Are we getting bored ?
Discussion
350k there according to the official website …a huge crowd and it felt like it, everywhere was rammed on Sat and Sunday . Was my first visit so nothing to compare to but I was glad for the grandstand seats (and the shade!) to watch the opening pomp and ceremony, first hours racing and then last 90 mins or so. I walked around a fair bit but only having GA ticket would be tough going in that heat and those crowds. Absolutely loved the overall experience tho such a special sporting event I will probably go again next yr!
There is perhaps less to discuss - LM being part of the WEC means we've seen all the cars and drivers already, there's much more information online about the event so fewer newbie questions.
Also, I remember the days of people posted rumours like beer sales were going to be outlawed within 100km of the circuit, and hopefully we're all more sophisticated these days to believe such things.
Also, I remember the days of people posted rumours like beer sales were going to be outlawed within 100km of the circuit, and hopefully we're all more sophisticated these days to believe such things.
I think it’s no longer a British race held in France. Perhaps that’s why it’s quieter in here?
It’s a much bigger event, but it’s a thoroughly French affair these days, even most of the stuff at the Classic British Welcome is on French plates which wasn’t the case even a few years ago.
I came back on the Caen ferry on Sunday. That used to be overrun with classic and sports cars but it wasn’t this year and seemed to have a higher proportion of normal holidaymakers.
If McLaren recreate the glory years of British dominance of the 80’s and 90’s then that might change again?
It’s a much bigger event, but it’s a thoroughly French affair these days, even most of the stuff at the Classic British Welcome is on French plates which wasn’t the case even a few years ago.
I came back on the Caen ferry on Sunday. That used to be overrun with classic and sports cars but it wasn’t this year and seemed to have a higher proportion of normal holidaymakers.
If McLaren recreate the glory years of British dominance of the 80’s and 90’s then that might change again?
giveitfish said:
I think it s no longer a British race held in France. Perhaps that s why it s quieter in here?
It s a much bigger event, but it s a thoroughly French affair these days, even most of the stuff at the Classic British Welcome is on French plates which wasn t the case even a few years ago.
I came back on the Caen ferry on Sunday. That used to be overrun with classic and sports cars but it wasn t this year and seemed to have a higher proportion of normal holidaymakers.
If McLaren recreate the glory years of British dominance of the 80 s and 90 s then that might change again?
I think you may be right. Same experience with the ferry as well . On the run to Portsmouth we would always see other cars en route too le Mans but not now. We have friends born and bred in Le Mans and with close family living there ,who only began going after visiting for the 100th anniversary meeting so definitely aiming at the local market. Queues for food and drink are too much. I know people who turn up 5 hours before the start to ensure they get thier spot ! All in all we will continue going but not bothering with a Saturday visit to the circuit.It s a much bigger event, but it s a thoroughly French affair these days, even most of the stuff at the Classic British Welcome is on French plates which wasn t the case even a few years ago.
I came back on the Caen ferry on Sunday. That used to be overrun with classic and sports cars but it wasn t this year and seemed to have a higher proportion of normal holidaymakers.
If McLaren recreate the glory years of British dominance of the 80 s and 90 s then that might change again?
I took the ferry out on Thursday night and got the Eurotunnel back on Monday. There were plenty of interesting cars on the ferry, mixed in with the normal holidaymaker traffic. However, the Chunnel was pretty much exclusively Le Mans goers. Perhaps more taking the train than the ferry nowadays? Though not sure why, as this was our first year on the ferry and we'll only do it that way from now on.
Des Redcar said:
I think you may be right. Same experience with the ferry as well . On the run to Portsmouth we would always see other cars en route too le Mans but not now. We have friends born and bred in Le Mans and with close family living there ,who only began going after visiting for the 100th anniversary meeting so definitely aiming at the local market. Queues for food and drink are too much. I know people who turn up 5 hours before the start to ensure they get thier spot ! All in all we will continue going but not bothering with a Saturday visit to the circuit.
5 hours? In the days when you could view from the right spot on Tertre Rouge I used to turn up 9 days before the raceWe got the tunnel out at 7am on thursday and more or less every car was heading down to the race.
The race though has more spectators than they can handle with the current arrangements. We spent a horrid amount of time walking slowly through crowds of people trying to get across bridges and through pinch points. Attendance has gone from under 250k in 2022 to over 350k this year. More space given to corporates is not helping.
The race though has more spectators than they can handle with the current arrangements. We spent a horrid amount of time walking slowly through crowds of people trying to get across bridges and through pinch points. Attendance has gone from under 250k in 2022 to over 350k this year. More space given to corporates is not helping.
This was my 26th trip (Jesus!) and it is very different. We ferried down on the Wednesday and came back on the Monday. The Monday Ferry was pretty much exclusively LM traffic but the introduction of the motorway has removed pretty much all of the fun of travelling with your fellow racegoers. Each town you went through - Beaumont-sur-Sarthe, Sees etc. would be full of interesting cars and people whereas now you are lucky to see more than one.
I also noticed a complete absence of Union flags and the normal British track invasion at the end - no black tied diners or singing cyclists etc.
Much of the change makes it technically a better event - the village, eating, bogs etc. are vastly improved objectively and it is without doubt wildly more efficiently run.
...but it doesn't seem like the British event in France that it once was. Perhaps the neutering of 'Mad Friday' and the creeping corporatisation has removed much of the atmosphere - and arguably fun - that we much enjoyed.
