Get ready to be shafted!

[Aysedasi]

I'm sure most of you won't rue it but this year they have removed my magic ticket which gave the opportunity to buy 5 camping tickets before it was open even to ACO members.

I never did know what qualified me for it, as many were going for many years longer than I did, but even after I stopped going I continued the membership so that others could benefit from the tickets - avid race fans ( and socialisers) from this forum. Most sadly, I think some of them are having second thoughts about next year. I feel there's a few familiar faces you may not see next year as a result.

Whatever, it seems the loyal fans are being somewhat shafted. IMO this has been the pattern over the past few years (I'd say since the demise of Maison Blanche).

I've been an "at home" spectator for a few years now and you get to see and learn much more about the racing on the telly. It's the social side I miss but I have some fantastic memories of it all which I'll never lose.

Bearing in mind the pressure for tickets for this year's race and the likely pressure again for next year's, the removal of 'magic' or 'privileged' ticketing comes as no great surprise.  I have two very old French friends (ACO members) who were automatically asked if they wanted the same tickets each year.  That now is gone.  I've been an ACO member for26 years and have never been afforded such a privilege.  Such is life....

[Kev_mk3]

I'm sure most of you won't rue it but this year they have removed my magic ticket which gave the opportunity to buy 5 camping tickets before it was open even to ACO members.

I never did know what qualified me for it, as many were going for many years longer than I did, but even after I stopped going I continued the membership so that others could benefit from the tickets - avid race fans ( and socialisers) from this forum. Most sadly, I think some of them are having second thoughts about next year. I feel there's a few familiar faces you may not see next year as a result.

Whatever, it seems the loyal fans are being somewhat shafted. IMO this has been the pattern over the past few years (I'd say since the demise of Maison Blanche).

I've been an "at home" spectator for a few years now and you get to see and learn much more about the racing on the telly. It's the social side I miss but I have some fantastic memories of it all which I'll never lose.

I get this feeling to. Having gone for so many years and living local its more than a race for me but if I hadn't paid for Club Voyage membership I would really be thinking about skipping next years race. I have said and think I will only go every other year moving on as it looks like I will be going alone anyway.

[Aysedasi]

Sad to see Le Mans 'diehards' turning away... especially after such a sensational event and race this year.  For me, the desire to be there is even greater than before.  Accepting the fact that I don't camp, which makes life far easier ticketing-wise, I had few ticket problems last year even managing to pick up a couple of tickets on the excellent resale site.  I agree that loyal fans were shafted last year with the closure of long-standing camping and parking areas but the lure of the 24 Hours remains as great for me as it has even done. 

[Barry]

  I agree that loyal fans were shafted last year with the closure of long-standing camping and parking areas but the lure of the 24 Hours remains as great for me as it has even done. 

Totally agree, but I am torn between attending in person or watching it online. 10 days to decide.
If I was fitter I would say sod it and go to Sebring next year, however that's a bit beyond me at the moment.
The elephant in the room, especially for larger groups, is the lack of information on camping. Especially as it looks like last year, that the camping tickets will go on sale after GA and grandstands.
On the ACO website it says that reception area tickets will be limited to 3 per applicant. I believe camping comes under reception areas, if that is the case it will force even relatively small groups into the clutches of the agencies, who of course will mark up the increased price of tickets. If a grandstand and GA ticket is €285 for ACO members direct, how much from an agency?

Having supported the race for over twenty years I am beginning to feel unwanted and unappreciated by the ACO.
So sad.

[Lorry]

Sadly, its the way of the world.  I gave up with the Grand Prix, because the best places had gone to hospitality, so you didn't get to see much and it was expensive. It was far better on the television - you saw all the good bits, with replays!

Le Mans seems to be going the same way, and I now watch much of it on the TV, as I did at home during covid.  OK I'm getting old, but even our younger generation watch it on their phones, if they can get some bandwidth, and then want to cast it to my TV!

I find club level motorsport more interesting - you can take a good look at the cars, and talk to the drivers etc.  One of the old gits has resorted to the Sotheby's London to Brighton Veteran Car Run.  Oh dear, looks like hospitality could be ruining that too

[smokie]

Barry has put it well.

"If I was fitter" - none of us are getting younger and the more obstacles that are put in our way can only deter...


"The elephant in the room, especially for larger groups, is the lack of information on camping." Exactly, there are many large groups, from here at least, who might think twice if they cannot camp together - maybe not even on the same campsite, and harder to ensure you are on the same site as other groups you associate with.

"Having supported the race for over twenty years I am beginning to feel unwanted and unappreciated by the ACO." - this.

There are other factors at play but these stand out.

[Aysedasi]

I don't think there is any doubt that Le Mans is changing and the major effect is upon those who camp.  There were huge changes last year which impacted a lot of those people and I think the large number of spectators who choose to camp were significantly 'disrespected' (for want of several better words) by the ACO.  As we know, when changes are made, they're often not for the better and moreover they tend to stick.  This year was worse because the ACO made zero effort to communicate the changes in advance and then made matters even worse by splitting the ticket sales.  I don't expect any of the 'lost' camping (or parking) areas to be reinstated for next year's race.  It's strange in a way in that the ACO clearly see benefits in making their event more 'green', so want less people travelling in cars but then disadvantage those who camp, most of whom probably don't move their cars much (if at all) during the week.  I'm not getting any younger either, I'll be 67 by the time of next year's race but as I've already said, camping isn't for me and I've found other ways of doing Le Mans over the years that suit me far better. There is certainly a need for more planning and I think that many who didn't enjoy last year's event probably suffered as a result of not planning as well as they could have done.  But overall, I can't disagree that the ACO are now much less interested in facilitating the group approach and are focused more and more on the corporate side of things.  

[Lawnmower Man]

Whilst I have to agree that the ACO do seem to be over inflating the price of tickets.  The lean years for them with no Spectators in 2020 and limited numbers in 2021 and no doubt the over spend on the Centenary Race they are no doubt attempting to re-coup the losses. 

This year I spoke to a number of "New" groups who where really enjoying things on there first visit.  So even if the die hards stop going they will be replaced by a new generation of Fans.

Having only missed 2 races in the last 45 years I too am wondering if it's time to call it a day.  Prehaps the only thing stopping me giving up is the chance of some close racing with the Hypercars.

[Rhino]

Have camped at Terte Rouge for years. Can't help but think it's ideal for corporate hospitality.

[Aysedasi]

Have camped at Terte Rouge for years. Can't help but think it's ideal for corporate hospitality.

Close to the track, easy entry and exit.  Just need to build a nice building there with a viewing gallery on top and Roberto's your Ferrari guest enclosure.... 

[Rhino]

Have camped at Terte Rouge for years. Can't help but think it's ideal for corporate hospitality.

Close to the track, easy entry and exit.  Just need to build a nice building there with a viewing gallery on top and Roberto's your Ferrari guest enclosure.... 

Yes, will happen soon.

[Barry]

Found this on the ACO website, confirms our concerns:

'To ensure that as many people as possible have a chance of using the camping areas, the number of tickets is limited to 3.'

[Lorry]

Found this on the ACO website, confirms our concerns:

'To ensure that as many people as possible have a chance of using the camping areas, the number of tickets is limited to 3.'

Does anyone understand the logic of this?

Is it just to devalue ACO membership?

[Barry]

  Prehaps the only thing stopping me giving up is the chance of some close racing with the Hypercars.

With all the difficulties with tickets and the price, if it was still an Audi or Toyota procession I wouldn't think twice about not going, however good the other classes of racing were.

There is also the other issue for next year which may have encouraged the ACO to wack up the prices and think they can get away with it.
In one word: Rossi.

[Barry]

Found this on the ACO website, confirms our concerns:

'To ensure that as many people as possible have a chance of using the camping areas, the number of tickets is limited to 3.'

Does anyone understand the logic of this?

Is it just to devalue ACO membership?

I think it's just to discourage large groups of the great unwashed from going.
Got to make room for the beautiful people who couldn't give a f*ck about sportscar racing.
They've got F1itus.
3 seems very old number though, even for the ACO, why not 4?
Which would be far more sensible.