Le Mans Classic - the experience
Discussion
It's my second time at the Classic after first coming in 2022.
For those who are thinking is it worth the effort compared to say the Goodwood Revival, the event has a good atmosphere but the way it is run isn't quite up to Goodwood standards IMO. It is on a much bigger circuit than Goodwood but it doesn't match rhe character of the Revival, given the scale.
The schedule of the event isn't quite as efficient as the Revival & the racing lacks the closeness that you see on the shorter track at Goodwood with the likes of the A35s in the St Mary's Trophyup against the big American cars . I can say the French are very enthusiastic and you have the opportunity, if you want to pay to do the Parade Laps to witness the full 24 hrs circuit and it is a bucket list thing for a car enthusiast. You also have the benefit of seeing racing late in to the night which they can't to do the same scale at Goodwood.
I hope the fact that the Classic will run every year (starting in 2026) and change the format slightly will make it a busier event on track with more racing/less breaks.
For those who are thinking is it worth the effort compared to say the Goodwood Revival, the event has a good atmosphere but the way it is run isn't quite up to Goodwood standards IMO. It is on a much bigger circuit than Goodwood but it doesn't match rhe character of the Revival, given the scale.
The schedule of the event isn't quite as efficient as the Revival & the racing lacks the closeness that you see on the shorter track at Goodwood with the likes of the A35s in the St Mary's Trophyup against the big American cars . I can say the French are very enthusiastic and you have the opportunity, if you want to pay to do the Parade Laps to witness the full 24 hrs circuit and it is a bucket list thing for a car enthusiast. You also have the benefit of seeing racing late in to the night which they can't to do the same scale at Goodwood.
I hope the fact that the Classic will run every year (starting in 2026) and change the format slightly will make it a busier event on track with more racing/less breaks.
Went for the first time with a group and enjoyed it, quite a bit larger than spa 6 hrs, which I usually attend (as it's only 200km /2hr as opposed to 500km /5hr from where I live).
Traffic was a bit of an issue going in and out, and I generally find Spa nicer in terms of atmosphere.
that being said, the cars on and off the track were impressive and a league above Spa.wikk come back, even if only as its a nice weekend away with like minded people.
On the way back today, we passed accident where a Daimler SP 250 had landed on its roof, it looked like the outcome was the worst imaginable... Thoughts with the involved...
Traffic was a bit of an issue going in and out, and I generally find Spa nicer in terms of atmosphere.
that being said, the cars on and off the track were impressive and a league above Spa.wikk come back, even if only as its a nice weekend away with like minded people.
On the way back today, we passed accident where a Daimler SP 250 had landed on its roof, it looked like the outcome was the worst imaginable... Thoughts with the involved...
Would definitely have preferred the hot weather to have lasted for one more day, but it was fun watching the Grid 1 drivers control their lovely old cars in the wet. Overall, I thought it was a fabulous event with an amazing collection of cars on and off the track. Seemed just as busy as 2023. Looking forward to 2026 and the first Legend edition of the LMC.
Church of Noise said:
Went for the first time with a group and enjoyed it, quite a bit larger than spa 6 hrs, which I usually attend (as it's only 200km /2hr as opposed to 500km /5hr from where I live).
Traffic was a bit of an issue going in and out, and I generally find Spa nicer in terms of atmosphere.
that being said, the cars on and off the track were impressive and a league above Spa.wikk come back, even if only as its a nice weekend away with like minded people.
On the way back today, we passed accident where a Daimler SP 250 had landed on its roof, it looked like the outcome was the worst imaginable... Thoughts with the involved...
What colour was the Daimler? Our neighbours at the main event had one and stayed out in France for a while - hope they were not involved.Traffic was a bit of an issue going in and out, and I generally find Spa nicer in terms of atmosphere.
that being said, the cars on and off the track were impressive and a league above Spa.wikk come back, even if only as its a nice weekend away with like minded people.
On the way back today, we passed accident where a Daimler SP 250 had landed on its roof, it looked like the outcome was the worst imaginable... Thoughts with the involved...
I don’t think you can compare it to GW Revival. I don’t think (with the exception of some of the cars on the track) there are many similarities beyond a lot of enthusiastic and knowledgeable attendees.
Weather was blisteringly hot Thursday and Friday and was slightly more manageable on Saturday. Today was a bit grim weather wise particularly as our group are camping but it warmed up and dried out late afternoon.
It seems to get busier and busier in the circuit (our experience based on Friday/ Saturday) year in year. Frustratingly access to paddocks despite having paddock tickets can be a bit bit and miss and it’s costly in terms of food and drink- €13 for a cheese and ham baguette was eye watering!
For our group (and we’ve been coming a few years now) is a mixture of cars and a social occasion. We camp and have plenty of wine on tap and we are on the Porsche Curves so all told we get to experience a bit of everything. We’ve really enjoyed our time at the Classic but I fear by then moving it to every year and splitting the years to pre and post 75 they are messing about with it. I personally like watching 60’s/70’s cars but also Croup C and Endurance Legends. I can’t justify coming every year as I do the LM24 and other trios such as Angouleme and Rally Legend so I now have to make a choice as to which era I miss out on.
I personally think it will backfire- less grids (5 instead of six) and I’m not convinced they will get enough cars to make the Legends Classic the showpiece they are telling people it will be. We shall see.
Weather was blisteringly hot Thursday and Friday and was slightly more manageable on Saturday. Today was a bit grim weather wise particularly as our group are camping but it warmed up and dried out late afternoon.
It seems to get busier and busier in the circuit (our experience based on Friday/ Saturday) year in year. Frustratingly access to paddocks despite having paddock tickets can be a bit bit and miss and it’s costly in terms of food and drink- €13 for a cheese and ham baguette was eye watering!
For our group (and we’ve been coming a few years now) is a mixture of cars and a social occasion. We camp and have plenty of wine on tap and we are on the Porsche Curves so all told we get to experience a bit of everything. We’ve really enjoyed our time at the Classic but I fear by then moving it to every year and splitting the years to pre and post 75 they are messing about with it. I personally like watching 60’s/70’s cars but also Croup C and Endurance Legends. I can’t justify coming every year as I do the LM24 and other trios such as Angouleme and Rally Legend so I now have to make a choice as to which era I miss out on.
I personally think it will backfire- less grids (5 instead of six) and I’m not convinced they will get enough cars to make the Legends Classic the showpiece they are telling people it will be. We shall see.
I went for the first time this year. Saturday only as I thought the whole weekend might be a bit of a drag by Sunday, but if I go again I'll certainly consider more days. Wasn't too bad queuing to get in, less than half an hour. Don't know how hot it was but I'd just arrived from Africa so didn't notice it.
Great racing that I'd like to see more of if I go again, and explore the site more. Didn't get out of the infield area. Display areas were fabulous.
Great racing that I'd like to see more of if I go again, and explore the site more. Didn't get out of the infield area. Display areas were fabulous.
Lots of space trackside to actually watch the racing compared to the 24hrs. But the paddocks were busier than I remember previous events, perhaps they have sold more tickets than before, perhaps time to just make the paddocks open to everyone as that will save on the queues to scan in/out of each area.
My plan to get by without a grandstand seat (we've had them every year since '98 at the 24hrs) was a mistake. After 4hrs of walking around in the blazing heat I had to go back to the campsite for a few hours to cool down and rehydrate before going back. Sorely missed being able to just sit in the shade on a relatively comfortable moulded plastic seat.
My plan to get by without a grandstand seat (we've had them every year since '98 at the 24hrs) was a mistake. After 4hrs of walking around in the blazing heat I had to go back to the campsite for a few hours to cool down and rehydrate before going back. Sorely missed being able to just sit in the shade on a relatively comfortable moulded plastic seat.
I done it different for the Classic to the 24 Hours. Arrived on the Wednesday and left Sat night. I knew most were travellin on the Thursday, so the paddocks were nearly empty, the village was easy to walk around. And i got my bearings for the Friday and the parade lap.
Yes it was hot very hot, but for me it's not so humid, so much easier to walk about. Getting into the track and out on the Friday was fairy quick, On Saturday took a while a lot of cars leaving around 7pm.
Also the 3 trams run all day and most of the night unlike at the 24 hours.
For me the real buzz was the parade laps.
But that's it now for me and Le Mans,
I was surprised Pistonheads and 1st tickets never had anyone there, only met Brian only Friday as he guided the cars to follow him on his bike
But it was very good value to be able to park for the weekend.
Yes it was hot very hot, but for me it's not so humid, so much easier to walk about. Getting into the track and out on the Friday was fairy quick, On Saturday took a while a lot of cars leaving around 7pm.
Also the 3 trams run all day and most of the night unlike at the 24 hours.
For me the real buzz was the parade laps.
But that's it now for me and Le Mans,
I was surprised Pistonheads and 1st tickets never had anyone there, only met Brian only Friday as he guided the cars to follow him on his bike
But it was very good value to be able to park for the weekend.
Truckosaurus said:
zeb said:
.... It s all a bit processional racing wise ....
That's always been my view, especially compared to the Goodwood circuit events. You just need to look at it as a way to see the cars being run at speed rather than racing each other.If were to go again I would arrive for Friday, have a mooch about, have hospitality on Saturday, stay late for the night stuff then drive to a half-decent hotel miles away and go home on Sunday morning, not return to the track. But I have been a lot.
Truckosaurus said:
That's always been my view, especially compared to the Goodwood circuit events. You just need to look at it as a way to see the cars being run at speed rather than racing each other.
I think in truth Goodwood is very much the same, at the front you've got a few rich people who want to see their cars race so either have the talen and do it themselves or pop a pro. in - but as you drop back through the field you get the less gifted owner/drivers and the folks who are just there to add some value to their investment cars with a "Raced at Goodwood/Le Mans" sticker and swan around with a driver pass.The difference is the length of the circuit. At Goodwood it only takes a couple of laps before those actually racing at the front are in amongst the back markers so as a spectator you see near constant action. At Le Mans both the circuit length and different class structures over the years often result in the lead cars only catching the (healthy) back markers at the end of the session so it feels a lot more processional and 'bitty' as the grid breaks not just into 'racers' and 'showers' but also across the grids. If you look at something like 1965 you had I think 20 potential classes, not just split by Prototype/GT but inside each by engine capacity; 1L,1.15L, 1.3L, 1.6L, 2L, 2.5L, 3L, 4L, 5L, 5+L.
stevewak said:
Bobby Rahal in the 'Hippie' 917 in 2002 was sensational.
The highlight of that weekend for me. I was sat with my son in law at Tetre Rouge watching that thing disappear down the Mulsanne in the early hours of the morning, we were the only two there apart from the marshals. Den Den said:
The highlight of that weekend for me. I was sat with my son in law at Tetre Rouge watching that thing disappear down the Mulsanne in the early hours of the morning, we were the only two there apart from the marshals.
I was staying at the big house on the outside of Tertre Rouge. Literally 10mt behind the trees - now gone to make way for the tram. Did not get much sleep...
We had a great time, I think we did 85000 steps over the weekend though which was too much really, leaving some of our party exhausted.
When there are a few of you it takes ages to get about - comfort and refreshment stops, seeing interesting things etc, so it’s very easy to accidentally spend ages moving around and then realise you’ve actually burned a lot of the day doing that and not seen as much racing as you wanted to. Next time we will use the little trains more.
They have put a lot more crowd funnelling in place at the classic - forcing large crowds over bridges that become pinch points but which also takes away some of the close interaction with the cars and the noise that was there before. I’m sure it’s “safer” but it’s definitely less fun.
Pistonheads 1st tickets camping was excellent, staff were just brilliant and the food was great too. Bell tents with basic air mattresses were nowhere near as good as motorsport destinations ones though which are twice the size and have actual beds.
Did the parade laps - definitely like the wacky races with 100 un-briefed drivers in cars from 20hp to 800hp sharing the same tarmac! Still fun though - definitely a fast circuit and a great experience to get the on track perspective. I’ll leave you with my favourite shot, looking from my old Lambo at another one ahead. “I’ve had worse days, Del!”
When there are a few of you it takes ages to get about - comfort and refreshment stops, seeing interesting things etc, so it’s very easy to accidentally spend ages moving around and then realise you’ve actually burned a lot of the day doing that and not seen as much racing as you wanted to. Next time we will use the little trains more.
They have put a lot more crowd funnelling in place at the classic - forcing large crowds over bridges that become pinch points but which also takes away some of the close interaction with the cars and the noise that was there before. I’m sure it’s “safer” but it’s definitely less fun.
Pistonheads 1st tickets camping was excellent, staff were just brilliant and the food was great too. Bell tents with basic air mattresses were nowhere near as good as motorsport destinations ones though which are twice the size and have actual beds.
Did the parade laps - definitely like the wacky races with 100 un-briefed drivers in cars from 20hp to 800hp sharing the same tarmac! Still fun though - definitely a fast circuit and a great experience to get the on track perspective. I’ll leave you with my favourite shot, looking from my old Lambo at another one ahead. “I’ve had worse days, Del!”
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