LM24 New Le Mans Film?

rdjones · 21 Feb 2002, 14:46 (Ref:220090)

This just in from DailySportscar.com

AUTOSPORT are running an interesting story today. The gist of it is that Jean-Paul Driot’s DAMS team will enter a pair of cars in this year’s race, a Lola B98 / 10 Judd (their ’99 car, leased back from FIA SCC runner Bob Berridge) and a Panoz LMP. The cars will be used for filming during the race (assuming that they receive entries of course, which is an interesting predicament for the ACO), and will return in August to wrap up the shooting.

There will be two sets of bodywork for each car, so that it appears that each is part of a two car team. The comic book hero Michel Vaillant will ‘race’ the Lola, while the ‘bad guys’ will be in the Panoz. Jean-Marc Gounon is seen in the ‘good guys’ car Le Mans in ’99.

No drivers have been announced yet. Presumably, anyone interested in a seat would need to be sure that he wasn’t in line for a conventional entry…although a role in a film that could be a classic, in the same way as the McQueen original, does have its attractions.

Having also read the Autosport this week, this film could be quite good, we will have to wait and see what happens.

Fab · 21 Feb 2002, 15:06 (Ref:220092)

I confirm there's an identic rumor in France, but I did'nt know that Dams was involved... glad that they could be here afetr all, but sad for the cars... the Lola is too old, and the Panoz... is permormancly pathetic !

paulzinho · 21 Feb 2002, 17:59 (Ref:220177)

That would make the races very interesting!!! Maybe a bit of paint swapping and daring manoeveres between the good guys and the bad guys!!! I hope its true as it could be very interesting!!!

BTW if they put on board and on bodywork cameras do you think they'll let TV have access to them? Could be very entertaining!!!

Speedworx · 21 Feb 2002, 20:46 (Ref:220265)

I'm interested in watching this film if it ever gets made.

SL · 21 Feb 2002, 21:23 (Ref:220299)

Sound to good to be true, strange none of the Hollywood lads or lasses are mentioned. Any ideas for a new McQueen ? There must be at least one interested, did not seem to do his career at lot of harm.

SL

PS Makes mental note not to be near any of the strip joints if there is a man with a camera nearby

**Aysedasi** · 23 Feb 2002, 21:22 (Ref:221365)

Quote:

Originally posted by SL
mental note not to be near any of the strip joints if there is a man with a camera nearby

Hell, sod that, SL, I shall be posing in front of every camera I see in June - I want to be in the film!!

Mind you, if they've got any sense, they won't go near any of the strip joints - that's one aspect of the Le Mans atmosphere that really should be buried under the new Dunlop to Esses sweeper!!

paulzinho · 23 Feb 2002, 21:32 (Ref:221372)

What you mean it should go underground, isn't that a bit dangerous you know with gangs and violence and the like!!

**Aysedasi** · 23 Feb 2002, 21:59 (Ref:221397)

I wasn't thinking of providing an entrance or exit, Paul. I was thinking in terms of some kind of ceremonial burial rather than re-establishing Le Mans' poorest form of entertainment underground......

Hell, I'm no prude, but you've gotta be pretty desperate, surely?!!!

f2001 · 24 Feb 2002, 10:23 (Ref:221623)

new le mans film would be nice, anythings better than driven !

Osella · 24 Feb 2002, 13:05 (Ref:221667)

Really, I'm in two minds on this one.
On the one hand, I would love to see the film, I welcome the participation of a proper team like DAMS and I like the Panoz and Lola cars.
On the other hand, why should a film crew get two entries with vintage cars which will be making extra stops for filming purposes?
If the ACO really wants them, maybe they should allow 50 entries?
If these cars get in at the expense of say, the Idee Verte WR or the new French 550 Maranello, I will be a bit disappointed.

**Aysedasi** · 24 Feb 2002, 15:46 (Ref:221708)

Quote:

Originally posted by Osella

On the other hand, why should a film crew get two entries with vintage cars which will be making extra stops for filming purposes?
If the ACO really wants them, maybe they should allow 50 entries?

Yes, I'm definitely with you on that thought, Osella.

**Adam43** · 24 Feb 2002, 22:11 (Ref:222030)

The ACO have siad that they will not increase the entry for the film. To be fair they can't anyway.

SL · 24 Feb 2002, 22:53 (Ref:222054)

That's not really fair, after all the two cars will not be going for gold from the start unless there is major carnage from the front runners.

