What the hell has gone on at Le Mans?
Discussion
What the hell have you lot done? What is all this bollox about "video on this site that made Houx famous" on about? Newsflash, Brits getting pished up, lary and generally enjyoing themselves *isnt* something new. Hamilton and Rolt won the bloody thing in '53 whilst p1shed as farts having been on an all night bender during Friday! The fun and games and "enthusiastic" driving have been going on for yrs, but it was all secondary to still being about the race. Most of the threads on here now are all about your p1ssed up, hooligan, idiotic antics! The British support has always traditionally had a very strong tie in with a British team going for the win, not just getting lashed up.
How is water bombing or pistolling cars acceptable? I dont give a damn if its water, wine, beer or a slash. What is now obvious is that the main focus is on "hilarious antics" not cars.
Congratulations folks, it seems an awful lot of you are intent on killing Le Mans. Sorry my fun comes from nailing my car and then watching a race, not letting some arse shoot water at me. Im not there for your entertainment.
How is water bombing or pistolling cars acceptable? I dont give a damn if its water, wine, beer or a slash. What is now obvious is that the main focus is on "hilarious antics" not cars.
Congratulations folks, it seems an awful lot of you are intent on killing Le Mans. Sorry my fun comes from nailing my car and then watching a race, not letting some arse shoot water at me. Im not there for your entertainment.
Seconded, it was only my second year this year, but for me its the whole thing about driving down, being able to enjoy your cars true capabilities. Having a wander around the pits on Fun Friday and of course the race. Beer is an added bonus, but prefer to test myself and the car sober.
DJC said:
What the hell have you lot done? .
When you climb down off that horse of yours you might realise that most of the silly antics was done by football shirted numpties, and not all of them British I may add. Yes Im sure there where a number of PHers involved, but dont tar us all with them same brush.
I had lunch at the Hotel Du France Friday and found myself amongst the melee on my way back. Yes, did my windows up and a quick burnout, but stopped when the eejuts kept standing in my way and I thought it was becoming dangerous (luckily no one knew how to open the doors of a cerb! Beer etc inside a car is NOT acceptable, at any time!).
Maybe you should be one of these mooted PH 'Marshalls' spoken about for next year?
Edited by FUBAR on Thursday 22 June 10:17
I'm with you on this too!
Totally avoided Houx roundabout for the stupid 'Max Power Cruise' look of said roundabout, explaining to the French 'Controller' that I know my campsite isn't this way but i'm not driving my car through that shit!
Rest of the event was great though and we transferred our Sunday eve to a lovely atmosphere in Arnage village including a little play at the last roundabout in the village which was warmly encouraged by the small number of well behaved 'true car fans' collected there. Hopefully the pissed element will stay on site so we can enjoy this new location for years to come!
Totally avoided Houx roundabout for the stupid 'Max Power Cruise' look of said roundabout, explaining to the French 'Controller' that I know my campsite isn't this way but i'm not driving my car through that shit!
Rest of the event was great though and we transferred our Sunday eve to a lovely atmosphere in Arnage village including a little play at the last roundabout in the village which was warmly encouraged by the small number of well behaved 'true car fans' collected there. Hopefully the pissed element will stay on site so we can enjoy this new location for years to come!
Guiddy said:
I'm with you on this too!
Totally avoided Houx roundabout for the stupid 'Max Power Cruise' look of said roundabout, explaining to the French 'Controller' that I know my campsite isn't this way but i'm not driving my car through that shit!
Rest of the event was great though and we transferred our Sunday eve to a lovely atmosphere in Arnage village including a little play at the last roundabout in the village which was warmly encouraged by the small number of well behaved 'true car fans' collected there. Hopefully the pissed element will stay on site so we can enjoy this new location for years to come!
Totally avoided Houx roundabout for the stupid 'Max Power Cruise' look of said roundabout, explaining to the French 'Controller' that I know my campsite isn't this way but i'm not driving my car through that shit!
Rest of the event was great though and we transferred our Sunday eve to a lovely atmosphere in Arnage village including a little play at the last roundabout in the village which was warmly encouraged by the small number of well behaved 'true car fans' collected there. Hopefully the pissed element will stay on site so we can enjoy this new location for years to come!
We were happy to provide entertainment in our cars for the Sunday night crowd at Arnage... especially for a guy in a long Wax coat and flying hat with a whistle, stopping cars and asking them to burnout and stopping traffic.. true Le Mans.
When cars did oblige the crowd did they throw beer ? Strip ? pull off the wipers ?...No they clapped...
@DJC - I've been twice before and went purely for the racing and didn't really see any of the antics on my previous visits.
