Is Thu night the only Qualifying session?

[wsn03]

This year Thu night ended with only 3 or 4 cars on track because of rain. Is Thursday the only qualifying night? If so, if its raining in guessing it would be a very quiet session.
I like to arrive Thu nights. If its ever raining I'd like to know if there's any point in going to the circuit

[//j17]

Nope, not the only qualifying session.

In 2018 the week ran:
Wed:
- 16:00 to 20:00 -> Free practice
- 22:00 to 22:00 -> Qualifying 1
Thurs:
- 19:00 to 21:00 -> Qualifying 2
- 21:30 to 00:00 -> Qualifying 3

Usually I think Thurs. is two 2hr sessions but the late session was extended due to rain and maybe a red flag (if I remember correctly) in the earlier session limiting time.

Regardless of weather the track's not usually that busy come the Thursday's night session. The best qualifying times tend to get set at the start of the late sessions, when there's still some daylight but air temps. have dropped, increasing air density and so power. By the end of the session it's just teams with issues or drivers who need to get their night laps in that have to be out. If a team can they will have tucked the car away so the mechanics know they can relax on Friday, rather than spending it fixing a car dumped/nurfed in to the scenery while doing a pointless lap at 23:59.

Edited by //j17 on Monday 24th September 10:05

[wsn03]

//j17 said:

Nope, not the only qualifying session.

In 2018 the week ran:
Wed:
- 16:00 to 20:00 -> Free practice
- 22:00 to 22:00 -> Qualifying 1
Thurs:
- 19:00 to 21:00 -> Qualifying 2
- 21:30 to 00:00 -> Qualifying 3

Usually I think Thurs. is two 2hr sessions but the late session was extended due to rain and maybe a red flag (if I remember correctly) in the earlier session limiting time.

Regardless of weather the track's not usually that busy come the Thursday's night session. The best qualifying times tend to get set at the start of the late sessions, when there's still some daylight but air temps. have dropped, increasing air density and so power. By the end of the session it's just teams with issues or drivers who need to get their night laps in that have to be out. If a team can they will have tucked the car away so the mechanics know they can relax on Friday, rather than spending it fixing a car dumped/nurfed in to the scenery while doing a pointless lap at 23:59.

Edited by //j17 on Monday 24th September 10:05

Thanks for informed reply, I didn't know any of the above - including the times - I thought the last session started at 10.00pm! I also didn't realise the earlier session (which I have heard on arrival at campsite) was for the main cars, I actually thought it was for a support race.

So what I gather then is that Thu isn't guaranteed to be the busiest (no problem), but if it is lashing it down there's a good chance it is going to be very quiet, its good to know.

For the next 3 years I've got "newbies" coming along each year, so I'll probably use the evening to show them around the village complex while its not too busy, let them get their souvenirs etc if I end up having to go and its chucking it down.

Much appreciated.

Edited by wsn03 on Monday 24th September 10:49

[leyorkie]

all here

[wsn03]

leyorkie said:

all here

Thank you for that...reminds me I must drop you a line and join the ACO👍

[49neil]

wsn03 said:

For the next 3 years I've got "newbies" coming along each year, so I'll probably use the evening to show them around the village complex while its not too busy, let them get their souvenirs etc if I end up having to go and its chucking it down.

Much appreciated.

Edited by wsn03 on Monday 24th September 10:49

There's plenty of time to mooch the village like all day friday. Watch the qualifying if you can from plenty of vantage points. will give you an idea where to look during the race! - all IMHO of course!

[wsn03]

49neil said:

wsn03 said:

For the next 3 years I've got "newbies" coming along each year, so I'll probably use the evening to show them around the village complex while its not too busy, let them get their souvenirs etc if I end up having to go and its chucking it down.

Much appreciated.

Edited by wsn03 on Monday 24th September 10:49

There's plenty of time to mooch the village like all day friday. Watch the qualifying if you can from plenty of vantage points. will give you an idea where to look during the race! - all IMHO of course!

That's great advice thank you.
Been 4 times now so got all my race vantage points lined up.

Village is ideal for Friday, especially after the pitlane walkabout. Next year the guys want to go to St Saturnin for the car show so I'll do the village stuff on Thursday evening

[gt6]

Thursday evening is i think the best time to visit the other viewing points like mulsanne and arnarge, the traffic is light and you therefore see those places without wasting racing time stuck in traffic. During the race there is enough viewing places around the main area to keep you occupied.

[FredericRobinson]

Best way to fit more in is to get there earlier