Changes to circuit

[BigH]

Picked this up from ten-tenths:

Back to topic, Ouest France is announcing the La Sarthe plans for the next four years works : nearly 20 M€ to renovate and refurbish the site...

- for 2004 : control camιras on the great track, more security and better circulation at Maison-Blanche, marshall's protection = 1 426 000 €.
- Singher's GS to be renovated + air colling in the pits + 30 places for inpaired people = 935 000 €

For 2005 : four pedestrians tunnels at north gate, south gate, La Chapelle curve and Garage Vert curve = 2 924 000 €
- Tertre-Rouge modifications + enlarged gravel trap = 2 500 000 €

And next, for 2006/2007 :
- for the Village = 3 M€
- improve the welcome for all the publics
- 55 pits = 3 645 000 €
- Welcome's restaurant will be rebuilded
- a new Welcome center on three levels = 5 196 000 €

No mention of new dumpers.
H

[Steve Pyro]

The new pedestrian tunnels will be a good thing.  We'll be able to cross between the Dunlop Bridge and Tetre Rouge.

Also I like the bit for 2006/2007
"- improve the welcome for all the publics"
I don't know exactly what that entails but I'm looking forward to it  

[mgmark]

improve the welcome for all the publics

New tunnels will help greatly - of the ones now, that at Tetre Rouge is too small, the one by finish line stinks of sewage and the one by the museum enjoys that marvellous blend of drunk pedestrian, cars, trucks and Gallic perennial, the teenager on a moped...

I do so hope that the improved welcome for the publics involves new bogs.......

[Matt Harper]

I wonder why another bloody gravel trap is required (this time at Tetre Rouge). Aside from moving spectators away from any kind of decent viewing position, what purpose will be served by spending around a million quid on a few tons of pea gravel at this part of the circuit?
Lap times have remained reasonably static over the last 5 years (and are significantly slower than late 80's and early 70's) and Tetre Rouge hasn't exactly been an incident 'blackspot' on the track, to my limited knowledge - moreover a fairly fast right-hander affording drivers the opportunity to spool-up for the first part of the chute.
Maybe I missed something, but I can't figure out what good this would do at all - aside from which, how one goes about building a gravel trap on a bridge and embankment is a mystery to me also.

[hgb]

If they intent to build a gravel trap at Tertre Rouge than this finalises the Stella Bar.  

[rcutler]

If they intent to build a gravel trap at Tertre Rouge than this finalises the Stella Bar.  

Building a gravel trap at Tertre Rouge would not only see goodbye to the stella bar but also the main road between Le Mans and Tours. This will not happen soon but if it did then the mulsanne will no longer be the main road to tours, meaning more races?

[Gilles]

You forget the main aspect (for the drivers) which is a new macadam on the track, almost to please to motoracers.

[Andy Zarse]

Call me old fashioned but f**k the ACO and f**k their "curcuit improvements".

Changes to the facilities are welcome, but will this see just another round of demolition, like the wonderful old pitlane stands and nothing to replace them. Build shiny new ones by all means but why just leave a patch of bare earth? I still bemoan the destruction of the old champagne bar. Why did that ever happen? Maybe I'm just being cynical.

The bastards.

[Mr Toad]

Does anyone know what the improved circulation and security at Maison Blanche might mean? Will it take space out of the campsite do you think? Marked spaces? I can feel a nightmare coming on...

[smokie]

Probably just some white arrows on the roads...


And some double yellow lines


And speed cameras and other "traffic calming" measures

[Fax]

I'm with Matt on this one, what the f**k do they need more gravel traps for?  The spectating is a joke now, do they feel obligated to make it even worse (if thats possible)?  The circut has lost almost all of its once great character, what the hell, they might as well take what's left.  Spend the money on some decent crappers and how about building some proper grandstands to replace those flattened several years ago.
John

[powermite]

When we were there in november the crappy post and wire fence that runs along the road next toMB had been replaced with 6 ft high concrete panels
PM

[Robbo SPS]

When we were there in november the crappy post and wire fence that runs along the road next toMB had been replaced with 6 ft high concrete panels
PM

And they had re painted the pooh sheds

[Canada Phil]

I see in 2004 +30 seats for the Impaired? Questions
a) are they reservable? b) does this mean the impaired will no longer be able to sit in their regular seats?
Canada Phil

[smokie]

I recall being so impaired one year that I fell off my bike and slept on the ground for a couple of hours at the entrance to one of the tunnels.

Nice to know that they are thinking of me...