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10 Oct 2013, 10:31 (Ref:3315655) | #1 | ||
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La Sarthe/Arnage Track and Other Changes
There was plenty of discussion in the wake of what happened in this year's race.
Now we see official confirmation that the ACO is going to begin its next wave of changes - starting with the Porsche Curves. http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/110495 Quote:
It was quite striking how the gravel on entry did precisely zero to stop Lapierre's Toyota go off in the final hours. Will be interesting to see how these solutions pan out and also what else is in the pipeline. Will they invest in some Teckpro barriers in certain areas such as the exit of Tetre Rouge. |
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10 Oct 2013, 13:04 (Ref:3315734) | #2 | ||
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There will be focus on TR for sure....
I suppose the Porsche Curves should be safe if Tor Graves isn't on the entry list next year....... |
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10 Oct 2013, 13:11 (Ref:3315741) | #3 | |||
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Nevertheless, Le Mans will always be dangerous. Drivers know when they step into their car, whether at the start, the evening, the night, the morning, or Sunday afternoon, their lives are at risk. Le Mans is so high speed, and that's why it's dangerous. But that's why its Le Mans... the danger and risk adds character to the track. |
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10 Oct 2013, 13:19 (Ref:3315749) | #4 | ||
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True, but a freak and unexpected accident can take a life or cause serious injury any time, particularly if cars collide or there is a mechanical failure. Just think about the carnage the 2011 McNish accident could have caused.....
However, we need to ensure the thread stays on topic as to likely/actual changes. |
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10 Oct 2013, 13:22 (Ref:3315752) | #5 | ||
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With respect to your comment Beetle, I couldn't phrase what I wanted to say prior to you adding that. Whilst it's a cliché (but very true) that motorsport is a high-risk activity, at what point would the safety features end at Le Mans (or any circuit I suppose).
I don't know anything of the technicalities of safety barriers, so won't comment that the current system is lacking at TR, and equally won't suggest what could go in to even lessen the risk through impact. But where would it stop? Not only is it a fast circuit, it's also partly a road course, and as such would it ultimately run the risk of having the circuit as it stands dropped due to some of the possible inflexibilities in operating on that basis? Last edited by Muppetdave901; 10 Oct 2013 at 13:23. Reason: Finished typing my comment after yours came through Aye - wasn't trying to veer OT! |
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10 Oct 2013, 14:03 (Ref:3315766) | #6 | |
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Interesting to note driver reaction to this news.
Jann Mardenborough called for gravel on twitter instead of simply adding extra tarmac run-off. Thankfully that seems to be what the ACO is looking at, but the drivers clearly still want the challenge to remain. Alex Brundle said it best when he commented: "how to improve safety without losing the essence of the place, massive challenge." I think that's what we all fear. Not to say we don't fear a bad accident more. But there's certain parts of the course which simply can't be changed. It would be very difficult to tackle that mid-section of Porsche Curves for example given it goes over the public road. |
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10 Oct 2013, 23:24 (Ref:3316056) | #7 | ||
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Anyone seen the drawings for the extended run off at the first right hander at the Porsche curves? It looks over-ambitious to me. If the plans are correct, then the road leading the Beausejour will have to be wiped and a new one found somewhere else.
I'm sure they won't get rid of the trees at TR. Not only would it be sad to see them go, but it would be a lot of hassle considering there are other solutions which could be cheaper and more effective. I think it will be a SAFER barrier there, moved further away from the trees. Tire barriers would be a disaster - you don't want cars bouncing back into the track. |
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11 Oct 2013, 01:19 (Ref:3316087) | #8 | |||
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Just past the crossing, there looks to be room, drivers right, to push armco back towards access road. |
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11 Oct 2013, 07:28 (Ref:3316144) | #9 | ||
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11 Oct 2013, 07:37 (Ref:3316151) | #10 | ||
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Agreed - there will always be freak accidents but the barriers must be capable of doing what they are designed to do - ie deform to cushion the impact and contain the crash.
