Le Mans do you think the attendance is dropping off?
Discussion
As the above title really we went for 5 years and 2010 was the last time.
There used to be fireworks going off all night and lots of people all over the place having fun, with a massive amount of sports cars there, a walk through the camp sites in the morning was a must to see all the different cars.
2010 From what I could see the attendance had dropped off a cliff, we could even buy grand stand tickets on the day. The amount of sports cars turning up had also fallen, probably due to the 22 speed traps we passed on the way down which really makes you want to return, and the rise of white vans.
In the 5 years of attendance washing facilities have never improved, to the point where as a group we have started to look else where. It was Spa last year, Monza this year and when I hear an improvement in facilities at Le Mans i might take a trip back.
So was 2011 any better for you what was your experiance?
Were the cops still setting traps, were the fireworks going all night, did you ever get chance to have a shower?
There used to be fireworks going off all night and lots of people all over the place having fun, with a massive amount of sports cars there, a walk through the camp sites in the morning was a must to see all the different cars.
2010 From what I could see the attendance had dropped off a cliff, we could even buy grand stand tickets on the day. The amount of sports cars turning up had also fallen, probably due to the 22 speed traps we passed on the way down which really makes you want to return, and the rise of white vans.
In the 5 years of attendance washing facilities have never improved, to the point where as a group we have started to look else where. It was Spa last year, Monza this year and when I hear an improvement in facilities at Le Mans i might take a trip back.
So was 2011 any better for you what was your experiance?
Were the cops still setting traps, were the fireworks going all night, did you ever get chance to have a shower?
Never done Le Mans, only the classics & don't feel I have missed anything. Reading of Chavvy behaviour, noise, fireworks etc. puts me off. I suspect the risk of damage puts off the sports car owners as well. Added to which the race cars are boring, too quiet & lack of variation both in manuafacturers & appearance.
I went in 2004 and 2005 (when I was a mere 14 / 15 years old) and for the third time in 2012. In terms of the sports cars, I was disappointed on the drive from Calais to Le Mans as I remembered seeing plenty of lovely cars on the drive down / in the gas station etc. in 2004 / 2005. Last year, on my down there I think I saw an R8 spyder and a Vanquish. That was all. I was worried thinking it was gonna be a wash out! But when I got there, I was wrong as there were plenty of unusual cars out on the roads of Le Mans (during the day) and my campsite (Airtrack). Perhaps even more than I recall from 2004 / 2005. I think people are going a lot earlier in the week now, hence why there were no sports cars on the drive down on the friday.
And in terms of the atmosphere, just youtube Le Mans Mad Friday 2012. It's not for everyone, but it sure can be considered an atmosphere.
And in terms of the atmosphere, just youtube Le Mans Mad Friday 2012. It's not for everyone, but it sure can be considered an atmosphere.
My first year was 2011 & I had a great time, same again last year.
Considering the number of people at an event like Le Mans there are always going to be stories of bad behaviour, but I think if those are the stories you hear the most, that will cloud your overall impression.
I found all the people I chatted to friendly & relaxed with a great attitude (nothing to do with the fact they offered me wine, beer & cheese).
I admit I had to wear hearing protection while trying to go to sleep some nights & there were some good natured shenanigans, but nothing dangerous. And this was at BSJ, which most people seem to consider the wild west of campsites.
I guess what I'm saying is, it is a great event with a fantastic atmosphere and you will always encounter a few d**kheads (as I did at MotoGP at Phillip Island last year), but don't let it spoil your fun.
p.s the showers were always hot in 2012
Considering the number of people at an event like Le Mans there are always going to be stories of bad behaviour, but I think if those are the stories you hear the most, that will cloud your overall impression.
I found all the people I chatted to friendly & relaxed with a great attitude (nothing to do with the fact they offered me wine, beer & cheese).
I admit I had to wear hearing protection while trying to go to sleep some nights & there were some good natured shenanigans, but nothing dangerous. And this was at BSJ, which most people seem to consider the wild west of campsites.
I guess what I'm saying is, it is a great event with a fantastic atmosphere and you will always encounter a few d**kheads (as I did at MotoGP at Phillip Island last year), but don't let it spoil your fun.
p.s the showers were always hot in 2012
tr7v8 said:
Never done Le Mans, only the classics & don't feel I have missed anything. Reading of Chavvy behaviour, noise, fireworks etc. puts me off. I suspect the risk of damage puts off the sports car owners as well. Added to which the race cars are boring, too quiet & lack of variation both in manuafacturers & appearance.
Thank you for your educated opinion. I've heard the Classic is really dull, the cars aren't very fast, and the facilities are crap, so I'll give that a miss.As for the 24hr, there is an element of silly behaviour (as you'll get anywhere with large numbers of mostly males) but it's really, really easy to avoid.
I thought last year seemed quieter than recently, perhaps the chavs don't have the spare cash to go abroad any more, or perhaps the police presence is putting them off - either way, it's a perfectly enjoyable, civilised trip if that's how you want it.
The comment on wash facilities is interesting - the last few years I've stayed on Bleu Nord, and the showers are fine (hot and clean, no queues sometimes, reasonable at others) and the toilet blocks are attended, too, so no dramas there either. Can't comment for the other sites, but there's also the private areas to consider if you're concerned about facilities.
I've been to all but 5 races since 1979 and as such the facilities can only of improved, but equally the facilities were part of the atmosphere...you could eat it!
Crowd numbers have gone up a down with different groups such as C1 etc as have the type of cars visiting depending on the economic climate.
All in all I have witnessed very little trouble and as has been said it is easily avoided or indeed found.
The weather in recent years hasn't been great, but I think with mopre constructors coming back on board it will add more interest
Love the place, my wife doesn't even ask if I'm going, she already knows the answer...my heaven on earth
Crowd numbers have gone up a down with different groups such as C1 etc as have the type of cars visiting depending on the economic climate.
All in all I have witnessed very little trouble and as has been said it is easily avoided or indeed found.
The weather in recent years hasn't been great, but I think with mopre constructors coming back on board it will add more interest
Love the place, my wife doesn't even ask if I'm going, she already knows the answer...my heaven on earth
Over the last 30 years (done all but 2) the numbers seem to increase, although the number of brits goes up and down as do most countries.
The facilities get better each year but the fireworks have luckily seen a decrease in the last few years. Any idiot that lets off fireworks in camp sites full of cars worth millions deserves them to fall on his own car rather than those of others, lynching is to good for them IMHO. Had a lovely chap camped next to us in tears many years ago as is immaculate e type took a direct hit from a quite large rocket as it fell back to earth, and that was not an isolated incident
The facilities get better each year but the fireworks have luckily seen a decrease in the last few years. Any idiot that lets off fireworks in camp sites full of cars worth millions deserves them to fall on his own car rather than those of others, lynching is to good for them IMHO. Had a lovely chap camped next to us in tears many years ago as is immaculate e type took a direct hit from a quite large rocket as it fell back to earth, and that was not an isolated incident
Its hard to judge, but I guess those numbers speak for themselves.. Ive been going since 1998.
I think each year is largely affected by who is camping near you and if they play music or have their generator on until silly o'clock. Its just a shame some people dont think of others. I was 23 when we did out first group visit in 2004 and even though we drank etc I dont think we were the types to affect other people.
The only time we really had a problem was in 2004 when a group of men all over 45 played music from massive speakers until about 3am every night. They told the Swedish couple to "F" off and were really proud about the fact they never went to the track!!
Some of the Roundabout stuff went to far, I remember 2010 was bad and it wasnt nice to watch, this seems to have calmed down but i dont even go there anymore.
A big shame is that you cant drive to Arnage on the Friday anymore, that was great to park on the side of the track and look at all the cars.
