Le Mans Classic
Discussion
Hi Freestyle7,
The Le Mans classic is quite simply the largest and best classic car event on the planet. I have been twice and twice to the Goodwood revival and there really is no comparison.The Revival is very well organised but tiny in comparison. The attractions and stalls take up about half of the circuit (which is about the size of Castle Combe) and everything is expensive. The Le Mans Classic is HUGE. The whole region is involved. The Bugatti circuit (which is the size of any British club circuit) is used as a club area car park and probably doesn't even make up 5% of the total car parking area. All the car parks are stocked full of interesting cars (there are not many boring cars there). The entry fee is so much better value as it covers all three days and you don't get ripped off when buying refreshments like you do at the Revival. But when all is said and done - nothing will prepare you for the Le Mans classic. You will have to see it for yourself, and when you do you will understand why so many thousands of Brits attend (the Brits are the largest single contingent - something like 40% of everyone there). Go and enjoy it.
The Le Mans classic is quite simply the largest and best classic car event on the planet. I have been twice and twice to the Goodwood revival and there really is no comparison.The Revival is very well organised but tiny in comparison. The attractions and stalls take up about half of the circuit (which is about the size of Castle Combe) and everything is expensive. The Le Mans Classic is HUGE. The whole region is involved. The Bugatti circuit (which is the size of any British club circuit) is used as a club area car park and probably doesn't even make up 5% of the total car parking area. All the car parks are stocked full of interesting cars (there are not many boring cars there). The entry fee is so much better value as it covers all three days and you don't get ripped off when buying refreshments like you do at the Revival. But when all is said and done - nothing will prepare you for the Le Mans classic. You will have to see it for yourself, and when you do you will understand why so many thousands of Brits attend (the Brits are the largest single contingent - something like 40% of everyone there). Go and enjoy it.
chevronb37 said:
I think there might be a few Lotus owners there. My first time (always clashed with FoS in previous years), but everything's booked and tremendously I'm tremendously excited. Don't forget Goodwood FoS is the week before this year, if you want an epic week of motor racing fun.
Nice one Andy,see you there. You going in the Liz?You doing the track laps too?I should be with a group of 8 Elises,18 Caterhams and some classic Jags
Cant wait
The Bandit said:
chevronb37 said:
I think there might be a few Lotus owners there. My first time (always clashed with FoS in previous years), but everything's booked and tremendously I'm tremendously excited. Don't forget Goodwood FoS is the week before this year, if you want an epic week of motor racing fun.
Nice one Andy,see you there. You going in the Liz?You doing the track laps too?I should be with a group of 8 Elises,18 Caterhams and some classic Jags
Cant wait
We're turning it into a holiday and staying in a villa for a week so I'm hoping to get plenty of driving in around the Loire Valley while we're there. See you for the track laps, that will be the culmination of a dream which started when I was about 5 playing Scalextric with a Jag XJR9 and a Porsche 956.johnymac said:
Hi Freestyle7,
The Le Mans classic is quite simply the largest and best classic car event on the planet. I have been twice and twice to the Goodwood revival and there really is no comparison.The Revival is very well organised but tiny in comparison. The attractions and stalls take up about half of the circuit (which is about the size of Castle Combe) and everything is expensive. The Le Mans Classic is HUGE. The whole region is involved. The Bugatti circuit (which is the size of any British club circuit) is used as a club area car park and probably doesn't even make up 5% of the total car parking area. All the car parks are stocked full of interesting cars (there are not many boring cars there). The entry fee is so much better value as it covers all three days and you don't get ripped off when buying refreshments like you do at the Revival. But when all is said and done - nothing will prepare you for the Le Mans classic. You will have to see it for yourself, and when you do you will understand why so many thousands of Brits attend (the Brits are the largest single contingent - something like 40% of everyone there). Go and enjoy it.
Wow, now i'm excited!The Le Mans classic is quite simply the largest and best classic car event on the planet. I have been twice and twice to the Goodwood revival and there really is no comparison.The Revival is very well organised but tiny in comparison. The attractions and stalls take up about half of the circuit (which is about the size of Castle Combe) and everything is expensive. The Le Mans Classic is HUGE. The whole region is involved. The Bugatti circuit (which is the size of any British club circuit) is used as a club area car park and probably doesn't even make up 5% of the total car parking area. All the car parks are stocked full of interesting cars (there are not many boring cars there). The entry fee is so much better value as it covers all three days and you don't get ripped off when buying refreshments like you do at the Revival. But when all is said and done - nothing will prepare you for the Le Mans classic. You will have to see it for yourself, and when you do you will understand why so many thousands of Brits attend (the Brits are the largest single contingent - something like 40% of everyone there). Go and enjoy it.
