The Classic - as good as it looked ?
Discussion
Yes it was and then some. For one thing - no bloody diesels!!
I cannot stress how good the Le Mans Classic is for anyone interested in sports cars. Far better than the Goodwood FOS as you see the cars you've just been pouring over in the paddock areas actually racing!
Can't wait for 2010!
I cannot stress how good the Le Mans Classic is for anyone interested in sports cars. Far better than the Goodwood FOS as you see the cars you've just been pouring over in the paddock areas actually racing!
Can't wait for 2010!
Don't bother going, most over rated event ever; just a load of geeks looking at a few old nails. No big parties in the car parks and no 24 hour sound systems; Christ, some people even slept! Stick to the annual 24 hour diesel reliability trial if you want car action . . . . . pleeeeease!
Whats been said so far is unfortunately the truth. Having been to the 24hr and had Mad friday, fireworks and big soundsytems all night, frankly it was a shock to be able to get near the cars, not have to queue for an hour for food and get some sleep. Definately not an event for the hardened 24 hour afficionado.
See you there in 2010
See you there in 2010
Edited by Obiwonkeyblokey on Monday 4th August 13:56
Sadly, based on what I have seen of Group C racing in the last year, it is a vastly over rated event. The best I saw was the Le Mans Story last year but frankly this years Saturday Le Mans race was a yawn. The JD Classics two cars toured round and withdrew after a few laps. Apart from Justin Law who really went for it many of the "competitors" never saw another car during the race and were happy just touring round to show off their cars. being on the Mulsanne hump it was obvious as to who was trying and who wasn't just looking at the braking - some were braking (from a slower speed too) up to 250 yds earlier than others. No, perhaps I'm out of step here, but racing is racing and this surely wasn't. Also, if Group C returns to the Classic, that makes 7 grids so what will now happen timewise? The original format of the Classic was for five grids with six races for each grid, four by day and two by night. Then we get the Porsche 917's coming in and we are down to 5 hours, one at night. If we keep extending the age classification then each car will get only four hours at a very expensive entry fee and this will start to kill the goose that lays the golden egg. Drivers will decide it just isn't worth it. OK, they get the chance to drive a mythical circuit but there comes a time when value for money, no matter what other consideration, will loom in thewir deliberations.
As far as being a spectator event is concerned, the very fact that it is run on public roads means that the viewing areas are very restricted so I rate it less spectacular than the (annual) Silverstone event where everything is contained and access easy. OK, I have press passes so can get most places but having done the two back to back my vote surely goes to Silverstone. I'm not omitting Goodwood here, just making a simple comparison but, even though I live at le Mans, for me Silverstone wins hands down as a spectacle. I now will sit back and await incoming...........
As far as being a spectator event is concerned, the very fact that it is run on public roads means that the viewing areas are very restricted so I rate it less spectacular than the (annual) Silverstone event where everything is contained and access easy. OK, I have press passes so can get most places but having done the two back to back my vote surely goes to Silverstone. I'm not omitting Goodwood here, just making a simple comparison but, even though I live at le Mans, for me Silverstone wins hands down as a spectacle. I now will sit back and await incoming...........
My feeling is that Group C would be very welcome, as to me, this was the absolute untimate in Sports Racing Car development, modern so called sports prototypes being huge monstrosities with very little appeal. As for the timing within the 24 hours, I don't think fitting them in would pose too many problems, as with the current format, it's hardly a race against time to get it all in.
As for a list for 2010 count me in - now I know that you can pack tent, 2 bed rolls, 2 sleeping bags, cooker, utensils and clothes in a 2.8 Z3 trunk. According to the wisdom of the forum, this is possible! Roll on 2010!
As for a list for 2010 count me in - now I know that you can pack tent, 2 bed rolls, 2 sleeping bags, cooker, utensils and clothes in a 2.8 Z3 trunk. According to the wisdom of the forum, this is possible! Roll on 2010!
I must agree with Lowdrag that allowing any more modern cars into the Classic would start to detract from it for me. There are already a couple of plateau for relatively modern GT racing cars and it's meant to be an event for Classics. I guess it's a matter of age but to me the Group C racers still seem modern!
Trackrod said:
My feeling is that Group C would be very welcome, as to me, this was the absolute untimate in Sports Racing Car development, modern so called sports prototypes being huge monstrosities with very little appeal. As for the timing within the 24 hours, I don't think fitting them in would pose too many problems, as with the current format, it's hardly a race against time to get it all in.
Group C racing should be kept separate as they already compete in a very well organised series with pro drivers.Making a clean break after 1979 is the way to keep things in my view.
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