edited by marcosgt on Monday 29th December 10:22

fatboy18

Original Poster:

18,930 posts

210 months

Monday 29th December 2014
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Good post there 'Marcosgt' Yes you pretty much sum up my thoughts wink

Just over a month ago I sent away a load of Sony 8 Handycam tapes to be converted onto DVD, these turned up converted on Christmas eve, I've been watching my old recordings of Le mans from 1997 to 2006 Lots of changes Got some great footage of the TVRs in the pits on friday, the Drive around the track on the Friday and parking at indi corner.

Still not sure i want to go back next year frown

gman2207

194 posts

133 months

Friday 2nd January 2015
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fatboy18

Original Poster:

18,930 posts

210 months

Friday 2nd January 2015
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Im Hoping, Im Hoping.....Entry for Le mans closes 27th January, Keeping my fingers crossed and everything else!

NNH

1,515 posts

131 months

Friday 2nd January 2015
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I'll be skipping LM to go to the N24 instead this year. Last year was my first time at the Ring, and I loved the atmosphere and the welcome.

MA61

77 posts

190 months

Saturday 3rd January 2015
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Our group started going to LM relatively recently (2006) and its been a fixed date in the calendar ever since - the mixture of history, cars, racing, beer with your mates and the road trip is something that can't really be explained. Due to matters outside of our control we were not able to go last year and we decided to try the Spa 24hr GT race in August - our first experience at Spa - we had a fantastic time including some great weather for a change!!

The campsite was basic but a short walk to La Source, the Belgians were really friendly and the relaxed atmosphere made it almost feel like a local Clubman event! Even the evenings music concert was good (including some weird striptease show sponsored by Nissan Duke!!) We all reflected what a good event it was and even discussed doing the same in 2015 - however once we were home it was agreed that we MUST do Le Mans this year. We are booked.

My photo of the Spa trip must be the bloke who managed to get so drunk that he fell asleep on top of this huge advertising sign above Eau Rouge much to the annoyance of the local police!




Oh and here is the Nissan Juke entertainment!


DeanoX

164 posts

204 months

Sunday 4th January 2015
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Have been going for the last 13 years or so. I understand the boredom with Audi dominance but underneath the results there have been some greatraces and the races for the last few years have been very very good.

I dont get the criticsm of the circuit evolving. You simply couldn't still have top flight motorsport there now if the circuit had stayed static even in the state I first experienced in the very early 2000s. I love the fact I remember walking through the trees up to tetre rouge with cars only a few feet away. I wouldn't argue for a minute though that the new banking there offers a much safer and better viewing experience for all. Catch fencing, larger run offs are a price we pay for keeping Motor Sport in an increasingly nanny state- I'm happy we still have a Le Mans to go to.

I have had the off year off through personal circumstance... Interestingly sat in front of several screens, tablets with the timing etc I undoubtedly see more racing and have a far better understanding of the race and competing strategies etc....but it simply makes me determined to make sure I go back the next year.