LM24 Le Mans Circuit Changes?

**Aysedasi** · 8 Jul 2002, 19:42 (Ref:329671)

I know its only 3 weeks or so since Le Mans but prior to the race there were a couple of rumours doing the rounds regarding yet more changes to my favourite circuit. (I know that Fab circulated at least one of the stories at the time).

The two changes I'm thinking of are

1. the plan to install some kind of chicane or such-like between Mulsanne and Indianapolis and

2. the complete re-siting of the Mulsanne Straight (as per the 1975 plans).

I'd like to keep these two issues in focus to see if any of us can find out any more about whether there is any real truth in either rumour. So this isn't a general thread for the purpose of bemoaning further circuit changes at Le Mans, but a chance for anyone who finds anything out to post it here.

paulzinho · 8 Jul 2002, 19:44 (Ref:329673)

Please say it ain't so.

You know my feelings on this sort of thing.

It must NEVER be allowed to happen. Ever.

**Aysedasi** · 8 Jul 2002, 19:48 (Ref:329678)

Now how did I guess that you'd be the first to reply on this, Paul?

paulzinho · 8 Jul 2002, 19:57 (Ref:329687)

Well its one of those things which I feel very strongly about, no-one is ever going to change my mind on it....

And you better believe the same!

paul-collins · 8 Jul 2002, 20:50 (Ref:329754)

Funny, I was just going through an ACO publication (roughly 1973) that talked about that relocation of the straight - and they said for sure it would happen as it had been declared by the gov. of the day to be "in the public interest."

Then again, they also made a snide comment on the 1971 winning 917k's Martini colours, crass commercialism has invaded the hallowed grounds and all that. I thought hee hee hee. The writers must really be p*ssed now.

I sure hope they never go through with the twinning of the straight. I had assumed that the chicanes pretty much mooted that. But after Fab posted that little local news snippet, I'm still a bit wary.

rdjones · 8 Jul 2002, 20:59 (Ref:329763)

Well IMO they should NEVER change the layout again, because Le Mans is a road race, that takes place on Public roads closed for the race.

To relocate the Mulsanne, must never happen as it will mean that the normal punter will not get their chance to drive round the greatest Race Track in the world the other 362 days of the year.

theracegypsy · 8 Jul 2002, 21:08 (Ref:329768)

Get real folks, so it was great before, it changed, it's still great. It will change again, and we will still all go and it will still be great - in a different way, and we will still enjoy it as it is and remember how it was.

I will ask of my French contacts what is really happening

FG1 · 8 Jul 2002, 23:17 (Ref:329840)

What was the reaction when the Maison Blanche section was by-passed with the Porsche curves?

FG

Fab · 9 Jul 2002, 05:45 (Ref:329916)

As Theracegypsy, I'll try to keep my ears open, but ACO is quite mute nowadays (as usualy !), on some topics...

Never forget that there's economical antagonist interrests around the circuit.

A good thing : the circuit is manage by what we call a Sem in France (which is private, but the board includes the City, the "Departement" (La Sarthe), the ACO and the "Region" (Pays de la Loire)). They'll try to protect it, and they know how important is the race for the loal economy.

A bad thing : the great circuit is open only few days in the whole year.

Another topic : as a frenchman, I would like to know how was the welcome in France, and more precisely in La Sarthe, and more precisely in Le Mans, but NOT INCLUDING the circuit area... in the "cafés" or "restaurants" for exemple... did the prices seems increased in comparaison with last year, did people speak english, and so on...

Nordic · 9 Jul 2002, 08:00 (Ref:329971)

I would think the cost of relaying the straight would rule it out. It would be cheaper to give the shops & Buisness affected(!) some cash instead.

Nordic · 9 Jul 2002, 08:03 (Ref:329972)

Quote:

Originally posted by Fab
[B
Another topic : as a frenchman, I would like to know how was the welcome in France, and more precisely in La Sarthe, and more precisely in Le Mans, but NOT INCLUDING the circuit area... in the "cafés" or "restaurants" for exemple... did the prices seems increased in comparaison with last year, did people speak english, and so on... [/B]

The welcome was as friendly as ever, It amazes me if fact.
I can only imagine the reaction if 100,000 french people turned up at Brands Hatch and took over the area.

