In the interests of accuracy Robbo - they are not and to my knowledge have never been 'free' if you go there first. I have, for about the last ten years watched the start from Mulsanne and on arrival have parted with a few Euro's (8 this year) for a ticket which this year I think (age memory thing) was yellow? however In the old days when I had a Vert pass then there was no more to pay - as that included access to Mulsanne and Arnage as I think, it would seem would a Rouge.
I have to confess that part of the reason I raised this subject was very much in the interests of accuracy. There were a number of enthusiast sites - this one included suggesting that all parking should be paid for in advance and rather alarmingly saying that in fact the parking tickets had 'sold out.' This would have been a new (and cr+p) idea had it been the case but it was not - just a bit of 'website noise' as it would seem that there were no changes this year. Although there did seem to be a concerted effort by the organisers to encourage people take the bus instead of driving round to the various vantage points.

 

Yes - Race Driver GRID - which is what I wanted to say, but my boss was sat behind me when I typed it .... had to close and come back sharpish - always leads to mistakes

Listening to diesels whispering around the track is truly crap and that's where the development's going to keep going.

I just don't think the atmosphere's at the Sarthe anymore.