Is LM losing its appeal?
Discussion
As an LM regular since 1988, only missing twice due to getting married , and (subsequently) one of my sons arriving rather inconsiderately one week before the race, I cannot decide whether a)to go to LM or b)watch karting son in a National Super 1 race on LM race weekend...
Is LM losing its appeal or has son's weekly Kart racing over the last year eroded the appeal of watching GT races...?
Or perhaps the inhospitable Gendarmes and the closing of Indianapolis on the Friday is becoming too much to bear!
PS he wants me to go to LM so he does not have his karting dad around!He has a team to run him.
Is LM losing its appeal or has son's weekly Kart racing over the last year eroded the appeal of watching GT races...?
Or perhaps the inhospitable Gendarmes and the closing of Indianapolis on the Friday is becoming too much to bear!
PS he wants me to go to LM so he does not have his karting dad around!He has a team to run him.
Maruchino, very good point you make.However I am sure you are speaking as of now and not how you felt 15-20 years ago when you were competing.The kids don't give the risks a thought.If they did they could not do it.
Major respect to all karters;they are an unbelievably dedicated and talented lot.
I also agree with the Devil.Sorry all you under 35 ers...Le mans in the 1980's and 90's was the business.
Last great race, 1999.Since then its lost rather a lot of appeal.
However I have usually just enjoyed taking a nice car down and chilling out with the family and meeting some genuinely great and good pistonheaders!
Major respect to all karters;they are an unbelievably dedicated and talented lot.
I also agree with the Devil.Sorry all you under 35 ers...Le mans in the 1980's and 90's was the business.
Last great race, 1999.Since then its lost rather a lot of appeal.
However I have usually just enjoyed taking a nice car down and chilling out with the family and meeting some genuinely great and good pistonheaders!
It seems to me that whether or not it's losing it appeal depends on you personal history and memories of prior visits, and enjoyment of past years, your age and your expectations. I've been going regularly since 1996 , so a modest history for me. I have always gone for the racing and little else, althought the journey there and back is always great too. At the track I have always avoided any "over enthusiastic hi jinks" and I have never been anywhere near Houx roundabout on a Friday night, for example. I prefer downtown Le Mans on a Friday evening, finding a bar and having a few beers and chat with racing fans.
Being an old fogy I've never camped either, prefering a hotel but sleeping in the car in Parking Blanc on the Saturday night which means I can get into a tribune at sun up (the best time of the race in my view), open a few beers etc. find a good fry up somewhere and look forward to a great day.
It has become more corporate recently but as long as GT1/2 keeps up their high participation and standards I will always be at La Sarthe mid June!
I know that some PHers feel that Le Classic Le Mans may now preferable and, having been three times, I can see why that may be the case. However, perosnally, I feel there is still nothing to compare with 24 Heures du Mans.
R.
Being an old fogy I've never camped either, prefering a hotel but sleeping in the car in Parking Blanc on the Saturday night which means I can get into a tribune at sun up (the best time of the race in my view), open a few beers etc. find a good fry up somewhere and look forward to a great day.
It has become more corporate recently but as long as GT1/2 keeps up their high participation and standards I will always be at La Sarthe mid June!
I know that some PHers feel that Le Classic Le Mans may now preferable and, having been three times, I can see why that may be the case. However, perosnally, I feel there is still nothing to compare with 24 Heures du Mans.
R.
I've only been going each year since 2003, but know of the history and can easily imagine how things were.
But everything has to evolve. Look at the photos of people stood virtually on the track spectating, that it is ridiculous. You look back and wonder, at that time, did it not feel in the slightest bit dangerous?!
I couldn't believe it when they did the major updates at the circuit (05-06?). All the old buildings that you had seen in pictures from 20-30 years ago were gone. But in terms of getting about and facilities, it is far better. Just think in 10-20 years, the current new buildings will all be very familiar, and in 20-30years time when they bulldoze them for new stuff, we'll all be thinking the place is loseing its history.
There have been some good battles in different classes over the last few years. I personally think in years to come, there will be talk of the Audi years. Those that saw it will remember seeing the R8s, R10s and the R15s. How they took on the best the others could muster and dominated. (aside, how dated does an R8 look these days). Last years race was brilliant between audi and peugeot. And the aston martin / corvette battles were great.
