How do you describe Le Mans to people?
Discussion
Hi,
We are taking someone who hasn't been to Le mans before this year, but I find I you can't even try to explain what it's like because words cannot describe it.
So what do you tell others about Le Mans? How do you describe it? What would you say to someone who has never seen a 24 hour race before?
I'm just interested in what you guys tell people when you get asked: "are you going to that Lee Manns this year?" "why do you like it so much?" "24 hours, your crazy!" "it can't be that good?"
Stephen
We are taking someone who hasn't been to Le mans before this year, but I find I you can't even try to explain what it's like because words cannot describe it.
So what do you tell others about Le Mans? How do you describe it? What would you say to someone who has never seen a 24 hour race before?
I'm just interested in what you guys tell people when you get asked: "are you going to that Lee Manns this year?" "why do you like it so much?" "24 hours, your crazy!" "it can't be that good?"
Stephen
You are pulled towards Le mans. My passion was formula 1 (still love it), but loved all motor racing. Went to Le mans, fell in love with it.
I have to make a choice each year. Go to an f1 race or Le mans. Never even really think about the decision for the past 9 years. Le mans every time.
When you are there, you either 'get it or you don't.
I've been with one time visitors, who have never been remotely interested in going back.
I can't identify what exactly it is that really pulls me back. The entire event, (the area, people, race, tiredness, excitement, surroundings, history), all combine together.
I look back on Le mans in the 60's, 70's and think, wow look at it then, the history of the place, the great legends of the race.
But every year I go, I feel I am part of the future history of the place. You can feel it at the circuit. I was there for the Audi years, seeing Tom K race, the modern bentley win, Audi Vs Peugeot battles, Aston Vs corvette, continued Porsche GT success, major circuit changes.
It is the greatest motor race in the world... The end!
I have to make a choice each year. Go to an f1 race or Le mans. Never even really think about the decision for the past 9 years. Le mans every time.
When you are there, you either 'get it or you don't.
I've been with one time visitors, who have never been remotely interested in going back.
I can't identify what exactly it is that really pulls me back. The entire event, (the area, people, race, tiredness, excitement, surroundings, history), all combine together.
I look back on Le mans in the 60's, 70's and think, wow look at it then, the history of the place, the great legends of the race.
But every year I go, I feel I am part of the future history of the place. You can feel it at the circuit. I was there for the Audi years, seeing Tom K race, the modern bentley win, Audi Vs Peugeot battles, Aston Vs corvette, continued Porsche GT success, major circuit changes.
It is the greatest motor race in the world... The end!
andyjb said:
Even when you have explained, you get:
"So, it's a 24 hour race?"
"Yup"
"So why are you going for 5 days?"
"Erm..."
:rolf: So many people have said similar things to me."So, it's a 24 hour race?"
"Yup"
"So why are you going for 5 days?"
"Erm..."
I (try to) decribe it as :
- the sounds of Goodwood Festival of Speed
- the speed of F1
- the excitement of BTCC
- the spectators alcohal levels on par with Bathhurst 500
Petrolhead heaven, if you go once you will go back again and again. The whole experience of the journey down, meeting like minded people, friday madness, the parade and of course the race.
More overtaking in one lap than a season in formula 1, better value for money and far more skilled drivers imho.
You cant explain it you just have to go
More overtaking in one lap than a season in formula 1, better value for money and far more skilled drivers imho.
You cant explain it you just have to go
I sold it to my Dad (his first time this year)as like being at the German Grand Prix at Hockenhiem in the last 70's (i was around 4 or 5 then). Tents closely packed, neighbours all friendly europeans, loads of drunk people, loads of BBQ's, loads of noise, and some bloody great motor racing. Those child hood memories never left me and thats why i'm drawn to Le Mans. :-)
andyjb said:
Even when you have explained, you get:
"So, it's a 24 hour race?"
"Yup"
"So why are you going for 5 days?"
"Erm..."
I've had that as well, hahaha."So, it's a 24 hour race?"
"Yup"
"So why are you going for 5 days?"
"Erm..."
