Le Mans Classic 2016
Discussion
Prancing Hippo said:
Where is the list of eligible cars please? Would like to see if I can get on in a 991 GT3RS. Thanks.
There is a list of the "happy few" at the end of this:https://peterauto.peter.fr/files/paevtedclub/68/20...
Porkieboy said:
Prancing Hippo said:
991 GT3 RS Eligible?
All Porsche models up to 997 I've been trying to contact 1st Tickets this week to book my parade lap, with no luck - not sure what's going on.
I am not staying with them (I did in 2014 and it was excellent) but I've been told I can still book a standalone parade lap - if this isn't the case do let me know.
To the 991 GT3 RS owner, if your parade lap coincides with mine I'd happily swap cars; I'm a kind and generous chap you see...
Haven't read all the thread but as regards parade laps the ACO are this year putting out more pace cars, thus permitting less stupidity amongst the "Nigel Mansells" of our fraternity and less accidents like the Aston in front of the pits. The price is £160 per car. Understand that the ACO are determined, or so they say, to stop the dangerous antics of previous years. One only has to look on Youtube to find people overtaking either side instead of just on the left, plus plenty of other moments which make you wince. Yes, it's a fun weekend and so it should be, and perhaps I sound like a kill-joy, but standing trackside for me is the best and safest place to be. Finally, it wouldn't surprise me in the least to find out that most of the places are already taken by now.
lowdrag said:
Haven't read all the thread but as regards parade laps the ACO are this year putting out more pace cars, thus permitting less stupidity amongst the "Nigel Mansells" of our fraternity and less accidents like the Aston in front of the pits. The price is £160 per car. Understand that the ACO are determined, or so they say, to stop the dangerous antics of previous years. One only has to look on Youtube to find people overtaking either side instead of just on the left, plus plenty of other moments which make you wince. Yes, it's a fun weekend and so it should be, and perhaps I sound like a kill-joy, but standing trackside for me is the best and safest place to be. Finally, it wouldn't surprise me in the least to find out that most of the places are already taken by now.
I am inclined to agree with you but driving La Sarthe in it's entirety is pure bucket list stuff for me. I'll be taking it very easy and am aware of the lunatics.Certainly from what I've seen/read, if they removed TVR from the Happy Few it may save them some trouble...
Due to the popularity of the 'parade laps' its a shame they can't put faster cars together and the slower ones in another group. I find it nuts that I can take a 8 ltr Viper on track and floor it past something made in the 1920s or an old MG! In 2012 at one point a gap opened up and I was hitting over 170 after the 2nd chicane on the Mulsanne.
Bloody good
The track was dry and I was out to the far left of the track watching to make sure other cars did not pull out
However There are also some things to think about before you take your car on track,
Honestly, how many of you ran your hands around the wheels to check for a nail or screw in the tyre? How many of you checked all your wheel nuts? How many of you wear a helmet or race suit? What about fire extinguishers? Ive seen people out there driving in T shirts and not having the first clue about basic track rules. I know its not a race but there are if opportunity arises some great spots for a chance to get your foot to the floor.
And remember to keep checking your mirrors A LOT!
Bloody good
The track was dry and I was out to the far left of the track watching to make sure other cars did not pull out
However There are also some things to think about before you take your car on track,
Honestly, how many of you ran your hands around the wheels to check for a nail or screw in the tyre? How many of you checked all your wheel nuts? How many of you wear a helmet or race suit? What about fire extinguishers? Ive seen people out there driving in T shirts and not having the first clue about basic track rules. I know its not a race but there are if opportunity arises some great spots for a chance to get your foot to the floor.
And remember to keep checking your mirrors A LOT!
Edited by fatboy18 on Monday 25th January 22:03
fatboy18 said:
Due to the popularity of the 'parade laps' its a shame they can't put faster cars together and the slower ones in another group. I find it nuts that I can take a 8 ltr Viper on track and floor it past something made in the 1920s or an old MG! In 2012 at one point a gap opened up and I was hitting over 170 after the 2nd chicane on the Mulsanne.
Bloody good
The track was dry and I was out to the far left of the track watching to make sure other cars did not pull out
However There are also some things to think about before you take your car on track,
Honestly, how many of you ran your hands around the wheels to check for a nail or screw in the tyre? How many of you checked all your wheel nuts? How many of you wear a helmet or race suit? What about fire extinguishers? Ive seen people out there driving in T shirts and not having the first clue about basic track rules. I know its not a race but there are if opportunity arises some great spots for a chance to get your foot to the floor.
And remember to keep checking your mirrors A LOT!
Thanks for your thoughts on it - myself and 2 friends are booked in a trio of 911s for a lap on the Friday.Bloody good
The track was dry and I was out to the far left of the track watching to make sure other cars did not pull out
However There are also some things to think about before you take your car on track,
Honestly, how many of you ran your hands around the wheels to check for a nail or screw in the tyre? How many of you checked all your wheel nuts? How many of you wear a helmet or race suit? What about fire extinguishers? Ive seen people out there driving in T shirts and not having the first clue about basic track rules. I know its not a race but there are if opportunity arises some great spots for a chance to get your foot to the floor.