Going just for the race is too purist for me and I haven't been for two years, deciding to only go every 3-4 years as a sort of motorsport pilgrimage.
This year was totally different and was more about the freinds I travelled down with, the drive there and back, the backroad hoons and the friday antics (as a driver, not spectator). I must admit to it being the best year yet even though it was the least race focussed year yet.
Like you however, I was appalled at the hooligal element and will not be performing again if it's not resolved, although I'm not sure how to resolve it. Self policing seems the most obvious answer though.
My point is that your post seems (to me) to catagorise the non-purists as hooligans and that is certainly not the case from what I saw.
Generally everyone was of the same mentality, but a small percentage were intent on taking things too far, as is often the case when brits get drunk in the sun, especially when football is linked.
Yes I did get drunk over the week with some good freinds, but the weekend was and always will be about the cars. Before you ask, I didn't and wouldn't even throw water on a car and would quite happilliy have slapped the guy that water bombed the inside of my screen while on opposite lock performing for the crowd.
My two-penneth
Paul
Going just for the race is too purist for me and I haven't been for two years, deciding to only go every 3-4 years as a sort of motorsport pilgrimage.
This year was totally different and was more about the freinds I travelled down with, the drive there and back, the backroad hoons and the friday antics (as a driver, not spectator). I must admit to it being the best year yet even though it was the least race focussed year yet.
Like you however, I was appalled at the hooligal element and will not be performing again if it's not resolved, although I'm not sure how to resolve it. Self policing seems the most obvious answer though.
My point is that your post seems (to me) to catagorise the non-purists as hooligans and that is certainly not the case from what I saw.
Generally everyone was of the same mentality, but a small percentage were intent on taking things too far, as is often the case when brits get drunk in the sun, especially when football is linked.
Yes I did get drunk over the week with some good freinds, but the weekend was and always will be about the cars. Before you ask, I didn't and wouldn't even throw water on a car and would quite happilliy have slapped the guy that water bombed the inside of my screen while on opposite lock performing for the crowd.
My two-penneth
Paul
Edited by m3psm on Thursday 22 June 10:20
Edited by m3psm on Thursday 22 June 10:25
Without in any way excusing the ar*eholes who step over the boundary of a good laugh, do bear in mind that this particular set of fora are under the 'Events' heading and not 'Motorracing'!!! There is generally very little discussion about the race, the teams, the cars etc. A mate of mine who was just at Le Mans for the first time said it was more like a festival than a motorrace.
To be honest, I though the whole thing was fairly quiet this year, although I didn't venture out around the track much in the car. The level of Brit support at the start and finish was certainly totally out of sync with the number of Union Jacks and other UK flags in MBH alone, never mind the rest of the campsites. Aston Martin do not, it seems, generate the same passion as Bentley, TVR, Morgan etc. A lot of Brits around me seemed to have forgotten the words to our own national anthem....
Clearly, a lot of people get more excited about the surrounding experience than the actual motorrace - some of the camping setups alone must take up all of their time. The guys who bring the full satellite and wide screen TV setups make me laugh...sitting in MB watching the race on telly when it's actually happening 100 yards behind them!!!!
My view is that people will make what they want from Le Mans. As long as they don't interfere with my enjoyment of the event then let them make hay. If that means I don't get to drive round the area on the Friday then no big deal, race fans are at the pits anyway. The gendarmes will deal with anyone who really steps out of line (mind you, they are amazingly tolerant - I'd like to see the Le Mans stuff go on at any UK track - there would be queues of police vans carting people off to cells).
Ted - maybe a separate Le Mans forum next year under the 'Motorsports' area is in order???
To be honest, I though the whole thing was fairly quiet this year, although I didn't venture out around the track much in the car. The level of Brit support at the start and finish was certainly totally out of sync with the number of Union Jacks and other UK flags in MBH alone, never mind the rest of the campsites. Aston Martin do not, it seems, generate the same passion as Bentley, TVR, Morgan etc. A lot of Brits around me seemed to have forgotten the words to our own national anthem....
Clearly, a lot of people get more excited about the surrounding experience than the actual motorrace - some of the camping setups alone must take up all of their time. The guys who bring the full satellite and wide screen TV setups make me laugh...sitting in MB watching the race on telly when it's actually happening 100 yards behind them!!!!
My view is that people will make what they want from Le Mans. As long as they don't interfere with my enjoyment of the event then let them make hay. If that means I don't get to drive round the area on the Friday then no big deal, race fans are at the pits anyway. The gendarmes will deal with anyone who really steps out of line (mind you, they are amazingly tolerant - I'd like to see the Le Mans stuff go on at any UK track - there would be queues of police vans carting people off to cells).
