24 Hrs v Classic
Discussion
So, I have been to the 24 hours for most years since the early 80's. Next year my daughter has chosen Le Mans weekend to get married. Therefore i am looking at alternative's (apparently divorcing your children is unacceptable but i am sure in this case exceptions could be made!) . I have never done the Classic. i appreciate next year will be the first of Pre '75 only. However I enjoy members meeting and revival at Goodwood so the old stuff not particularly an issue. Looking for thoughts and advice i.e Where best to camp (I always camp, part of the experience), what things to do, what would i not like etc.
Daughter should know nothing gets booked for 2nd or 3rd weekends of June!!!!
Only done the classic once.
The track laps was a great experience.
Stayed off circuit but had parking in the club section which was nice.
Paddock tickets essential for seeing the cars up close in a very informal atmosphere.
Walking around the club parking areas was good. So much variety to look at. The race cars also exit the track through this section which made for some up close views, especially the 917 I was nearly hit by!
Plan what races you really want to see, so you don t miss them with the categories split up. I treated the track stuff as a moving display rather than any interest in results. Didn’t actually watch that much track stuff as enjoyed looking at all the other stuff.
Plan to go in 28 for the more modern stuff again. The original format had such a broad spread of cars. Will see whether the split format can be sustained.
Only done the classic once.
The track laps was a great experience.
Stayed off circuit but had parking in the club section which was nice.
Paddock tickets essential for seeing the cars up close in a very informal atmosphere.
Walking around the club parking areas was good. So much variety to look at. The race cars also exit the track through this section which made for some up close views, especially the 917 I was nearly hit by!
Plan what races you really want to see, so you don t miss them with the categories split up. I treated the track stuff as a moving display rather than any interest in results. Didn’t actually watch that much track stuff as enjoyed looking at all the other stuff.
Plan to go in 28 for the more modern stuff again. The original format had such a broad spread of cars. Will see whether the split format can be sustained.
Edited by LM240 on Monday 28th September 09:59
I have done LM24 for 20 years and this year was my first Classic.
I really enjoyed it (although have no burning desire to go back like I do for the LM24)
I mirror the comment above about making sure you get into the paddocks, that is great.
There are a lot of cars displayed on the infield so a wander there is a must.
I always stay out off circuit and use Expo for parking, oddly for the Classic (although there were fewer people) there was one point on Saturday morning where the queueing was terrible to get to Expo car park, other than that it was easy to pop in for the bits I wanted to see.
It's definitely more laid back than LM24 although I did miss Radio Le Mans.
Go, you'll have a great time!
I really enjoyed it (although have no burning desire to go back like I do for the LM24)
I mirror the comment above about making sure you get into the paddocks, that is great.
There are a lot of cars displayed on the infield so a wander there is a must.
I always stay out off circuit and use Expo for parking, oddly for the Classic (although there were fewer people) there was one point on Saturday morning where the queueing was terrible to get to Expo car park, other than that it was easy to pop in for the bits I wanted to see.
It's definitely more laid back than LM24 although I did miss Radio Le Mans.
Go, you'll have a great time!
As a couple of others have said as a 24hr regular I've done the classic, I think the second so a few years ago, once and while it wasn't bad I haven't rushed back either (and that's as someone who only owns/drives classic cars). One thing that would send me back would be if something came up in June that stopped me doing the 24hrs...
Like I said my experience is rather out-of-date but:
+ Nothing like as busy as the 24hrs
+ Effectivly a huge classic car show you can wander around over the weekend
- Nobody needs to see that many near identical Porsche 911s, ever.
- Nobody needs to see than many near identical white, retired men dressed in only Porsche branded clothing!
- Most classes seem to be split between:
- 3 or 4 cars actually racing, with pro drivers.
- 50% of the rest keen owner/drivers going as fast as they can but not taking any risks.
- The rest Sunday drivers out pottering around going "Look at me, aren't I special because I own this car (and have you seen how much value being able to slap that "Raced at Le Mans" sticker on the side has added to its value!)."
- I also found it much harder to sleep at the Classic. The constant grid switching was like that change in noise that wakes you up at the 24hrs when a safety car period starts or ends - but every hour, on the hour.
Like I said my experience is rather out-of-date but:
+ Nothing like as busy as the 24hrs
+ Effectivly a huge classic car show you can wander around over the weekend
- Nobody needs to see that many near identical Porsche 911s, ever.
- Nobody needs to see than many near identical white, retired men dressed in only Porsche branded clothing!
- Most classes seem to be split between:
- 3 or 4 cars actually racing, with pro drivers.
- 50% of the rest keen owner/drivers going as fast as they can but not taking any risks.
- The rest Sunday drivers out pottering around going "Look at me, aren't I special because I own this car (and have you seen how much value being able to slap that "Raced at Le Mans" sticker on the side has added to its value!)."
- I also found it much harder to sleep at the Classic. The constant grid switching was like that change in noise that wakes you up at the 24hrs when a safety car period starts or ends - but every hour, on the hour.
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