Circuit Changes

[chrisbeatty]

Reading Autosport over lunch I noticed a report that the circuit will be modified in 2006 before the race.

Tetre Rouge will be brought inside the current corner to allow for more run off space where the current corner is.
The Dunlop chicane is to be tightened as well.

Now I thought they were slowing the cars down, do they really need to do the same to the track?

[Fax]

Tighten the Dunlop chicane?   You've got to be shitting me!  It's stupidly slow as it is.  Nothing more spine-tingling than watching the field crawl to a stop on the opening lap...Who the hell is the moron who decides on these alterations?
How about improving the spectators view so that you can actually see the cars.
Fax

[Paddy_NL]

Have Bernie and Max found their way to the circuit aswell now?

[Steve Pyro]

Tetre Rouge will be brought inside the current corner to allow for more run off space where the current corner is.

Does that mean the spectator banking on the inside will be bulldozed...........and what will happen to the allotments  

[johnevans3]

Fax, I think you are right on about improving the view of the cars during the race.   I was so awed by being at Le Mans for the first time that I really tolerated the lousy viewing for most of the circuit.  It wasn't until I saw my pictures that I realized I didn't really have a decent shot in the bunch.  Only because I was able to borrow a tribune pass from Brian was I able to get some nice racing shots and pit shots but they were obviously limited.  I guess they, ACO, are so "gunshy" from the Mercedes incidents (fairly recent and back in the fifties??) they don't want to see anyone else hurt if bad things were to happen.  I surely would like some better viewing along the circuit but I doubt that will happen.

[Gilles]

Tetre Rouge will be brought inside the current corner to allow for more run off space where the current corner is.

Does that mean the spectator banking on the inside will be bulldozed...........and what will happen to the allotments  

Yes all these allotments will dissapear. They already have relocated all the private gardens.

[Andy Zarse]

GGRRRRR!!! (Shakes fist at screen!!)

I despair! LEAVE IT ALONE!!! Tetre Rouge is perfectly happy the way it is, a classic piece of race track. They'll probably fill in the little tunnel which for no apparent reason has "morte au vache" written on the wall . Another piece of priceless LM history lost for ever.

And why on earth they should want to tighten the Dunlop Chicane is anyones guess.

They'd be better off sorting out the ticketting arrangements if you ask me.

[Steve Pyro]

John,
I found I was able to get a far clearer view for photos at the Pre Qual and LM Classic than at LM proper.
Probably as there was less of a crowd (and less booze).
I've found a couple of areas where I can get up close and shoot through the fences to get a clear shot.

See my stuff here http://community.webshots.com/user/route66weasel

[Steve Pyro]

Yes all these allotments will dissapear. They already have relocated all the private gardens.

Catastroscope!  What will happen to all the runner beans, potatos, courgettes, carrots, parsnips, peas, marrows ........... and all the jolly gardeners having barbeques whilst they watch the racing.

[Gilles]

Yes all these allotments will dissapear. They already have relocated all the private gardens.

Catastroscope!  What will happen to all the runner beans, potatos, courgettes, carrots, parsnips, peas, marrows ........... and all the jolly gardeners having barbeques whilst they watch the racing.

They already moved to beausejour in a beautiful field full of tiny woodhouses

[Fax]

Guys,
Agreed about the specatator bank on the inside of Terte Rouge.  During my trips I've found its about the only vantage point (without a tribune pass) to take some nice, unobstructed photos, got a lovely shot of the winning Porsche early on Sunday morning in 1998.  The view from the little bank looking up the hill from the esses to the Dunlop Bridge also used to be quite evocative but thats all gone now...thanks ACO!
John

[vwgtifan]

Next thing you know Le Mans will be an eight mile tri-oval and NASCAR will be invited as a new class...God help the day...

[Matt Harper]

I can't help thinking the Dunlop Chicane mod will be to further slow moto's down - but Fax is bang on - what the f**k is occurring when the pack comes to a complete standstill on the opening lap, as they trundle through that chicane? I could never figure why they didn't leave the super fast sweeping righthander for the 24 hrs and modify for the bikes. It's done the world over....
As for dicking around with Tetre Rouge - why is a large(r) run-off needed here? RN 138 is a wiiiide road at the point where the circuit meets it. I can't remember a serious incident at this point on the circuit.
Added to which, it's only used for the 24 hours for cars.
If I went to Le Mans to watch a motor race, I'd be very upset.

[Fax]

Agree completely with Matt about leaving the sweeper alone and building a inner chicane for the bikers.  The configuration that springs to mind is the old Woodcote Chicane at Silverstone.  Some of the old Silverstone vets may be able to clarify this better than me but didn't the F1 cars use the chicane while the bikers and tin-toppers went round the old sweeper?  Seems to me they could've done the same thing at Le Mans except in reverse.  Would've made alot more sense than the mickey mouse bit of track there now.
From the moment it was installed the drivers have always felt the Dunlop Chicane is stupid and unnecessary.
John

[BigH]

Ppppppphhh... in an exhaled breath/flapping lips fashion,

We've been here before lads, and it's not hard to believe no one's listening. If Autosport wasn't such a toilet accessory now then it would be reporting stuff like this and letting the ACO know what everyone thinks. The ACO think they're probably doing a great job and can't wait to show us their new chicanes, run off areas and underwear. The Year We Lost The Dunlop Hill was the last straw for me, and I don't really go out of my way now to try and find a good view, because I know there aren't any. Funnily enough Steve, the TYWLTDH I found myself standing on a small hillock, with enough room for about two other people, I got the same view as your pic, and remember thinking that it was one of the few areas I could get near the cars, at their level, and see them from roof to wheel. Then I slipped on a chip and lost my place.
I was never there before the Porsche Curves were built, but it looks like that was probably the only modern change that was an improvement. I know that until recently you couldn't spectate from there, and I'm not sure what the view is like, so the advantages of that improvement may have been limited. I know it's challenging for the drivers, but the ACO seem to think it needs to be challenging for the spectators as well...
H

flapping lips??