The Esses - 1958

[paulyv]

Found this slide in my Dad's collection. I believe it to be 1958 when he drove there in his Minor 1000 after taking in the World's Fair and thereafter drove to Lisbon, returning on a cargo ship.

Does anyone has a similarly framed image of the spot nowadays for comparison?



Thanks

Pauly

[Matt Harper]

Fantastic picture.

[Great Dane]

Love it! Any more as pictures like these are historic documents... very rare colour prints

[paulyv]

I think I can add one more image of the race to this:



and the following, although clearly this is not from Le Mans - British Grand Prix I think.



He has plenty of images. I will see what I can scan when I am up with him in a couple of weeks.

Edited by paulyv on Tuesday 4th August 10:41

[fatboy18]

Start of the Esses - 1982








Happy Days, My First Le mans!

Edited by fatboy18 on Tuesday 4th August 23:51

[nutsytvr]

paulyv said:

Found this slide in my Dad's collection. I believe it to be 1958 when he drove there in his Minor 1000 after taking in the World's Fair and thereafter drove to Lisbon, returning on a cargo ship.

Does anyone has a similarly framed image of the spot nowadays for comparison?



Thanks

Pauly

Interesting. I have a painting of Mike Hawthorn, D type jag, 1955 at exactly that spot.

Paul

[paulyv]

Would I be right in thinking that very few/none of those trees are still there now?

Pauly

[fatboy18]

paulyv said:

Would I be right in thinking that very few/none of those trees are still there now?

Pauly

Sadly you are right It all changed when they put that large sweeping bend in down the hill after Dunlop Bridge and track (improvements?) of the entrance to the Bugatti circuit. There are a couple of bits of the white wall left but its not a patch on what it used to be
I would love to see a lot more trees being put back around the place, it really added to the Atmosphere.

[eastlmark]

fatboy18 said:

adly you are right It all changed when they put that large sweeping bend in down the hill after Dunlop Bridge and track (improvements?) of the entrance to the Bugatti circuit. There are a couple of bits of the white wall left but its not a patch on what it used to be
I would love to see a lot more trees being put back around the place, it really added to the Atmosphere.

+1. Was a great shady spot on the hot days and shelter on the wet ones. Remember one year watching woodpeckers do their stuff on one of them while the cars raced past. All a bit barren now. Some trees still on the run up to tetre rouge on the left side.
The first year I went we spent the whole 24 hours on that stretch from the Dunlop bridge to Tetre rouge as they operated a 2 ticket system then and we, in ignorance mainly, had the cheap tickets that only covered that area. There used to be a barrier/ticket check on top of the hill just by the bridge.

Edited by eastlmark on Thursday 6th August 09:02

Edited by eastlmark on Thursday 6th August 09:03

[//j17]

paulyv said:

Would I be right in thinking that very few/none of those trees are still there now?

Pauly

I've only been going to Le Mans since the early 00's and until seeing a photo like one of these was always confused why these were the "Forest Esses"!

[gt6]

that area is vastly different now, my first tris in the eighties it was still quite wooded and the funfair was situated next to the track, now days most of the trees have gone and little of the funfair remains there, however since those days the views have improved and the TR camp site has been my home during le mans for 15 years so i now watch most of the race from around that area.

[23]

eastlmark said:

+1. Was a great shady spot on the hot days and shelter on the wet ones. Remember one year watching woodpeckers do their stuff on one of them while the cars raced past. All a bit barren now. Some trees still on the run up to tetre rouge on the left side.
The first year I went we spent the whole 24 hours on that stretch from the Dunlop bridge to Tetre rouge as they operated a 2 ticket system then and we, in ignorance mainly, had the cheap tickets that only covered that area. There used to be a barrier/ticket check on top of the hill just by the bridge.

Edited by eastlmark on Thursday 6th August 09:02

Edited by eastlmark on Thursday 6th August 09:03

Yep its characterless there now. The alottments have gone too, I always liked walking along there with cars braking for Tetre Rouge and carrots being dug 50 yards away. The outside of the track there is still a great place to watch and listen.

[24lemons]

I'd love to see some more 'then and now' photos of Le Mans.

Looking at the picture of the straight after Dunlop Bridge, it the current bridge in an identical position? I'm trying to picture how the modern track fits in to that landscape.

[fatboy18]

24lemons said:

I'd love to see some more 'then and now' photos of Le Mans.

Looking at the picture of the straight after Dunlop Bridge, it the current bridge in an identical position? I'm trying to picture how the modern track fits in to that landscape.

Yes, Bridge is in the same position.
Here's a link to my flickr le mans pics
1982 https://www.flickr.com/photos/90582394@N02/sets/72...

1994 https://www.flickr.com/photos/90582394@N02/sets/72...

Google images of le mans over the years brings up some good pics too

[eastlmark]

24lemons said:

I'd love to see some more 'then and now' photos of Le Mans.

Looking at the picture of the straight after Dunlop Bridge, it the current bridge in an identical position? I'm trying to picture how the modern track fits in to that landscape.

yes same place, may even be the same bridge although its extended wider now. most cars would be airborne over the hill!

[24lemons]

fatboy18 said:

Yes, Bridge is in the same position.
Here's a link to my flickr le mans pics
1982 https://www.flickr.com/photos/90582394@N02/sets/72...

1994 https://www.flickr.com/photos/90582394@N02/sets/72...

Google images of le mans over the years brings up some good pics too

Wow fascinating pictures! I cant believe how close you used to be able to get. I've been going since 2003 and I've seen change but nothing compared to the last 32 years or so!

[eastlmark]

24lemons said:

fatboy18 said:

Yes, Bridge is in the same position.
Here's a link to my flickr le mans pics
1982 https://www.flickr.com/photos/90582394@N02/sets/72...

1994 https://www.flickr.com/photos/90582394@N02/sets/72...

Google images of le mans over the years brings up some good pics too

Wow fascinating pictures! I cant believe how close you used to be able to get. I've been going since 2003 and I've seen change but nothing compared to the last 32 years or so!

Interesting and reminded me that a lot of the marshalling back then was carried out by Gendarmes! I distinctly remember watching a Gendarme in cap hacking away with an axe to release a Ferrari 512BB from catch fencing at Tetre Rouge.

[Nick M]

First year I went was 1987, and we spent a few hours at night down by the Esses in among the trees - no spotlghts, and just the noise / lights from the fair (with strippers) up the hill towards the Dunlop Bridge. Was bloody brilliant as a first experience !!

Also used to love the straight run from Dunlop Bridge down to the Esses - just an iconic image of Le Mans - and standing on the infield side just after the bridge. But that's all now taken up with the ACO members area

We also ventured out to the bar on the Mulsanne - stood in some bushes right behind the armco, watching cars fly by at 200+mph. I'm so glad I got to go an experience Le Mans before it started to get more and more sanitised.

And as for the old village area...


/nostalgic