Things change, not always for the better
I think each year is largely affected by who is camping near you and if they play music or have their generator on until silly o'clock. Its just a shame some people dont think of others. I was 23 when we did out first group visit in 2004 and even though we drank etc I dont think we were the types to affect other people.
The only time we really had a problem was in 2004 when a group of men all over 45 played music from massive speakers until about 3am every night. They told the Swedish couple to "F" off and were really proud about the fact they never went to the track!!
Some of the Roundabout stuff went to far, I remember 2010 was bad and it wasnt nice to watch, this seems to have calmed down but i dont even go there anymore.
A big shame is that you cant drive to Arnage on the Friday anymore, that was great to park on the side of the track and look at all the cars.
Things change, not always for the better
[quote=ratboiler]As the above title really we went for 5 years and 2010 was the last time.
There used to be fireworks going off all night and lots of people all over the place having fun, with a massive amount of sports cars there, a walk through the camp sites in the morning was a must to see all the different cars.
2010 From what I could see the attendance had dropped off a cliff, we could even buy grand stand tickets on the day. The amount of sports cars turning up had also fallen, probably due to the 22 speed traps we passed on the way down which really makes you want to return, and the rise of white vans.
In the 5 years of attendance washing facilities have never improved, to the point where as a group we have started to look else where. It was Spa last year, Monza this year and when I hear an improvement in facilities at Le Mans i might take a trip back.
So was 2011 any better for you what was your experiance?
Were the cops still setting traps, were the fireworks going all night, did you ever get chance to have a shower?
[/quot
I almost understand your concern. Having first attended in 1988 I've seen quite a lot of changes, massively in a positive direction. I've always had a great time regardless of the silliness that might be happening and have often joined in even though I'm a sensible, responsible person every other day.
Le Mans is Le Mans. If you go with an open mind, behave within reasonable (lawful) limits and make sure those around you are enjoying what you're doing as much as you are, you are guaranteed a great time.
If you want to flout the law, pretend there are no consequences and generally be a PITA then I for one would rather not be in the same places.
Sorry if this reads like I'm getting at you, I'm not. I just wish we could all go to Le Mans and accept it for what it is. A week long party for a large number of people from a number of places who all want to be there!
There used to be fireworks going off all night and lots of people all over the place having fun, with a massive amount of sports cars there, a walk through the camp sites in the morning was a must to see all the different cars.
2010 From what I could see the attendance had dropped off a cliff, we could even buy grand stand tickets on the day. The amount of sports cars turning up had also fallen, probably due to the 22 speed traps we passed on the way down which really makes you want to return, and the rise of white vans.
In the 5 years of attendance washing facilities have never improved, to the point where as a group we have started to look else where. It was Spa last year, Monza this year and when I hear an improvement in facilities at Le Mans i might take a trip back.
So was 2011 any better for you what was your experiance?
Were the cops still setting traps, were the fireworks going all night, did you ever get chance to have a shower?
[/quot
I almost understand your concern. Having first attended in 1988 I've seen quite a lot of changes, massively in a positive direction. I've always had a great time regardless of the silliness that might be happening and have often joined in even though I'm a sensible, responsible person every other day.
Le Mans is Le Mans. If you go with an open mind, behave within reasonable (lawful) limits and make sure those around you are enjoying what you're doing as much as you are, you are guaranteed a great time.
If you want to flout the law, pretend there are no consequences and generally be a PITA then I for one would rather not be in the same places.
Sorry if this reads like I'm getting at you, I'm not. I just wish we could all go to Le Mans and accept it for what it is. A week long party for a large number of people from a number of places who all want to be there!
tr7v8 said:
Never done Le Mans, only the classics & don't feel I have missed anything. Reading of Chavvy behaviour, noise, fireworks etc. puts me off. I suspect the risk of damage puts off the sports car owners as well. Added to which the race cars are boring, too quiet & lack of variation both in manuafacturers & appearance.
