Beer BANNED at Le Mans 2014

[waterwithit]

I've just seen this post on the Beermountain forum .........

Quote:
I have just had an email back from the ACO clarifying a question I raised with them in August about taking beer into the circuit.

The reply is as follows

“The Automobile Club de l’Ouest must stand by the legal regulations of the prefectoral decree that applies to the race. This decree, dated June, 18th 2013, stipulates in the article 8 that: “the introduction of alcoholic drinks within the circuit enclosure is forbidden.”

Am I the only one who finds this amazing……
Un-Quote

• *********************************************

Last year I saw a chap entering the circuit with his (grown-up)son have a carrier bag with 4 tins of beer taken away from him. I was astounded at the time and assumed he must have had a 'history' (although he looked like quite a respectable gentleman to me - albeit he had a silly hat on!)
I certainly didn't know beer was 'FORBIDDEN'
If the ACO enforce this rule I don't think I'll buy a race ticket next year - I struggle to drag myself away from the camp site as it is, without having to venture out without a beer or two!!

Rather worrying........

[lowdrag]

Rather misleading, the thread title. Beer is banned from the circuit, not the camping. A couple of years back someone threw a bottle at a car, hence the ban. It only takes one idiot to spoil it for all.

[waterwithit]

Sorry, I'm not sure how my thread title is misleading.

An ACO rule stating alcohol is forbidden is a BAN on alcohol at Le Mans.

To me, Le Mans is the 24hr race circuit; not a random French farmer's field with some tents in it - although I must admit it is often a field of fun!

I have been to Le Mans 19 times since 1990 (not as many as some I know) but I have never seen anyone prevented from taking alcohol into the circuit.

I have seen checks for glass bottles at camp sites and I would understand similar checks at the circuit - but alcohol was and is still sold within the circuit. I believe this is a move to protect on-circuit vendors rather than a driver safety issue, probably understandable but still a ban on alcoholic drinks being taken in to 'Le Mans'

[lowdrag]

Because, quite simply, the sale of alcohol inside the circuit is controlled and sold in plastic glasses. For the 24 hour bike race the sale of ANY beer is forbidden not just in Le Mans but for miles around, the shelves in the supermarkets covered from Friday morning until Monday by prefectoral decree, and has been for years. Every biker is controlled for MOT, insurance, and is searched before going to the camp sites, and every accompanying van is checked for a maximum of one bottle of spirits per person and I think two litres of beer each. It is over 40 years since my first le Mans, and frankly I see more and more people coming for stag weekends just to tick the box of "done that" on their CV. We had fun in the olden days, but the excessive drinking of today was never seen. So, the encroachment of Health and Safety plus the need to control bad behaviour has led to this punitive measure. Some see it as "fun", but in those days we never had such oppressive police presence and control as now. I paid a visit to 1st tickets last year, saw people enjoying themselves in comfort in front of the TV, and see no reason why for this and other travel agents this cannot become the norm. If you can't be trusted to regulate yourselves, you will be regulated.

[ellroy]

So, a decree that came out prior to last tears race, and was clearly not enforced, is worrying you?

Right, moving on....

[waterwithit]

ellroy said:

So, a decree that came out prior to last tears race, and was clearly not enforced, is worrying you?

Right, moving on....

Perhaps if you moved on a little less rapidly you could actually read what was written.

...It clearly was enforced; a gentlemen was refused entry with 4 tins of beer.

...IF the ACO were to continue to enforce it then I would be worried. I would not want the race to go the way of the M/Cycle 24hr as pointed out by the previous post.

So, as you so dismissively put it - I'll move on eh........

[waterwithit]

lowdrag said:

Because, quite simply, the sale of alcohol inside the circuit is controlled and sold in plastic glasses. For the 24 hour bike race the sale of ANY beer is forbidden not just in Le Mans but for miles around, the shelves in the supermarkets covered from Friday morning until Monday by prefectoral decree, and has been for years. Every biker is controlled for MOT, insurance, and is searched before going to the camp sites, and every accompanying van is checked for a maximum of one bottle of spirits per person and I think two litres of beer each. It is over 40 years since my first le Mans, and frankly I see more and more people coming for stag weekends just to tick the box of "done that" on their CV. We had fun in the olden days, but the excessive drinking of today was never seen. So, the encroachment of Health and Safety plus the need to control bad behaviour has led to this punitive measure. Some see it as "fun", but in those days we never had such oppressive police presence and control as now. I paid a visit to 1st tickets last year, saw people enjoying themselves in comfort in front of the TV, and see no reason why for this and other travel agents this cannot become the norm. If you can't be trusted to regulate yourselves, you will be regulated.

Oh! Your lecture was not appreciated very much but thank you anyway.

I guessed somebody who was a longer standing and more worthy fan than me (I can only claim 23 years but then I didn't start until I was 40) would assume that I needed to be regulated because I dared to express a concern that taking alcohol to the circuit was forbidden or even that Le Mans could be considered as 'fun'.
I do agree though - I also see no reason why a nice pair of slippers and putting your feet up in front of the TV cannot become the norm.
Indeed, if you don't have room in the old MG to take the satellite dish one could always make do with the wireless.
It also saves forking out 5 or 6 Euros for overpriced plastic cups of light ale from the protected cartel of on circuit vendors.
Be careful though, if the ACO get wind of you smuggling in your own Horlicks you may well end up being regulated at the entrance!

[Kinky]

waterwithit said:

I'll move on eh........