Le Mans Classic Is Now Annual
Discussion
Peter Auto have today released the following -
"LE MANS CLASSIC BECOMES
AN ANNUAL EVENT FROM 2026!
In response to ever-increasing demand, Le Mans Classic will become an annual event from 2026.
It's an historic change, in response to the public's enthusiasm, to offer drivers and collectors more opportunities to race, and to enable all generations to experience the magic of classic endurance racing more often, more intensely and more widely."
The next one will now be 2026.
I'm happy about that
Thinking about trying this next year. I think Le Mans (non-Classic) is becoming less about the race every year. They are attracting far too many people that aren t really interested in the race. I also don t really get the fan zones. They are fueling this and why would you go to the circuit just to watch it on a screen. They are just pumping the numbers without thinking about the experience that people who really care about the race have.
delta0 said:
Thinking about trying this next year. I think Le Mans (non-Classic) is becoming less about the race every year. They are attracting far too many people that aren t really interested in the race. I also don t really get the fan zones. They are fueling this and why would you go to the circuit just to watch it on a screen. They are just pumping the numbers without thinking about the experience that people who really care about the race have.
Since posting this - it now seems that the plan is to have an event each year but alternate years will hold races for 1) cars up to ? 1975 and 2) cars after 1975.The split periods thing has took the edge off of the plan for me - being mostly interested in the 50's - 60's - 70's eras.
It looks like it will still be a biennial event for me.
I guess more information will come out in due course.
I'm going to The Classic this year on my own as out of our big group of LM24 goers (13 of us this year, and a wider group of around 20 people) I'm the only person with nothing better to do and can take another weekend to nip across the channel.
If they plan on keeping the Classic within a couple of weeks of the 24 then there can't be many people keen enough to do both events every year.
If they plan on keeping the Classic within a couple of weeks of the 24 then there can't be many people keen enough to do both events every year.
delta0 said:
They are attracting far too many people that aren t really interested in the race. I also don t really get the fan zones. They are fueling this and why would you go to the circuit just to watch it on a screen.
I think the fan zones are great. Not everyone wants to spend the entire race watching cars go by at trackside. It's nice to have the option of spending an hour in a deckchair with a cold beer and a bit of food, rather than schlepping around the track all day. You don't have to go to them if you don't want to.
HardtopManual said:
I think the fan zones are great. Not everyone wants to spend the entire race watching cars go by at trackside. It's nice to have the option of spending an hour in a deckchair with a cold beer and a bit of food, rather than schlepping around the track all day. You don't have to go to them if you don't want to.
It's far far bigger than just Le Mans Classic going annual.
It is the creation of a WEC support classic series as well (sign up for the WEC support races, your entry to the Classic will be viewed more favourably).
There are some quite 'perturbed' classic race series owners at the moment. Interesting times ahead in the classic endurance world.
It is the creation of a WEC support classic series as well (sign up for the WEC support races, your entry to the Classic will be viewed more favourably).
There are some quite 'perturbed' classic race series owners at the moment. Interesting times ahead in the classic endurance world.
HardtopManual said:
delta0 said:
They are attracting far too many people that aren t really interested in the race. I also don t really get the fan zones. They are fueling this and why would you go to the circuit just to watch it on a screen.
I think the fan zones are great. Not everyone wants to spend the entire race watching cars go by at trackside. It's nice to have the option of spending an hour in a deckchair with a cold beer and a bit of food, rather than schlepping around the track all day. You don't have to go to them if you don't want to.
I spend quite a bit of time catching up on screens as only a short walk from tent to track to TV when not up at village/GS areas.
Much less crowded getting past fan zone near Dunlop bridge this year.
IMO Classic has a far far greater % if people not watching the racing or there for it. Lots of wandering around large trade stands etc
Plus there’s an awful lot of downtime when nothing on track (or all grouped behind pace cars etc)
HardtopManual said:
delta0 said:
They are attracting far too many people that aren t really interested in the race. I also don t really get the fan zones. They are fueling this and why would you go to the circuit just to watch it on a screen.
I think the fan zones are great. Not everyone wants to spend the entire race watching cars go by at trackside. It's nice to have the option of spending an hour in a deckchair with a cold beer and a bit of food, rather than schlepping around the track all day. You don't have to go to them if you don't want to.
I spend quite a bit of time catching up on screens as only a short walk from tent to track to TV when not up at village/GS areas.
Much less crowded getting past fan zone near Dunlop bridge this year.
