[LM24] Television & streaming & Shirt

[CTD]

Let's remember we are talking about Circuit de La Sarthe which is 13,6km long, and not a 5-6km long F1 track.
This means it is at least twice as expensive to build and flood with lights. Not counting in the several pieces of land needed to be purchased to build the towers!

A fully flooded Circuit de La Sarthe will never happen.

[AstonGeoff]

It'll be better for those of us at the circuit staying up all night and with access to a big screen, the modern cameras should be more than up to the job. I've often heard people on TV saying that it's a lot darker than the camera shows.

As an added bonus I hope the DVD will be able to include the extended night time coverage, maybe making it longer this year?

[Deleted]

Originally Posted by CTD

Let's remember we are talking about Circuit de La Sarthe which is 13,6km long, and not a 5-6km long F1 track.
This means it is at least twice as expensive to build and flood with lights. Not counting in the several pieces of land needed to be purchased to build the towers!

A fully flooded Circuit de La Sarthe will never happen.

Just think about it, if they can bother and afford making considerable changes to La Sarthe every year, and in the last few years only increasing the amount of euros going into track and trackside changes, do we really think they couldn't do the same with lighting levels? No-one needed asphalt shoulders to Mulsanne and rundown to Curves either, but hey they are there now anyway. I could even see some ACO/FIA representative at some point citing that more visibility equals superior safety or some shiz.

Utilizing the night-for-day F1 nonsense at Bahrain is one thing, but the overly bright floodlight posts at CotA weren't designed for F1, or for that matter any other series since no one else have utilized them. Meaning that they were put in place specifically for WEC. And since it is highly unlikely that the initiative came solely from circuit's side alone (who would invest in such a thing after lackluster reception of previous years event), the ACO/FIA surely wanted them there. And if they can put them around 5,5 kilometrer tilkedrome that has far lesser importance than Le Mans, they sure can for 13km track - of which is mostly lit already, albeit with considerably weaker lights and lesser amount of posts. But the groundwork is there already. The remaining bits can be worked around with Le Mans city council.

Also, "never" is a long time. If one looks back 15 years ago - you know beginning of the century - and general circuit designs, no-one would have predicted how immense change there was to be in the landscape.

Anyway, of course I wish it doesn't happen, but just as I predict all of the remaining grass/gravel runoff areas to be replaced by asphalt in less than 10 years time frame, I am rather certain of floodlights appearing as well. Because of how things are evolving right now in this sport.

Well at least it's gonna be good for now, and with full TV coverage.

Originally Posted by AstonGeoff

Plus it would cost a whole heap of money and that would probably end up meaning some sort of subscription based service, not something any of us wants surely?

Thought we already had such a thing...

[CTD]

Originally Posted by Chiana

Just think about it, if they can bother and afford making considerable changes to La Sarthe every year, and in the last few years only increasing the amount of euros going into track and trackside changes, do we really think they couldn't do the same with lighting levels? No-one needed asphalt shoulders to Mulsanne and rundown to Curves either, but hey they are there now anyway. I could even see some ACO/FIA representative at some point citing that more visibility equals superior safety or some shiz.

Utilizing the night-for-day F1 nonsense at Bahrain is one thing, but the overly bright floodlight posts at CotA weren't designed for F1, or for that matter any other series since no one else have utilized them. Meaning that they were put in place specifically for WEC. And since it is highly unlikely that the initiative came solely from circuit's side alone (who would invest in such a thing after lackluster reception of previous years event), the ACO/FIA surely wanted them there. And if they can put them around 5,5 kilometrer tilkedrome that has far lesser importance than Le Mans, they sure can for 13km track - of which is mostly lit already, albeit with considerably weaker lights and lesser amount of posts. But the groundwork is there already. The remaining bits can be worked around with Le Mans city council.

Also, "never" is a long time. If one looks back 15 years ago - you know beginning of the century - and general circuit designs, no-one would have predicted how immense change there was to be in the landscape.

Anyway, of course I wish it doesn't happen, but just as I predict all of the remaining grass/gravel runoff areas to be replaced by asphalt in less than 10 years time frame, I am rather certain of floodlights appearing as well. Because of how things are evolving right now in this sport.

Well at least it's gonna be good for now, and with full TV coverage.



Thought we already had such a thing...

