[Magazines] Autosport Le Mans Supplement (merged)

[SebringMG]

Ah well if it contains all that then it is probably getting hold of a copy when i am at LM. Which day will they be on sale from - the thursday or friday ?

Unfortunately i can understand that the only form of motorsport in the UK that will sell copies is F1 - much as i may dislike this does not change the fact that the great unwashed public really do not take an interest in anything else!!!

The Evo guide was slightly disappointing IMO being as it seems to concentrate on the drinking/social side more than on any actual racing.

[paul-collins]

Thank you for that, Andrew. As I mentioned, I'm sorely disappointed that I won't be able to read your guide on my flight over - I'll look for it trackside, but the timing isn't great for me - but I suppose it depends on your larger audience (after all, the Canuck contingent would be a small portion of your LM-bound readers)...

[Adam43]

AvdB, welcome to 10-10ths

Originally Posted by AvdB

I recall a string of posts on this forum last year slating our guide for missing a number of drivers out from the entry list.

I must admit I don't recall this and a quick search doesn't reveal anything. Although I may have missed it. Everyone will realise that things will change after publication; it is far better to at least have a copy that might be slightly inaccurate than not have a more accurate version.

You may still be inaccurate: Do you know for definite if TK is racing? If so please let us know!

Jacques Villeneuve - 1997 world champion on why this could be his only shot at Le Mans glory
Brits at Le Mans - Johnny Herbert, Allan McNish, Johnny Mowlem and Warren Hughes on what's so special about the great race
Saleen - why this is it's best-ever chance of GT1 victory
Road car to race car - how the Aston Martin DB9 morphs into the DBR9
Ferrari at Le Mans - on its 60th annivesary, we look at 10 classic Ferrari enduro racers
Team by Team - every car covered (with driver profiles)
Le Mans town guide - what to do and see away from the track
Le Mans quiz - this has a few real tough ones in it
Previous winners list
Circuit map and timetable

Most of which, I presume, was written before last week?

It's 70 pages in total, and yes, it's in that A5 lovely format.

I prefer the A4(ish) size, but I can see how A5 is more convenient for when we are at Le Mans. Not that I will have it.

There have been 23 issues of Autosport this year - Hamilton has been on the cover of 8 of them.

That is a lot.

This year both LMS and ALMS get two pages of reports - more than they received last year and more than you will find in any other weekly motorsport mag.

In this current issue there are three pages devoted solely to sportscars news. Only F1 gets more.

I have always defended Autosport about this, especially in the big Autosport thread from last year, which had John McIlroy excellent contributions.

It's sad but true - when Autosport puts anything on the cover other than F1 our sales suffer badly. The Andy Priaulx cover last year is the worst selling issue of all time.

The way of the world I guess, although you could do with improving the quality of your F1 coverage. It seems that not only do you pander to F1 for sales (fair enough), but your coverage of that panders to a certain easy aspect of F1. The journalistic (dark)side of Autosport correspondents is beating the Motorsport fan side.

Given that Le Mans clashes with the USGP, it's a near-certainty that F1 will be the main image on the cover.

IIRC, it hasn't been the main image even when it hasn't clashed in recent years.

We all understand the reasons why a F1 headline of insignificance will out-sell a Dario has won Indy, or the first diesel Le Mans win headline. However we shall all feel a little sad that some integrity has to be sacrificed for the commercial reality.

I hope that clears things up.
Yours
Andrew van de Burgt
Editor, Autosport

Thanks for your contribution. I'm sorry mine is so negative.

[ceeslm]

Originally Posted by SebringMG

Ah well if it contains all that then it is probably getting hold of a copy when i am at LM. Which day will they be on sale from - the thursday or friday ?

Unfortunately i can understand that the only form of motorsport in the UK that will sell copies is F1 - much as i may dislike this does not change the fact that the great unwashed public really do not take an interest in anything else!!!

The Evo guide was slightly disappointing IMO being as it seems to concentrate on the drinking/social side more than on any actual racing.

will it also included in the overseas publications?

[Nordic]

Very pleased to see the statement from AutoSport and Look forward to reading it over a warm beer next week.

As others have already said it has become a ritual to buy and read it from cover to cover, however it must be said that the content over the last few years has declined and the switch to A5 was imho a mistake but I will give it a last chance.

By comparsion the 'CA Guide' is over 120 pages of advert free A4 size pages packed with useful local info on alternative supermarket locations, a guide to local bars and resturants, a car by car guide with colour pictures of each one.

Chapters by John Hindhaugh, Stefan Johansson and Kruse Motorsport.

Easy to follow route guide, that will ensure an easy trip through Rouen (if thats possible ) written by local people.