The ACO should add the 2 cars to the 48 allowed even if the extra two start once two official starters drop out.

As no main Hollywood names have appeared can I put myself forward for the lead role CV on request.

SL

**Adam43** · 24 Feb 2002, 23:01 (Ref:222059)

Cool idea, but I bet one of the reasons for entering the race is so that they can get some good starting shots.

I presume that the hero and villain will be battling for overall honours in the film. I also presume that the Lola and the Panoz will start mid grid. It'll need some good editing!

Osella · 25 Feb 2002, 01:06 (Ref:222091)

i feel very sour for saying this but I hope they don't qualify! then they'll need even better editing!

**Aysedasi** · 26 Feb 2002, 13:10 (Ref:222867)

That would be a bit of a laugh, wouldn't it? But they will qualify. If they are invited by the ACO and pass the Test Day "test", then unless they suffer major problems which they can't put right after qualifying proper, they will start. And you can bet your bottom dollar that money will be changing hands between the filmmakers and the ACO on this one, so yes, (assuming that it all happens according to plan) they will qualify!

paulzinho · 26 Feb 2002, 17:12 (Ref:222986)

What would happen if there was a torrential downpour and both cars retired on say the 2nd lap?

SL · 26 Feb 2002, 18:33 (Ref:223033)

As both cars have two sets of bodywork so they both appear part of a two car team.

Surely this is against the rules ? Or will it be more Euro's in the ACO bank account ?

The changes will give the timekeepers and pit crews on thier toes at any rate. I have visions of a Lola Judd front and a Panoz back 'cause all the fronts had been damaged.

Quote:

What would happen if there was a torrential downpour and both cars retired on say the 2nd lap?

I would think that contingecy would be included in the fiscal deal with the ACO and spare parts of cars could be left at stragic points around the circuit for the drivers to locate just in case. Apparently up untill the late '80's cans of petrol, fan belts, screwdrivers, spare wheels etc could often be found quite close by a stranded car. Especially at night.

SL

**Aysedasi** · 27 Feb 2002, 13:31 (Ref:223622)

Quote:

Originally posted by paulzinho
What would happen if there was a torrential downpour and both cars retired on say the 2nd lap?

As if that would happen!!!

Anyway, if they're coming back in August, they can proseumably add a fair bit of footage in from that session.

Graham Goodwin · 27 Feb 2002, 20:34 (Ref:223946)

There's more to come on this story - suffice to say for now that the story in Autosport was not entirely correct!

**Aysedasi** · 27 Feb 2002, 22:16 (Ref:224006)

Are you suggesting that the 1st April came early this year? If so, it was a good 'un! Come on, spill some beans Graham, you obviously know more than we do!

Graham Goodwin · 27 Feb 2002, 22:22 (Ref:224009)

Nope, the story isn't a total red herring, but some fundamental details have gone awry - I genuinely cannot say more than that at the moment (we've promised not to steal the thunder of those directly involved)

SL · 27 Feb 2002, 22:35 (Ref:224032)

OK a remake of Le Mans was probably to much to ask for.

Maybe it is a small part of a bigger film. Or maybe a TV series. If so I do hope it is done well.

SL

**Aysedasi** · 27 Feb 2002, 22:50 (Ref:224050)

No! I've got it! Think about it. Open-topped cars, Ginola-like locks blowing in the breeze - with a willowy blond announcing "because I'm worth it" as they cut to the hero picking up the trophy and spraying the champers to tune of that wonderfully evocative L'Oreal music!! A shampoo advert!!

cybersdorf · 27 Feb 2002, 22:54 (Ref:224057)

Quote:

Originally posted by SL
Maybe it is a small part of a bigger film. Or maybe a TV series. If so I do hope it is done well.

It will be a big film, alright - if it comes together: http://us.imdb.com/Title?0307156

"no major names connected with the project" - Luc Besson. Any further questions?

I'm a big MV fan so I hope it will happen.

Isn't it strange, btw, that in most of these Belgian comic book "classics", the hero is either French, American, or British? Never Belgian. Vaillante always had a Belgian car on their team, though; or a Belgian driver somewhere. Jacky Ickx even co-starred in an Album. He could play himself in the movie

For the evil Leader, I suggest Reinhold "I really have black hair" Joest - type casting, you see

Quick survey: who would you like to see as Michel Vaillant?

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