The 12 month countdown
Discussion
Working on the assumption that next year is going to be normal enough to allow a race with spectators, and in June, I had the great pleasure of sending out my "this day in 12 months time..." post to the 15 or so people hoping to come to next years event.
It isn't yet 12 months, but it is for me - I plan to head to N24 hr on 3rd June, then onto Le Mans from there.
With the boredom and misery of lock-down and no racing, its actually a bit of a boost to know we are into the 12 month countdown- the planning officially starts from now. As one of the first timers said when I sent out my post - "it starting to feel real now".
I've now had a doubling effect on my group - people who were coming this year now being added to people who were planning to go next year. People who weren't going to go at all are now going to anything they can think of - 2 of my neighbours are joining us for example?!
I think 2021, if it goes ahead as normal (vaccine, or cure for the virus, or its just dissipated) might be a tad bit busy.
It isn't yet 12 months, but it is for me - I plan to head to N24 hr on 3rd June, then onto Le Mans from there.
With the boredom and misery of lock-down and no racing, its actually a bit of a boost to know we are into the 12 month countdown- the planning officially starts from now. As one of the first timers said when I sent out my post - "it starting to feel real now".
I've now had a doubling effect on my group - people who were coming this year now being added to people who were planning to go next year. People who weren't going to go at all are now going to anything they can think of - 2 of my neighbours are joining us for example?!
I think 2021, if it goes ahead as normal (vaccine, or cure for the virus, or its just dissipated) might be a tad bit busy.
Ben Jk said:
I've sent similar to our group.
4 of us are booked up with Travel Destinations for 2021.
We usually go every other year but decided to skip this year which would have been our usual year to go. Probably lucky we did!
It will be a long 12 months!!
The planning for me starts on the first day back - helps me to get through the depression sort of. The planning is one of the exciting parts of the trip. My first 2 trips I was just a passenger - the first trip with a group of people who could fall out with themselves, and my second with a really cool guy who unfortunately emigrated - he had a good well managed set up each year.4 of us are booked up with Travel Destinations for 2021.
We usually go every other year but decided to skip this year which would have been our usual year to go. Probably lucky we did!
It will be a long 12 months!!
So my 3rd trip was organised by me, with just one other person, and then it grew. Next year we have 14 - 15. 2022 possibly more than that when I think the Liverpool gang will return.
When I get past the point of new people coming it will make life easier, won't have to do all the first showing stuff, and can take it a bit easier, and people can just do their own thing. Having said that as my list of regulars grows I find they just want to tag along with whatever I organise anyway, which does make it pretty easy.
Must admit, I love seeing the reaction on first timers faces as I show them various things for the first time.
You were lucky to skip this year, but having been 6 times (5 car, one 24 hr bike race) I don't think I could contemplate skipping a trip to that wonderful part of the world.
Really hope the vaccine proves a success - next year will be a very good year if it is.
wsn03 said:
Ben Jk said:
I've sent similar to our group.
4 of us are booked up with Travel Destinations for 2021.
We usually go every other year but decided to skip this year which would have been our usual year to go. Probably lucky we did!
It will be a long 12 months!!
The planning for me starts on the first day back - helps me to get through the depression sort of. The planning is one of the exciting parts of the trip. My first 2 trips I was just a passenger - the first trip with a group of people who could fall out with themselves, and my second with a really cool guy who unfortunately emigrated - he had a good well managed set up each year.4 of us are booked up with Travel Destinations for 2021.
We usually go every other year but decided to skip this year which would have been our usual year to go. Probably lucky we did!
It will be a long 12 months!!
So my 3rd trip was organised by me, with just one other person, and then it grew. Next year we have 14 - 15. 2022 possibly more than that when I think the Liverpool gang will return.
When I get past the point of new people coming it will make life easier, won't have to do all the first showing stuff, and can take it a bit easier, and people can just do their own thing. Having said that as my list of regulars grows I find they just want to tag along with whatever I organise anyway, which does make it pretty easy.
Must admit, I love seeing the reaction on first timers faces as I show them various things for the first time.
You were lucky to skip this year, but having been 6 times (5 car, one 24 hr bike race) I don't think I could contemplate skipping a trip to that wonderful part of the world.
Really hope the vaccine proves a success - next year will be a very good year if it is.
Ben Jk said:
Next year will be my 5th trip. Personally I am happy with going every other year due to the cost (we go all in) and also it feels even more special I think not going every year but do miss being there in the off years.
I have been 6 times (including moto 24 last year). I'd been twice between 2008 and 2012, 2013 I was in Abu Dhabi working 2 weeks solid on a 4 week assignment that i wanted to condense into a fortnight, watching it on my laptop while trying to work.2014 I was living with my new wife, who really didn't grasp the concept of leaving me in peace without interruptions.
2015 and 2016 were occupied with being cold at the TT which always took priority...plus babies.
2017 i finally bought a sportscar and went to Le Mans again, then realised it was the best holiday ever, that would have to be repeated every year - the race is hypnotic.
My mates son rides in the motorbike world endurance series, now a factory rider so i have a massive interest in that also, nice trip in the comfortable family estate car.
There were just 2 of us in 2017. I plan rigurously, and the way I do it the guys reckon come to about 600 quid all in each, so my group of 2 is up to 14 next year. The list of one off but now "never going to miss another one" is growing, so we must be doing something right.
One of the guys last year had been 3 times before but said he saw a side to Le Mans he didn't know existed on our trip - I tend to avoid the big crowds hanging out on the quieter East side during the race apart from start, finish and podium.
Good planning is key, everything from walkie talkies, campsite that is empty, to pairing up like characters in different vehicles.
I'd be just as happy going alone listening to RLM, but its nice seeing everyone getting on and having a goid time
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