It seems almost idiotic for me to debate a matter I think will never happen.
The main point is that the majority of Circuit de La Sarthe is on public owned highway with privately owned property right next to it.
Flooding the track with lights would need a lot of permanent light towers set up on these private owned parts. This would be expensive to buy, and would not be well taken by the neighbours and the local government.
This is all unique to Circuit de La Sarthe and not comparable with other tracks in the world.

[Simmi]

If the lead car retires in the night it would just be nice to be able to actually see what's happening.

Hopefully this move will solve that - although I see from the DSC story that we don't actually have official confirmation yet.

[Spyderman]

I suppose the next step would be to provide streaming of the Test day.

[Chuliandred]

Originally Posted by Spyderman

I suppose the next step would be to provide streaming of the Test day.

First they should start to stream FP3 of the regular races. Bringing all the cameras for the testday would be quite expensive while in FP3 most of them are already setup for the qualifying anyways.

If they really want to broadcast the testday they should use a few cameras in the area of the mainstraight/pit, and maybe one or two more stationary cameras where you can see the cars relativly long. For the rest of the lap they could just use the onboards.

For the future I would wish that they install additionall "onboard" cams on the rooftop. Like they have on the IMSA-GTs.

[AstonGeoff]

Originally Posted by Spyderman

I suppose the next step would be to provide streaming of the Test day.

The trouble with test days is, they are just that, there is no guarantee of continual action. Certainly if it rains then there would be limited running.

Plus it would cost a whole heap of money and that would probably end up meaning some sort of subscription based service, not something any of us wants surely?

[Deleted]

Just as it seems idiotic for me to debate when I think it's just inevitability

For it to become reasonably well lit outside the easy as pie non-permanent circuit area and ACO properties, you don't need posts outside the fence in the "woods" or someones yard necessarily. It will become considerably more lit with just a few well placed big floodlight towers on the inner chicanes, lights merged with catch fencing / crowd areas, few new overhead banners (or whatever they are called on top of road) equipped with bright light spots in strategic locations.

As side point, I believe some of the already existing lighting at the circuit came at the request of SPEED TV some years ago, whom wanted to have more circuit visibility for their coverage which had darkness hours during daytime in their timezone. So it is logical for people to fear about the lightning levels potentially soon being raised now with wider coverage than ever. There are many parties demanding many things.

[CTD]

Originally Posted by Chiana

Just as it seems idiotic for me to debate when I think it's just inevitability

For it to become reasonably well lit outside the easy as pie non-permanent circuit area and ACO properties, you don't need posts outside the fence in the "woods" or someones yard necessarily. It will become considerably more lit with just a few well placed big floodlight towers on the inner chicanes, lights merged with catch fencing / crowd areas, few new overhead banners (or whatever they are called on top of road) equipped with bright light spots in strategic locations.

As side point, I believe some of the already existing lighting at the circuit came at the request of SPEED TV some years ago, whom wanted to have more circuit visibility for their coverage which had darkness hours during daytime in their timezone. So it is logical for people to fear about the lightning levels potentially soon being raised now with wider coverage than ever. There are many parties demanding many things.

Good points indeed, but you cannot merge the light poles with the catch fencing or having them any where near it. Especially not at Le Mans after Allan Simonises tragic accident.
If a car crashes into the barrier where a light post is situated, the structure of the light post would make the crash more servere. Either functioning as a "tree" for the car to wrap around or being soft enough to fall onto the track creating further accidents.
Pretty much all lighting solutions require poles being setup in one way or another, so I still don't see it happening.

But we are probably reaching a point where we have to agree to disagree and "just" see what the future brings us.

[Simmi]

Aside from TV and aesthetics, I think lighting the full circuit would also corrode some of the fundamental endurance aspect of the race. You're supposed to be racing in the dark in a 24-hour race. It's part of the test for man and machine. You need your working lights, number panels etc. Plus the ACO put so much emphasis on night running and needing your night laps.

It's also never going to be F1 standards of lighting even if they did. And even if they put a few spotlights at the chicanes - okay that's not great - but I'm not going to rip up my Le Mans ticket and throw it at the ACO. The lit sections of Le Mans still feel pretty dark at the moment.

I'm also of the view of why worry and debate something that hasn't even been mooted yet. Even if it's important to have something to complain about.