**Aysedasi** · 9 Jul 2002, 12:22 (Ref:330139)

Quote:

Originally posted by Nordic

The welcome was as friendly as ever, It amazes me if fact.
I can only imagine the reaction if 100,000 french people turned up at Brands Hatch and took over the area.

I absolutely agree. This year, like the previous 16 (for me) we were welcomed everywhere we went - every reaction was positive. (One Frenchman in particular

. It's one of the reasons I love the trip so much.

Mal · 9 Jul 2002, 17:12 (Ref:330325)

I always feel very welcome. The French are extremely hospitable and freindly. It is this good natured interaction with the British and other nationalities that is one of the reason Lemans is so special. Something I don't think you get to the same degree anywhere else in the world - now there's an opening for someone to contradict me!

**Aysedasi** · 9 Jul 2002, 19:30 (Ref:330457)

Not me, for sure!

hgb · 9 Jul 2002, 19:43 (Ref:330471)

Not me either... the people who go there are all like minded. There's the race and a big social event going on. I missed out a lot this year and still had my fun. I didn't meet any of you. Anyway that feeling is paired with the joy you feel over the year that it is coming nearer again. And that's probably the biggest secret of LM.

Rhino · 9 Jul 2002, 21:24 (Ref:330550)

Where would a twin straight go? There's a big horse track in the middle and the ACO's golf course at the other end. If they did make a new one it would cost a fortune and surely the old one would make it easier to access the new one, as there already pretty strict about watching from the old one anyway.

Fab · 10 Jul 2002, 06:05 (Ref:330745)

Thank you very much for your answers about my last question about the welcome in Le Mans.

At the opposite of what the Sun could write, we love (and admire too, surely because of a long history and recently last World War) Great Britain and Englishmen (and I got a thought about the others coming from North America or other European countries).

The term "English" means definitely "sport" or "sportsmen" here in France (a mix of "competitor" and "winner", sorry of not beeing able to express my meaning better). In Le Mans, seeing you coming is always the feast...

As strange as it could be, I was surprised too by the welcome in some "cafés" (I had this year in a café the most giant sandwich I have ever eat !), but your opinion is good to know for the Manceaux (Le Mans inhabitants)... They love their race...

kdr · 10 Jul 2002, 08:31 (Ref:330828)

100,000 frenchmen taking over brands hatch sounds like a good idea...maybe then we'd get to use the grand prix layout a little more

Peter Scillitoe · 10 Jul 2002, 21:23 (Ref:331403)

Quote:

Originally posted by kdr
100,000 frenchmen taking over brands hatch sounds like a good idea...

Yes, and the food in the Kentagon might improve

Mal · 10 Jul 2002, 22:26 (Ref:331454)

Maybe even the Weather?

pink69 · 11 Jul 2002, 14:14 (Ref:331874)

Why won' the ACO just leave the circuit alone. These changes will just make the race boring!

**Aysedasi** · 11 Jul 2002, 20:38 (Ref:332123)

Quote:

Originally posted by Fab

but your opinion is good to know for the Manceaux (Le Mans inhabitants)... They love their race...

"Manceaux" - I like that Fab. Do you think I could become an "honourary Manceau" (or whatever the singular is.....!).

By the way Rhino, the 70's plan was for the track to turn off just before Tertre Rouge (through the gardens and allotments!) and run straight down almost parallel to the current straight, maybe no more than 30-50 yards away, until just after the Kink, when there would be quite a sharp right-hander, then running down, bearing gradually left until the track re-joined the old circuit about 2/3 of the way between Mulsanne Corner and Indianapolis.

I've got a diagram of it somewhere. Unless someone else has it to hand, I'll dig it out and scan it in for everyone.

paulzinho · 11 Jul 2002, 20:47 (Ref:332130)

LEAVE IT ALONE!

Actually, no sctartch that....

TAKE OUT THE CHICANES! Then leave it alone.

rdjones · 11 Jul 2002, 21:42 (Ref:332183)

Quote:

Originally posted by paulzinho
TAKE OUT THE CHICANES! Then leave it alone.

Sorry Paul, can't see that happening I am affraid

kdr · 12 Jul 2002, 08:22 (Ref:332367)

slightly off topic - but did i read somewhere that the chicanes actually improved engine reliability, and therefore kept the number of cars running higher...or is that outweighed by the number of cars that come a cropper at those same chicanes?!:confused:

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