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11 Oct 2013, 08:57 (Ref:3316175) | #11 | |
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Credit to Autosport for the image, which at the same time is only an artists impression. It's not from the ACO.
I didn't realise at first but, if this was implemented, it would take out a few private campsites on entry to Porsche Curves. I don't realistically see how it can, or needs, to go that far back. The existing gravel trap is tiny in comparison to this. It would look like the first corner almost. The more I think about it the more it couldn't happen. |
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11 Oct 2013, 10:40 (Ref:3316220) | #12 | ||
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Well I can't see the ACO agreeing to reducing there camping income for the changes and they will also be unhappy about spending large sums of money on parts of the track only used for the 24 hour race. But they might have a money making scheme in had for that part of the track that includes the track changes
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11 Oct 2013, 15:08 (Ref:3316302) | #13 | |
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I've taken to a bit of (poor) photoshopping to put the change into perspective. This shows to me that if they mirrored the Autosport impression that it would be OTT and likely not feasible. Something more subtle is required I think.
1. Current layout 2. Increased run-off It's worth pointing out too for those that haven't been that the area in question isn't all flat. There's a big rise up to where the spectators currently stand. |
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11 Oct 2013, 15:30 (Ref:3316310) | #14 | ||
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That's a massive run-off!
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11 Oct 2013, 16:03 (Ref:3316321) | #15 | ||
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blimey if that is the gravel trap they will need one hell of a lot of gravel
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11 Oct 2013, 16:13 (Ref:3316329) | #16 | ||
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I shall be bringing my beach umbrella!
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11 Oct 2013, 16:15 (Ref:3316331) | #17 | ||
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I don't think the folks of the Travel Destinations campsite will be very happy with this.
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11 Oct 2013, 16:18 (Ref:3316334) | #18 | ||
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pitching a tent in gravel is difficult so I think the ACO will have to give them a new site
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11 Oct 2013, 16:50 (Ref:3316348) | #19 | |
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I'm not suggesting that is how the final solution will look.
I think they will push it back slightly. This picture shows what room they've got to play with. I think they could push it all back, cutting into the bank to make a fresh access road. They will probably also want to push back that far barrier, the one Tor Graves kept tagging this year. This corner never really struck me as one of the more dangerous parts of the track. But we've seen decent hits from the Pescarolo ('11), #95 Am Aston ('12) and Toyota ('13) in the last three years. |
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11 Oct 2013, 17:36 (Ref:3316364) | #20 | ||
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I too have had several offs there........... on an awful driving game several years ago that shall remain nameless.
The actual camping bit of the travel dest campsite doesn't push to the road, I imagine they could squeeze the access and car bit and push the bank back a bit then extend without losing camping space. Either that or put them into the enclosure on the other side of the road. |
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12 Oct 2013, 08:08 (Ref:3316607) | #21 | |||
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Quote:
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12 Jan 2014, 17:36 (Ref:3353106) | #22 | ||
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Quite some drivers are holding their breaths as to what the ACO is gonna make out of all this. http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/112098
We shouldn't forget that the ACO has a history of overdoing things on the safety issue's. They've managed to take away quite some great spectating spots during the last twenty years. I for one can't help but think the fact that more and more members in the ranks of the ACO are from FIA origin, isn't making things better... |
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12 Jan 2014, 18:16 (Ref:3353120) | #23 | ||
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I agree with everything Tom says. 100%.
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12 Jan 2014, 18:27 (Ref:3353126) | #24 | ||
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Echo Andrew's comments. Le Mans is Le Mans for a reason.
We all get goose bumps when we drive around the bits we can, and seeing spectacular cars doing incredible things around this track, if we're honest, resonates more than seeing them do the same incredible stuff around Silverstone or Shanghai. Make Le Mans safer? Yes, absolutely, but by no means take away what its meaning is. |
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12 Jan 2014, 18:41 (Ref:3353131) | #25 | |
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If they went ahead and made every change that was deemed 'correct' Le Mans would lose its aura quicker than an R18 can lap it.
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