Title: Did the race ever start early or late?
Post by: wordwidequery on June 14, 2005, 12:38:01 pm
I am aware that the race initially started in May, and once in July (1956), but has it ever started at a time other than the usual 4 o clock? I am researching a piece on this, and heard a malicious rumour that once it did, which I now cannot ignore! Thanks to anyone who can help me or provide a definitive 'no' (just as good!).
It's urgent, so speed much, much appreciated.
richard.mellor@word-wide.co.uk ...
It's urgent, so speed much, much appreciated.
richard.mellor@word-wide.co.uk ...
Title: Re:Did the race ever start early or late?
Post by: Bob U on June 14, 2005, 12:42:08 pm
In 1998 it started 2 hours early to aviod a clash with the final of the French open tennis championship. French TV wanted to show both live. Don't know if this is the only time.
Title: Re:Did the race ever start early or late?
Post by: wordwidequery on June 14, 2005, 01:01:17 pm
Thanks... we heard something about an election getting in the way one year... if anyone knows about this... probably just us being bonkers.
Cheers, Bob, the haste was fabulous, and thankful.
Cheers, Bob, the haste was fabulous, and thankful.
Title: Re:Did the race ever start early or late?
Post by: Bobblehat on June 14, 2005, 02:00:39 pm
I think it started late in 1996 for the "fottie world cup"
Title: Re:Did the race ever start early or late?
Post by: Matt Harper on June 14, 2005, 04:47:08 pm
It didn't start at all in 1936 - potential civil unrest, being the explanation. Needless to say 1940 to 1948 were blanks too.
I can't remember the detail but the race was postponed until September one year - someone more knowlegeable than me will state when.
I can't remember the detail but the race was postponed until September one year - someone more knowlegeable than me will state when.
Title: Re:Did the race ever start early or late?
Post by: Nordic on June 14, 2005, 04:56:19 pm
The student riots in Paris pushed the race back to sept as Matt has said.
Elections have also caused the race to start early at least once in the 80's I am sure.
Elections have also caused the race to start early at least once in the 80's I am sure.
Title: Re:Did the race ever start early or late?
Post by: Fax on June 14, 2005, 05:16:22 pm
In 1968 the race was held in Sept. can't remember if it was because of strikes, riots, etc. Mostly a wet and cold affair. Pedro Rodriguez and Lucien Bianchi won in a John Wyer/Gulf GT-40. Same car won next year with Jacky Ickx & Jackie Oliver doing the driving.
Fax
Fax
Title: Re:Did the race ever start early or late?
Post by: Fax on June 14, 2005, 05:29:49 pm
In 1986 the race was held the weekend of May 31-June 1. I remember this very well because the Indy 500 was postponed a week by rain and was held on Sunday June 1, I was at the speedway when I was told of Jo Gartner's death during the night.
Fax
Fax
Title: Re:Did the race ever start early or late?
Post by: ridefast on June 16, 2005, 05:49:53 pm
You can find all answers to your questions on official ACO Le Mans page at Retrospective/Roll Of Honour And Records/Dates and timetable of the race.
Dates
Always in mid-June (summer solstice) except in:
1923 : 26-27 May (first race).
1956 : 28-29 July (delayed by construction work).
1968 : 28-29 September (delayed by the events of May ’68)
1986 : 31 May-1st June (clash in motor sport calendar).
Horaires
Traditionally from 16:00 Saturday to 16:00 Sunday, except in:
1968 : Start at 15:00 (race put back to September).
1969 : Start at 14:00 (presidential election).
1979, 1981, 1984, 1985, 1988, 1996 : Start at 15:00 (elections except for 1985, European Cup Football in 1996).
1998 : Start at 14:00 (TV coverage shared with the tennis final at Roland Garros and football World Cup)
Dates
Always in mid-June (summer solstice) except in:
1923 : 26-27 May (first race).
1956 : 28-29 July (delayed by construction work).
1968 : 28-29 September (delayed by the events of May ’68)
1986 : 31 May-1st June (clash in motor sport calendar).
Horaires
Traditionally from 16:00 Saturday to 16:00 Sunday, except in:
1968 : Start at 15:00 (race put back to September).
1969 : Start at 14:00 (presidential election).
1979, 1981, 1984, 1985, 1988, 1996 : Start at 15:00 (elections except for 1985, European Cup Football in 1996).
1998 : Start at 14:00 (TV coverage shared with the tennis final at Roland Garros and football World Cup)
Title: Re:Did the race ever start early or late?
Post by: Alain Delorme on June 26, 2005, 09:20:51 pm
Hello everybody, here are some details about the started hour of our favorite race:
- 15 o'clock in 1968 (but the race occured in september because of the events of may);
- 14 o'clock in 1969 (because of presidential elections);
- 15 o'clock in 1979/1981/1984/1985/1988/1996 (because of elections and the European Football Cup in 1996);
- 14 o'clock in 1998 (Roland Garros and World Football Cup)
- 15 o'clock in 1968 (but the race occured in september because of the events of may);
- 14 o'clock in 1969 (because of presidential elections);
- 15 o'clock in 1979/1981/1984/1985/1988/1996 (because of elections and the European Football Cup in 1996);
- 14 o'clock in 1998 (Roland Garros and World Football Cup)
