[LM24] Le Mans 2020 (19/20 September) - Who Is Going?

[GT6]

Well a view of the track but not the one we had all hoped for.

Thanks Eric see you next year

[Kpy]

Originally Posted by GT6

I also expect the local population are going to be very angry, all the inconvenience and no benefit for the local community, suspect many local business people will struggle to survive now

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

Yeah, but it's not a huge population and I bet they were worried about a 25000+ influx from all over Europe and beyond in 5 weeks time....

I think that the decision was inevitable. In fact I've been waiting for an email like that from the ACO.
Since the race is to be held behind closed doors for the protection of the local population as well as that of visitors, I can't see how there will be much anger on the part of local businesses who have already seen the bike GP and 24 hours placed behind closed doors and the Classic postponed to next year.
There is government support for businesses affected by the consequences of the virus here in France, just as there has been, I think in the UK.

[batmobile]

Originally Posted by Kpy

I think that the decision was inevitable. In fact I've been waiting for an email like that from the ACO.

Since the race is to be held behind closed doors for the protection of the local population as well as that of visitors, I can't see how there will be much anger on the part of local businesses who have already seen the bike GP and 24 hours placed behind closed doors and the Classic postponed to next year.

There is government support for businesses affected by the consequences of the virus here in France, just as there has been, I think in the UK.

Yes Christopher but I think it will be catastrophic for some of us here.

Envoyé de mon SM-A600FN en utilisant Tapatalk

[batmobile]

And to have discussed with the ticket office crew, it was very very difficult to organize separated villages due to the fact that people had different tickets to go along the track.

Envoyé de mon SM-A600FN en utilisant Tapatalk

[Kpy]

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

If you go back and read again the email and the official announcement, this was not a decision made by the ACO alone. It was clearly made hand in hand with the local prefecture, who clearly viewed the possibility of a Covid spike from the influx of visitors as being more unwelcome than the effect on the local economy. My guess is that the ACO were told that they could have the 5000 and no more. And that, with the resources needed to 'police' it plus the agonies of sorting out who the 5000 would be, caused them to bite the bullet and can it.

I think you are right about the Prefecture, Andrew.
Also the locals round me further north in Normandy cast a rather suspicious eye on arrivals even from other parts of France, let alone from abroad.
All gatherings for festivals, musical or otherwise have been cancelled round here, with no local backlash whatsoever.
The same applies to the populations of Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire as well as Barcelona.

[Kpy]

Originally Posted by batmobile

And to have discussed with the ticket office crew, it was very very difficult to organize separated villages due to the fact that people had different tickets to go along the track.

Envoyé de mon SM-A600FN en utilisant Tapatalk

I'm sure that would have been a herculean task, Eric. I think the Prefecture would have been equally worried about people mingling outside the villages when they went shopping or out for a meal.

[PascaLM]

Maybe Sam and Walter will have accreditations and will represent the 10-Tenths forum at le Mans this year.

[Kpy]

Originally Posted by batmobile

Yes Christopher but I think it will be catastrophic for some of us here.

Envoyé de mon SM-A600FN en utilisant Tapatalk

Quite so, Eric, but it's just one item in God knows how many others adversely affected by the virus.
Certainly companies in the industry I work in have been disastrously affected over the last four or five months and some of them will never recover.
The town of la Mans is not completely dependent on the Circuit and the races there. I'm sure the town and the Club and it's Circuit will survive.

[batmobile]

Originally Posted by Kpy

I'm sure that would have been a herculean task, Eric. I think the Prefecture would have been equally worried about people mingling outside the villages when they went shopping or out for a meal.

Indeed Christopher ! And the Prefets are public servants and think to their career. They have to say yes it no for this kind of event! Be sure they deeply evaluate the risks............

Envoyé de mon SM-A600FN en utilisant Tapatalk

[batmobile]

Originally Posted by Kpy

Quite so, Eric, but it's just one item in God knows how many others adversely affected by the virus.

Certainly companies in the industry I work in have been disastrously affected over the last four or five months and some of them will never recover.

The town of la Mans is not completely dependent on the Circuit and the races there. I'm sure the town and the Club and it's Circuit will survive.

Yes Christopher you are right but I know some bars especially in Arnage make half of their year money with the 24h.

Envoyé de mon SM-A600FN en utilisant Tapatalk

[Kpy]

Originally Posted by batmobile

Yes Christopher you are right but I know some bars especially in Arnage make half of their year money with the 24h.

Envoyé de mon SM-A600FN en utilisant Tapatalk

I know Eric. I feel very sorry for them.

On a wider note, my friends who have been marshals at the race for many years, are having their applications rejected by the ACO.
Looks like it may be French marshals only this year

[batmobile]

Originally Posted by Kpy

I know Eric. I feel very sorry for them.



On a wider note, my friends who have been marshals at the race for many years, are having their applications rejected by the ACO.

Looks like it may be French marshals only this year

Sorry for them! Sad. Hope that the Aco will find french marschals enough for the race!

Envoyé de mon SM-A600FN en utilisant Tapatalk

[Kpy]

Originally Posted by batmobile

Sorry for them! Sad. Hope that the Aco will find french marschals enough for the race!

Envoyé de mon SM-A600FN en utilisant Tapatalk

My thoughts too, Eric!

[Greem]

Originally Posted by Kpy

I know Eric. I feel very sorry for them.

On a wider note, my friends who have been marshals at the race for many years, are having their applications rejected by the ACO.
Looks like it may be French marshals only this year

The event itself has been removed from the ACO website for marshals; those who previously had their volunteering accepted look like they've all been removed. At least, all those in the UK that I know of, anyway.

[GT6]

Oh well no point arguing over it now, let us hope that next year it happens, usually tickets would go on sale soon, but i think they will be delaying that as the situation develops further.

[GT6]

To look on a cheerful note, many of us here will be able to see the race live on telly for the first time, for obvious reasons i have never been able to do that.

[whitemr2]

Originally Posted by batmobile

And to have discussed with the ticket office crew, it was very very difficult to organize separated villages due to the fact that people had different tickets to go along the track.

Envoyé de mon SM-A600FN en utilisant Tapatalk

I would have settled with any ticket despite what I had bought.

[Peter Mallett]

Just heard m TravelDestinations. I've re booked for Porsche Curves with them for next year. Very impressed with their service.

[nobster]

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

At least if I'm not allowed to go, I can take that as force majeure for my unbroken run.......

That’s why I visited the Town and track last sunday while we were on our way home, I been there in 2020, not for the race but the run continues....

[Simmi]

Drove past the famous sign on the way down to a family holiday the other day and just had an inkling that it might be as close as I'd get this year.

Have to say the news didn't really hit me too hard. Was massively conflicted about the villages even though it was a clever concept. At least now we've got some clarity.

It's just a shame there's no alternatives and nothing to fill the motorsport void really. Just hope things improve going forward as it's unlikely we'll all be vaccinated by June.

[GT6]

Well i get a flu jab every year, and it only reduces the risk, it does not mesn you can not get flu.

[dwh43scale]

Given today's news and even though I had already decided we weren't going, I hereby declare my run of attendance from 1996 as remaining unbroken into 2021 !

[S griffin]

If the weather's nice, you should watch it in the garden, with a big screen TV, a nice paddling pool and a few beers

[Aysedasi]

Sounds like the best available plan!

[GT6]

Well i think we will all have to adjust to watching the racing from afar, how we do that will vary but i know i will trying to keep a few traditions going, and do what i can to enjoy the weekend even though i am gutted i can not be there.