So, will it be Toyota v Porsche hybrids from 2014 then?

Seems as though the data collection done this season was more extensive that it first appeared, lets hope that there are more teams in the hunt for the overall win at LM rather than the diesal fest of recent years.

Will Peugeot hang about now the FIA have a hand in the rule making...they may not be able to rely on getting "the rub of the green" perhaps

This from Reuters:

09:19 14Oct11 RTRS-Motor racing-Toyota announce return to Le Mans
    Oct 14 (Reuters) - Toyota will enter a works team in next
year's Le Mans 24 hours sportscar race for the first time since
they almost won in 1999, the Japanese company announced on
Friday. 
   Toyota Motorsport said in a statement that the entry would
be for a petrol hybrid car based on an LMP1 prototype chassis
from Germany-based Toyota Motorsport with the powertrain
produced in Japan. 
   Toyota said the official name of the team would be confirmed
in the coming weeks. 
   "By using our hybrid technology this time will be a
completely new challenge," said Toyota Motorsport chairman
Tadashi Yamashina in a statement. 
   "We want to write a new page in the history of the Le Mans
24 Hours, as well as in the FIA World Endurance Championship,
through our use of hybrid technology." 
   Toyota's last foray to Le Mans saw them qualify on pole
position and finish second to BMW. 
   The Japanese carmaker has been seeking a new challenge in
top level motorsport since they pulled out of Formula One at the
end of 2009. 
   Audi have won Le Mans 10 times in the last 12 years, with
this year's race a diesel-engined battle between them and
Peugeot. 
 

Hi

Does anyone know where the stage is located???

How much was the helicopter ride?  Did you book it or just turn up?
[/quote]It was 80 euros (more info' in the guide).  Fagey booked it for us but you could put your name down by visiting them (next to the exit of Parking Blanc) any time over race week.
[/quote]

Thanks, new experience to be had next time we go then!

How much was the helicopter ride?  Did you book it or just turn up?

Fair point about all the moaning....I think the best bet is to take up any moans with those others concerned.

So here's a list of the things we enjoyed...

Watching the race at Arnage at nightfall
The view from our stand seats
The giant TV screens and the coverage
Radio LM
Our champagne starter in the morning
The quality of the race
The weather...mixed it up a bit didn't it!
The revamped facilities in the village
The people we went with
The fact that...there's nothing else like LeMans

Blimey at this rate we'll be booking for next year!!!

Our group have been regular atendees at the race over the last 10 years, but I have to say that I wonder where we go from here.
I have 2 "beefs" that I will be airing with the parties concerned...

ACO..."Join Club 24" is the cry from the advertising literature...my question is why?
ACO stand tickets, camping tickets ...no priority booking or availabilty of said tickets it would appear. They appear to have been predomianantly sold to the travel compaines. Discounted entry tickets??? see below

The 2 major tour companies...Take the cost of the aforementioned stand ticket in €, multiply it by 1.5 and put £ in front....oh and by the way you have to buy a full entance ticket from us which, guess what, is priced using the same fomula. Discounted ACO member entry no use at all.
"Join us on the Arnage Excurion"....£15 each, timed bus there and back...sounds great eh? However, when you come out of the enclosure, come and find us for your return bus at our bus stop, which we've conviently located in the middle of the queue for the ACO provided free bus.  I am staggered there wasn't a riot, especially when the locals forced the rear dorr of the bus and got on anyway.
"Enjoy our hospitality tent"....except " if it's raining, don't come here"...charmed I'm sure!

I appreciate that times change, the event changes and nothing is asit was, but have got to a situation where the fans are just cash cows to be fleeced as much as possible?

Maybe we have to do as suggested and dig a bit deeper to find new LM experiences but I have a slightly bitter taste over the direction that we appear to be heading.

Our group has 2 Maison Blanc parking tickets which are surplus to requirements. (Range 10 Places 55 & 56)
They have a face value of 31 euros.
let me know if you are interested in one or both
Smithy

Chris
we are now "sorted" so please do whatever it is you do!
Thnx

Due to a late addition to our group, we need one ACO Stand ticket (to gain access to bar and clean toilets!). Will consider a pair if thats all that is available. Can anyone help us.