If you love racing and you 'get' the whole Le mans thing, it just pulls you back. When you look at the history of the place, you realise each year you go, you are part of the on going story of Le Mans.
There are so many individual things i like about the le mans 'weekend' that I can't see myself not going one year. It is bound to happen one year, where something prevents from going, but it is going to feel pretty weird not being there. I got into motor racing through F1, love Ferrari, but I've only been to 2 grand prix. Trouble is, if i did plan to go to a another GP, it would be in place of Le Mans that year. No way!
www.lemans24.piczo.com
But everything has to evolve. Look at the photos of people stood virtually on the track spectating, that it is ridiculous. You look back and wonder, at that time, did it not feel in the slightest bit dangerous?!
I couldn't believe it when they did the major updates at the circuit (05-06?). All the old buildings that you had seen in pictures from 20-30 years ago were gone. But in terms of getting about and facilities, it is far better. Just think in 10-20 years, the current new buildings will all be very familiar, and in 20-30years time when they bulldoze them for new stuff, we'll all be thinking the place is loseing its history.
There have been some good battles in different classes over the last few years. I personally think in years to come, there will be talk of the Audi years. Those that saw it will remember seeing the R8s, R10s and the R15s. How they took on the best the others could muster and dominated. (aside, how dated does an R8 look these days). Last years race was brilliant between audi and peugeot. And the aston martin / corvette battles were great.
If you love racing and you 'get' the whole Le mans thing, it just pulls you back. When you look at the history of the place, you realise each year you go, you are part of the on going story of Le Mans.
There are so many individual things i like about the le mans 'weekend' that I can't see myself not going one year. It is bound to happen one year, where something prevents from going, but it is going to feel pretty weird not being there. I got into motor racing through F1, love Ferrari, but I've only been to 2 grand prix. Trouble is, if i did plan to go to a another GP, it would be in place of Le Mans that year. No way!
www.lemans24.piczo.com
DS240 said:
If you love racing and you 'get' the whole Le mans thing, it just pulls you back. When you look at the history of the place, you realise each year you go, you are part of the on going story of Le Mans.
There are so many individual things i like about the le mans 'weekend' that I can't see myself not going one year. It is bound to happen one year, where something prevents from going, but it is going to feel pretty weird not being there.
+1There are so many individual things i like about the le mans 'weekend' that I can't see myself not going one year. It is bound to happen one year, where something prevents from going, but it is going to feel pretty weird not being there.
I think your post sums things up nicely.
A while ago we were saying that next year we'd probably give the main race a miss and just go to the classic. But as this year's race draws ever nearer, I'm increasingly feeling that I *need* to do both !
To me it's about the racing, the company, the noises, the smells, the relaxing. The hairs on the back of my neck never fail to stand up when the cars come tearing past at the start. Just gets me every time !!
I had a year off last year. Not to be recommended. I tried to recreate the feeling by watching as many hours as possible on Eurosport, drinking the odd beer and sleeping in the garden (well maybe not the last one). I just got all depressed and mournful when I realised how easy it would have been for me to be there and be part of it all.
I will not repeat my mistake.
33 days, 5 hours and 40 mins til I'll be sat in the grandstand hearing them all scream past on lap 1. Just think of that moment, that noise, that atmosphere.
I will not repeat my mistake.
33 days, 5 hours and 40 mins til I'll be sat in the grandstand hearing them all scream past on lap 1. Just think of that moment, that noise, that atmosphere.
blueST said:
I had a year off last year. Not to be recommended. I tried to recreate the feeling by watching as many hours as possible on Eurosport, drinking the odd beer and sleeping in the garden (well maybe not the last one). I just got all depressed and mournful when I realised how easy it would have been for me to be there and be part of it all.
I missed three years when I was working in the US 
Every year I went through the same attempts at justifying why I should jump on a plane and head over to Le Mans, but every year common sense prevailed I had to settle for watching it on Speed TV. Just not the same though.
Like Viz magazine, Nostalgia isn't as good as it used to be.
I blame The Internets.
I first went to LM in 1997 and see such exotica as a Diablo driving past the circuit was jaw dropping. I remember strolling round the campsites just to catch a glimpse of a TVR or Marcos. As they say, familiarity breeds contempt, and seeing every supercar imaginable just isn't so exciting anymore. In the early years of going, the fun was just happening across a group of cars, now there's carefully planned meets and groups of stickered up cars stacked full of fancy camping gear taking away the ethos of a small tent pitched next to a supercar that originally made me fall in love with the event.
