Numbers this year
Discussion
sixspeed said:
I was going to ask something along these lines as well. To me, and the guys I was with, it seemed no-where near as busy as the last couple of years, at least.
I kept saying that over the weekend. It just didn't seem as packed as 2006/7. Certainly felt like it in Maison Blanche anyway!Over 258,000 tickets were sold by the ACO. The demands for camping as usual exceeded supply and hotels were all fully booked for over 50 miles around. Perhaps, in view of the weather, some of those stayed at the hotel and watched it on TV, who knows? I was at the village Weds/Thurs and in the pits and while it was early doors it did seem quite empty though. At 10am many of the shops weren't open either. Whatever, I reckon one of the most exciting races in years because, not in spite of, the weather. When you are a couple of seconds apart after 22 hours and 3,000 miles that is surely something. Here's to next year!
Rather than number of tickets sold I would have thought they get their figures from the computer system the bar code devices are connected to. Since many sold tickets may be no shows. They can probably get quite accurate statistics on crowd numbers per gate with the barcoding. Maybe they were underestimating on previous years.
Edited by t1grm on Wednesday 18th June 09:04
[quote=t1grm] They can probably get quite accurate statistics on crowd numbers per gate with the barcoding.[quote]
We went to both Arnarge and Mulsanne a number of times during the race and the bar coder thingies were not used at all. Don't know about the rest of the track outside the complex.
We went to both Arnarge and Mulsanne a number of times during the race and the bar coder thingies were not used at all. Don't know about the rest of the track outside the complex.
We thought it seemed quieter this year also. We cycle around the circuit to get to Arnage Corner, Mulsanne etc (the only way) and we usually pass lines and lines of cars queueing to get to Arnage etc. This year, no queues and we only encountered a few cars as we got to the width restriction where the actual corner is! Also seemed easier to walk about the village and in front and around the back of the grandstands.
There also seemed a lot less low-life behaviour this year which was good. Let's hope the chav-scum didn't enjoy getting their expensive trainers and track suits wet last year and won't darken our door again!!
There also seemed a lot less low-life behaviour this year which was good. Let's hope the chav-scum didn't enjoy getting their expensive trainers and track suits wet last year and won't darken our door again!!
I agree that, for some reason (unknown?) it seemed a lot quieter. For example, I usually leave Parking Blanc maybe 2 hours after the race to let the main traffic get off but this year I left after 45 minutes, went through Arnage within 15 minutes and out to the North of Le Mans in another 10 minutes. Passing St. Saturnin 1 1/4 hours after race end..amazing!
I also heard on RLM the crowd was a record at around 260,000.
I hope the no shows don't all appear at Le Classic!
R.
I also heard on RLM the crowd was a record at around 260,000.
I hope the no shows don't all appear at Le Classic!
R.
MrV said:
I thought attendance was going to be lower this year ,there seemed to be a lot more room at BSJ,and the crowds on race day around the track looked to me to be a lot easier to get through (Maybe I have just got used to them 
)
I agree )It was nowhere near as crowded as last year, we set off home at 5:30pm and it only took us about 30 mins to get out of BSJ & LM town centre and onto the road to Alencon.
Last year we set off about 6pm and were still sat in traffic 1.5 hours later
either it was alot quieter than 2007 or the french had organised it better but judging by the roadworks opposite Camping Blue I think its the former
Roll on 2009
On thursday we headed into Le Mans and the circuit. I couldn't believe how quiet the place was.
It was busy on Friday for the parade, but not the mass of people I was expecting.
At the circuit there was no real pushing and shoving, although on the terracing in front of the granstand it looked very squashed.
Plus on the route we take into the circuit and car park, I didn't have to queue at all at any point over the race days!!??
I heard them saying the numbers were big, but I agree 2007 and 2006 did seem busier.
www.lemans24.piczo.com
It was busy on Friday for the parade, but not the mass of people I was expecting.
At the circuit there was no real pushing and shoving, although on the terracing in front of the granstand it looked very squashed.
Plus on the route we take into the circuit and car park, I didn't have to queue at all at any point over the race days!!??
I heard them saying the numbers were big, but I agree 2007 and 2006 did seem busier.
www.lemans24.piczo.com
James_N said:
I thought it was much busier this year than last, maybe im just weird!!
It isn't just you, I personally thought it was busier inside the circuit this year. Particularly the number of people on the outside stretch from the grandstands up to the esses. Dunno, maybe I was there at a more popular time this year, but it just seemed harder to get around and harder to get a decent space...Gassing Station | Le Mans | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff