Le Mans 2009

Posted by: Cymbiosis on 07 June 2009

For some, cars are just a way for getting from A to B and motorsport is one big turn off.

For others it's just F1 in front of the TV. Sometimes good and sometimes not

It really depends if the race is a processional affair or not. Certainly, no one would argue that the final race of last year's championship was boring with Hamilton winning the title literally on the last corner.

However, although F1 is a great spectacle - and I should know living in Northamptonshire and having the Mercedes Fi engines built and tested less than a mile from my house! I attended an F1 GP race weekend once at Silverstone in the days of Mansell, but I still prefer to watch it on TV ever since.

Not so Endurance racing though. and Le Mans in particular. The place, the race and the atmosphere are quite addictive IMHO.

I have been a regular attendee over the last 25 years or so and have witnessed some titanic battles between the likes of the Porsche 956 and later 962s with the Jaguars and Mercedes. Some surprises like Mazda wining with their rotary engine car and latterly the dominance of the Audis and of course Bentley a few years ago now.

I try to go most years, although weddings and holidays have frustrated my plans for the last couple of years, but this year I am able to go again - Fantastic!

The race for those who are not up in such things, is next weekend 13/14 June - I just can't wait to get over there.

Fortunately for me, over the years I have met quite a few people involved in motorsport and Endurance Racing in particular, and as a result of this I was able to take my son Tom (17) to see the RML entry a LOLA MAZDA COUPE being loaded onto a transporter ready to make its way to France last Friday Picture below.....

The race is always excellent entertainment throughout the 24 hour race and before. Sure, it takes a "certain person" to stay up all night and watch the cars, but as you may already know, I sleep much less than the average person anyway, which sure is an advantage here!

Anyway, I'm looking forward to it and I thoroughly recommend people should experience at least once - You might just like it and get hooked like me!

Anyone, here going this year?

Kind regards,

Peter

Posted on: 07 June 2009 by Chillkram

I took my 10 year old son to watch the Le Mans Series racing at Silverstone last year and he really enjoyed it. On the back of that we had intended to go to Le Mans this year but circumstance and finance have transpired against us, so perhaps we'll wait until next year.

We will definitely be visiting Silverstone again to watch this year, though.

What I find amazing is how loud the petrol cars are and then the diesels just whoosh past relatively silently - just the opposite to road cars, most unexpected.

Posted on: 08 June 2009 by JohanR

I remember the 1969 one being shown on the telly even here in Sweden. The last laps fight was tremendous!

1999 was a good one to, lot's of teams that could win.

During the 2000's it has been incredibly boring with the 2.0 TDI group winning all races.

Still, I will watch, there is something special about it!

JohanR

Posted on: 08 June 2009 by Jonathan Gorse

I've never been but as a petrolhead I'd love to go, however I must confess that I'd love to see the prototype cars eliminated so that we could see it the way it was in the 1950's and 60's with road cars doing battle. Back then you could actually go and buy the Ferraris, Jags and Aston's that were racing. I for one would rather see road going (with minor modifications) Audi, Ferrari, Porsche, Jaguar, Aston, Morgan, Lotus, TVR etc racing.

I think the reason I feel like this is that we already have Formula 1 which are in essence protypes so why the need for them at Le Mans as well?

Jonathan

Posted on: 10 June 2009 by reubs1981

There is the GT2 class for competition versions of standard road cars if I remember correctly?

Posted on: 11 June 2009 by Cymbiosis

You should try it Jonathan - very different to F1.

Getting something to last for 24 hours at speeds above 220mph on some parts of the circuit these days, is still quite a challenge and in some ways it's good to see F1 following this line a little, now engines have to last for more than one race distance.

In the past and before they put roundabouts along the Mulsanne straight for saftey reasons - A couple of Mercedes entries got the aerodynamics slightly wrong and took off!

I used to see the Jaguar XJR's, Porsches and WM's at between 250-260mph near the kink at about 2/3 the way down the Mulsanne! That really was something to experience.

Yes there are cars from Aston, Ferrari, Porsche and Spyker in GT2, so plenty for everyone.

KR

Peter

Posted on: 11 June 2009 by anderson.council

quote:
Originally posted by Jonathan Gorse:
... I must confess that I'd love to see the prototype cars eliminated so that we could see it the way it was in the 1950's and 60's with road cars doing battle. Back then you could actually go and buy the Ferraris, Jags and Aston's that were racing.

