Club Arnage

The Belgian government have approved a closed door Grand Prix at the end of August, but I don't know about the Spa WEC race on August 15.

Belgium have been hit hard by the virus for some reason

Spa WEC being held behind closed doors.

So we'll be watching it on Eurosport  :(

£6.99 a month or half price for the year £19.99

2 words: Failed state.   Can write a (few) book(s) about everything that went and goes wrong over here.


Not sure yet.  ACO is shouting about ELMS & WEC behind closed doors, but they don't have permission so far.
We should know more by June 8th when the nitwits in charge announce further steps to get out of lockdown.

The circuits facilities have reopened under special conditions.karting and the Porsche center etc.fingers crossed for September.

They're opening the cafes, bars and restaurants too

Apparently, there are strict restrictions, like you have to have a glass of pastis in one hand and a Gauloise in the other, so that you don't touch anyone, and social distancing is now dependant on a double ration of garlic.   ;D

OK, now the virtual 24h is out of the way, I'm checking the news every day to see what the ACO has to say about the real one. There's still talk of the race as if it's really happening (eg McNish & co talking about it on the v24h commentary) but can it really go ahead with spectators present?

With 24h Motos only recently announced as running behind closed doors and only 3 weeks before the new dates for the 24H du Mans, how can they organise things between now and then and it not be a complete muddle?

Even if only 1/4 as many people came as would normally visit in June, there's no way any social distancing could be managed - grandstands would presumably be off limits too.

I'm starting to think, even if the race does run, and even if they allow punters in, do I want to actually be part of it?  :-\

September is looking to be another 'stay at home' month with the Goodwood Revival now cancelled.

The French are opening their cafes and restaurants, and their borders (well most), and there's the new wonder drug.

But do you really want to be there just as they hit their second peak  ;D

Well, I'll be in France one way or another in September. If the race doesn't go ahead - or if I / we decide not to (or are not allowed to) attend - me and Mrs D will be pootling around northern France as we have the ferry booked and I'm not sure that'll be cancellable. Come and join our convoy if you like :)

Bit of a bummer that, it looks like Boris and Macron have a deal so the ferries won't be cancelled, and I moved mine to September on the basis I could move it to June 2021 if it all went wrong.  The Mrs wants to go to France for a month once the virus has been completely annihilated.  And she wants to fly by Flybe, like last year.  Are their planes on eBay yet?  :(

5,000 allowed in sports stadiums.le Mans must have space for 50,000 easily.

ISTR they usually quote 220,000 attendees but that is spread all around I suppose.

According to the ACO website, the campsites open at 9am Sunday the 13th of September.

 ;D ;D ;D

I think think priority has to go to people with camping inside the circuit. Looks at his Terte Rouge tickets  ;D

'Just called the ACO to check race status. Yes it's on, but, it seems it has been found, for some so far unknown reason, that THE virus is attracted to Terte Rouge and and those tix will not be honoured. Refunds are available.  :(








(Just kidding....(http://forums.pelicanparts.com/support/smileys/coffeecup.gif))

 ;D

According to AutoSport, there's an announcement about spectator access coming on 30th June...

https://www.autosport.com/wec/news/150037/new-condensed-fourday-2020-le-mans-timetable
Practice will now begin at 10:00 on Thursday morning, the first of three sessions on the opening day.

The opening 45-minute qualifying session in which all 62 cars will take part has been brought forward to 17:15.

The 30-minute Hyperpole session fought out by the fastest six cars from each of the four WEC classes in first qualifying will now take place from 11:30 on Friday morning.

This will be preceded by a final one-hour session of free practice. The raceday warm-up on Saturday morning has been set back to reflect the fact that the cars will be on track on Friday.

Scrutineering (pictured below) will take place at the track on Wednesday rather than in the centre of Le Mans and the race will be begin at 14:30 on Saturday as previously announced.

More details on spectator access will be announced on 30 June.

For some reason, I can't pull up Autosport, "set back" meaning.....???
A change of time?....removed altogether?
If removed, no "leak check" for some team(s) that may have had an off and needed major repairs? Walking into the race blind with "book" setup? Ouch.

If so, this is incorrect? (from LeMans.org):

Timetable sessions
Thu 17 Sep - 10h00    Free Practice 1    3H
Thu 17 Sep - 14h00    Free Practice 2    3H
Thu 17 Sep - 17h15    Qualification    45min
Thu 17 Sep - 20h00    Free Practice 3    4H
Fri 18 Sep - 10h00    Free Practice 4    1H
Fri 18 Sep - 11h30    Hyperpole    30min
Sat 19 Sep - 10h30    Warm up    15min
Sat 19 Sep - 14h30    Race    24H

This is the current "official" timetable

(https://mcusercontent.com/b5f125906fc10a7f9e846de69/_compresseds/034ecf36-b6d6-4b2c-9148-d9bd9390df27.jpg)

Add the support races and Thursday will be hell on earth if you're working for teams in the 24 hours and Road to Le Mans race.

(https://mcusercontent.com/b5f125906fc10a7f9e846de69/_compresseds/665d0715-de57-4603-86a8-d92b0cc551b4.jpg)


To be honest, looking at this schedule it's made te be run behind closed doors or limited access for public.  I doubt the paddocks will be accessible, probably only (a part of) the village on the inside of the track.  No time slot for a pitwalk on Friday, no mention of the parade in town ... Great British Welcome at St Saturnin has also been cancelled.