The ACO smartening up the whole site has also taken some of the charm away.
I blame The Internets.
I first went to LM in 1997 and see such exotica as a Diablo driving past the circuit was jaw dropping. I remember strolling round the campsites just to catch a glimpse of a TVR or Marcos. As they say, familiarity breeds contempt, and seeing every supercar imaginable just isn't so exciting anymore. In the early years of going, the fun was just happening across a group of cars, now there's carefully planned meets and groups of stickered up cars stacked full of fancy camping gear taking away the ethos of a small tent pitched next to a supercar that originally made me fall in love with the event.
The ACO smartening up the whole site has also taken some of the charm away.
Like the original poster my first year was 1988, Jaguar and all that!
It’s still four years until my son can start carting (which he will) but this year is my 21st Le Mans on the spin and fully concur that it just isn’t what it used to be, some better and some worse.
The real killer for me has been le Plods attitude over the last few years to close Indianapolis, Arnage etc on the Friday and it just smacks of complete arrogance mixed with being Grade A spoil sports. Of course it was rowdy at times but really I never saw anything which constituted its closure other than a huge number of blokes (and woman ) enjoying themselves, a great place to park up and talk cars with like minded souls and watch the various antics.
That said all credit to Lowdrag with his efforts for the Mulsanne bash on the Friday this year and there is still the top section of Mulsanne to play with this year I hope?
Still I’m having a nice hooligan spec exhaust made for the Guara this year for no other reason than the Friday at Le Mans but alas the true decline comes a result of the Chav (or call them what you will) minority that seems to edge ever closer to a majority as each year passes.
It’s still four years until my son can start carting (which he will) but this year is my 21st Le Mans on the spin and fully concur that it just isn’t what it used to be, some better and some worse.
The real killer for me has been le Plods attitude over the last few years to close Indianapolis, Arnage etc on the Friday and it just smacks of complete arrogance mixed with being Grade A spoil sports. Of course it was rowdy at times but really I never saw anything which constituted its closure other than a huge number of blokes (and woman ) enjoying themselves, a great place to park up and talk cars with like minded souls and watch the various antics.
That said all credit to Lowdrag with his efforts for the Mulsanne bash on the Friday this year and there is still the top section of Mulsanne to play with this year I hope?
Still I’m having a nice hooligan spec exhaust made for the Guara this year for no other reason than the Friday at Le Mans but alas the true decline comes a result of the Chav (or call them what you will) minority that seems to edge ever closer to a majority as each year passes.
I never went in the 90's so cant comment but to me it is everything motorsport should be and thats why I would rather go to this than any other event tbh F1 is way over the top IMHO and ther just seems to be that bit of a spark about the Le Mans event and it has a fantastic social scene that I feel cant be beaten
I first went in 2005. Took a mate, the Cerb and a couple of £7.99 Argos tents. Had an absolute ball, drank warm stubbies and barbecued everything we ate. It has even changed since that year. I went to the parade that year and got trollied, but wasn't an idiot - other than a happy one. The next year apparently Houx roundabout was 'the' place to be. Not for me it wasn't. I just didn't get it. A load of loud yobs getting s
tty when a car didn't light 'em up. Not been back there since.
Two years ago we took the Rangey and the caravan and it ruined us (for the better) because we had cold beer, hot breakfast and Sky tv. So the van goes each year now and I couldn't imagine not going. It has got incredibly chavvy over the last couple of years, but if you go for the racing and steer clear of the wkers it is still a tremendous adrenaline rush.
I miss the Indy meet on the Friday though - killed by the chavs or threat of chavs.
tty when a car didn't light 'em up. Not been back there since.Two years ago we took the Rangey and the caravan and it ruined us (for the better) because we had cold beer, hot breakfast and Sky tv. So the van goes each year now and I couldn't imagine not going. It has got incredibly chavvy over the last couple of years, but if you go for the racing and steer clear of the w
kers it is still a tremendous adrenaline rush.I miss the Indy meet on the Friday though - killed by the chavs or threat of chavs.