Jonathan

Jonathan - you need to go to the Goodwood Revival meeting (not to be confused with the Festival of Speed) where they do exactly this, although not for 24 hours.

I went in 2000 and can remember John Surtees in a green Ferrari 250LM owned by David Piper tearing the field apart until the compulsory driver change where David's handicap worked against him and they lost a lot of time. Fantastic stuff - that year it coincided with the 60th anniverary of the Battle of Britain and the display of Spitfires and Hurricanes was also breath taking especially as so many people were dressed in period clothes.

I've only been to LM once in 91 when Johnny Herbert & crew won in the rotary Mazda but I'd definitley go again now that I'm in the "right" hemisphere again

Cheers
Scott

Posted on: 11 June 2009 by james n

Enjoy Peter - haven't been for a few years due to work commitments but hope to go back next year. As a confirmed petrol head, the trip down is great (all the TVR's stuck at the side of the road

) as are some of the sights on the camp sites...

Posted on: 12 June 2009 by SC

So the result isn't going to be 'confirmed' until July as the froggy Peugeot team are taking matters to the court of appeal (read sour grapes cos they know Audi are going to sweep it again) ...!...Slightly takes the edge off watching the live finish...!

Posted on: 14 June 2009 by Chillkram

Well done to Peugeot for their 1/2.

Posted on: 15 June 2009 by Cymbiosis

quote:
Originally posted by munch:
I hope Peter got some pictures of that crash.
No one hurt.
Stu

I'm sure you think I must be omni-present Munch!

- It's a big , big circuit and I can ony be in one place at one time.

Thankfully nobody was hurt as far as I was aware, listening to Radio Le Mans - Just some dented pride one imagines. Big shunts though.

Anyway, as you will have seen on the news Peugeot won with a 1- 2 finish and the Audi No 1 came in 3rd. The Peugeots, were faster, better prepared and just more reliable!

For me though, the highlight was seeing the Lola Martin 007 coming in 4th. The car was faultless, it ran perfectly for the full 24 hours, beating many of the entries from the big players like Peuget and Audi. It sounded wonderful too

I'll post a few pictures this evening when I get home.

KR

Peter

Posted on: 15 June 2009 by SC

We all totally thought you were omni-present Peter...!

Steve

Posted on: 16 June 2009 by Jonathan Gorse

Glad you all had a good time at Le Mans and really fancy doing the Goodwood Revival - would be superb fun so thanks for the tip - A Spritfire and Hurricaine always brings a tear to the eye!

My observation about the prototypes was only to say that it seemed to me that the historically the purpose of the race aside from the joy of speed was to demonstrate a manufacturer's most exotic models and what they could do and so personally I'd love to see the Corvette take on the Aston Vantage V12, the 911 RS and the Morgan Plus 8.

Anyway - I'd better plan better next year to be there!

Jonathan

Posted on: 17 June 2009 by Red Rooster

Peter,

Sounds like fun again so I really must make the effort next year. Have to satisfy myself with the Festival of speed again. Been for the last 10 years and it is still seriously addictive and the only place I know where you can stand next to Agostini while he starts his bike up and then turn round and watch Mick Doohan do the same.

Even have some F1 pretty boys there.

TTFN

The Rooster

Posted on: 17 June 2009 by Cymbiosis

quote:
Originally posted by Red Rooster:
Sounds like fun
The Rooster

Very much so!

I meant to post a few pictures to give you a feel of the weekend, but I've just had too much on in the last couple of days - Sorry.

Anyway here's one on the pit straight - ear defenders are a must:

Posted on: 17 June 2009 by BigH47

quote:
Originally posted by Red Rooster:
Peter,

Sounds like fun again so I really must make the effort next year. Have to satisfy myself with the Festival of speed again. Been for the last 10 years and it is still seriously addictive and the only place I know where you can stand next to Agostini while he starts his bike up and then turn round and watch Mick Doohan do the same.

Even have some F1 pretty boys there.

TTFN

The Rooster

Sounds more like the Festival of Speed. I went to the revival meeting once, the same exclusions as other meetings , unlike the more open access of the FOS.