A useful where to watch section, a guide to each of the campsites and history of both the race and the track.

Last, but by no means least, they is a rundown of BigH's training program as he prepares to cycle from England to the track in the name of Charity and his piles.

The links to download it from have been given in the sportscar section of 'Ten tenths', and all proceeds will be going to charity.

[ss_collins]

I can see Andy's point, at the end of the day for all magazines there are commercial pressures, and you have to respond to them. If Hamilton covers sell more issues, expect more - the advertisers want the largest readership possible with the best targetting and if Hamilton covers deliver that then thats what you are going to run with. It is a shame that Le Mans does not guarantee a cover these days.

I know what will be on the cover of racecar engineering in June next year, a Le Mans car, like every other year since the magazine started. But thats what our readership demand at that time of year, if we ran a Hamilton cover our sales would plummet but if we ran an arty shot of the McLarens upright we sell the usual number of issues.

I also remember last years Autosport Le Mans guide being savaged on here - but then printing the wrong route to Le Mans (N138 not A28) was pretty poor - I wonder if anyone followed it and got lost.

[Knowlesy]

Hamilton covers are absolutely fine. Annoying, but the reasons are understandable.

The lightweight content, on the other hand, is not. After reading the stomach turning F1 report last week ("this is not a race report") my views on Autosport hit a remarkable low, the only thing readable was Roebuck's column.

The A5 supplements aren't very good either.

Can't the cover be even compromised for the LM weeks edition though? Half and half, Le Mans winner and F1 winner. Not exactly the best way for us lot (it should be Le Mans, with a tiny F1 headline at the bottom out of view!) but at least gives recognition to the great race. It's only once a bloody year after all.

[Graham Goodwin]

Hopefully the Autosport Guide does a better job than the MN one in pointing people to Radio Le Mans MN merely said that that they should take an FM radio as there was an English and french commentary available - no mention of Radio Le Mans at all.

[paul-collins]

Originally Posted by ss_collins

I can see Andy's point, at the end of the day for all magazines there are commercial pressures, and you have to respond to them. If Hamilton covers sell more issues, expect more - the advertisers want the largest readership possible with the best targetting and if Hamilton covers deliver that then thats what you are going to run with. It is a shame that Le Mans does not guarantee a cover these days.

I know what will be on the cover of racecar engineering in June next year, a Le Mans car, like every other year since the magazine started. But thats what our readership demand at that time of year, if we ran a Hamilton cover our sales would plummet but if we ran an arty shot of the McLarens upright we sell the usual number of issues.

Sam, that's a good point. I'd like to point out the underlying truth - Autosport's advertisers don't care for the (presumably high end, high worth, and high education) Le Mans fans, they want those who are Hamilton groupies. Dunno what that says about them, though.

[JAG]

I haven't bought Autosport for a good 5 years now, and worringly for them, haven't missed it one bit.

Specialised news sits dedicated to your favourite area of the sport, and internet forums, are all you ever need, in fact they give you more information than Autosport etc. could ever wish to provide.

[Craig]

Andrews, welcome to the site.

Fine, so we have to wait til we get to the track to buy it. I hope that subscribers will be given a free copy of the guide when they're there? Failing that, I hope that the guide will be on sale on its own? Because, I'm sure you'll agree, forcing people to buy a second copy of the magazine if they actually want to read their guide could be seen as a nice way to increase circulation figures. And you wouldn't want your readers to feel ripped-off, would you?

[minimangler]

Originally Posted by eddsc

What did MN say about the TT? I gave up on the newspaper after they reported on the F3 'event' (no races - fog) at Spa, but didn't mention the LMES race (which did go ahead). I went ballistic at that point - and haven't bought it since. And to think that Mike Cotton used to be the editor...

one guy basically surmised that it was crap and not worth twenty quid.
a load of letters and someone else in the same editorial space the next week put him straight, but damage done.

[Aysedasi]

Good to have a statement from Autosport.

But I still want my copy NOW.

I've always wanted it NOW and I've always had it NOW.

I will always want it NOW. Not after I get back from the race. Like Craig I certainly won't buy a copy over there as I have a subscription. You want me to buy 2 copies now then?

In short, this year's AS Guide will be next to useless for me.

[Liteweight]

Have to say the LM guide is the one time all year that i take the slightest bit of notice of Autosport. Usually (like most Haymarket motoring related publications) i find it overally sensationalist and just can't be bothered to give it my time. Now we aren't even going to get a copy of the guide before we head to the race i think i might just give up all together. With all the race information available on the internet do i even need a hardcopy publication like autosport?

[kdr]

I'm still gutted at the news about poor old Andy Priaulx and his cover.

