Not bothering this year :(

Not bothering this year :(

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Discussion

fatboy18

Original Poster:

18,930 posts

210 months

Thursday 6th November 2014
quotequote all
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

DS240

4,636 posts

217 months

Thursday 6th November 2014
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Oh dear, what's sparked that off in November?

I'm getting excited, organising the morning off work to buy tickets the very second they go on sale.

Next years race should be great.

I understand about the circuit changes, but when the next round of major changes come you'll look back on the current set up with rose tinted glasses. The place will always evolve. That hawthorn video currently being discussed shows how mental it used to be.

I don't regret the improved facilities now.

The corporate side is heavier now, but it also means the place is healthy.

I think come next June you'll be wishing you were there!

I've been waiting for the year when I think about skipping it for a year, but it's not happened yet.

fatboy18

Original Poster:

18,930 posts

210 months

Thursday 6th November 2014
quotequote all
SRT Viper pulling out this year and now pulling out of racing all together was the Big reason that sparked it off, I purchased Grandstand tickets for my Son and I to watch the Vipers in the pits, only for them to pull the plug frown I did Le mans and the Le mans Classic this year which was a Very Wet one frown


Next year in May I will be driving my car on track at SPA, so have decided to have a break in that area instead of doing Le mans. smile Never been to Spa before smile

I don't know what it is about that Village area at le mans but I really don't like it anymore. I used to love the old ACO shop with its stepped floors which then lead you out to a grassy area where you could relax and watch the race by the old champagne bar. Prices (although always high) seemed better then too?



Edited by fatboy18 on Thursday 6th November 12:59

greeny12

300 posts

218 months

Thursday 6th November 2014
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I must admit I sympathise with you Fatboy. I was really looking forward to going back this year after a few years' break, but despite splurging on a very high-spec trip (camper van, private camping etc) the race and the current configuration of the circuit just didn't do it for me.

I'm sick and tired of audi winning, so that didn't help, but the overarching corporate intrusion does bother me too, as do the "funny" t-shirt wearing stag parties hooning about.

It sounds sacrilegious, but next year I'm opting to follow the race via Eurospoort, Radio Le Mans and the live lap timing feed, with a nice glass of red, in the comfort of my own armchair!

Seriously considering Spa 24 hours in 2016 though...

fatboy18

Original Poster:

18,930 posts

210 months

Thursday 6th November 2014
quotequote all
I know la sarthe circuit is a modern circuit now but I wish somehow they could keep a few more historic bits, even if it was in the form of the painted adverts you used to see by oil and Tyre companies painted on the concrete barriers that used to be down by the old esses I know its not Goodwood but its sort of lost its magic. Would be nice to enhance the history rather than keep knocking things down?

lucky b

352 posts

201 months

Thursday 6th November 2014
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I understand your feelings. I felt the same after the failure of the AMR1 and Astons' withdrawal from lmp1. I'm glad I kept going and got the chance last year to share Le Mans with my wife and 10 year old daughter for the first time. They both now get why I've been putting this event at the front of my plans every year since first attending in the eighties. But 2014 may well be my last visit to Le Mans for the 24.
Next year is a big birthday for me (in June) and I have decided that I'll go to Silverstone, Spa and probably Nurburgring staying at home in June for RLM and motors TV coverage instead of enduring the undesirables at Le Mans who spoilt it for us even though the TL site was as good as ever.
I'll miss the craic but...

dodgy1

25 posts

153 months

Friday 7th November 2014
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I too can sympathise with you. I have been going since the late 80's and dearly miss the sounds of those group C cars. A whistling diesel hybrid on rails is just not the same. My brothers and I have been doing the 24hrs and then the classic the following year missing out on the 24hrs on the years of the classic. We may well just continue with the classic, which we much prefer and look to do something else as a group on the years that the classic does not run.

I must admit I am tempted to go and watch the Bloodhound attempts to break 1000MPH instead!

Dodgy

fatboy18

Original Poster:

18,930 posts

210 months

Friday 7th November 2014
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Its refreshing to know I'm not the only one thinking along these lines wink

LaSource

2,622 posts

207 months

Friday 7th November 2014
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fatboy18 said:
Never been to Spa before smile
Now this where you have been going wrong.
Does that include the ring as another missed place?

Tut tut

fatboy18

Original Poster:

18,930 posts

210 months

Friday 7th November 2014
quotequote all
LaSource said:
fatboy18 said:
Never been to Spa before smile
Now this where you have been going wrong.
Does that include the ring as another missed place?

Tut tut
Yes im afraid so getmecoat
Have to say the amount of Videos out there seeing people ending up in the Arnco scares the life out of me!