And remember to keep checking your mirrors A LOT!
Edited by fatboy18 on Monday 25th January 22:03
We will be taking it very easy, hopefully can run up a bit of speed on the Mulsanne if we get some space. I'd love a decent run through Indianapolis as that's my favourite section, but I've resigned myself to crawling around it.
Regarding your second point, if it were a 'track day' lap I'd agree that checks, helmets and even extinguishers are a necessity. But as the entire point is to 'parade', the ACO could never encourage helmets etc as it's sending the wrong message. I'll give the car a once over, but realistically I probably won't go any quicker than I do on a motorway and I'm not driving to work in a helmet & race suit with a fire extinguisher next to me.
TimLambert7 said:
fatboy18 said:
Due to the popularity of the 'parade laps' its a shame they can't put faster cars together and the slower ones in another group. I find it nuts that I can take a 8 ltr Viper on track and floor it past something made in the 1920s or an old MG! In 2012 at one point a gap opened up and I was hitting over 170 after the 2nd chicane on the Mulsanne.
Bloody good
The track was dry and I was out to the far left of the track watching to make sure other cars did not pull out
However There are also some things to think about before you take your car on track,
Honestly, how many of you ran your hands around the wheels to check for a nail or screw in the tyre? How many of you checked all your wheel nuts? How many of you wear a helmet or race suit? What about fire extinguishers? Ive seen people out there driving in T shirts and not having the first clue about basic track rules. I know its not a race but there are if opportunity arises some great spots for a chance to get your foot to the floor.
And remember to keep checking your mirrors A LOT!
Thanks for your thoughts on it - myself and 2 friends are booked in a trio of 911s for a lap on the Friday.Bloody good
The track was dry and I was out to the far left of the track watching to make sure other cars did not pull out
However There are also some things to think about before you take your car on track,
Honestly, how many of you ran your hands around the wheels to check for a nail or screw in the tyre? How many of you checked all your wheel nuts? How many of you wear a helmet or race suit? What about fire extinguishers? Ive seen people out there driving in T shirts and not having the first clue about basic track rules. I know its not a race but there are if opportunity arises some great spots for a chance to get your foot to the floor.
And remember to keep checking your mirrors A LOT!
Edited by fatboy18 on Monday 25th January 22:03
We will be taking it very easy, hopefully can run up a bit of speed on the Mulsanne if we get some space. I'd love a decent run through Indianapolis as that's my favourite section, but I've resigned myself to crawling around it.
Regarding your second point, if it were a 'track day' lap I'd agree that checks, helmets and even extinguishers are a necessity. But as the entire point is to 'parade', the ACO could never encourage helmets etc as it's sending the wrong message. I'll give the car a once over, but realistically I probably won't go any quicker than I do on a motorway and I'm not driving to work in a helmet & race suit with a fire extinguisher next to me.
The stretch from Mulsanne corner up to Indy is brilliant, but it takes a big pair to stay on throttle as the road rises and there is a blind kink to the right, if you have got your foot fully down you need to think about the other idiots on track! Having been in a Cobra that caught fire at Le mans, I like to be as safe as possible so do wear a race suit and Helmet as I also have a cage in the car and I value my head.
As for fire extinguishers I bought a couple at this years Autosport show and god forbid I never have to use them but La Sarthe is a big track and if someone was in trouble I would stop and help.
There were two kinks before the right-hander before Indianapolis but the ACO have left the rumble strips in place but extended the tarmac another metre right on the two kinks. As regards Indianapolis, to be taken with extreme care in traffic.
As you can see, it isn't that wide on the apex.
As you can see, it isn't that wide on the apex.
lowdrag said:
Haven't read all the thread but as regards parade laps the ACO are this year putting out more pace cars, thus permitting less stupidity amongst the "Nigel Mansells" of our fraternity and less accidents like the Aston in front of the pits. The price is £160 per car. Understand that the ACO are determined, or so they say, to stop the dangerous antics of previous years. One only has to look on Youtube to find people overtaking either side instead of just on the left, plus plenty of other moments which make you wince. Yes, it's a fun weekend and so it should be, and perhaps I sound like a kill-joy, but standing trackside for me is the best and safest place to be. Finally, it wouldn't surprise me in the least to find out that most of the places are already taken by now.
It wouldn't be all bad to have a little more control. In 2014 it rained, and I have in-car video of at least a half dozen cars, including GT40 replicas and Vipers, spinning out. That's not an exaggeration. That means that 6 drivers were driving beyond conditions or their abilities, and the fact that they didn't take someone out with them was only luck. I've done it 3 times now - it used to be easy to just pull over at the beginning, let the crowd get a head start, and then go chase them. Doing this I really had very Little traffic and had Le Mans track for my own private use. You gotta do it at least once. But last year in the rain was a Little nervewracking and I think I'm done.
I do have firsthand knowledge of an owner of a very nice car that I won't name who got rear ended during the parade laps by a Mustang and pushed into a Wall. I don't give details because his insurance said that if it happened on the track his coverage was zero... Damage was €70.000.
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