[LM24] Le Mans 2009

[cm209]

Let's hope so. I think it would be a good idea if ACO would publish at least a prvisional date so you can start to organize

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by Stranger

In 2003 we had 14/15 June, in 2004 it was 13/14th.
The last time the start was on June 20 was back in 1992.

My guess would be 13/14th of June

I confess that was my thinking too.

[rdjones]

I was talking to someone at work today how wasn't there this year but they there tickets for next year sorted already....

[Aysedasi]

So, what leave has everyone booked then?

[p261brm]

Casual observation, Noted the Beeb seemed to have the understanding 8 times winner Kristensen won it, all on his own, where as the weekly Autosport comic seems to favour McNish as the outright winner, and poor old Capello did not seem to figure in the results anywhere.

[Dani Filth]

Originally Posted by cm209

That would be good to know.IT's a non irrelevant difference in terms of bookings and so on...
However, bad idea tha tramway. I preferred the bus shuttle form the station to the mai entrance of the track.
I risked of loosing the TGv to Paris charles de Gaulle TGV with the consequence of loosing the plane on the return home due to the tramway.

I disagree .. the tram i feel was great ..
either date would be fine for me .. i booked my leave just 1 month before leaving ..

[CarolK]

We've booked planning on the 13/14. Our tickets are automatically booked each year; we've been lucky in getting the same seats. We had no problems with the tram - we found it better than the bus.

Carol

[isynge]

Originally Posted by p261brm

Casual observation, Noted the Beeb seemed to have the understanding 8 times winner Kristensen won it, all on his own, where as the weekly Autosport comic seems to favour McNish as the outright winner, and poor old Capello did not seem to figure in the results anywhere.

Clear proof that we sportscar enthusiasts are seldom happy!

To be fair, I was impressed that this year Le Mans got coverage outside the specialist press - to the extent that my parents in law were able to say that they understood it had been "one of the most exciting races recently" and my mother knew "a Scotsman won it".

For all we can carp about Autosport, they did put the winning R10 on the cover and described it as "the race of the decade" and the editorial expressed the wish - and I'm paraphrasing here - that the French Grand Prix could be a fraction as exciting.

So - in my eyes - decent coverage of this year's race which potentially means I should get my finger out and book slightly more promptly than this year's early May.

[deggis]

F1 2009 (provisional) calendar has been released - no Grand Prix on 13-14th June weekend. So I hope Le Mans date isn't moved foward...

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by deggis

F1 2009 (provisional) calendar has been released - no Grand Prix on 13-14th June weekend. So I hope Le Mans date isn't moved foward...

Especially when you see what's planned for the following weekend - now that would divide some loyalties...... (not mine though )

[HORNDAWG]

So with the supposed hard cut off date for reserves to be utilized. Do you think that we will see a compression of testing and the race to make a full nonstop 9/10 day event of it? Starting the Friday 5th or Saturday 6th the week before the race and go straight through to the completion of the race on the 14th.


L.P.

[Aysedasi]

I guess it would make sense. Less time in between for anyone who makes a serious hash of the Test Day though.

When you say 'hard cut off date', what exactly do you mean? I thought we had that this year, but was proved wrong (and I still owe The Badger a beer as a result..... )

[HORNDAWG]

I was thinking it might increase the total number of attendants for the testing segment of the show as it would mean just a solid week off with both weekends attached. And that is much more do-able for most people in my mind. And increase (possibly) total revenue for the region for the total event.


Yes it did get a little hinky this year, but that seems to have been foreseen by all parties involved. It was something that was out of the ordinary (hopefully) caused by Lucchini's seemingly extortive actions!

And yes it was a little tongue in cheek.


L.P.

[Dani Filth]

would be a good idee for spectators .. i could go there on Saturday and leave on Monday and catch both Test and Race .

[Sarthe82]

From the teams it must be a real pain, from a cost point of view, the fact they're there for a whole month, it's getting a bit like the Indy 'Month of May' where it seems an interminable wait for the real action to start. At least the current arrangement allows the spotters guide's to be bang up to date though.

[Subaru_WRX_STi]

for LM 2009, FIA GT (1st and 2nd in GT1 and GT2) winners will have automatic invitations ?

[fish88]

Originally Posted by Subaru_WRX_STi

for LM 2009, FIA GT (1st and 2nd in GT1 and GT2) winners will have automatic invitations ?