Wow, you have just let yourself down badly and made yourself sound ignorant and Ill-informed. Making comments like that without attending the event ? What's the attendance by Brits to the 24 hours against the Classic ? Boring cars ? you obviously know nothing about racing. How bizarre.
For the Classic, I've heard of boring behaviour, lots of posh cravat wearing nancy-boys driving daddy's car, slow old cars and drivers etc etc but I ignore all that because I have not actually been to the Classic so would not dare comment on it until I know the facts.
You are so right about the Vipers, Corvettes, screaming Astons, the Rebellion Lola's etc etc so very very quiet.
Try it, you might like it.
Edited by Rs2oo on Wednesday 27th March 20:29
Rs2oo said:
tr7v8 said:
Never done Le Mans, only the classics & don't feel I have missed anything. Reading of Chavvy behaviour, noise, fireworks etc. puts me off. I suspect the risk of damage puts off the sports car owners as well. Added to which the race cars are boring, too quiet & lack of variation both in manuafacturers & appearance.
Wow, you have just let yourself down badly and made yourself sound ignorant and Ill-informed. Making comments like that without attending the event ? What's the attendance by Brits to the 24 hours against the Classic ? Boring cars ? you obviously know nothing about racing, Le Mans, engineering. How bizarre.
For the Classic, I've heard of boring behaviour, lots of posh cravat wearing nancy-boys driving daddy's car, slow old cars and drivers etc etc but I ignore all that because I have not actually been to the Classic so would not dare comment on it until I know the facts.
You are so right about the Vipers, Corvettes, screaming Astons, the Rebellion Lola's etc etc so very very quiet.
Yes I know there are other cars there but you really go for the LMP1 & 2 cars. The current Peugeot/Audis just leave me cold.
2010 was the first year to LMC for me great racing, great atmosphere & some very close racing. Sitting on Tetre Rouge at 02:30 watching a D Type & a Lister creaming round lap after lap wheel to wheel was bloody fantastic.
Walking around the pits looking at the Moss & Jenks SLR with not a soul around was great. I'm a great Porsche fan & being surrounded by 917 & 908s made the weekend.
I didn't enjoy last year as the weather was vile. I like my comforts these days & this was just too much sufferance. An inability to watch the race because of the rain was a complete pain.
Do I want to go to LM 2013 nope, despite having a club organized trip there.
tr7v8 said:
What a stupid response or can I not have an informed opinion? I've seen the cars having been to LM1000 at Silverstone a couple of years ago after winning some tickets with PH including seeing Mansells Red 5. I hate Silverstone with a passion & always have, but the cars were too quiet & antiseptic to make for enjoyable watching. I left at 12:30ish. I've been involved in watching motor racing for the past 40 odd years including mechanics & building of cars.
Yes I know there are other cars there but you really go for the LMP1 & 2 cars. The current Peugeot/Audis just leave me cold.
2010 was the first year to LMC for me great racing, great atmosphere & some very close racing. Sitting on Tetre Rouge at 02:30 watching a D Type & a Lister creaming round lap after lap wheel to wheel was bloody fantastic.
Walking around the pits looking at the Moss & Jenks SLR with not a soul around was great. I'm a great Porsche fan & being surrounded by 917 & 908s made the weekend.
I didn't enjoy last year as the weather was vile. I like my comforts these days & this was just too much sufferance. An inability to watch the race because of the rain was a complete pain.
Do I want to go to LM 2013 nope, despite having a club organized trip there.
I would love to go to the Classic one day Jim, but what with LMS 24 Hrs, Goodwood and the Silverstone Classic, I can't fit them all in. You are incorrect when you say people go for the LMP1 and 2 cars (Peughot incidentally quit at the end of 2011) In 2007 for instance, most Brits went to see the Aston Martin DBR9's win in the then GT1 class and win they did. The atmosphere was amazing. What you hear of Chavvey behaviour is true for the very small minority. Le Mans is not all about just the racing. You need to go to appreciate the whole event but sounds like you have made up you mind which is a shame. Yes I know there are other cars there but you really go for the LMP1 & 2 cars. The current Peugeot/Audis just leave me cold.
2010 was the first year to LMC for me great racing, great atmosphere & some very close racing. Sitting on Tetre Rouge at 02:30 watching a D Type & a Lister creaming round lap after lap wheel to wheel was bloody fantastic.
Walking around the pits looking at the Moss & Jenks SLR with not a soul around was great. I'm a great Porsche fan & being surrounded by 917 & 908s made the weekend.
I didn't enjoy last year as the weather was vile. I like my comforts these days & this was just too much sufferance. An inability to watch the race because of the rain was a complete pain.
Do I want to go to LM 2013 nope, despite having a club organized trip there.
Rs2oo said:
tr7v8 said:
What a stupid response or can I not have an informed opinion? I've seen the cars having been to LM1000 at Silverstone a couple of years ago after winning some tickets with PH including seeing Mansells Red 5. I hate Silverstone with a passion & always have, but the cars were too quiet & antiseptic to make for enjoyable watching. I left at 12:30ish. I've been involved in watching motor racing for the past 40 odd years including mechanics & building of cars.
Yes I know there are other cars there but you really go for the LMP1 & 2 cars. The current Peugeot/Audis just leave me cold.
2010 was the first year to LMC for me great racing, great atmosphere & some very close racing. Sitting on Tetre Rouge at 02:30 watching a D Type & a Lister creaming round lap after lap wheel to wheel was bloody fantastic.
Walking around the pits looking at the Moss & Jenks SLR with not a soul around was great. I'm a great Porsche fan & being surrounded by 917 & 908s made the weekend.
I didn't enjoy last year as the weather was vile. I like my comforts these days & this was just too much sufferance. An inability to watch the race because of the rain was a complete pain.
Do I want to go to LM 2013 nope, despite having a club organized trip there.
I would love to go to the Classic one day Jim, but what with LMS 24 Hrs, Goodwood and the Silverstone Classic, I can't fit them all in. You are incorrect when you say people go for the LMP1 and 2 cars (Peughot incidentally quit at the end of 2011) In 2007 for instance, most Brits went to see the Aston Martin DBR9's win in the then GT1 class and win they did. The atmosphere was amazing. What you hear of Chavvey behaviour is true for the very small minority. Le Mans is not all about just the racing. You need to go to appreciate the whole event but sounds like you have made up you mind which is a shame. Yes I know there are other cars there but you really go for the LMP1 & 2 cars. The current Peugeot/Audis just leave me cold.
2010 was the first year to LMC for me great racing, great atmosphere & some very close racing. Sitting on Tetre Rouge at 02:30 watching a D Type & a Lister creaming round lap after lap wheel to wheel was bloody fantastic.
Walking around the pits looking at the Moss & Jenks SLR with not a soul around was great. I'm a great Porsche fan & being surrounded by 917 & 908s made the weekend.
I didn't enjoy last year as the weather was vile. I like my comforts these days & this was just too much sufferance. An inability to watch the race because of the rain was a complete pain.
Do I want to go to LM 2013 nope, despite having a club organized trip there.
These threads get out of hand.
Normal Le Mans
Atmosphere is amazing (Big crowds)
The cars are on it 100%
GT glass is currently the one to watch
YES - LMP1 is to quiet at the moment (Could say boring) When you have seen and heard, Ferrari 333sp, Mazda, Mc F1 etc (its a shame and I hope it might change)
Le Mans Classic (2010)
There isnt enough people to get the right atmosphere
I personally tried and didnt really enjoy the classic cars (1960's on wards maybe)
The noise's are good.
In the end its all about personal opinion, I also dont go to Silverstone as Its to wide and your not close enough to get a sense of speed. Therefore I chose to go to Brands etc.. But its cool that others enjoy it there, I just choose not to.
Basically dont knock it until you have tried it
This year im trying the Nurburgring 24, and im looking forward to it!
