Sebring instead?
Discussion
I didn't make it to Le Mans this year because it's something I can only do every few years now that I live in California, but it sounds like the organisation was just as frustrating as in 2023 (still remembering how much easier it was back in the 90s and 2000s).
If you're feeling the same way, I can recommend the Sebring 12 hours in March. Great atmosphere, bring all the beer you like or buy more crates from the trackside beer shop, they speak English (sort of), and it's not wildly expensive: Norse flights from Gatwick to Orlando are as low as £275, while camping is free outside the circuit or bundled with your ~$100 parking inside the circuit.
Let me know if you're coming!
If you're feeling the same way, I can recommend the Sebring 12 hours in March. Great atmosphere, bring all the beer you like or buy more crates from the trackside beer shop, they speak English (sort of), and it's not wildly expensive: Norse flights from Gatwick to Orlando are as low as £275, while camping is free outside the circuit or bundled with your ~$100 parking inside the circuit.
Let me know if you're coming!
Love Sebring . . . . been a couple of times (inc. this year). Wife and I say in hotels, hire half decent car, stay longer (this year went to Indycar St Pete's also). . . which ends up making it expensive, so can't justify it each year.
We're thinking Watkin's Glenn next year - which we've done once before - incorporating a bit of a road trip. Will still do Le Mans though.
Some of the set up's at Sebring are awesome
We're thinking Watkin's Glenn next year - which we've done once before - incorporating a bit of a road trip. Will still do Le Mans though.
Some of the set up's at Sebring are awesome
When I lived in the UK, I attended every Le Mans 24 Hours from 1981 until 2001 inclusive. Since moving to the USA in 2001 I have done a further 10 trips to France - but steadily grew less and less enchanted by Le Mans. My last visit was in 2018 and by then it had become a bit of a pain in the arse.
My first 12 Hours of Sebring was in 2002 and I've been every year since, this year being my 22nd consecutive 12 Hours..
My once burning passion for Le Mans gradually faded as the (initial) Audification and later blatant corporate takeover of the event made it increasingly less enjoyable and accessible to plebs like me. I've stated this on here before, but it is true - Sebring is like Le Mans used to be.
I have been a core-member of one of the more publicized camps at Sebring for the last 11 years. Turn 10 is a Sebring institution, as is F-Troop, McGruffs, Beer Town, Mud Sharks, Loony Tunes, The Magic Bus, La Bomba and Dodge City (pictured above). Turn 10 has 12 core personnel and around 350 affiliates who camp with and around us. It's the happiest, friendliest and welcoming camp at the event. We actively encourage people to visit with us, enjoy our hospitality and utilize our track-side viewing accommodations.
No - Sebring is not currently in the WEC calendar - but that doesn't really seem to matter. It is a marvelous event and very few people only go once.
Our viewing platform
Le Mans royalty, drinking with us
Draft refreshment - The Amazing Randy ordering two more...
Turn 10 from aloft
Close to the action
Jan Mag visits every year
My first 12 Hours of Sebring was in 2002 and I've been every year since, this year being my 22nd consecutive 12 Hours..
My once burning passion for Le Mans gradually faded as the (initial) Audification and later blatant corporate takeover of the event made it increasingly less enjoyable and accessible to plebs like me. I've stated this on here before, but it is true - Sebring is like Le Mans used to be.
I have been a core-member of one of the more publicized camps at Sebring for the last 11 years. Turn 10 is a Sebring institution, as is F-Troop, McGruffs, Beer Town, Mud Sharks, Loony Tunes, The Magic Bus, La Bomba and Dodge City (pictured above). Turn 10 has 12 core personnel and around 350 affiliates who camp with and around us. It's the happiest, friendliest and welcoming camp at the event. We actively encourage people to visit with us, enjoy our hospitality and utilize our track-side viewing accommodations.
No - Sebring is not currently in the WEC calendar - but that doesn't really seem to matter. It is a marvelous event and very few people only go once.
Our viewing platform
Le Mans royalty, drinking with us
Draft refreshment - The Amazing Randy ordering two more...
Turn 10 from aloft
Close to the action
Jan Mag visits every year
Edited by Matt Harper on Wednesday 19th June 18:23
early_911 said:
Love Sebring . . . . been a couple of times (inc. this year). Wife and I say in hotels, hire half decent car, stay longer (this year went to Indycar St Pete's also). . . which ends up making it expensive, so can't justify it each year.