Ted - maybe a separate Le Mans forum next year under the 'Motorsports' area is in order???
No need for separate sections as that will just seperate the people going - I like all the funny goings on etc at it is what makes the carnival atmosphere..
line has to be drawn when it ruins other peoples fun.
Cant wait for next year - hoping to sample the whole experience with driving down and camping
line has to be drawn when it ruins other peoples fun.
Cant wait for next year - hoping to sample the whole experience with driving down and camping
FLAT 6 said:
Without in any way excusing the ar*eholes who step over the boundary of a good laugh, do bear in mind that this particular set of fora are under the 'Events' heading and not 'Motorracing'!!! There is generally very little discussion about the race, the teams, the cars etc. A mate of mine who was just at Le Mans for the first time said it was more like a festival than a motorrace.
To be honest, I though the whole thing was fairly quiet this year, although I didn't venture out around the track much in the car. The level of Brit support at the start and finish was certainly totally out of sync with the number of Union Jacks and other UK flags in MBH alone, never mind the rest of the campsites. Aston Martin do not, it seems, generate the same passion as Bentley, TVR, Morgan etc. A lot of Brits around me seemed to have forgotten the words to our own national anthem....
Clearly, a lot of people get more excited about the surrounding experience than the actual motorrace - some of the camping setups alone must take up all of their time. The guys who bring the full satellite and wide screen TV setups make me laugh...sitting in MB watching the race on telly when it's actually happening 100 yards behind them!!!!
My view is that people will make what they want from Le Mans. As long as they don't interfere with my enjoyment of the event then let them make hay. If that means I don't get to drive round the area on the Friday then no big deal, race fans are at the pits anyway. The gendarmes will deal with anyone who really steps out of line (mind you, they are amazingly tolerant - I'd like to see the Le Mans stuff go on at any UK track - there would be queues of police vans carting people off to cells).
To be honest, I though the whole thing was fairly quiet this year, although I didn't venture out around the track much in the car. The level of Brit support at the start and finish was certainly totally out of sync with the number of Union Jacks and other UK flags in MBH alone, never mind the rest of the campsites. Aston Martin do not, it seems, generate the same passion as Bentley, TVR, Morgan etc. A lot of Brits around me seemed to have forgotten the words to our own national anthem....
Clearly, a lot of people get more excited about the surrounding experience than the actual motorrace - some of the camping setups alone must take up all of their time. The guys who bring the full satellite and wide screen TV setups make me laugh...sitting in MB watching the race on telly when it's actually happening 100 yards behind them!!!!
My view is that people will make what they want from Le Mans. As long as they don't interfere with my enjoyment of the event then let them make hay. If that means I don't get to drive round the area on the Friday then no big deal, race fans are at the pits anyway. The gendarmes will deal with anyone who really steps out of line (mind you, they are amazingly tolerant - I'd like to see the Le Mans stuff go on at any UK track - there would be queues of police vans carting people off to cells).
As quoted in the motoring press, Le Mans in the Biggest British Motorsport 'EVENT' outside of the UK.
As being said before, People go for all different reasons . Have been going since 2001 and plan to be there next year too !
my second year.
great drive down on the Friday (lots of waving etc) although stayed in a hotel in Alencon on the Friday night. Stayed at the circuit for the 24 hours, mostly around the track or at Houx Annex campsite. Met stacks of friendly Brits, had a few beers, etc; fantasitic !!
Didn't get near the Houx roundabout, and having parked/abandoned the TVR in Parking Rouge didn't have to drive around the circuit or experience the 'supersoakers'.
Similarly, a great spiirited run back to Calais on the Monday; more waving etc.
Failed to not enjoy a single moment of the experience, and looking forward to doing it all again next year.
Hope this redresses the balance.
Mike
great drive down on the Friday (lots of waving etc) although stayed in a hotel in Alencon on the Friday night. Stayed at the circuit for the 24 hours, mostly around the track or at Houx Annex campsite. Met stacks of friendly Brits, had a few beers, etc; fantasitic !!
Didn't get near the Houx roundabout, and having parked/abandoned the TVR in Parking Rouge didn't have to drive around the circuit or experience the 'supersoakers'.
Similarly, a great spiirited run back to Calais on the Monday; more waving etc.
Failed to not enjoy a single moment of the experience, and looking forward to doing it all again next year.
Hope this redresses the balance.
Mike
Think I may give it a miss next year and just go to bluewater and by myself a max power and a bag of fire works.
Its like hell in the campsites, firework remains hitting cars (the guy in his new RS4 was chuffed with the dent in his roof!), broken glass and Karaoke everywhere (not my idea of a fun time)
In fact some
tried stealing our gazebo or maybe just the pegs which then took flight and damaged my car, a big thanks to you!
Also a big congratulations to the kid who thought throwing bangers all night and into car windows was fun, well done!
It's chav hell, mini motos, fat kids stuffing their faces kicking up dust on their motor bikes because they are too lazy to walk and just general tack at every turn.
Not for me.
But I did enjoy the drive on friday around parts of the track.
Its like hell in the campsites, firework remains hitting cars (the guy in his new RS4 was chuffed with the dent in his roof!), broken glass and Karaoke everywhere (not my idea of a fun time)
In fact some
tried stealing our gazebo or maybe just the pegs which then took flight and damaged my car, a big thanks to you! Also a big congratulations to the
kid who thought throwing bangers all night and into car windows was fun, well done! It's chav hell, mini motos, fat kids stuffing their faces kicking up dust on their motor bikes because they are too lazy to walk and just general tack at every turn.
Not for me.
But I did enjoy the drive on friday around parts of the track.
Edited by toobin on Thursday 22 June 12:05
toobin said:
Think I may give it a miss next year and just go to bluewater and by myself a max power and a bag of fire works.
Its like hell in the campsites, firework remains hitting cars (the guy in his new RS4 was chuffed with the dent in his roof!), broken glass and Karaoke everywhere (not my idea of a fun time)
In fact some tried stealing our gazebo or maybe just the pegs which then took flight and damaged my car, a big thanks to you!
Also a big congratulations to the kid who thought throwing bangers all night and into car windows was fun, well done!
It's chav hell, mini motos, fat kids stuffing their faces kicking up dust on their motor bikes because they are too lazy to walk and just general tack at every turn.
Not for me.
But I did enjoy the drive on friday around parts of the track.
Its like hell in the campsites, firework remains hitting cars (the guy in his new RS4 was chuffed with the dent in his roof!), broken glass and Karaoke everywhere (not my idea of a fun time)
In fact some
tried stealing our gazebo or maybe just the pegs which then took flight and damaged my car, a big thanks to you! Also a big congratulations to the
kid who thought throwing bangers all night and into car windows was fun, well done! It's chav hell, mini motos, fat kids stuffing their faces kicking up dust on their motor bikes because they are too lazy to walk and just general tack at every turn.
Not for me.
But I did enjoy the drive on friday around parts of the track.
Edited by toobin on Thursday 22 June 12:05
You not coming next year the Boyo?
richb said:
FUBAR said:
DJC said:
What the hell have you lot done? .
When you climb down off that horse of yours
It was his high horse I was aluding to
. Maybe I read DJCs post wrong, but to me he quite firmly laid the blame of all the bad doing on the shoulders of the British PHers. I merely pointed out that from what I saw, most of the wrong doers did not appear to be PHers (OK, what do PHers look like? All have moustaches?) and a fair proportion of them appeared to be 'non-British'
I take from his posting he wasnt even in attendance? Dont get me wrong, I do not condone loutish behaviour, fun yes, lairy, sometimes, loutish and dangerous no.
toobin said:
Think I may give it a miss next year and just go to bluewater and by myself a max power and a bag of fire works.
Its like hell in the campsites, firework remains hitting cars (the guy in his new RS4 was chuffed with the dent in his roof!), broken glass and Karaoke everywhere (not my idea of a fun time)
In fact some tried stealing our gazebo or maybe just the pegs which then took flight and damaged my car, a big thanks to you!
Also a big congratulations to the kid who thought throwing bangers all night and into car windows was fun, well done!
It's chav hell, mini motos, fat kids stuffing their faces kicking up dust on their motor bikes because they are too lazy to walk and just general tack at every turn.
Not for me.
But I did enjoy the drive on friday around parts of the track.
Its like hell in the campsites, firework remains hitting cars (the guy in his new RS4 was chuffed with the dent in his roof!), broken glass and Karaoke everywhere (not my idea of a fun time)
In fact some
tried stealing our gazebo or maybe just the pegs which then took flight and damaged my car, a big thanks to you! Also a big congratulations to the
kid who thought throwing bangers all night and into car windows was fun, well done! It's chav hell, mini motos, fat kids stuffing their faces kicking up dust on their motor bikes because they are too lazy to walk and just general tack at every turn.
Not for me.
But I did enjoy the drive on friday around parts of the track.
Edited by toobin on Thursday 22 June 12:05
Which campsite were you in?
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