Looks like a "go" for those who have already booked and paid campsite tickets:

https://www.lemans.org/en/news/watchwords-for-this-year-s-24-hours-of-le-mans-solidarity-and-responsibility/53979:
The 88th 24 Hours of Le Mans will take place on 19–20 September, with a smaller crowd than usual. Entry will be granted to all racegoers who have already booked their tickets (until June 29). Ticket sales have been suspended until further notice, pending government announcements and according to the evolution of the Covid-19 pandemic. In the current circumstances, the 24 Hours of Le Mans will be using its global reach to emphasise the need for solidarity and responsibility, two watchwords that epitomise the values of endurance racing and the team spirit that has reigned over Le Mans since 1923.
Exceptional circumstances call for an exceptional event. Due to restrictions imposed during the Covid-19 pandemic, the race programme will be more streamlined and crowds thinner for this year’s event.
Ticket sales have been suspended in the hope that conditions improve, enabling current restrictions on large crowds to be lifted. Only ACO members* and anyone who already holds a ticket for the race will be admitted to the circuit as a spectator. ACO members, spectators and authorised resellers who have already booked and paid for grandstand tickets, camping areas, parking spaces or ACO member hospitality areas may purchase the corresponding tickets for the race. Please contact ACO customer services (serviceclients@lemans.org).

At last some good news.

Hmmm, I think this is kicking the can down the road so:

a) they don't need to issue refunds (yet)
b) if and when the government says they can't hold more than x people in one place, the ACO will be able to blame them (and maybe they have insurance which will pay out?)

Only open to pre booked ticket holders up to June 29th.

Bingo. Watch this space  ::)

The next French Government update is on 10th-14th July.

Latest rumours are that the ACO only expect about 30,000 spectators, which will be split into smaller bubbles.  Under 5,000 for each wouldn't be difficult, and if you split by region/country etc their case may stand up

I see the French Open (Tennis) is being held in the open. That must be a Good Sign.

https://www.rolandgarros.com/fr-fr/article/roland-garros-2020-billetterie-accueil-public-contexte-sanitaire-covid-19

Sunrise at 7.45 sunset 8.00. In September.  Handy to know for putting up tents gents.

Weather forecast for September available yet ??

This far out it'll be much the same as the early forecasts for June, i.e. rain, thunderstorms, sunshine, but not snow (probably).

see below link to the latest ACO Statement released this morning updating spectators with tickets.

https://www.lemans.org/en/news/fan-villages-for-the-24-hours-of-le-mans/54000

There is a bit of a wait until the 17th August when the ACO will release further information. It does not leave that much time to make final preparations.

I think they have said they will be contacting ticket holders between the 17th and 31st August with details, other than that we know camp sites not open till the wed afternoon, and no access to the circuit before 8am on the Thursday. Those that were expecting to setup camp earlier in the week need to rearrange their travel plans, or stay somewhere else locally!

I amended my Brittany Ferries crossing from overnight Mon to overnight Tue earlier today on basis of this.  2020 is certainly going to be different, still planning to be there though.

Weather dress code as normal flip flops and welly boots.

Decided it's a no this year. Don't fancy being stuck at one part of the circuit having to wear facemasks and no going anywhere. Love seeing the race from elsewhere. This just does not appeal to me.

I know what you mean - (missed 2019 due to wedding - & not even mine!) so at present still going, but all can change - Strange times  ???

This was to follow a government statement, which is basically no change, wait till next month.

I can't see a series of 5,000 people per village working, otherwise each football stadium etc would split by stand to get around the rules, but this is France.  The trouble is all these dirty foreigners will bring the bug to La Sarthe, which is relatively clear of it so far.

This is getting more interesting than some of the races

This is the Danish travel statement.

K-Travel cancels his trip to Le Mans 2020

We just sent this message to our Le Mans 2020 guests 😢

We have received further restrictions from the Le Mans organization. These restrictions mean that almost everything that makes Le Mans a huge experience won't be possible in September. As a serious travel agency, we cannot vouch for such an amputated travel experience.

We are therefore unfortunately forced to cancel our Le Man's trip in September.

The restrictions mean the following:
Le Mans is being divided into zones and you must not leave these zones. For K-Travel guests this means you can stay at K-Camp as well as in a spectator area of approximately 300 meters. The spectator area will be on the inside of the field - from the go-cart track to the Ford Chicane. So short, you can't move outside the attentive yellow area on attached cards.

- You can't get up to the start / finish line - the pits - the main tribunes
- You can't get to other turns like Arnage, Mulsanne Corner, Dunlop Chicane etc.
- You can't go to Village
- The driving parade in Le Mans town Friday is cancelled
- Pitwalk is cancelled
- Scrutineering / technical control is not public
- Le Mans museum is expected to be closed
- The Danish drivers are not expected to visit the tent, as they are not allowed to leave the paddock
- You have to wear a mouthpiece both at K-Camp and outside the Camp

Last but not least, the organization behind Le Mans (ACO) has stated that there is still a risk that Le Mans will be held in completely closed doors, and this message can reach up to 10 days before departure.

As I said, we feel that what makes Le Mans a unique and huge experience is gone in 2020.

It pains us incredibly much that we are forced to cancel the trip in September.

Race ticket came this morning.happy days.