We're thinking Watkin's Glenn next year - which we've done once before - incorporating a bit of a road trip. Will still do Le Mans though.
Some of the set up's at Sebring are awesome
when I said that a political flag like that was not right at at sporting event and as were guns I was threathened to get my head kicked in... but that response has been deleted... same again??We're thinking Watkin's Glenn next year - which we've done once before - incorporating a bit of a road trip. Will still do Le Mans though.
Some of the set up's at Sebring are awesome
Great Dane said:
when I said that a political flag like that was not right at at sporting event and as were guns I was threathened to get my head kicked in... but that response has been deleted... same again??
I didn't see a post, subsequently deleted, but that sounds outrageous. Personally, I completely agree with you - sports and politics should be two totally separate entities. Many of my Sebring compatriots (though by no means all of them) are a bit basic in their outlook, but are otherwise, warm, generous and fun-loving people. I don't care for the Confederate and Gadston flags, because they are not representative of me - but these guys have been doing this a lot longer than I have - and it's (allegedly) a free country...In 2021, we had a bit of a kerfuffle with the track, because one of our more neanderthal camp-mates raised a "F*ck Biden" flag. The main concern was that it was in the sightline of a TV camera, but it was just plainly offensive and collectively we gave the ultimatum - either the flag goes, or the flag bearer does - at which peace was restored.
Sebring does have a policy of "No firearms, fire wood or fireworks", which is largely adhered to and local law enforcement presence is overt throughout the event. Open fires are not permitted (unlike Daytona) and the track's firework display at race end is sufficiently impressive to make home-spun shows redundant. As for firearms, this is Florida - so there are bound to be some in folks' glove-boxes, but there have been zero instances of gun-play throughout the history of the event...
Matt Harper said:
fair enough not going back there and to 100 years ago... wec and imsa would have tempted me imsa only no way
I didn't see a post, subsequently deleted, but that sounds outrageous. Personally, I completely agree with you - sports and politics should be two totally separate entities. Many of my Sebring compatriots (though by no means all of them) are a bit basic in their outlook, but are otherwise, warm, generous and fun-loving people. I don't care for the Confederate and Gadston flags, because they are not representative of me - but these guys have been doing this a lot longer than I have - and it's (allegedly) a free country...
In 2021, we had a bit of a kerfuffle with the track, because one of our more neanderthal camp-mates raised a "F*ck Biden" flag. The main concern was that it was in the sightline of a TV camera, but it was just plainly offensive and collectively we gave the ultimatum - either the flag goes, or the flag bearer does - at which peace was restored.
Sebring does have a policy of "No firearms, fire wood or fireworks", which is largely adhered to and local law enforcement presence is overt throughout the event. Open fires are not permitted (unlike Daytona) and the track's firework display at race end is sufficiently impressive to make home-spun shows redundant. As for firearms, this is Florida - so there are bound to be some in folks' glove-boxes, but there have been zero instances of gun-play throughout the history of the event...
I didn't see a post, subsequently deleted, but that sounds outrageous. Personally, I completely agree with you - sports and politics should be two totally separate entities. Many of my Sebring compatriots (though by no means all of them) are a bit basic in their outlook, but are otherwise, warm, generous and fun-loving people. I don't care for the Confederate and Gadston flags, because they are not representative of me - but these guys have been doing this a lot longer than I have - and it's (allegedly) a free country...
In 2021, we had a bit of a kerfuffle with the track, because one of our more neanderthal camp-mates raised a "F*ck Biden" flag. The main concern was that it was in the sightline of a TV camera, but it was just plainly offensive and collectively we gave the ultimatum - either the flag goes, or the flag bearer does - at which peace was restored.
Sebring does have a policy of "No firearms, fire wood or fireworks", which is largely adhered to and local law enforcement presence is overt throughout the event. Open fires are not permitted (unlike Daytona) and the track's firework display at race end is sufficiently impressive to make home-spun shows redundant. As for firearms, this is Florida - so there are bound to be some in folks' glove-boxes, but there have been zero instances of gun-play throughout the history of the event...
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