Le Mans Noob

[makaveli144]

Hello

I have a very embarrassing question to ask. Iv never looked at going to Le Mans before but this forum has really got me thinking. I will miss it this year, but Im thinking of going next year.

So does the 24hrs happen at the same time next year? Or when do the dates get announced? I want to book it off work.

And to think I call myself a petrol head...

[Gingerbread Man]

Normally the second weekend in June, around the 16th. But this years has been pushed to the 22nd/ 23rd as the FIA are now involved and it has clashed with the F1 previously. So next years....who knows!

[makaveli144]

Thanks, When did they announce the date this year?

[vincegail]

Can't remember really, but it was pretty early. Septemberish... But then the date got changed. But normally the date doesn't get changed, so you would be one of the firsts at work to apply for dates for your vacation.

[Great Dane]

There is a funny little thing... the race can't be scheduled more than one year in advance as the local district council has to give permission to close roads etc.... as if they would refuse but nevertheless

[vincegail]

Great Dane said:

the race can't be scheduled more than one year in advance as the local district council has to give permission to close roads etc.... as if they would refuse but nevertheless

Let's hope the green treehuggers party never gets a mayority in the council!

[Great Dane]

what does lowdrag say about the local politics surrounding the race?

[GlennC]

If you wait until about November, the date tends to be finalised by then.

I know the date change this year caught a lot of people out, luckily I waited until LM 2013 tickets came on sale, then started booking flights & other accommodation in January.

[lowdrag]

It is surprising just how many people don't know how to predict the next Le Mans dates but the same rule has always applied.

"The running of the 24 Heures du Mans will take place on the 24th weekend of the year"

Simple peeps, isn't it? However, this being the French, this rule is now observed in the breach due to World Cups, F1, Hollande's birthday, Renault on strike and other multifarious reasons. For 2014 there is again the World Cup to consider, which last time didn't change the date but the starting time. However, my bet would be on the 14/15 June 2014. Curiously, it just happens to be the 24th weekend of 2014

Oh, and the story above about not being able to plan in advance for the road closure is a myth. It does depend on Bernie Ecclescake though to some degree.

Edited by lowdrag on Monday 22 April 08:25

[gt6]

I had believed that the race was originally always held on the weekend closest to the summer solstice so that you got the maximum daylight hours. makes sense to me.

[lowdrag]

gt6 said:

I had believed that the race was originally always held on the weekend closest to the summer solstice so that you got the maximum daylight hours. makes sense to me.

Which curiously just happens to be the 24th weekend of the year!

[jonby]

lowdrag said:

gt6 said:

I had believed that the race was originally always held on the weekend closest to the summer solstice so that you got the maximum daylight hours. makes sense to me.

Which curiously just happens to be the 24th weekend of the year!

It's normally held on the second weekend of June

It was originally announced as that for 2013

FIA requested it be pushed back to avoid clashes with endurance motorsport events, which ACO agreed to, so whilst it may now be 24th weekend in the year and also, the weekend closest to summer solstice, that was not the original plan

Previously, it's clashed with football world cup, Canadian (from memory) grand prix and other major sporting events, which haven't led to anything more than perhaps, the above referred to start time change

[makaveli144]

Ok,cheers guys. I will keep checking later in the year.