24hr v. classic

[huggybear]

Done 24hr many times, never done LM classic. If, like me, you could only do one of them in 2006, which would it be and why?
Thanks guys and gals.

[Ferrari Spider]

oooooooooh HB, now this is going to be difficult and the answer is; it DEPENDS.

Depends what you REALLY, REALLY ENJOY about your LM visit.

If its the madness, 200,000 + plus people, funfairs, fireworks and very loud cars then the main race it has to be.

If it is something like the Goodwood Speed Festival, when it first started, with plenty of space a few people lost inside the LM space, quite evenings, fantastic old timers, the chance to actually speak with the drivers and pit crews, getting very close to the cars without being pushed etc and really enjoying the thrill of seeing the older cars going through their paces it has to be the Classic.

Oh by the way if you have the chance of taking something nice to drive like a classic car, then the 100 euro's which are charged to do 3 yes three laps of the full LM circuit then start booking now, see you there.

[Steve Pyro]

I agree with Senor Spider (having been at the 2004 Classic with him).

The two events are worlds apart.  You know what the main race is like, the Classic is far less 'busy' and I found the spectators to be more hard core old car fans.  The majority appeared to be billeted in hotels and guest houses as the campsite (MB) was very sedate.  We had plenty of room and, on a campsite walk about, found the site to be full of interesting classics and sportscars.

I admit I went to both the main race and the Classic last year (plus the pre-quals) and will do the same next year.

However, the majority of my cobra driving associates (not as into sportscar racing as me) are not bothering with the main race next year and are all coming down just for the classic.  Expect to see a large cobra / hot rod contingent.

[jpchenet]

I'd agree with Mr Spider and Mr Brown! As another one who did all three last year, and intends to do all three nexty year (plus Sebring) it really does give you great amount of variety.

To be honest, after Sebring and Pre Quals, I doubt I'll watch much of the main race in June and just party. The viewing at Sebring is far superior, and access to the corners at Mulsanne and Arnage is so much easier at Pre-Quals (as well as the paddock)

The Classic is a totrally different event. Far more relaxed. As ACO members you get free access to the Paddocks and the ACO grandstand. IIRC, each ACO member can order 6 tickets in this way. I'm pretty sure Steve and Peter are both ACO members (as am I) so if there's a CA group going I'm sure we can pool together to get the better tickets at the discount price!

[Doris]

I'd be up for joining a CA group to go to the classic as I don't think any of the bunch I go with in June would make the trip.  (Guys, feel free to prove me wrong on this one)  Also an ACO member so could help with the whole cheap ticket thing.

[Bobblehat]

The plan is for Bobblehat Racing to be there too, with the classics, Tiger Scimmy (if I ever finish her). Also ACO member, so can help there too...

[Barry]

If it had to be a choice between them, I think I would vote for the Classic. The chav contingent are missing, it's very relaxed, and there are so many classic cars to drool over you end up with a dry mouth.
Hopefully I will not have to make the choice, as long as we can get the kids farmed out, Jo and I will be at the Classic Thursday to Monday

[ecurie]

I'll  be at the Classic and taking my 7 year old son with me.
Should be a nice introduction to the Le Mans experience for him.

Will try to take the Triumph to make it extra special (might be wisfull thinking considering the restoration is glacier slow)

[Steve Pyro]

What ho Fran,
The 2006 Le Mans CLASSIC is on 7 / 8 / 9 July 2006.

http://www.lemansclassic.com/2004/annonce_en.pdf

[Ferrari Spider]

What are the dates for the Classic?

Tut Tut Fran,  its all on the aco web page.  but here is the info, i haven't heard from you since LM have i done something wrong?  Pee Wee

2006 - The 3rdLe Mans classic will be held on 7-8-9 July 2006
What’s new in 2006?
The eligibility period has been extended to 1979.

