Club Arnage

At Le Mans in '02 my wife remarked "there are far too many pretty people around" implying that it was heading the glamour and glitz way of F1.  I put it down to the film being made.  Her concern - will LM go the way of F1 with restricted access, sky high admission prices and corporate hospitality taking priority over real fans.

Got to admit, she may have a point, it could well end up that way with tickets harder to get - the ACO will one day realise that they can hike prices a bit and still sell out.  The atmosphere has changed gradually since I first went in 1991, the fairground is virtually non-existant compared to what it was then (oh crap I sound like my Dad).

Am I getting old or are these real concerns?!

After some real heavy drinking over the week and after the visit to the Shampoo bar on the Saturday, I don't think you could call us drunken un showered lot the pretty people. Or I may be wrong the more u drink the prettier people become.

DR, the former NOT the latter.  ;)

We all are, and yes, they are.   Sadly it called the passing of time and the marketiiing opportunity........... the pinnacles of sport are great, but at least the Club racing scene in UK is still active at many levels, and long may it remain so

I now think not enough beer

Things have changed beyond belief over the last 24 years as far as the circuit and other places you can/could watch.   On practice days you pretty much had the run of the place including the Paddock/Pits.   Even during the Race you could get to the Golf Club.  You could actualy watch from the Cafe on the straight and the Auberge near the Kink.  The earliest ticket I can get my hands on right now is 1983 it cost 220FF and that was full price Serie A (i.e. no discount)  By 1992 the price had risen to 300FF for Serie A in 2001 the cost was 350FF.  Thats not bad when you look at inflation over the same period.   Last year my ticket cost 43€  for Serie B (ACO member discount) this year the cost as far as far as I know is 44€ so the prices are very fair IMHO.   on the other hand the Ferry Company over the last few years have go in to RIP-OFF mode.  Five years ago the Portsmouth Caen crossing Tues night  to Monday AM was about £150  for a car with just a driver. Last year was pretty expensive as I booked late. But this year they have gone really stupid.  I think the quote was £450.  So I'm reviewing my travel times go in the afternoon on Tues and return the following Tues morning  and save £250 almost.   ( I'm pissed off at missing the evening Crossing but you have to draw the line some where.)  

As for the people that go well I think it's an enthusiasts race.   It's not like the F1 sceen IMHO.  Many of the people I talk to go to Le Mans but not to other Motor races.    There is Corporate Hospitality but not like the F1 sceen.

But change happens.  Radio Le Mans made a massive difference.  But last year as others have commented else where in the forum was all about "Texting in" and those listening on the "web".   What happened to the Friday night campsite tour?  It's the whole event and happenings the make  Le Mans.  Going just for the race no good.  You have to do the whole thing.  

A lot of the carisma has gone.  I doubt it will come back.  Of course a lot of it is what you make of it.  But the events like the "Mad Friday happenings"  are far more fragmented.  

Sports Car Racing is not really suited to TV in the way F1 is, a 2 hour slot is one thing a 24 hour slot is just not on.  So I don't think it will atract the sponsors in quite the same way as F1.

As for the "Pretty People" they don't tend to look pretty for long.  :-)

Brian, after your "real heavy drinking" anything looks pretty ;)!