Quiet one this year?
Discussion
Last night I was shocked to see there are 100's of grandstand seats still for sale on the official site. Is it going to be a quiet one this year?
Combo of weird "super season"/lack of manufacturer LMP1/Brexit/etc?
Can't say I mind too much if more of the yobs stay at home and just the hardcore fans turn up, but I hope it's busy enough to create a good atmosphere. I'm sure the on-track battles will be as memorable as ever.
Combo of weird "super season"/lack of manufacturer LMP1/Brexit/etc?
Can't say I mind too much if more of the yobs stay at home and just the hardcore fans turn up, but I hope it's busy enough to create a good atmosphere. I'm sure the on-track battles will be as memorable as ever.
One of my work colleagues who goes every year (and has done for 20+ years) isn't going this year.
He says it is mainly because it is a foregone conclusion that Toyota will win again.
Our group is on the small side this year but the numbers change from year-to-year irrespective of what is happening on track.
This forum is somewhat quiet so far, perhaps because there's not much happening on the sporting side and we've seen all the cars several times over the last 18 months.
He says it is mainly because it is a foregone conclusion that Toyota will win again.
Our group is on the small side this year but the numbers change from year-to-year irrespective of what is happening on track.
This forum is somewhat quiet so far, perhaps because there's not much happening on the sporting side and we've seen all the cars several times over the last 18 months.
I sincerely hope that people aren't giving it a miss. This will be year 8 for me and my lot and when we first started going there were Audi, Porsche and Toyota in LMP1 and there was a real battle.
Its an incredible atmosphere, truly unique experience and I hope that the factors of Toyota's one-team-crusade, Brexit and the Balance of Performance fiasco doesn't put people off going.
Its an incredible atmosphere, truly unique experience and I hope that the factors of Toyota's one-team-crusade, Brexit and the Balance of Performance fiasco doesn't put people off going.
This may not go down well but I’ll be going for the 7th time with my buddy and we really don’t mind who wins, now that Audi have pulled out anyway.. For us it’s all about the drive there, a couple of days surrounded by fellow petrolheads, bbq’s, beer, baguettes, oh and of course the cars
I missed last year but this time I'm bringing 3 people with me including a first timer - I hope it lives up to his expectations!
For me the lack of a P1 battle is a shame, but I've always preferred the GT cars anyway. If the Astons can carry some form over from Spa and the last of the front-engined Corvettes sound as good as ever then I'll be happy.
I don't want to miss any more Le Mans races, we're on the downhill run towards electrification now so every year before that happens is precious.
For me the lack of a P1 battle is a shame, but I've always preferred the GT cars anyway. If the Astons can carry some form over from Spa and the last of the front-engined Corvettes sound as good as ever then I'll be happy.
I don't want to miss any more Le Mans races, we're on the downhill run towards electrification now so every year before that happens is precious.
This year will be my 17th in a row. I did think about skipping this years and nexts to give it a rest and then come back when the regs have changed and be full of excitement for it again.
However, I enjoy the trip as a whole. The brutal days of trying to be trackside for 24hrs are gone. Much more social and not too worried about missing parts of the race.
We have been so spoiled in the time I’ve been attending the race that we have seen some incredible battles between Audi, Peugeot, Porsche, Toyota for the wins and great racing in the GT class. Last year and these next two are pretty weak in terms of it being Toyota’s win unless they break down.
But Le Mans history has been full of periods where the competition wasn’t the greatest. It’s just going through a low cycle before hopefully renewed interest from factories. Looking forward to mega GT cars again, just missed out on the GT1 days.
I reckon it could be quieter than previous years... but ACO will still say there are 250,000 there. I don’t mind it so much, traffic a bit lighter and easier to move around.
However, I enjoy the trip as a whole. The brutal days of trying to be trackside for 24hrs are gone. Much more social and not too worried about missing parts of the race.
We have been so spoiled in the time I’ve been attending the race that we have seen some incredible battles between Audi, Peugeot, Porsche, Toyota for the wins and great racing in the GT class. Last year and these next two are pretty weak in terms of it being Toyota’s win unless they break down.
But Le Mans history has been full of periods where the competition wasn’t the greatest. It’s just going through a low cycle before hopefully renewed interest from factories. Looking forward to mega GT cars again, just missed out on the GT1 days.
I reckon it could be quieter than previous years... but ACO will still say there are 250,000 there. I don’t mind it so much, traffic a bit lighter and easier to move around.
11th year for me in 2019.
I don't spend 24h at the track and I don't buy grandstand seats any longer, either.
Like many, it's a massive stress reliever going to LM, and if I return home on Monday without a voice, it means I've been laughing my arse off with my mates, again.
Our immediate group swelled to 10 1 year, but will be only 5 this year, 2 from UK, 3 of us from Lux. Going to LM though has created so many friendships from camping on Bleu Nord, meeting up for various social events, other races, over the years, and next year I will do my 1st Sebring with a number of the extended LM family, too.
I don't spend 24h at the track and I don't buy grandstand seats any longer, either.
Like many, it's a massive stress reliever going to LM, and if I return home on Monday without a voice, it means I've been laughing my arse off with my mates, again.
Our immediate group swelled to 10 1 year, but will be only 5 this year, 2 from UK, 3 of us from Lux. Going to LM though has created so many friendships from camping on Bleu Nord, meeting up for various social events, other races, over the years, and next year I will do my 1st Sebring with a number of the extended LM family, too.
giveitfish said:
I missed last year but this time I'm bringing 3 people with me including a first timer - I hope it lives up to his expectations!
For me the lack of a P1 battle is a shame, but I've always preferred the GT cars anyway. If the Astons can carry some form over from Spa and the last of the front-engined Corvettes sound as good as ever then I'll be happy.
I don't want to miss any more Le Mans races, we're on the downhill run towards electrification now so every year before that happens is precious.
‘Downhill run to electrification’ .... good point, hadn’t thought of that. Things got quieter when the diesel cars arrived. Bring back the Panoz or even the Mazdas!For me the lack of a P1 battle is a shame, but I've always preferred the GT cars anyway. If the Astons can carry some form over from Spa and the last of the front-engined Corvettes sound as good as ever then I'll be happy.
I don't want to miss any more Le Mans races, we're on the downhill run towards electrification now so every year before that happens is precious.
I was really into the competition originally and mainly followed it on tv for best coverage.
However became addicted to the idea of being in France, French food, atmosphere....just being there.
The race at the moment is a sideshow for me, the social is now the bigger part. This year I have 10 coming.
Next year I will take the missus as a once in a lifetime bucket list thing while its still another Toyota whitewash....ticks it off her list, but will be a flying visit on Saturday only with hotel / healrh club and and and (ffs)...definitely the year to sacrifice my happy camping 24 hr race indulgence.
Come the first of the new format I will be probably bringing guys but very much glued to Radio Le Mans on my own for large chunks of time if it looks like we're going to have a race at the front, or I might even go on my own...that's how I saw 2008, it was my first, it was riveting and I was glued to it.
But for now im only there for the atmosphere and the social, with very low expectations for the race. So glad I went to the Le Mans 24hr motorbike race this year...that was proper seat of the pants stuff right up to the last 5 minutes
However became addicted to the idea of being in France, French food, atmosphere....just being there.
The race at the moment is a sideshow for me, the social is now the bigger part. This year I have 10 coming.
Next year I will take the missus as a once in a lifetime bucket list thing while its still another Toyota whitewash....ticks it off her list, but will be a flying visit on Saturday only with hotel / healrh club and and and (ffs)...definitely the year to sacrifice my happy camping 24 hr race indulgence.
Come the first of the new format I will be probably bringing guys but very much glued to Radio Le Mans on my own for large chunks of time if it looks like we're going to have a race at the front, or I might even go on my own...that's how I saw 2008, it was my first, it was riveting and I was glued to it.
But for now im only there for the atmosphere and the social, with very low expectations for the race. So glad I went to the Le Mans 24hr motorbike race this year...that was proper seat of the pants stuff right up to the last 5 minutes
Edited by wsn03 on Sunday 12th May 21:49
Edited by wsn03 on Sunday 12th May 22:11
Well after watching my first one in '92 when the Pug won, we aren't going this year. the gites where we stay have 2 cancellations. I'm spending me money on the othher annual trip to the alps. Toyota already have the spoils after SPA, but not really the issue with me as I tend to be more interested with the other classes, just getting to be the over all cost of funding two hols, and the way the super season panned out this year. Have a great time all that are going..........we will be there next year.
Ive attended all the super season european races but won't be going to Le Mans this year. Stupid pricing for decent camping and none of my friends can afford it. Unlike Spa* where I enjoy being billy no mates I have better things to do than Le Mans this year. 20/21 season looks the one to return to. Just need some friends that aren't poor now.
- which was a great win for the safety car
Few of us regulars in our group going this year but fringe group have many first timers. I’m taking advantage of maybe quieter race by hiring motorhome, taking wife and 4 older teens bookending race weekend with a few days on the Atlantic coast. The 4 kids have not been before and are really looking forward to it.
17th straight year for me, though flying solo. Still looking forward to it though.
Yes, it would take a catastrohpy for Toyota NOT to win - but it's Le Mans and I was there in 2016... Le Mans is about more than the outright win though. Who will win the non-HY LMP1 race? Will all the non-HY LMP1s fail and we'll see an LMP2 on the overall 3rd step? Will we know who's going to win GTPro before the last lap?
Yes, it would take a catastrohpy for Toyota NOT to win - but it's Le Mans and I was there in 2016... Le Mans is about more than the outright win though. Who will win the non-HY LMP1 race? Will all the non-HY LMP1s fail and we'll see an LMP2 on the overall 3rd step? Will we know who's going to win GTPro before the last lap?
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