I live around 45 minutes south of Le Mans race track and I've been going to this event every two years since 2003. I must say I now prefer it to the 24hrs (which I love) and I'm really looking forward to it. It's a more chilled out atmosphere than the 24hrs and you see some truly rare cars from all over the world. I'll be taking one of the Elise's along this year, can't wait.
The Bandit said:
chevronb37 said:
I think there might be a few Lotus owners there. My first time (always clashed with FoS in previous years), but everything's booked and tremendously I'm tremendously excited. Don't forget Goodwood FoS is the week before this year, if you want an epic week of motor racing fun.
Nice one Andy,see you there. You going in the Liz?You doing the track laps too?I should be with a group of 8 Elises,18 Caterhams and some classic Jags
Cant wait
You lucky lucky baskets. I so want to go this year, I went to normal Le Mans last year as I got an invite to take part in the drivers parade, but I would prefer the Classic.
Unfortunately, work commitments mean that taking any time off in July/first two weeks of August is impossible (makes booking summer holidays for anyone with kids fun, as it leaves 2 weeks of the school holidays and we are not supposed to go away at the same time
)
Very, very jealous.
Unfortunately, work commitments mean that taking any time off in July/first two weeks of August is impossible (makes booking summer holidays for anyone with kids fun, as it leaves 2 weeks of the school holidays and we are not supposed to go away at the same time
)Very, very jealous.
As said above, it really is something special. Fantastic atmosphere (no where near as chavvy as the 'regular' 24h, great though it is), knowledgeable crowd, you get the feeling that you are amongst true enthusiasts who love and adore everything that is sportscar racing. Stay up late and witness old Astons et al coming down to Porsche Curves, headlights blazing. I went in 2008, really want to go this year but it falls on the same weekend as the British GP....
I know, I know...... I'll
I know, I know...... I'll
My brother and I are heading down to our first classic this year in the Elise. Getting a bit tired of the growing number of idiots at the main 24hr race, so we thought we should try the classic after hearing such good reviews. Look forward to seeing lots of other Loti on the road and at the event. We have gone with Speed Chills again this year after using them for the main event last year and rating them highly.
Edited by Richie111s on Friday 22 January 13:51
Richie111s said:
My brother and I are heading down to our first classic this year in the Elise. Getting a bit tired of the growing number of idiots at the main 24hr race, so we thought we should try the classic after hearing such good reviews. Look forward to seeing lots of other Loti on the road and at the event. We have gone with Speed Chills again this year after using them for the main event last year and rating them highly.
I've only been to the 24hrs once, in 2000, and it really was the culmination of a life-long dream. Unfortunately, it appears the vast majority of lads who attend the 24 hrs now (including what I see on PH.com) sadly seem to be about drinking, burnouts and vinyl wraps. Well that isn't Le Mans for me. It is about the pinnacle of endurance racing - the finest cars and the finest drivers at work on one of the fastest road circuits in the world. I expect to find the Classic to be the perfect antidote to that blokey nonsense. Edited by Richie111s on Friday 22 January 13:51
I'd like to do the Classic this year and go in the Elise. I did the main LM in 2006 and went in my van leaving the Griff at home. Wish I'd have taken it when I saw how many Tiv's were there, hundreds!! I also did the FOS 2009 and that was triff, had a photo with sir Jackie, Jay Leno, Murry and Jense.
I could do FOS and go over to the LM Clasic from the Midlands.
Do they have a Fri Night parade in the town at the classic?
The Fri night parade at LM 06 was fantastic car porn.
I could do FOS and go over to the LM Clasic from the Midlands.
Do they have a Fri Night parade in the town at the classic?
The Fri night parade at LM 06 was fantastic car porn.
Friday is qualifying day and there are sessions in daylight and after dark. I have a vague timetable somewhere I'll dig out for you if I can. Goodwood for 3 days, rest on the Monday then ferry to Le Havre on the Tuesday staying in a nice villa for a few days in the Loire then Fri, Sat, Sun at La Sarthe for the Classic. Best 10 days of motor sport this year? I reckon! Wish I was doing Monaco Historique again though - that is also a phenomenal weekend of old cars.
Gassing Station | Elise/Exige/Europa/340R | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff