How busy is scrutineering?
Discussion
You can see quite a lot, the cars get unloaded on one sie of the square and that is open to all. You can then watch from a bit of a distance as the cars are actually scruitneered and you can see the drivers being interviewed afterwards and often see them wandering around the square.
It is often VERY hot though, make sure you take water with you. Also check which day the teams you want to be are being checked, it happens over two days. If you've not seen it before it's worth going but I wouldn't bother going every year.
It is often VERY hot though, make sure you take water with you. Also check which day the teams you want to be are being checked, it happens over two days. If you've not seen it before it's worth going but I wouldn't bother going every year.
Scrutineering takes place at the beginning of the Le Mans week over two days in front of the cathedral at the Place des Jacobins and it can get quite busy. If you are staying on the south side of the town - circuit side - you are going to find it an absolute nightmare to get in and out because of the continuing road works for the tramway system which isn't due to be finished until October 2007. I advise anyone from 2008 onwards to go up to the flying saucer shaped cultural centre just south of Tertre Rouge (called Antares) where parking will be free and the tram into the town centre £1 each way. The support race or races this year are on the Saturday morning and I have one friend bringing a Corvette and Lister but I am not sure as to the rest of the content. I expect Nigel Webb will come with his 1955 winning D type and other great cars from the past. This race takes place on the Saturday morning commencing at 11am usually. I am currently working on the driver's parade for the Friday afternoon and I think you will see plenty of interesting cars there if you are going.
Saturday 2nd is the test day, what is more commonly known as "pre-qual".
As has I think already been said on the thread, scrutineering is on Monday and Tuesday of the week before the race in the Square.
There will be a list much nearer the time that sets out which cars will be scrutineered on which day.
As has I think already been said on the thread, scrutineering is on Monday and Tuesday of the week before the race in the Square.
There will be a list much nearer the time that sets out which cars will be scrutineered on which day.
I haven't been to scrutineering for the past 5 years or so, but when we used to go (and I'm including during the Group C heyday and multiple f1 drivers participating) scrutineering used to be a very relaxed affair, i thought. Parking can be a hassle if you're not early, but other than that there's lots to see and little if no crush.
Its well worth it if you haven't seen it before. Being in the city centre you can wander off for a nice lunch, too.
Its well worth it if you haven't seen it before. Being in the city centre you can wander off for a nice lunch, too.
There would be a throng around the scrutineering entrance itself, but plenty of space in the rest of the square. Wifey and I used to pitch a couple of camp chair just by the entrance to the square, and clock the cars and drivers coming in, for piccies and autographs. Some of the drivers do hang around and you can often have a chat.
If you're a techy it can be heaven. Get the cars as they're being offloaded from the transporters, they're often packed away with bodywork off to get them into the trucks.
As I say I haven't been for 5 years or so, I do hope it hasn't changed. It was always a thoroughly typical French, laid back and relaxed affair, and yes, they stop for lunch. The British would simply find it impossible to do things like that, and would either ban everybody from the square or of course sting them with a hefty fee to get in.
(You could imagine the discussions within the BRDC, couldn't you - "What, let the hoi-poloi in? For FREE??"
I do have some great pics myself, but I'm afraid we're off on a weeks hols soon and so don't have time.
If you're a techy it can be heaven. Get the cars as they're being offloaded from the transporters, they're often packed away with bodywork off to get them into the trucks.
As I say I haven't been for 5 years or so, I do hope it hasn't changed. It was always a thoroughly typical French, laid back and relaxed affair, and yes, they stop for lunch. The British would simply find it impossible to do things like that, and would either ban everybody from the square or of course sting them with a hefty fee to get in.
(You could imagine the discussions within the BRDC, couldn't you - "What, let the hoi-poloi in? For FREE??"
I do have some great pics myself, but I'm afraid we're off on a weeks hols soon and so don't have time.
Gassing Station | Le Mans | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff