Le mans 24 vs Classic 24
Discussion
Just got back from my first classic after 10 years of Le mans 24 visits. What a difference. This is the one for me from now on. All the "issues" talked about on PH a few weeks ago around some of the behavior just seemed a million miles away. Great event, LOADS of cars racing and showing, ZERO trouble ZERO problems, ZERO traffic jams ... just great racing and atmosphere - and good value IMO -EG €3 for a grandstand seat (in the ACO)
It was a bit like the good wood revival but with 10 times more cars racing and attending but without the crowds, Fantastic event - and from lunchtime Friday, great weather too! Heard around 80,000 visitors this year. Shame its only every other year.
Does anyone feel the same ? Votes for classic vs Le mans 24?
It was a bit like the good wood revival but with 10 times more cars racing and attending but without the crowds, Fantastic event - and from lunchtime Friday, great weather too! Heard around 80,000 visitors this year. Shame its only every other year.
Does anyone feel the same ? Votes for classic vs Le mans 24?
17th Le Mans this year, and first Classic...
While I agree the Classic was absolutely fantastic, it is like comparing chalk with cheese.
The atmosphere was, in my humble opinion, not even comparable to the 'real' 24hrs - The 'sport' is not as exciting, there is no epic battle to not only survive the full 24hrs but to do it quicker than the next car. There is of course lots to look at, but the 24hrs is of course much more than just 24hrs.. . and for me, to say the classic is better or worse than the original is just silly.
My suggestion? Do both! I aim to from now on!
Dave
While I agree the Classic was absolutely fantastic, it is like comparing chalk with cheese.
The atmosphere was, in my humble opinion, not even comparable to the 'real' 24hrs - The 'sport' is not as exciting, there is no epic battle to not only survive the full 24hrs but to do it quicker than the next car. There is of course lots to look at, but the 24hrs is of course much more than just 24hrs.. . and for me, to say the classic is better or worse than the original is just silly.
My suggestion? Do both! I aim to from now on!
Dave
s
thotfast said:
thotfast said: Just got back from my first classic after 10 years of Le mans 24 visits. What a difference. This is the one for me from now on. All the "issues" talked about on PH a few weeks ago around some of the behavior just seemed a million miles away. Great event, LOADS of cars racing and showing, ZERO trouble ZERO problems, ZERO traffic jams ... just great racing and atmosphere - and good value IMO -EG €3 for a grandstand seat (in the ACO)
It was a bit like the good wood revival but with 10 times more cars racing and attending but without the crowds, Fantastic event - and from lunchtime Friday, great weather too! Heard around 80,000 visitors this year. Shame its only every other year.
Does anyone feel the same ? Votes for classic vs Le mans 24?
You're spot on but keep it quiet otherwise it'll be football hooligans go motor racing all over again.It was a bit like the good wood revival but with 10 times more cars racing and attending but without the crowds, Fantastic event - and from lunchtime Friday, great weather too! Heard around 80,000 visitors this year. Shame its only every other year.
Does anyone feel the same ? Votes for classic vs Le mans 24?
Just back from a great weekend, but I agree they are like chalk and cheese. Seen some fantastic cars this weekend and loved the relative tranquility but the on track battle just wasn't there which I missed - don't get me wrong, the racing was brilliant and the cars more spectacular in some ways than the moderns, but it wasn't endurance racing like the 24 hours.
We will probably alternate from now on, but I'm not telling anyone else about the Classic as if too many people go it will be spoiled.
Main problem this weekend was no Tartiflette or Gran Marnier Crepes - we starved! The lack of them nearly put us off going again, and made us realise we are a bunch for whom the food is very important part of the weekend. At least our favourite restaurant in town was as good as ever on Friday evening.
We will probably alternate from now on, but I'm not telling anyone else about the Classic as if too many people go it will be spoiled.
Main problem this weekend was no Tartiflette or Gran Marnier Crepes - we starved! The lack of them nearly put us off going again, and made us realise we are a bunch for whom the food is very important part of the weekend. At least our favourite restaurant in town was as good as ever on Friday evening.
I've been going to the 24 Heures since 1996 and I've been to the past 3 Classics. I do not think they are easy to compare. The 24 Heures is a race whereas the Classic is an event. The Classic has become significantly more popular each time I've been and it was noticeable last weekend how many children were there. I assume these are nearly all French and local and this could be a reflection of the significant price differential and the much less intense atmosphere of the Classic.
There's loads more to see at the Classic and it is easier to get around. The Classic is an event for seeing a lot of on and off track activity, there is racing, but not in the intense way of thre 24 Heures.
If I could only go to one, it wouyld be an easy decision: the 24 Heures.
My son and I plan to alternate now...the 24 Heures for 2009 and then Le Classic 2010, etc.
By the way, the journey home yesterday was super quick, something to do with it being Bastille Day we thought. 3 hours 10 minutes from North of Le Mans to the Eurotunnel via the autoroutes, all the peages and Rouen. So quick we had to call Eurotunnel ahead to get ourselves on a train 3 1/2 hours earlier than booked, £20 well spent on the Eurotunnel rather than a good lunch!
R.
There's loads more to see at the Classic and it is easier to get around. The Classic is an event for seeing a lot of on and off track activity, there is racing, but not in the intense way of thre 24 Heures.
If I could only go to one, it wouyld be an easy decision: the 24 Heures.
My son and I plan to alternate now...the 24 Heures for 2009 and then Le Classic 2010, etc.
By the way, the journey home yesterday was super quick, something to do with it being Bastille Day we thought. 3 hours 10 minutes from North of Le Mans to the Eurotunnel via the autoroutes, all the peages and Rouen. So quick we had to call Eurotunnel ahead to get ourselves on a train 3 1/2 hours earlier than booked, £20 well spent on the Eurotunnel rather than a good lunch!
R.
Absolutely bloody brilliant! Much more relaxed than the 24 and some cars to die for ... and I don't mean just on the circuit.
People had brought things from Countaches and Panteras through to Aston DB4s and Triumph 2000s!
Best was toddling back up the auto route on Sunday, sat at a steady 80-ish, and I notice this open wheeled jobby in the rear distance. Way too big to be a Caterham or Morgan, and it's catching me.
He was in convoy with a newer BM and at a steady 80 something mph THIS thundered past!
Tagged along behind for about 30 mins until I turned off at the services. Great experience watching one of those huge cars on the road. Driver kitted out with leather helmet and goggles looked like he needed a fair amount of concentration.
Hats off to our petrol head forbearers and the guys that still drive these vehicles like they were intended
As for comparisons, it was exactly how I imagined the Classic would be. I got time to go and explore and see some friends away from the circuit, you could get to the bars, Karting Nord was a pleasant surprise, as was discovering a nice handy flat roof near the Porsche Curves to watch from
The downside was that there wasn't quite the same buzz, and a lot of the stalls and shops closed up about midnight in the village which was a shame, a crepe isn't the most filling of things when you're ravenous after god knows how much champagne!
Would I sacrifice the 24 for the Classic, no, probably not, but take it in turns? or even better do the lot? Certainly
People had brought things from Countaches and Panteras through to Aston DB4s and Triumph 2000s!
Best was toddling back up the auto route on Sunday, sat at a steady 80-ish, and I notice this open wheeled jobby in the rear distance. Way too big to be a Caterham or Morgan, and it's catching me.
He was in convoy with a newer BM and at a steady 80 something mph THIS thundered past!
Tagged along behind for about 30 mins until I turned off at the services. Great experience watching one of those huge cars on the road. Driver kitted out with leather helmet and goggles looked like he needed a fair amount of concentration.
Hats off to our petrol head forbearers and the guys that still drive these vehicles like they were intended
As for comparisons, it was exactly how I imagined the Classic would be. I got time to go and explore and see some friends away from the circuit, you could get to the bars, Karting Nord was a pleasant surprise, as was discovering a nice handy flat roof near the Porsche Curves to watch from
The downside was that there wasn't quite the same buzz, and a lot of the stalls and shops closed up about midnight in the village which was a shame, a crepe isn't the most filling of things when you're ravenous after god knows how much champagne!
Would I sacrifice the 24 for the Classic, no, probably not, but take it in turns? or even better do the lot? Certainly
Terrible weekend. I'll try and go back to the classic again in 2010 and hopefully it'll be just as bad.
Lots to see in the organised sections and stands but I wonder how many people missed out by not taking a walk around the "club" car parks...... Not everyday you see a 250 California a few spaces away from a DB4 Zagato.
Lots to see in the organised sections and stands but I wonder how many people missed out by not taking a walk around the "club" car parks...... Not everyday you see a 250 California a few spaces away from a DB4 Zagato.