Why do you think Vitaphone was invited to race :P (only the first of each class I thought)

[monaro_gto]

im thinking of going for the first time. For anyone from the US how do you prefer to do it. What is the best place to fly into etc?

[The Badger]

I aint from the USA but , Paris , Charles de Gaulle is the airport you need , direct from Atlanta .

[ss_collins]

I'm going to book rooms in a very low cost but very reasonable hotel in the centre of town with secure car park and 15 min drive from the track - if people want rooms booked let me know. Will require payment up front but its a good spot

[CarolK]

Originally Posted by monaro_gto

im thinking of going for the first time. For anyone from the US how do you prefer to do it. What is the best place to fly into etc?

We're from Texas - fly out of DFW. For the past years, we've flown into Charles de Gaulle (NS from DFW on AA). You have several airline choices from ATL. We get out tickets from Just Tickets out of the UK (automatic annual renewals, got us same seats two years in a row - Debbie is great!) Rooms are a precious commodity in LeMans. We stay in Paris at the Novotel at Gare Montparanasse (sp) and take the TGV down and back on Friday (pits are open all day, driver parade at 18:00 in towne centre); take first TGV down on Saturday morning, stay the entire time at the circuit and take the latest TGV on Sunday evening to Charles de Gaulle staying at the Sheraton which is two esclators above the train station and in the airline terminal. Train tickets obtainable from Rail Europe on line about 3 months prior to departure. If you like, just send a PM and I can provide more information for you based on our experiences. We got another "convert" this year - met up with a guy from Seattle on Friday in the Village (his first time) and ended up having a couple on the same flight from DFW joining Tim and us - (also converts - a birthday present gift from her to her husband!!). They liked our stand much better than theirs. It's definitely not too early to start planning your adventure. Good luck.

Carol

[Le Vieux]

Well, only another 49 weeks and I'll be on my way!

Anyone else suffering from post-LM depression? LM(E)S, ALMS and FIA-GT just aren't the same......

[GT6]

Originally Posted by Le Vieux

Well, only another 49 weeks and I'll be on my way!

Anyone else suffering from post-LM depression? LM(E)S, ALMS and FIA-GT just aren't the same......

Well after next weekend and the classic I suspect I will be a little down on the way back but by then it will only be 11 months to lemans 2009, sounds better than 47 weeks.

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by Le Vieux

Well, only another 49 weeks and I'll be on my way!

Anyone else suffering from post-LM depression? LM(E)S, ALMS and FIA-GT just aren't the same......

It's funny how it affects us, isn't it? I have to say that my worst day of the year is the Monday that I go back to work after my Le Mans leave and I remember being in the absolute depths of depression in 06 and 07, but strangely enough, this year hasn't seemed so bad. Perhaps it's because I'm travelling to and from work listening to the entire 24 hour RLM commentary..... I've reached 9 pm on Saturday night...... I know I'm a sad muppet, but it's really marvellous to hear this stuff again!

[Le Vieux]

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

It's funny how it affects us, isn't it? I have to say that my worst day of the year is the Monday that I go back to work after my Le Mans leave and I remember being in the absolute depths of depression in 06 and 07, but strangely enough, this year hasn't seemed so bad. Perhaps it's because I'm travelling to and from work listening to the entire 24 hour RLM commentary..... I've reached 9 pm on Saturday night...... I know I'm a sad muppet, but it's really marvellous to hear this stuff again!

I know what you mean about the first day back. I shall have to download the RLM commentary - it'll take me till next summer to hear it though, since my journey to work is only ten minutes or so.

I try marking off the time with "landmarks":

The first is when I fill up with diesel in the UK a week after returning - "well there goes the last of my French diesel...."

Then there's the evening a few weeks later when everyone is invited round to see the video we filmed - an evening of hilarity, red wine and French cheese.

Then, around the New Year, is "The Le Mans Evening" when we all get together to discuss plans for that year's race - the house is usually crammed and the barbecue is put to work with steak haches and merguez, not forgetting the Tarte Tatin for afterwards.

I get to France a few times during the year and I always want to set off down the A16 towards Abbeville, even if I'm heading for other parts of France. If I am going down the A16, I find myself telling my wife about LM events, such as "This is the bridge where the gendarmes were using their radar guns" or "This is where we saw a TVR with clouds of steam coming from under the bonnet"

Throughout, there's the daily fix of 10/10ths as plans come together.

Only 345 days to go!