[Gingers4Justice]

Originally Posted by Simmi

I'm also of the view of why worry and debate something that hasn't even been mooted yet. Even if it's important to have something to complain about.

That was kind of my fault, I was the one who brought it up!

I personally think the ACO would try to keep darkness for as long as possible, and there's no reason for the straights to be floodlit in any instance - and straights make up most of the track.

You do hear from Tele types that night races doesn't make good television. That in itself is up for debate.

[Simmi]

Originally Posted by Gingers4Justice

You do hear from Tele types that night races doesn't make good television. That in itself is up for debate.

I've said quite a few times that I really don't think it makes good television. You can't see the cars. Apart from onboards you aren't getting a real sense of speed or how hard they are working. You're just seeing headlights.

That's not to say I'm not happy that we'll likely get the increased nighttime coverage.

I think if you're there at the track it's a magic spectacle. If you're watching on TV it's less so. If you're a casual viewer the vast majority would switch channels. So I can see why SPEED might have asked the question a few years back.

[J Jay]

Originally Posted by Gingers4Justice

You do hear from Tele types that night races doesn't make good television. That in itself is up for debate.

It certainly is, the start to this year's Bathurst 12h was absolutely incredible in pitch darkness. But that's a different race with different (slower) cars and dare I say it, a different culture. And I might not be the typical Le Mans viewer the TV execs are looking out for...

Anyway, fully manned cameras, yay

[Deleted]

From Lemans-history.com:

Mais uma vez o EuroSport vai transmitir em directo a 83ª edição das 24 Horas de Le Mans entre o EuroSport Internacional (EI) e o EuroSport 2 (E2) com a locução de Joao Carlos Costa e Ricardo Grilo. Onde vão partilhar connosco muitas histórias sobre a prova, não percam!

2ª Feira – 8 de Junho
20h00/20h30: 24 Minutos (El)

3ª Feira – 9 de Junho
20h30/21h00: 24 Minutos (EI)

4ª Feira – 10 de Junho
15h00/19h00: Treino Livre (E2)
20h30/21h00: 24 Minutos (EI)
21h00/23h00: 1ª Qualificação (EI)

5ª Feira – 11 de Junho
18h00/20h15: 2ª Qualificação (EI)
20h15/20h45: 24 Minutos (EI)
20h45/23h00: 3ª Qualificação (EI)

6ª Feira – 12 de Junho
20h30/21h00: 24 Minutos (EI)

Sábado – 13 de Junho
07h45/08h45: Warm-up (EI)
08h45/09h45: Corrida Legends (EI)
13h15/20h00: Corrida (EI)
20h00/20h30: 24 Minutos (EI)
20h00/20h30: Corrida (E2)
20h30/24h00: Corrida (EI)

Domingo – 14 de Junho
00h00/07h30: Corrida (EI)
07h30/08h00: 24 Minutos (EI)
07h30/08h00: Corrida (E2)
08h00/14h45: Corrida (EI)
18h30/19h30: “Best Of” da 83ª edição das 24 Horas de Le Mans (EI)

I can't say if it's totally accurate (it does say 83rd running though so it is for 2015) and it's obviously Portuguese optimized, but we can take some things out of that:

* all 4 hours of Free Practice broadcasted again, thank ya! not the case every year so always good to hear
* extra 15 mins added to Q2/Q3/warm-up, also legends starts 15 mins earlier
* saturday afternoon 24 minutes (=prerace) slot replaced by just "race coverage" so it should be better
* only bits of race on Eurosport 2 will be the overlapping 24 minutes slots, so it's pretty much round the clock coverage on single channel
* highlight reel on same day as race finish
* otherwise 'business as usual' ES coverage = Good amount again!

Obviously British and other ES variations might differ but that should be it for International

[rdjones]

I hope Robbie Knock is back for the 24 minutes program as I enjoy a good laugh....

[Simmi]

Originally Posted by rdjones

I hope Robbie Knock is back for the 24 minutes program as I enjoy a good laugh....

If anyone's interested it will be Neil Cole this year - from WRC and World RallyCross fame.

https://twitter.com/neilcole?lang=en

[Deleted]

Never heard of him but being better than Tiffert or that clown doesn't take that much Though, as said before, Robbie did provide such great world class sitcom between 2010-2012? that it cannot ever be repeated again, anywhere.

