Drivers Parade to start at midday?

Drivers Parade to start at midday?

Author
Discussion

leyorkie

Original Poster:

1,682 posts

183 months

Tuesday 22nd November 2022
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Reported in todays newspaper. Not confirmed but it’s suggested to avoid other events

RL17

1,335 posts

100 months

Tuesday 22nd November 2022
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Early evening calvalcade of past winning cars and drivers at the track?

Last years late opening of track walk and pits etc probably reduced crowd at drivers parade - didn’t think minor support races on the Friday worked at all.

So hopefully open track early, parade and then back to track - not sure restaurants in town would like it - unless it’s another event in town later?

Great Dane

2,793 posts

173 months

Tuesday 22nd November 2022
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difficult to say devrais means should

FredericRobinson

3,940 posts

239 months

Tuesday 22nd November 2022
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Surely the locals would prefer a later time what with school and work and all that?

Rick101

7,015 posts

157 months

Tuesday 22nd November 2022
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That's a long day on the ale!

delta0

2,393 posts

113 months

Wednesday 23rd November 2022
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Hopefully they go back to an early open to the track for the pitwalk and walk along the open part of the track. Gives people more time to make it into town as well.

FredericRobinson

3,940 posts

239 months

Wednesday 23rd November 2022
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There’s next to no spectator interest in the Friday races, and the marshals deserve a day off, but doubtless they work for the ACO in bringing in lots of lovely cash from the participants

//j17

4,616 posts

230 months

Wednesday 23rd November 2022
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Seems an odd choice if it happens.

1. There are at least as many local families at the DP as race fans - midday won't work for them, so causing friction with the local voters.
2. Traditionally the parade cars have spent the morning at the Classic British Welcome. Either they have to skip that, causing friction with St Saturnin or will be trying to leave for the centre of Le Mans at the peak of CBW traffic.
3. A large part of the DP has been about the ACO "giving back" to the city of Le Mans to make up for the disruption of the race. Part of that is entertainment for the locals mentioned above but also getting visitors wallets open in the bars, shops, and restaurants in the centre of the city, so causing friction with the local business community.
4. For many people who live and work in Le Mans the Friday before the 24hrs is...a working day like any other Friday. Even the usual DP time causes congestion on the tram for people just going about their daily lives but at least that's generally the trams going into the centre at rush hour so the ones going out are empty for people just trying to go home. Move the DP and you'll have all southbound trams rammed right in the middle of rush hour, so causing friction with the local business community and voters.

FredericRobinson

3,940 posts

239 months

Wednesday 23rd November 2022
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It would suggest they’ve got something planned at the circuit for Friday afternoon/ evening

//j17

4,616 posts

230 months

Wednesday 23rd November 2022
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FredericRobinson said:
It would suggest they’ve got something planned at the circuit for Friday afternoon/ evening
Clearly this year's Friday concert was a lot more popular than I thought...

LawrieC

583 posts

111 months

Wednesday 23rd November 2022
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Its just total chaos

//j17

4,616 posts

230 months

Thursday 24th November 2022
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LawrieC said:
Its just total chaos
Isn't that the ACO's unofficial strap line though? smile

Vette_1978

3,247 posts

229 months

Thursday 24th November 2022
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I'm taking a massive punt here, but on the main site it has an Opening Ceremony from 2-10pm on Friday. So that would make sense if they were going to have the parade at midday. So what might an opening ceremony involve? Maybe something on track parade wise? Previous winning cars? Driven by previous and current drivers? Maybe that's why they need drivers available?

Last year, from memory, Friday had no on track stuff as we went to Mulsanne and got stuck parked up. Although we did get sent down towards Indi when a marshal said we could get out there. Year before was the 4 hour race I think.

Just me guessing of course, but they will be pushing the Centenary as something different this year so expect change.

leyorkie

Original Poster:

1,682 posts

183 months

Thursday 24th November 2022
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Vette_1978 said:
I'm taking a massive punt here, but on the main site it has an Opening Ceremony from 2-10pm on Friday. So that would make sense if they were going to have the parade at midday. So what might an opening ceremony involve? Maybe something on track parade wise? Previous winning cars? Driven by previous and current drivers? Maybe that's why they need drivers available?

Last year, from memory, Friday had no on track stuff as we went to Mulsanne and got stuck parked up. Although we did get sent down towards Indi when a marshal said we could get out there. Year before was the 4 hour race I think.

Just me guessing of course, but they will be pushing the Centenary as something different this year so expect change.
thumbup

LawrieC

583 posts

111 months

Thursday 24th November 2022
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Historically, they haven't finalised the program till Easter.

I agree that they have to keep the natives happy on Friday, so some events will be after 6pm, and the marshals need the day off. The support races, side shows St Saturnin and DP have to be squeezed into Friday, somehow