As a local here I was going to start a similar thread and then sit back and watch the answers, but then I was always a bit backward! So what can I add as not only a local but a veteran of Le Mans since 1969? Read on:-
The ambience: people (in the main this time) who knew how to hold their drink and be polite, people who were interesting and interested in your car or you in theirs with no question as to marque loyalty. Just there for the same cause - the love of old cars. Some drunks were abusive at the bar next to the circuit trying to rip off my press pass and being offensive and downright rude - the first time in four Classics. I hope they stay away next time but hold out no hope.
The style: they indicated "smart casual" with the hope you would dress in period. The french don't understand that so jeans were prevalent in many paddocks. I, as press, wore cargo pants which are useful for stuffing notes and various items wherever plus a polo shirt and was never questioned. Indeed, loads in the press office were wearing shorts.
Security: once again the organisers are trying to copy the Revival but once again to no avail. Tickets for paddock access? Did you see any security on the paddocks? I even drove into one of them in the D type with no questions asked. I took a gamble on the Sunday and went to the inside of Mulsanne and Indianapolis with five others in the car, only one car pass and them with no credentials. Not a problem, even down to the marshals not bothering when they walked on post with me! A friend won a bet when he flashed an english disabled pass and just drove straight inside the circuit and parked his car up in the village with no protest.
Now, to the crunch. I love this event, I love to see the variety of cars, so different to the Revivial in that you CAN subscribe and not be just invited, even if Patrick Peter is getting more selective as the event grows. Can I ever forget in 2002 seeing this 1933 car going round with "Running in" painted on the back in whitewash? The Amilcar that lost a tyre at Mulsanne and came around on the rim next time? The howl this year of the D type/Lotus duel (the best race of the event IMHO). Ray Bellm in the GT40? Pointless to go on, but one final thing: From Wednesday onwards the minimum I had here at my house for dinner was 15. No outward display of drunkenness, no idiocies, no fights, brawls or trouble, just friendly banter and consummate fun. I just can't wait to see them all again here in 2010.
The ambience: people (in the main this time) who knew how to hold their drink and be polite, people who were interesting and interested in your car or you in theirs with no question as to marque loyalty. Just there for the same cause - the love of old cars. Some drunks were abusive at the bar next to the circuit trying to rip off my press pass and being offensive and downright rude - the first time in four Classics. I hope they stay away next time but hold out no hope.
The style: they indicated "smart casual" with the hope you would dress in period. The french don't understand that so jeans were prevalent in many paddocks. I, as press, wore cargo pants which are useful for stuffing notes and various items wherever plus a polo shirt and was never questioned. Indeed, loads in the press office were wearing shorts.
Security: once again the organisers are trying to copy the Revival but once again to no avail. Tickets for paddock access? Did you see any security on the paddocks? I even drove into one of them in the D type with no questions asked. I took a gamble on the Sunday and went to the inside of Mulsanne and Indianapolis with five others in the car, only one car pass and them with no credentials. Not a problem, even down to the marshals not bothering when they walked on post with me! A friend won a bet when he flashed an english disabled pass and just drove straight inside the circuit and parked his car up in the village with no protest.
Now, to the crunch. I love this event, I love to see the variety of cars, so different to the Revivial in that you CAN subscribe and not be just invited, even if Patrick Peter is getting more selective as the event grows. Can I ever forget in 2002 seeing this 1933 car going round with "Running in" painted on the back in whitewash? The Amilcar that lost a tyre at Mulsanne and came around on the rim next time? The howl this year of the D type/Lotus duel (the best race of the event IMHO). Ray Bellm in the GT40? Pointless to go on, but one final thing: From Wednesday onwards the minimum I had here at my house for dinner was 15. No outward display of drunkenness, no idiocies, no fights, brawls or trouble, just friendly banter and consummate fun. I just can't wait to see them all again here in 2010.
Yes, it was a terrible event : no drunks, no fighting, no damaged cars om the campsite. I really missed beer bottles being thrown or buckets of water chucked into convertibles.
I even got some sleep as there was no loud music being played at night.
Believe me : you really don't want to go in 2010.
I even got some sleep as there was no loud music being played at night.
Believe me : you really don't want to go in 2010.
Jarrod said:
rev-erend said:
The classic is aweful - I'd advise people not to go at all !!!
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