[bernard b]

well, as a french guy, I read Autosport once a year (this week ) and I found their guide pretty poor last years. Am I wrong saying that? I even found the english edition of Le Maine Libre more complete and accurate ...

[Aysedasi]

The guide from the last two or three years has been pitiful in comparison to the offerings we were served up in the 80s and 90s, Bernard. Stupid little A5 size as well..... I used to regard them as collectors items - I have them all back to 86 and a couple of others - but their decline in importance just mirrors the general view in mags of this kind that its no longer financially viable these days to put your full effort behind a sportscar race - despite the fact that 10s of thousands regard this race as the greatest of them all....


Oh, and I've just bought the EVO Mag with their essential guide. Too small, but entertaining.

[Craig]

I have posted my thought on this thread but, I agree, the last few previews have been terrible. Sorry to those who may be reading this who have worked on them personally but they just do not cut it.

[John Turner]

Ok, I have to declare that, as some of you may know, my son, Kevin, works for Autosport, in the National section. I guess that you would expect me to defend it because it is in my interest to see the magazine prosper in order to continue to provide him with gainful employment! However, I believe that I am still entitled to offer an opinion whether favourable or adverse.

So, whilst I am delighted that Andrew has decided to post here, there are two aspects which for me stand out to be challenged:-

1) Personally, I'm not fussed about supplements, but if you are going to issue one, it has to be timely. As others have said, the decision to delay The Le Mans supplement means that many subscribers will not see it until they return ftom Le Mans; that simply cannot be right. Surely, it is expected that there will be errors and/or omissions from any document that previews an event which is likely to be subject to last minute changes and additions. So, you put in the time honoured comment 'Details correct at the time of going to press'. If there are people who complain regardless of that assertion, then they will find something to complain about anyway; you simply can't cater for such people. I'm very pleased to note on the other thread, an honest and early admission by Andrew that in the light of the feedback, here and elsewhere, the decision to delay the supplement will clearly be reviewed for next year.

2) I accept entirely that the front cover next week will inevitably feature the US GP over Le Mans, but I'm sure that I am correct in saying that last year there was no such clash which is why I was so critical at the time that Le Mans was not the main subject of the front cover. I agree with Andrew that it is extremely sad that the Andy Priaulx front cover should have suffered such low sales but there are rare times surely, when, with an event the size and status of Le Mans, you take the commercial risk and potential sales hit that such an event warrants?

[Stone Man]

Has the "test weekend" ever been held so close to the race ....

So Autosport had to print their preview this week.....Photos of cars in race graphics....reviews of the revised Circuit..

Printed Magazines have limitatations and may have (As a generic type) a limited "shelf life" but I like the fact that I can choose a moment to sit down quietly and absorb someones considered thoughts.

Personally, I am sure that I will enjoy Marshalling at Silverstone this weekend, despite the forecast rain and my questionable "Wets" but I will take every oppertunity to check what's happening at Le Mans....Motors TV ..ACO...Atlas....

Then I will read all the reviews, including Autosport....finally buying the Le Mans yearbook, I will be there in spirit

[sceptic]

Originally Posted by Stone Man

Has the "test weekend" ever been held so close to the race ....

Not since last year...

[Adam43]

Originally Posted by AvdB

There will be an Autosport Le Mans supplement in with next week's issue. There will be around 20,000 of these issues on sale at the track.

I couldn't find any, where were they? Asking around the only report I heard was that there were six copies at the station in Le Mans.

One of the reasons behind the decision to include it with the June 14 issue was to ensure it is as up to date as possible. I recall a string of posts on this forum last year slating our guide for missing a number of drivers out from the entry list. By pushing back the deadline, we have been able to get most of these correct. You cannot have it both ways.

The information about Tom Kristensen was still unconfirmed. I think it is best we actually can read it, you will never be perfectly up to date. As I said before, I don't recall these posts.

The general feeling around Le Mans spectators was not positive...

[Martin Bull]

Erm.....did anyone see a copy of Autosport on sale at Le Mans ? I didn't.....

[paul-collins]

Have to say, I wasn't troubled to look. But I had the CA guide in hand, and the program... I did not see anything that looked like an Autosport presence in the village. But you couldn't go more than ten steps before tripping over a Radio Le Mans salesperson. Were I without a radio at the time, I'd have gladly shelled out the 10 euros for one of their devices. And then you'd need nothing else.

[Adam43]

I get the impression that the sensible idea to take copies to Le Mans was abandoned by Autosport.

Not that I used it, because I was at the circuit, but the online content looked like it was quite good from Autosport. The reporting wasn't as comprehensive as DSC, which is fair enough. However the results and positions after each hour are well presented and the best I've come across.