Normal Le Mans
Atmosphere is amazing (Big crowds)
The cars are on it 100%
GT glass is currently the one to watch
YES - LMP1 is to quiet at the moment (Could say boring) When you have seen and heard, Ferrari 333sp, Mazda, Mc F1 etc (its a shame and I hope it might change)
Le Mans Classic (2010)
There isnt enough people to get the right atmosphere
I personally tried and didnt really enjoy the classic cars (1960's on wards maybe)
The noise's are good.
In the end its all about personal opinion, I also dont go to Silverstone as Its to wide and your not close enough to get a sense of speed. Therefore I chose to go to Brands etc.. But its cool that others enjoy it there, I just choose not to.
Basically dont knock it until you have tried it
This year im trying the Nurburgring 24, and im looking forward to it!
I wonder whether peoples perception of reducing crowd numbers (vs reality) directly co-incides with the new village and the "improved" route down.
Most people used to travel down on the Thursday and Friday along the, as was, N138 which lead to a fantastic carnival atmosphere en route (albeit with sometimes unhinged driving and big queues). We now travel down on a dull autoroute over several days so the intensity is much reduced.
The same is true of the circuit in as much as we all used to be crammed into the cramped, crusty but hugely atmospheric old village. There is now a huge amount of space in the primary public areas (Tetre Rouge included) so we have beecome more spread out.
I think the numbers are exactly as they were, the trouble is very minor and easy to avoid, the camping facilities have improved beyond belief and the racing is still top grade. However if I were to criticise it would be that some of the changes have led to a slightly more antiseptic environment.
As to LM vs CLM, they're both great but there's only one main race..
Most people used to travel down on the Thursday and Friday along the, as was, N138 which lead to a fantastic carnival atmosphere en route (albeit with sometimes unhinged driving and big queues). We now travel down on a dull autoroute over several days so the intensity is much reduced.
The same is true of the circuit in as much as we all used to be crammed into the cramped, crusty but hugely atmospheric old village. There is now a huge amount of space in the primary public areas (Tetre Rouge included) so we have beecome more spread out.
I think the numbers are exactly as they were, the trouble is very minor and easy to avoid, the camping facilities have improved beyond belief and the racing is still top grade. However if I were to criticise it would be that some of the changes have led to a slightly more antiseptic environment.
As to LM vs CLM, they're both great but there's only one main race..
tr7v8 said:
Never done Le Mans, only the classics & don't feel I have missed anything. Reading of Chavvy behaviour, noise, fireworks etc. puts me off. I suspect the risk of damage puts off the sports car owners as well. Added to which the race cars are boring, too quiet & lack of variation both in manuafacturers & appearance.
Chavvy behaviour - its beer and racing cars, not champagne and dressage. The reports on here do often get blown out of all proportion - someone with a supersoaker is reported on PH as 50 danish people setting fire to cars - a bit of wheelspinning (which can easilly be avoided) isn't to everyone's tastes - does that make it chavvy? Some campsites are noisy and have a party atmosphere, others are quiet and more family orientated - you pay your money, you take your choice.
Noise? Like Corvette/Viper muscle? Screaming Ferraris? LMP engines popping and banging? The noise at the start of the race is somehting that you won't get anywhere else (and im gertting shivers down my spine just thinking about it) near silence to 30,000 (ish
) bhp of race car in the space of a few seconds. Yeah, it is noisy. Risk of damage putting off sportscar owners? Not from what I have seen - not only are rare and interesting cars there in their droves, the owners are more than willing to chat to you about them.
Race cars are boring? Audi and Toyota knocking lumps out of each other at ridiculous speeds - seeing one of them fly into the Dunlop curves at night makes you think they are operating under different laws of physics - anything that can make a Ferrari 458 racing car look slow is pretty exciting in my book. GT cars racing wheel to wheel for hours - no variety? Aston Vs Viper Vs Vette Vs Ferrari Vs Porsche all trading places and paint over 24 hours.
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