KPY,
I know the work at LM isn't finished yet, so we could all stand to be corrected (although after looking at those aerial pics of the ongoing work, I doubt it), but are we losing something in the translation here?
It seems the ACO do not really have an appreciation of why their race is so popular or what makes it special. It looks from this side of the water as if they are trying to alienate the racing fans and downgrade the spectacle. Or are we missing something? - what's the opinion of the local French fans?
H
The ACO are a bunch of self-important blazered w@nkers. The dealings I've had with them over the years have left me with the impression that only the girls in the booking office, who are superb, are any good at their job. The translations on their site and in their press releases are rubbish, because they choose to use an agency which does not employ native English speakers. They can’t even set up an on-line booking system – they’ve passed at least three deadlines for opening it already, and currently state that it opens last Monday! Their marketing department employs people who, I suspect, would make your Audi PR person seem polite. Several years ago they told me that they would not consider selling a concession to sell ice around the campsites, as there was no call for it. When I said that the risk would be mine I was told that it was people like me who caused trouble for them.
The problem is that the ACO gets large grants from the local authorities on the grounds that they bring tourists, and therefore money into the area.
I’ve spoken to quite a few locals at Le Mans, who live within or close to the circuit. Of course opinions vary, but there’s an element that feels that the influx of large numbers of sober, semi-sober and plain drunk guys, added to the inconvenience and noise is maybe not worth the free tickets handed out by the ACO. Actual French fans come from all over France and you’ll find quite a few like Fab and Bernard B on the 10/10ths forum. Gilles is one of the biggest fans of La Sarthe, Le Mans and the 24 Hours, but, last time I asked he wasn’t an ACO member. I think the general opinion about alterations to the circuit, Village etc. is pretty much universal.
Speaking of demolition of landmarks, has Montlhery been flattened now too? Last I heard it had been closed and was headed for the wrecking ball and bulldozers. That would be tragic, far more so than Rouen.
Montlhery has not been demolished. It’s lost its competition license for lack of the cash to repair the surface and strengthen the banking. See
http://asalm.free.fr/ The place is mainly used as a vehicle test and certification centre, and, sadly, visitors are discouraged except on rare Open Days.
Have to admit to being mystified at the French lack of regard for their motor racing heritage.
I don’t buy the “French don’t care” thing. One point is that racing and rallying on closed roads is a very old French tradition. Circuits used for genuine road and street racing change as those roads and streets change. Some are swallowed up in developments like Reims, some are changed out of all recognition like the 1906 French GP circuit at Le Mans, and some like the 1907-1913 Dieppe and Rouen circuits are still recognisable. We have Historic Grands Prix at Monte Carlo and Pau, the Grand Prix des Remparts at Angouleme, the Grand Prix de l’Age d’Or at Dijon. The Tour de France Auto, the Monte Carlo Rallye Historique, and God knows how many minor events all over France. Bernie may own Le Castellet, but at least it’s still there
http://tinyurl.com/njn43 . There’s a new circuit at Clermont Ferrand, and you can have fun looking for the old one. There was to have been a new circuit in Normandy to replace the loss of Rouen, but politics reared an ugly head and Mitterand forced the choice of a new GP circuit to Magny Cours, close to his home base of Nevers. Bah!