Now the horrendous wait to hear if CK is involved in any way.

That schedule is pretty much official for all of Eurosport btw as I've seen it implemented for other nationalities as well now. British may have few changes as they often do but not sure.

[rdjones]

Originally Posted by Chiana

Now the horrendous wait to hear if CK is involved in any way.

There is a simple way round that mute the TV and put Radio Le Mans on instead, that is what will be happening in my house.

[GT6]

Originally Posted by rdjones

There is a simple way round that mute the TV and put Radio Le Mans on instead, that is what will be happening in my house.

That sounds a good plan for 2015, but you should put plans in for 2016 to actually return to the race after a break that no stretches for rather to long, it will be good to see you there again

[Kpy]

Originally Posted by rdjones

There is a simple way round that mute the TV and put Radio Le Mans on instead, that is what will be happening in my house.

And in our gazebo on Houx

[Deleted]

Originally Posted by deggis

Justine Monnier. She is so embarrassing with her stupid questions that I wonder why doesn't ACO/LMEM just provide Louise Beckett and other one from ELMS broadcasts for them for free as long as they keep Justine away at least from the English broadcast.

Yeah Yvan's fiancee does make you want to bang your head to the wall, but Adelaide de Gouvion st Cyr is just as cringeworthy. Tiffert is slightly more tolerable but still about as informative as my aunt.

The French connection is obviously what keeps them there I imagine they're doing double duty with ES FR and money is being saved.

Also as much as ACO/FIA seem to want to bring the gap between LM and "other races" closer, it's pretty clear that with the different contracts for this one race the "WEC people" don't have as much impact on things. Eurosport surely doesn't want outsiders (even if Beckett for example was formerly on Eurosport for WTCC) but their own salary people.

Originally Posted by Simmi

Le Mans clashes with the Criterium du Dauphine again this year so I'd imagine Carlton is doing that.

You don't say...

Originally Posted by rdjones

There is a simple way round that mute the TV and put Radio Le Mans on instead, that is what will be happening in my house.

I've said it before, but it's the one time of the year I actually do prefer to listen to the ES commentary instead of RLM like at every other rave. And I mean British ES as Finnish Eurosport is so god awful you are rolling your eyes in a heartbeat.

Now even with British, it's obviously half of those people don't know what they're talking about and have found their facts from their arses. But Jeremy Shaw and Martin Haven provide pretty entertaining 'fighting duo' and Mowlem/Faulkner/Hall etc drivers are good to listen to. There's weird charm to it. Also there's 99% less Nissan commercialism and 45 minute Darren Cox "interview" interruptions, plus other sponsor messages, and you get break from Trussers eternal notebook checks.

The second time I watch the race, it's with FOX comms. If I find the broadcast. It's usually not that hard. They're a good bunch and less NASCAR-oriented than when with USCC. And now with Pruett seemingly gone more compact.

Third time is with RLM coms, at the very latest when I watch the Duke review.

I find that the best part of RLM coverage all week is the Thursday pit walk with Sam Collins's input, always extremely informative.

[deggis]

Originally Posted by Simmi

If anyone's interested it will be Neil Cole this year - from WRC and World RallyCross fame.

https://twitter.com/neilcole?lang=en

Believe me, this is 2000% improvement. Not sure how familiar he is with LM but maybe it is even a good thing, but he isn't a tool like Knock, is enthusiastic and doesn't always look like it is his first tv gig. I think he also does the WRC rally radio.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pjfz4EYAPcs

[Adam43]

You'll hate him.

[Deleted]

Maybe.

But the only ones I truly hate are CK and Chris Parsons. And the embarrassing French accent pitlane questions 5 year old would ask.

Stuart Hall is driving so he's obviously off from the ES UK team (not that this has previously prevented him from popping up from time to time anyway) but I bet Faulkner and seatless Mowlem are there again from the active driver front.

As for FOX Sports coverage, Pruett hi to family at home wasn't part of the package last year, god can only hope for that in 2015 too! Also obviously Dorsey is off (unless they make one off return deal with him) which is bit of a bummer, even though he wasn't universally liked.

Recently rewatched entire SPEED coverage of LM 2010 and mr Pruett was reaching CK level of irritation.