2021 - Don't get too excited
Discussion
rev-erend said:
It's not often posted but I'm really excited by this rule change and hope that it might shake things up a bit. People here
just seem to discuss the event and experience and not the racing.
The looks to be lots of new variety of teams and cars.
Cant wait to see how it all pans out.
Well this year it's looking to pan out as a Toyota 1/2, then either the grandfathered Rebellion R-13 with some French flags stickers on it or an LMP2 on the third step. I wouldn't bet on either the Glickenhaus or ByKolles making the end of the race, at least in a competitive position - Glickenhaus as they are new/ByKolles as they couldn't keep the rear wing bolted on even after several years in LMP1.just seem to discuss the event and experience and not the racing.
The looks to be lots of new variety of teams and cars.
Cant wait to see how it all pans out.
A little thought from someone on the ground. Firstly, the comment I had from the ACO was "20 - 50,000" but for the life of me I can't see how they could come up with those figures at this stage. It is far too early. Secondly, the race will take place towards the end of the school holidays, and last year that is when the number of Covid cases soared - from 234,000 to 1,000,000 in under two months. In talking to our doctor he said he had caught Covid from a patient, and also that moreover 30% of the hospital staff here at Le Mans have refused to be vaccinated. Also that as a result more than 100 patients at the hospital have contracted Covid from staff. Highly reassuring. Brexit has had an effect too. If you are bringing a trailer remember that requires papers for "temporary export".
So how are these 20/50,000 going to be allowed in? Will the "villages" crass idea be regurgitated? Totally stupid because you'll all meet up in town at the Drivers Parade or Scrutineering anyway. In brief, you in the UK are far more advanced than we are with vaccinations. As of today 28,000 first doses have been administered out of nearly 600,000 people. And there are only seven vaccination clinics in the Sarthe.
There seems to be no separate thread for the Classic, or if there is I have missed it. That is now turning into an administrative nightmare, and a costly one too. Entrants need to consider the paperwork for "temporarily exporting" their race car, their trailer, and their spares. If you are taking a mechanic you may need a work permit for him. Then of course you have the 10% of the value of the car which is being "temporarily exported" that you will have to pay but you can get an insurance instead but it all adds to the costs of what was, and should, be a fun weekend for gentlemen racers. I have a friend who races two Jaguars, and for the first time since 2002 he is not going. Too much hassle. And talking to two companies specialising in race preparation many of their clients aren't going either.
Of course, things can and probably will change. Just think about all the F1 teams and their paperwork! An individual list of every spare and value for each car!
I'll leave it there because, frankly, everything is still in the air and we don't know where we are going, but if I hear more I'll post again.
So how are these 20/50,000 going to be allowed in? Will the "villages" crass idea be regurgitated? Totally stupid because you'll all meet up in town at the Drivers Parade or Scrutineering anyway. In brief, you in the UK are far more advanced than we are with vaccinations. As of today 28,000 first doses have been administered out of nearly 600,000 people. And there are only seven vaccination clinics in the Sarthe.
There seems to be no separate thread for the Classic, or if there is I have missed it. That is now turning into an administrative nightmare, and a costly one too. Entrants need to consider the paperwork for "temporarily exporting" their race car, their trailer, and their spares. If you are taking a mechanic you may need a work permit for him. Then of course you have the 10% of the value of the car which is being "temporarily exported" that you will have to pay but you can get an insurance instead but it all adds to the costs of what was, and should, be a fun weekend for gentlemen racers. I have a friend who races two Jaguars, and for the first time since 2002 he is not going. Too much hassle. And talking to two companies specialising in race preparation many of their clients aren't going either.
Of course, things can and probably will change. Just think about all the F1 teams and their paperwork! An individual list of every spare and value for each car!
I'll leave it there because, frankly, everything is still in the air and we don't know where we are going, but if I hear more I'll post again.
lowdrag said:
A little thought from someone on the ground. Firstly, the comment I had from the ACO was "20 - 50,000" but for the life of me I can't see how they could come up with those figures at this stage. It is far too early. Secondly, the race will take place towards the end of the school holidays, and last year that is when the number of Covid cases soared - from 234,000 to 1,000,000 in under two months. In talking to our doctor he said he had caught Covid from a patient, and also that moreover 30% of the hospital staff here at Le Mans have refused to be vaccinated. Also that as a result more than 100 patients at the hospital have contracted Covid from staff. Highly reassuring. Brexit has had an effect too. If you are bringing a trailer remember that requires papers for "temporary export".
So how are these 20/50,000 going to be allowed in? Will the "villages" crass idea be regurgitated? Totally stupid because you'll all meet up in town at the Drivers Parade or Scrutineering anyway. In brief, you in the UK are far more advanced than we are with vaccinations. As of today 28,000 first doses have been administered out of nearly 600,000 people. And there are only seven vaccination clinics in the Sarthe.