IMO Classic has a far far greater % if people not watching the racing or there for it. Lots of wandering around large trade stands etc
Plus there’s an awful lot of downtime when nothing on track (or all grouped behind pace cars etc)
I've been to the last two Classics ('22 and '23 as covid messed up '21) but opted to skip this year which I'm now regretting and unfortunately couldn't go now anyway.
I'm not a fan of splitting the years like they propose, my interest is post-war up to probably somewhere in the 90's.
I loved the event and did give some feedback on some areas I thought would improve the experience in comparison to other events, it would be great if the ACO stepped up in a few areas.
In 22 a few stands sold cidre but in 23 I could only find lager (Carlsberg I think) more choice would be nice, not everyone likes lager. I don't remember the food choice being that great either but maybe I've been spoiled by the broad choice Goodwood gets.
The big screens never seem to actually show the race all the way through, given how long the laps are I'd really like to see what's going on when cars are out of sight and having a battle.
Reusable radio earsets, I wanted to listen to the commentary and the only way I could do it was I think radio Lemans via my phone which was so laggy over the internet it wasn't much use. Now I know this I guess I need to get a radio headset etc but opportunity missed to get some extra cash from visitors. I'm also pretty sure the commentary was really restricted and might have only covered one day or certain races or times, I can't remember exactly but again, I'd like to know what's going on in the races etc.
I love the way it's different to Revival, much more relaxed and not such a crush, the later era of cars beyond '65 is also a bonus as Revival seems to be very repetitive now.
I've never thought about the other classic events like Spa, any I should really try to do?
I'm not a fan of splitting the years like they propose, my interest is post-war up to probably somewhere in the 90's.
I loved the event and did give some feedback on some areas I thought would improve the experience in comparison to other events, it would be great if the ACO stepped up in a few areas.
In 22 a few stands sold cidre but in 23 I could only find lager (Carlsberg I think) more choice would be nice, not everyone likes lager. I don't remember the food choice being that great either but maybe I've been spoiled by the broad choice Goodwood gets.
The big screens never seem to actually show the race all the way through, given how long the laps are I'd really like to see what's going on when cars are out of sight and having a battle.
Reusable radio earsets, I wanted to listen to the commentary and the only way I could do it was I think radio Lemans via my phone which was so laggy over the internet it wasn't much use. Now I know this I guess I need to get a radio headset etc but opportunity missed to get some extra cash from visitors. I'm also pretty sure the commentary was really restricted and might have only covered one day or certain races or times, I can't remember exactly but again, I'd like to know what's going on in the races etc.
I love the way it's different to Revival, much more relaxed and not such a crush, the later era of cars beyond '65 is also a bonus as Revival seems to be very repetitive now.
I've never thought about the other classic events like Spa, any I should really try to do?
Is it clear if 2026 CLM is the post-1975 group now?
From this: https://www.lemansclassic.com/en/2026-announcement...
I assume it is as the talk of launching Legends of Lemans and the GT3 series would be odd if it weren't happening until 2027?
From this: https://www.lemansclassic.com/en/2026-announcement...
I assume it is as the talk of launching Legends of Lemans and the GT3 series would be odd if it weren't happening until 2027?
It says on the main ACO Le Mans site that "The inaugural edition of Le Mans Classic Legend will be held from 2 to 5 July 2026"
Le Mans Classic Legend is 1976-2015 and Le Mans Classic Heritage is 1923-1975
Most looking forward to seeing the cars that have been running in the GT3 Legends series
Le Mans Classic Legend is 1976-2015 and Le Mans Classic Heritage is 1923-1975
Most looking forward to seeing the cars that have been running in the GT3 Legends series
Edited by djone101 on Thursday 2nd October 08:56
Think they should mixed the 2 up better than just a 1975 divide.
If the old format (including Group C and other bonus races was not viable going forward long term why not be a bit more radical and flexible going forward.
Interest in 1960’s and 1970’s road cars is declining compared 80s 90s etc.
The split maintains the current owner/drivers in one group but in 10 years or less it will need to be mixed up better.
Have been to 4 classics but not last two - Kegends might get me back sometime but not heritage.
If the old format (including Group C and other bonus races was not viable going forward long term why not be a bit more radical and flexible going forward.
Interest in 1960’s and 1970’s road cars is declining compared 80s 90s etc.
The split maintains the current owner/drivers in one group but in 10 years or less it will need to be mixed up better.
Have been to 4 classics but not last two - Kegends might get me back sometime but not heritage.
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