Summing up 2021 from France

[surveyor]

A year to remember, a year to have been glad to have made it into a French field, and listen to race cars.

We have missed some elements, but it was never going to be a year the same as another.

Well done to the officials, the marshals, the fans and especially the ones who made it. Also thanks to lowdrag for the regular updates.

We will see you in 2022, hopefully back in BSJ!

[Output Flange]

Yep, it’s been great even though it’s been different. Glad not to have missed it.

[KFos]

Agree entirely- glad we made the effort; met about 8 other Brits, but worth it to hear the sound of cars and enjoy France.
Did some things we have never done before, such as the Auberge restaurant on Mulsanne; spent an hour trying to find the place, but we’ll worth the trip.
Hope everyone enjoyed the race (wherever you were) and look forward to seeing more of you next year.

[butaclor]

Its been a great weekend , really pleased we made the trip . As above did a couple of things we haven't done before, including the Auberge Hunaudières. Arnage was very quiet as were the roads in and out . We met up with old friends we haven't seen since 2019 ,and made new ones too. It has more than whetted our appetites for 2022.

Edited by butaclor on Sunday 22 August 23:47

[XJR9LM]

Really pleased we came, sure the numbers were limited to 50k and the atmosphere and camp sites were not what they normally are but I wouldn't have missed it for anything. We still had a great time, chatted to lots of people, had drinks in town on Friday, no queues and we got to watch the race trackside. Some places were still busy, the Village, ACO building and the pit straight for start/finish, although probably only about half of the normal crowd size in that area. All in all we had a great time, hoping next year will be back to normal but it was a novelty, one we won’t forget and definitely worth being there.

[FARP]

Really glad I went this year, for a change instead of camping I stayed AirBnB with a lovely French family about 3 miles from the circuit. Came back to their place Saturday evening to a swim in their pool and a BBQ.
I hadn’t realised but the food outlets run at Arnage at Mulsanne are both run to raise money for the local Junior Football team. With the event run behind closed last year the club lost in the region of €30,000.
I’m sure we all hope things will return to normal for next years race, I’m really looking forward to staying at the new Team Langoustine (Thomas Cook) with it being so near to the track.

[LM240]

Glad those who made it there had a great time.

Being at the circuit with less people around is my idea of bliss!

I was watching and thinking how great it would have been for getting around.

[cn7k7]

So nice to be back on French soil again....as with many we did it differently this year. We stayed in Sees and operated out of there as we know the patron of Au Normandy well and wanted to spend a couple of nights enjoying his hospitality. As such we were driving and had a look round a bit...went to Auberge for lunch and start of Road to Le Mans, visited KFC viewing point and generally enjoyed the easy movement.

The French were all pleased to see visitors again and some foreign money coming in...all in all a great weekend and back to normal camping next year with a bigger crew....hopefully

[Bobo W]

I really enjoyed it this year

Positives:
- limited numbers (albeit way more than 50k imho) made it feel like the early Classic Le Mans races
- wet start made for possibly best racing I’ve seen in 30 years
- great opportunity to get a younger generation involved that wasn’t an option with June date
- good racing and really exciting at the end
- race program on Friday
- on-site catering has improved considerably
- cafe des hunadieres is now an Auberge and food was fabulous

Negatives:
- no Radio LM on FM waveband
- no real challenge finding Auberge des Hunadieres any more and significant development in area, equally, there’s now signage to Arnage all round circuit limiting options to get lost
- race program on Friday - I like free day
- no pits walkabout

[wsn03]

Bobo W said:

I really enjoyed it this year

Positives:
- limited numbers (albeit way more than 50k imho) made it feel like the early Classic Le Mans races
- wet start made for possibly best racing I’ve seen in 30 years
- great opportunity to get a younger generation involved that wasn’t an option with June date
- good racing and really exciting at the end
- race program on Friday
- on-site catering has improved considerably
- cafe des hunadieres is now an Auberge and food was fabulous

Negatives:
- no Radio LM on FM waveband
- no real challenge finding Auberge des Hunadieres any more and significant development in area, equally, there’s now signage to Arnage all round circuit limiting options to get lost
- race program on Friday - I like free day
- no pits walkabout

So did you guys there have no radio coverage? Can't imagine that.

Auberge des Hunadieres might be easier to find than it was when i first bumped into it by accident in 2008, but its certainly no busier in normal times - odd really.

[AJB88]

Have never been but really do fancy going one year. Maybe 2022 is the year.

[hunter 66]

First event so enjoyed it immensely , only down was long line to get the hologram on my pass . Otherwise epic time , and Nice to be racing as well on my first visit . Great track and a real memory ...... just have in car footage to run through asa. reminder .

[wsn03]

hunter 66 said:

First event so enjoyed it immensely , only down was long line to get the hologram on my pass . Otherwise epic time , and Nice to be racing as well on my first visit . Great track and a real memory ...... just have in car footage to run through asa. reminder .

Your head is going to be well and truly fried when you see the place in normal times - it will feel like a total invasion of privacy.

[wsn03]

AJB88 said:

Have never been but really do fancy going one year. Maybe 2022 is the year.

The trick is knowing how to find it. Its not too difficult but best work it out when roads are open because they implement a giant country lanes one way system for all 3 cars that drive round there...odd

[FredericRobinson]

2022 should be a good year to find your bearings ahead of 2023, which is going to be nuts

[wsn03]

FredericRobinson said:

2022 should be a good year to find your bearings ahead of 2023, which is going to be nuts

Ive got a massive number joining us 2023, compared to next year just 5 of us - I bet every group is going to have much the same.

My usual roaming plans aren't happening 2023 , outside of watching the racing we'll only visit the stadium on the Friday to do the shopping / museum / hang out, then La Lude friday night, and that's it. Rest of the time we'll just be chilling at our quiet campsite, too much logistics to overcome and really can't be bothered. We won't even wonder down to Arnage - maybe just drive through it once to show the group newbies. 2023 will be nuts.