There seems to be no separate thread for the Classic, or if there is I have missed it. That is now turning into an administrative nightmare, and a costly one too. Entrants need to consider the paperwork for "temporarily exporting" their race car, their trailer, and their spares. If you are taking a mechanic you may need a work permit for him. Then of course you have the 10% of the value of the car which is being "temporarily exported" that you will have to pay but you can get an insurance instead but it all adds to the costs of what was, and should, be a fun weekend for gentlemen racers. I have a friend who races two Jaguars, and for the first time since 2002 he is not going. Too much hassle. And talking to two companies specialising in race preparation many of their clients aren't going either.
Of course, things can and probably will change. Just think about all the F1 teams and their paperwork! An individual list of every spare and value for each car!
I'll leave it there because, frankly, everything is still in the air and we don't know where we are going, but if I hear more I'll post again.
I’m expecting the green pass to sort it. Vaccinated or had a clear test immediately before going then they will let you in. If we have shifted to August or September than everyone in the UK will have had the chance to get a vaccine. So how are these 20/50,000 going to be allowed in? Will the "villages" crass idea be regurgitated? Totally stupid because you'll all meet up in town at the Drivers Parade or Scrutineering anyway. In brief, you in the UK are far more advanced than we are with vaccinations. As of today 28,000 first doses have been administered out of nearly 600,000 people. And there are only seven vaccination clinics in the Sarthe.
There seems to be no separate thread for the Classic, or if there is I have missed it. That is now turning into an administrative nightmare, and a costly one too. Entrants need to consider the paperwork for "temporarily exporting" their race car, their trailer, and their spares. If you are taking a mechanic you may need a work permit for him. Then of course you have the 10% of the value of the car which is being "temporarily exported" that you will have to pay but you can get an insurance instead but it all adds to the costs of what was, and should, be a fun weekend for gentlemen racers. I have a friend who races two Jaguars, and for the first time since 2002 he is not going. Too much hassle. And talking to two companies specialising in race preparation many of their clients aren't going either.
Of course, things can and probably will change. Just think about all the F1 teams and their paperwork! An individual list of every spare and value for each car!
I'll leave it there because, frankly, everything is still in the air and we don't know where we are going, but if I hear more I'll post again.
Summer Olympics... Not final decision just yet, but no outside spectators to be allowed. Vaccine or no vaccine, it’s a Japanese only event.
Not saying similar for Le Mans, but decisions like this clearly not off the table.
Despite not going all in with making plans, I have altered the ferry booking just in case. Still think it unlikely.
I just don’t want to get into big plans and bookings only to be gutted when it can’t happen. Instead focus on hopefully a normal 2022 event.
Not saying similar for Le Mans, but decisions like this clearly not off the table.
Despite not going all in with making plans, I have altered the ferry booking just in case. Still think it unlikely.
I just don’t want to get into big plans and bookings only to be gutted when it can’t happen. Instead focus on hopefully a normal 2022 event.
LM240 said:
Summer Olympics... Not final decision just yet, but no outside spectators to be allowed. Vaccine or no vaccine, it’s a Japanese only event.
Not saying similar for Le Mans, but decisions like this clearly not off the table.
Despite not going all in with making plans, I have altered the ferry booking just in case. Still think it unlikely.
I just don’t want to get into big plans and bookings only to be gutted when it can’t happen. Instead focus on hopefully a normal 2022 event.
Long drive to Japan.Not saying similar for Le Mans, but decisions like this clearly not off the table.
Despite not going all in with making plans, I have altered the ferry booking just in case. Still think it unlikely.
I just don’t want to get into big plans and bookings only to be gutted when it can’t happen. Instead focus on hopefully a normal 2022 event.
LM240 said:
Not saying similar for Le Mans, but decisions like this clearly not off the table.
lowdrag said:
LM240 said:
Not saying similar for Le Mans, but decisions like this clearly not off the table.
Are there figures anywhere for Le Mans attendance by nationality?
MiniMan64 said:
I could definitely see them making it French only. Or least none of those pesky vaccinated Brits.
Are there figures anywhere for Le Mans attendance by nationality?
There was talk of that last time and I think at that point they decided it was better to just put it behind closed doors. I honestly can’t see them just restricting it to a single nationality. The running of the event won’t be worthwhile with such a low attendance. A much more likely scenario is the green pass unless France is going to deviate from what other countries are planning to do to allow concerts etc. to go ahead. Are there figures anywhere for Le Mans attendance by nationality?
If they restricted it by locality they'd have to be checking ID for everyone coming through the gates, every time they enter - even with a tiny crowd that would be a right pain.
Anyone want to make some guesses to what sort of grandstand capacity the circuit has? Could they sell every other seat (or every third seat) and be able to turn a profit?
If you couldn't watch from anywhere other than your seat then you might as well watch from home....
Anyone want to make some guesses to what sort of grandstand capacity the circuit has? Could they sell every other seat (or every third seat) and be able to turn a profit?
If you couldn't watch from anywhere other than your seat then you might as well watch from home....
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