I also noticed a complete absence of Union flags and the normal British track invasion at the end - no black tied diners or singing cyclists etc.
Much of the change makes it technically a better event - the village, eating, bogs etc. are vastly improved objectively and it is without doubt wildly more efficiently run.
...but it doesn't seem like the British event in France that it once was. Perhaps the neutering of 'Mad Friday' and the creeping corporatisation has removed much of the atmosphere - and arguably fun - that we much enjoyed.
First race in 03 and other than Covid and going to classic one year, this was number 21 done.
Things have certainly changed, with an awful lot for the better. Some charm of the early days with a real link to the past has gone but generally the facilities and getting about is much better.
Numbers are big at the circuit, perhaps too many people.
Mainly because of my dad, we adapted our routines with far less movement around the main areas on the Saturday and avoid fighting crowds. I get about arnage and mulsanne early Sunday with easy access and movement.
It has always been busy, but it used to be easier getting around. Trying to do what we used to do would be very tiring, so else have adapted to the numbers.
Sometimes I wonder if a break would be good, but I enjoy the trips overall. I always take one last look back down to the podium just before exiting the circuit and always have a sense of how much I love the place. Maybe if this stops that is the time for a break.
The way we do things it is also just a good weekend in France.
I found I wasn’t really following anyone this year which did lead to slightly less interest in the race. I wasn’t too bothered who won. Had felt BOP had manipulated things a bit. However going into Sunday afternoon I found the lead battle fascinating to follow.
But overall it was a good weekend and already thinking about next year. Worst part is the ticket process.
Things have certainly changed, with an awful lot for the better. Some charm of the early days with a real link to the past has gone but generally the facilities and getting about is much better.
Numbers are big at the circuit, perhaps too many people.
Mainly because of my dad, we adapted our routines with far less movement around the main areas on the Saturday and avoid fighting crowds. I get about arnage and mulsanne early Sunday with easy access and movement.
It has always been busy, but it used to be easier getting around. Trying to do what we used to do would be very tiring, so else have adapted to the numbers.
Sometimes I wonder if a break would be good, but I enjoy the trips overall. I always take one last look back down to the podium just before exiting the circuit and always have a sense of how much I love the place. Maybe if this stops that is the time for a break.
The way we do things it is also just a good weekend in France.
I found I wasn’t really following anyone this year which did lead to slightly less interest in the race. I wasn’t too bothered who won. Had felt BOP had manipulated things a bit. However going into Sunday afternoon I found the lead battle fascinating to follow.
But overall it was a good weekend and already thinking about next year. Worst part is the ticket process.
35th year for me.
Original members still come down, same crack. But methods of getting there changed. I flew to Toulouse this year and came up with a mate who lives in south France.
Very different beast from when I first started going but I still have a brilliant laugh with mates.
Not bored yet.
Original members still come down, same crack. But methods of getting there changed. I flew to Toulouse this year and came up with a mate who lives in south France.
Very different beast from when I first started going but I still have a brilliant laugh with mates.
Not bored yet.
Boney2728 said:
35th year for me.
Original members still come down, same crack. But methods of getting there changed. I flew to Toulouse this year and came up with a mate who lives in south France.
Very different beast from when I first started going but I still have a brilliant laugh with mates.
Not bored yet.
35! Great going Original members still come down, same crack. But methods of getting there changed. I flew to Toulouse this year and came up with a mate who lives in south France.
Very different beast from when I first started going but I still have a brilliant laugh with mates.
Not bored yet.
Agree with Truckosaurus that there’s less to discuss.
Ticketing (or less ticketing!) has been fairly constant for last 3 or 4 years. Harder to get hold of and more regulars use or have to use agents or their campsites.
Also agree on less newbies as attendance no longer surging upwards. I thought this year was much less crowded near Dunlop bridge than last year and it want that bad the year before compared to 2023. I think attendance peaked in 2023 and don’t believe official figures (unless loads of people stay in fan zones)!
Ferry out to Dieppe full of cars/people to LM and same on return - but if from Dieppe or Caen they only let a car out every 2 or 3 mins and there’s a lot less speed variation than 10 years or so ago then it’s easy to travel in France and not see loads of other cars en route
TV coverage of other events harder to access so stay if this forums until I’ve caught up on YouTube.
Agree more people take sportier cars to classic but return from 2014 Classic to Calais was epic and last one I went to post Covid 2023 was a much duller drive home.
St Saturnin very busy as always
Ticketing (or less ticketing!) has been fairly constant for last 3 or 4 years. Harder to get hold of and more regulars use or have to use agents or their campsites.
Also agree on less newbies as attendance no longer surging upwards. I thought this year was much less crowded near Dunlop bridge than last year and it want that bad the year before compared to 2023. I think attendance peaked in 2023 and don’t believe official figures (unless loads of people stay in fan zones)!
Ferry out to Dieppe full of cars/people to LM and same on return - but if from Dieppe or Caen they only let a car out every 2 or 3 mins and there’s a lot less speed variation than 10 years or so ago then it’s easy to travel in France and not see loads of other cars en route
TV coverage of other events harder to access so stay if this forums until I’ve caught up on YouTube.
Agree more people take sportier cars to classic but return from 2014 Classic to Calais was epic and last one I went to post Covid 2023 was a much duller drive home.
St Saturnin very busy as always
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