This year in particular I've had to go into great detail about how fantastic Le Mans is with my other half, since this year's raceday Saturday is our first anniversary (I didn't make it to Le Mans last year) and rather than going out for a nice meal with her, I'm going to France with the lads to get drunk. She's been surprisingly reasonble about it, my nads remain attached to my body (so far) and everything...
-Lummox- said:
I've had that as well, hahaha.
This year in particular I've had to go into great detail about how fantastic Le Mans is with my other half, since this year's raceday Saturday is our first anniversary (I didn't make it to Le Mans last year) and rather than going out for a nice meal with her, I'm going to France with the lads to get drunk. She's been surprisingly reasonble about it, my nads remain attached to my body (so far) and everything...
Not to worry its also my wedding aniversary on June 10th, been for 3 years on the bounce now, but it does cost me.....This year in particular I've had to go into great detail about how fantastic Le Mans is with my other half, since this year's raceday Saturday is our first anniversary (I didn't make it to Le Mans last year) and rather than going out for a nice meal with her, I'm going to France with the lads to get drunk. She's been surprisingly reasonble about it, my nads remain attached to my body (so far) and everything...
Beerwagon said:
-Lummox- said:
... since this year's raceday Saturday is our first anniversary (I didn't make it to Le Mans last year) ...
Not to worry its also my wedding aniversary on June 10th, been for 3 years on the bounce now, but it does cost me.....25,000 english blokes in a field (surround by 40,000 Danes in micro tents), drinking beer, watching cars, eating uncooked meat.
It is amazing how the experience changes the more you go.
Year 1 - Beasejour - had a tent......eeerrr. Found Carrefour, PH meet and Porsche Curves - visual madness of the camps - the organisation.
Year 2 - Houx Annexe - had an encampment - advanced BBQ - camping equipment - gazebo. Carrefour - saw more of the circuit - Mad Friday.
Year 3 - learning more about the classes. Pit Walk. Arnage. Special Ops mission. Carrefour. Corvettes - why is my breast plate vibrating?
Year 5 - classic - ACO member. Grand stands. Exploration. Champagne. Carrefour
2011 - Still have not made the drivers Parade. This is on the list. Grandstand.
2012 - To stay until the Monday.
The Le Mans experience is evolutionary - on and off track. There is a "Spirit of Le Mans" - like minded geeky car types who can take a drink
It is amazing how the experience changes the more you go.
Year 1 - Beasejour - had a tent......eeerrr. Found Carrefour, PH meet and Porsche Curves - visual madness of the camps - the organisation.
Year 2 - Houx Annexe - had an encampment - advanced BBQ - camping equipment - gazebo. Carrefour - saw more of the circuit - Mad Friday.
Year 3 - learning more about the classes. Pit Walk. Arnage. Special Ops mission. Carrefour. Corvettes - why is my breast plate vibrating?
Year 5 - classic - ACO member. Grand stands. Exploration. Champagne. Carrefour
2011 - Still have not made the drivers Parade. This is on the list. Grandstand.
2012 - To stay until the Monday.
The Le Mans experience is evolutionary - on and off track. There is a "Spirit of Le Mans" - like minded geeky car types who can take a drink
Edited by Irish on Thursday 26th May 12:25
As soon as you get off the ferry with all the other English guys in an assortment
of other exotic cars old and new the excitment starts right there.The journey down
to the track,getiing to the campsites,spotting the ferris wheel for 1st time,mad
friday at the roundabout,fireworks and allnight parties,waking up on Saturday
morning with a hangover to the sound of the Vettes and GT40's the list goes
on and on and to cap the whole weekend off no bloody misses or kids in site,
pure heaven just mates and loads of beer.Can't f**kin wait!!!!!
of other exotic cars old and new the excitment starts right there.The journey down
to the track,getiing to the campsites,spotting the ferris wheel for 1st time,mad
friday at the roundabout,fireworks and allnight parties,waking up on Saturday
morning with a hangover to the sound of the Vettes and GT40's the list goes
on and on and to cap the whole weekend off no bloody misses or kids in site,
pure heaven just mates and loads of beer.Can't f**kin wait!!!!!
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