RobbyJ

1,564 posts

221 months

Friday 7th November 2014
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There used to be stripper tents!!!!! Boy did I miss a trick! wink

fatboy18

Original Poster:

18,930 posts

210 months

Friday 7th November 2014
quotequote all
RobbyJ said:
There used to be stripper tents!!!!! Boy did I miss a trick! wink
Yes there did smile
I can't say it was the best quality, but helped pass the evening away biggrin There used to be oddity tents too like the fattest lady or the talking head with no body! All fun stuff smile

vincegail

2,456 posts

154 months

Saturday 8th November 2014
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When one of the most avid fans of Le Mans (judged by your input in this LM section of PH) is not bothering to go, something must be wrong. (ACO take notice!!!!)
I agree with a lot of what you said, and feel the same. But for me the plus sides of Le Mans still far overshadow the negative ones, so for me it's a no-brainer.
Sorry to read you'll not be there this time, but I sure hope to see your Viper, and you!!! (have seen your Viper several times at Saint Saturnin, but not its owner!) in Le Mans in 2016!

Barreti

6,680 posts

236 months

Saturday 8th November 2014
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I've been going since 2000 and firmly said in 2013 it was my last LM24 with me only going to La Sarthe for the Classic every 2 years.
This year I went to Classic Le Mans and thoroughly enjoyed it - I almost forgot the weather was so utterly awful.

But, if you are planning to knock it on the head, do yourself a favour and don't follow the race on RLM / Eurosport. It makes you remember all the good stuff you miss with none of the crap you have to endure. It gives you that homesick itchy feeling.
I did it this year, and now am not only going to LM24 again next year, but am organising most of it and pushing the guys to make decisions now, though with the same promise that it will be my last 24.

I'd be interested to hear what you find to replace 24 because I may very we'll follow you in 2016

fatboy18

Original Poster:

18,930 posts

210 months

Saturday 8th November 2014
quotequote all
Im sure I will be back at some point, but I'm just not feeling it this year frown

sparkey

789 posts

283 months

Saturday 8th November 2014
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I'd agree with a lot of the feelings, and haven't been for a couple of years. We now do the Classic every 2 years and the Spa Classic in the alternate 2 years (ie next year). Crowds at Spa are a lot smaller, so hasn't got the atmosphere of Le Mans but that's more than made up for by the circuit itself - so many great places to watch the racing, and access to almost all of the circuit.

fatboy18

Original Poster:

18,930 posts

210 months

Saturday 8th November 2014
quotequote all
Spa, sounds good, I'm looking forward to going in May.

ellroy

7,000 posts

224 months

Sunday 9th November 2014
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I didn't "feel it" one year, went anyway as all my mates were going. Not sure what happened or if anything was different, but once there completely reconnected with "it".

Differing people, different campsite or whatever it was just clicked.

Last couple of years have been really good as a result.

No need to slum it or to put up with the chavfest certain areas have become if you don't want to. Private camping and champagne bars are available, admittedly at a price, if you want a slightly more grown up experience.

Must admit Spa in May looks pretty tasty.

struttob

345 posts

148 months

Sunday 9th November 2014
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Not just the stripper tents, there used to be a fairground target range using real shotguns !! imagine what the "elf and safety" boys would make of that today !!

I have been attending since 1980, and the changes are immense, but there is still some magic left about the place - I have some fantastic memories of the "old days" and cherish them highly, but every year some new memories are made and I will continue to attend both the 24hr (hate that new logo by the way!) and the Classic (to which we take the other halves) as long as my health and fitness will allow.

See you there...............

Bob

fatboy18

Original Poster:

18,930 posts

210 months

Sunday 9th November 2014
quotequote all
struttob said:
Not just the stripper tents, there used to be a fairground target range using real shotguns !! imagine what the "elf and safety" boys would make of that today !!

I have been attending since 1980, and the changes are immense, but there is still some magic left about the place - I have some fantastic memories of the "old days" and cherish them highly, but every year some new memories are made and I will continue to attend both the 24hr (hate that new logo by the way!) and the Classic (to which we take the other halves) as long as my health and fitness will allow.

See you there...............

Bob
Good Post there Bob, I took the OH to the classic this year, she was not impressed with the weather frown Burst into tears when the back of the car stepped out during the Drivers Parade at Indy corner (with her in the passenger seat) That then turned into pleas to get out of the car at the end of the 1st lap biggrin

Like you I also "Cherish those memories highly" but the last couple of years I just find i'm relying on those memories too much. Don't remember the shotguns, would have loved to have a go at that biggrin

I have done most of the campsites over the years, TL being the Best so far that has ticked most of the boxes.

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.