Track changes

[Rhino]

A new piece of public road to miss out Indianapolis Arnarge. Still use that for the race but that's one less bit we can drive round.

https://twitter.com/matlemans/status/464053333007691776/photo/1/large

[aricus654]

Wow, and that looks like it goes through the middle of the campsite at Arnage too.

Aricus

[Barry]

That will be the last corner that you can drive round on the circuit gone.
Sad day when it happens.
Can you still describe it as a circuit on public roads if all the corners are unavailable?
And how long before plans for a new track parallel to the Mulsanne rears its ugly head again?

The circuit has lost so much of its charm since I started going in 2002.  

[Boorish Grobian]

You have the same sentiments I had back in 2002, when I thought the circuit had lost so much of its character from when I first went in 1996. I'm really glad I was able to see the original run down the hill from the Dunlop Curve, the old village, and the fairground in its traditional location at the esses.
Fax

[clkgtrlm1]

You have the same sentiments I had back in 2002, when I thought the circuit had lost so much of its character from when I first went in 1996. I'm really glad I was able to see the original run down the hill from the Dunlop Curve, the old village, and the fairground in its traditional location at the esses.
Fax

Second that. 1996 was my first year as well

[Barry]

Experienced the old village and the old fairground, they lasted the first few years after I started going. Missed seeing the run down from Dunlop, but have always liked the new section between Dunlop and Tetre Rouge. Guess it's what you are used to.
What annoys me is the constant marginalisation of the race fans who attend.
Corporate and day trippers seem to be more important.
Thinking the unthinkable and looking at alternative events to spend my hard earned money at.
Never been to the TT, if it wasn't for the weather and cost I probably would have already gone to that instead of LM.

[mulc99]

My sentiments too Barry. After nigh on 30 years, I fear that this will be my last trek to the hallowed circuit. Have to admit, met some really great people there over the years including the Bretheren.

[wishy]

Ah...The old village and fairground and the numerous changes to the track.....

Nostalgia is a wonderful thing, but at the end of the day none of us like change, and unfortunately even though we travel out to the Sarthe for the race every year(Me since 1998),we are just part of the overall packagk and the ACO have to make sure the race continues after us, and if it means that they bring in the "Fat Cats" to finance it ......they will regardless of what and how we feel in the way we/have are treated.

There are so many reasons why we return each year.......Over the past 17 years I have met ,socialised,partied,commiserated,laughed and even watched a race sometimes, but to me it is the camaraderie and the friendships we all make due to visiting a field in France for one week of the year and hopefully health and age permitting I will continue visiting the hallowed ground until "him up there" decides to switch the lights out

[lofty]

Wishy you have just summed up Le Mans for me.My first year had the new grand stands and the fireworks and laser show to mark the opening of the new pits.Me and my mates wished we had seen the old garages and mulsanne sans chicanes but the track evolves for crowed and safety.We are glad the bogs have moved into the 21st century and the tram gives us better access to the city.The core fans will never change and still make the place a great place to hangout for a week.Viva a field in Sarthe nomatter what they do to the circuit.

[DelBoy]

Oh dear......I do feel very old   

I have probably seen more changes than most (50th anniversary this year), and agree with the comments above.  A very few of the changes I would class as improvements - I guess the installation of Armco can be included here, and of course, Radio Le Mans. When I first started going, and impecuniousness dictated that we could only afford the enceintes populaires, we had to stand by a tannoy speaker every hour for the 5-minute English commentary so we could follow the race.

It used to be great down by the esses, with the fairground in amongst the trees, and Camping Panorama at the top.  Actually met and spoke with a guy who was knocked unconscious back in '55 - the experience obviously hadn't put him off.

A trial non-attendance last year didn't go down too well - suffered greatly with withdrawal symptoms - so I'm back with a vengeance this year - and hopefully a few more years yet. 

Del

[Boorish Grobian]

Some well thought out opinions here.  Ironically they're many of same opinions I hear over here regarding the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.  Like Delboy at the Sarthe, I've got a huge amount of time spent at IMS (42 years) and have seen the changes there.  Like LeMans, some in the name of safety (higher walls, heavier debris fencing, re-configuration of the pit entry & warm-up apron, safer walls, etc.) and some to cater to the corporate crowd (removing stands for the punters in favor of more corporate luxury boxes, new and massive race control and media center, etc.).
Other changes include the additon of the infield road course, which allows for more races, but virtually eliminates the hell raising infield crowd which gave race day such a special atmosphere (especially the old turn 1 snake pit).  The Euro style pit/garage complex again allows for international events, but did away with the old pit lane tower terrace seating for the paying punters.  Like LM, the toilet facilities have finally made it to the 21st century, they used to be nothing short of medieval.
Personally I'm a old fart, and prefer the wildness, and quirkiness of the old days, but times move on.
Fax

[Fran]

Never been to the TT, if it wasn't for the weather and cost I probably would have already gone to that instead of LM.

I will let you know how it goes this year Barry - in fact only 2 weeks from now I will be watching first practice session!

F

[Stu]

Never been to the TT, if it wasn't for the weather and cost I probably would have already gone to that instead of LM.

I will let you know how it goes this year Barry - in fact only 2 weeks from now I will be watching first practice session!

F

And I'm penciled in for next year. Can't wait 

[lofty]

Crickey Del Boy 50 years,without any misses?You started Le Maning about the same time Derrick Bell started racing.Hard to imagine how Le Mans was then in 60s.Free love on the campsite?Oh yea baby.People tell me the last 50 are the hardest.

[Lord Steve]

1994 was my first so it's my 20th anniversay this year. It's always been about the race but I will admit to my fair share of "over refreshment" to which some of you will have borne witness! The quality of the races has varied as have the  facilities which have generally improved with, alas, a loss of charcter. Oh for the dustbowl that was the old village and the Saturday night champagne bar gatherings.
The one constant for me has been the welcome and friendship that's a given on the campsites and around the circuit amongst all Club Arnagers. It doesn't get any better.