This will allow the following cars to take part:
BMW M1s as this vehicle was entered for Le Mans for the first time in 1979 and it symbolised BMW’s return to endurance racing.
The legendary roar of the Ferrari 512 BBs will be heard again on Les Hunaudières. These cars raced at Le Mans for the first time in 1978 and really began to make an impact the following year in the Sarthe and Daytona 24-Hour events. In 1980, the 512 BB was lightened, improved aerodynamically, found a few extra horsepower and scored some good results in the Le Mans 24 Hours with 10th place overall plus an IMSA Category victory. The 512 BB’s best performance in the Sarthe came in 1981 when one finished 5th overall.
1979 was also the year when Porsche scored its first win since the legendary 917’s success in 1971 thanks to the famous 935 coupe.
The event will now be a real 3-day affair, as the circuit will be closed from Friday afternoon onwards. This will give the different grids more practice time.

Description : A Retrospective of one of the legendary motor races in the world.
The biggest European assembly of historic cars.

The initiators : The A.C.O, creator and organiser of the Le Mans 24 Hours, and Peter Automobile, promoter of motor car events.

The date : 7-8-9 July 2006

The competition : 396 cars (+ 72 reserves), whose common feature is to have taken part in the Le Mans 24 Hours between 1923 and 1979, will be divided into 6 grids according to their period. In keeping with tradition the start will be given at 16h00 on Saturday afternoon and the chequered flag will be hung out at 16h00 on Sunday. Cars will take up their positions on a dummy Le Mans type grid before the formation lap. As a 24-Hour event would be a bit too strenuous for historic cars the drivers will race day and night with three heats for the various grids. As usual drivers will form teams made up of cars from each one of the grids.

Clubs : An assembly under the auspices of the FFVE and the FIVA. The makes’ clubs will be privileged guests at Le Mans

Automobilia : Tents and shops will house automobilia specialists and artists

Auction : The auction – cars and automobilia – will be organised by Christie’s


 
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[Ferrari Spider]

Can't wait to hear those 512 BB's at full chat, a toss up between these and the 333SP's  It'll be like being at the Steve McQueen film but live, sorry paddy your're screen was excellent plus sound of course. the hearts pumping already.

[Lazy B'stard]

I think the dates are the 8-9th July.
 I too will only be allowed out to play once next summer, so I think its the classic for me. I have been to the modern for 2 years in a row now and fancy a change. I spent time at Tetre Rouge at 2am this year wondering what 917s and 512LMs would sound like disappearing off down the Mulsanne. So I think its time to find out!!

[Barry]

I spent time at Tetre Rouge at 2am this year wondering what 917s and 512LMs would sound like disappearing off down the Mulsanne. So I think its time to find out!!

Set the scene, midnight, Tetre Rouge, Classic 2004.

A new grid has just started, we wait with anticipation, we think we know what's about to arrive.

We hear this glourious sound, and as we watch 4 GT 40's hammer up to TR, sweep round and diappear into the night, another wave of sound as another 2 GT 40's come out of the darkness towards us, with an MGB, between the two of them . As the rest of the grid passes through TR you can hear the GT's as they head towards Mulsanne.
Quiet descends on the scene, the anticipation builds again, in the distance you begin to hear that sound again, you close your eyes, that must be them as the end of the start straight, thats them going through the Dunlop chicane, through the Esses, here they come, as an orchestra of GT 40's arrives again, with an MGB only a few hundred yards behind.

This was IMHO the best grid I saw, as all of the 6 GT 40 drivers wanted to be the winner, but every grid had it's own appeal and soundtrack.

[Nordic]

I thought about missing the proper 24hr in favor of the classic for next year.

But having given it some thought I would rather carry on seeing the cars create history rather than recreate it.

I was lucky enough to see the M1/935/512 battles in the 80's and would rather keep those images unclutered with those of the the classic.

[geoffd]

Last year I missed the 24hr in favour of the Classic, and was like a bear with a sore head all weekend.  

So next year it'll have to be both