Did you have a good time, Or was it not the same ?
Discussion
as in previous years we enjoyed the racing, superb,but the atmophere seemed diffrent, i can't put my finger on it. I heard about stuff being stolen from campsites and the paramiletery police brandishing rubber bullets and CS GAS ,the burnout still good and a big thanks to our super heroes at the houx roundabout HOW DO YOU FEEL???
This year was my 16th.
There was certainly a difference between this year and the others i have attended.
The Mad Friday by camping Blu Sud is getting more and more out of hand i would say-folks throwing buckets of water (or worse) into folks cars who refuse to spin wheels/ do a burn out isnt really on in my view.
The race itself was great- i would say the best i have seen since Bentley won. I for one dont like the new layout to the village, I have had many hapy years of drinking & singing at the champagne tent, but its new location means it has lost its character (to me at least).
A load of people have put their views on various threads condemming drunk folk, loud music and so on, but to be honest, I think that has always part of the Le Mans weekend. I know I over indulge on quite a regular basis down there, always have, always will. I will add that we quite often put the music on quite loud (and late) but would remove it in an instant should anyone ask us to. The idea of throwing water into a car is absurd to me. I go for the race, the atmoshere and to enjoy the company of good friends for a few days- some of the antics are shameful.
Anyway, I digress. I think the behaviour of the few has annoyed many, many folk this year. It has been escalating over the last few years, to the degree that some folk are even thinking of not going next year if the forums are to be believed). Its a fairly sad fact that there will always be an element that will behave in a poor manner (most sports have them) more so when you add sun and beer.
In the early years of my visits, it was a far more friendly place to be.
That said, we tend to do our own thing, keep out of the way of the known trouble spots, leave all valuables locked in the car, and leave a couple of well placed mouse traps in the tent, just in case the worst should happen.
There was certainly a difference between this year and the others i have attended.
The Mad Friday by camping Blu Sud is getting more and more out of hand i would say-folks throwing buckets of water (or worse) into folks cars who refuse to spin wheels/ do a burn out isnt really on in my view.
The race itself was great- i would say the best i have seen since Bentley won. I for one dont like the new layout to the village, I have had many hapy years of drinking & singing at the champagne tent, but its new location means it has lost its character (to me at least).
A load of people have put their views on various threads condemming drunk folk, loud music and so on, but to be honest, I think that has always part of the Le Mans weekend. I know I over indulge on quite a regular basis down there, always have, always will. I will add that we quite often put the music on quite loud (and late) but would remove it in an instant should anyone ask us to. The idea of throwing water into a car is absurd to me. I go for the race, the atmoshere and to enjoy the company of good friends for a few days- some of the antics are shameful.
Anyway, I digress. I think the behaviour of the few has annoyed many, many folk this year. It has been escalating over the last few years, to the degree that some folk are even thinking of not going next year if the forums are to be believed). Its a fairly sad fact that there will always be an element that will behave in a poor manner (most sports have them) more so when you add sun and beer.
In the early years of my visits, it was a far more friendly place to be.
That said, we tend to do our own thing, keep out of the way of the known trouble spots, leave all valuables locked in the car, and leave a couple of well placed mouse traps in the tent, just in case the worst should happen.
Got agree with Emsman with regards to the new layout of the village area.
I too have many a great memory of drinking and eating the various tents which were in that area.
A great shame they took them away to be replaced with glass and concrete.
It was a great area with character and atmosphere to meet and chat with like minded strangers(new friends?) whilst watching the race on the big screen.
I was part of the Gulf Reliant entourage, and in our post discussions of the weekend (and for reasons above), we've decided to sell our Reliants and not go next year. Shame.
I too have many a great memory of drinking and eating the various tents which were in that area.
A great shame they took them away to be replaced with glass and concrete.
It was a great area with character and atmosphere to meet and chat with like minded strangers(new friends?) whilst watching the race on the big screen.
I was part of the Gulf Reliant entourage, and in our post discussions of the weekend (and for reasons above), we've decided to sell our Reliants and not go next year. Shame.
Pretty much agree with everything Emsman wrote.
I didn't think the 'hooligan' element was vastly worse this year, doesn't mean I agree with it but for me it has been building year on year for a long time. When it starts to get out of hand the CRS step in and that's that until they depart again - situation normal.
The village and circuit / organisational changes, you have to expect change but has it all been for the better probably not.
Will I be going next year (my 20th - I think), you bet!!
I didn't think the 'hooligan' element was vastly worse this year, doesn't mean I agree with it but for me it has been building year on year for a long time. When it starts to get out of hand the CRS step in and that's that until they depart again - situation normal.
The village and circuit / organisational changes, you have to expect change but has it all been for the better probably not.
Will I be going next year (my 20th - I think), you bet!!
It would have to be something fairly catastrophic to prevent me from making the annual pilgrimage, I only hope that the idiots find something closer to home next year.
The alternative is to abandon the traditional (and in the past, good natured) display of cars arriving.
If there is no crowd to play to, im sure it would all stop really quickly. If i want to see a company car doing a wheelspin, im sure i could find it more locally.
I realise im sounding like an old *it, but would love to be able to go with confidence of a safe, well natured weekend away with friends, and to be honest, this year certain areas felt somewhat hostile (ie the good natured element was removed, seemed more like morons intent on causing damage)
Here is hoping for 2009.
The alternative is to abandon the traditional (and in the past, good natured) display of cars arriving.
If there is no crowd to play to, im sure it would all stop really quickly. If i want to see a company car doing a wheelspin, im sure i could find it more locally.
I realise im sounding like an old *it, but would love to be able to go with confidence of a safe, well natured weekend away with friends, and to be honest, this year certain areas felt somewhat hostile (ie the good natured element was removed, seemed more like morons intent on causing damage)
Here is hoping for 2009.
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