I fear that I may be done with it
Although not a veteran of the standing of some of you guys here, I've noticed a chavy football-thug style decline in the atmosphere on the campsite and track bars that frankly is the main thing that I leave the country to get away from.
Like great bands, venues, clubs, stretches of road and so on, these things are great until they get popular and then generally change out of all recognition. I hope that for those people filling beautiful cars with beer, Le Mans turns out to be a passing phase so that the real fans can have it back.
df
Although not a veteran of the standing of some of you guys here, I've noticed a chavy football-thug style decline in the atmosphere on the campsite and track bars that frankly is the main thing that I leave the country to get away from.
Like great bands, venues, clubs, stretches of road and so on, these things are great until they get popular and then generally change out of all recognition. I hope that for those people filling beautiful cars with beer, Le Mans turns out to be a passing phase so that the real fans can have it back.
df
Missed last year due to amily death on the day we were due to set off but have vowed never to miss another. I need something to compensate for my team's relegation this year
I so wrote out 200 times on the blackboard 'I will never miss another LM24'(the LM24 got a bit ragged after the first 100 times)
DAW
I so wrote out 200 times on the blackboard 'I will never miss another LM24'(the LM24 got a bit ragged after the first 100 times)
DAW
I agree with most of the latter comments. Sadly the "hooligan" (very drunken) element have spoiled what used to be a slightly rowdy but acceptable weekend into some kind of drunken running battle on occasion!
Sign of the times perhaps or maybe i"m just getting older?
I prefer the classic now!
Mr B
Sign of the times perhaps or maybe i"m just getting older?
I prefer the classic now!
Mr B
Good to hear from you Mr B.
Sorry not been in touch.
Catch up for beer before LM 09 now that we have proper evenings?
On some other points, made I agree that the racing and the cars are in the eye of the beholder.I happen to prefer the 90's GT cars,
993 GT2,
VIPER GT2,
F40LM,
Mclaren (the greatest of them all) F1GTR,
CLK GTR,
Porsche GT1.
But there seems to be general consensus that the chavs are spoiling it and in truth probably caused the closure of Indianapolis on the Friday.
Last year the Moulsanne stayed 'open' till much later than the previous year, when we were cleared off from about mid day.
I suppose that if 150,000 European males invaded the country lanes and lay byes around Silverstone every year, our own beloved 'gendarmes' would have PLENTY to say about 'causing an obstruction' and 'moving on' In fact I really could not see such an 'event' being tolerated over here.Think I have talked myself into a U turn on the poor gendarmes!
Sorry not been in touch.
Catch up for beer before LM 09 now that we have proper evenings?
On some other points, made I agree that the racing and the cars are in the eye of the beholder.I happen to prefer the 90's GT cars,
993 GT2,
VIPER GT2,
F40LM,
Mclaren (the greatest of them all) F1GTR,
CLK GTR,
Porsche GT1.
But there seems to be general consensus that the chavs are spoiling it and in truth probably caused the closure of Indianapolis on the Friday.
Last year the Moulsanne stayed 'open' till much later than the previous year, when we were cleared off from about mid day.
I suppose that if 150,000 European males invaded the country lanes and lay byes around Silverstone every year, our own beloved 'gendarmes' would have PLENTY to say about 'causing an obstruction' and 'moving on' In fact I really could not see such an 'event' being tolerated over here.Think I have talked myself into a U turn on the poor gendarmes!
In 2007 there was a some uncalled for stupidity from a minority and we sent em packing but other than that it was a great weekend, however, I do hope that the spirit will remain there is nothing wrong with a little merryment as long as it is just a bit of fun. Problem is that restrictions on the area are getting tighter due to the stupid minority who ruin it for everyone. Indy I think is prime example of where there has been a clamp down due to luddites, I to have no interest in ruining a perfectly good set of tyres just for some drunken twonk to laugh and whoop a lot if were to want to ruin my tyres it would be on a track day where I get enjoyment out of ruining them.
I do hope that it is just a passing fad and these numpties will have a tiddly wink competition to go to or something and get Le Mans back to how it should be a fun for all the family event and somewhere I would be happy to take my kids too and that wont be long either thinking about it
I do hope that it is just a passing fad and these numpties will have a tiddly wink competition to go to or something and get Le Mans back to how it should be a fun for all the family event and somewhere I would be happy to take my kids too and that wont be long either thinking about it
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