[LM24] Le Mans 2021 21/22 August - Who Is Going?

[Truckosaurus]

If there was a 5000 person limit, do we think the ACO could sell those tickets for a June running at great cost to sponsors/VIPs plus get the teams to foot the bills for feeding and watering them and turn a similar profit to a normal event? (No camping, close Mulsanne and Arnage zones, etc to limit costs)

[Anyopenroad]

I suspect that a 5000 person limit would barely cover sponsors, VIPs, team guests etc. No ordinary punters!

The idea of a June race with any sort of crowd is clearly a fantasy. Decision must be between running in June behind closed doors or delaying to Autumn again (in the hope but without certainty that spectators could attend).

[S griffin]

Le Mans needs the punters, having a limited number wouldn’t work. They need as many back as they can. However there are reasons to be optimistic. Hopefully enough progress has been made by Summer. I can’t see them delaying it, but nor can I see them do it behind closed doors. Just have to keep fingers crossed and keep looking out for any announcements

[Mal]

Originally Posted by Anyopenroad

I suspect that a 5000 person limit would barely cover sponsors, VIPs, team guests etc. No ordinary punters!

The idea of a June race with any sort of crowd is clearly a fantasy. Decision must be between running in June behind closed doors or delaying to Autumn again (in the hope but without certainty that spectators could attend).

I agree.

The ACO will need money so to delay to later in the year and potentially get more revenue makes the most sense.

Based on the current lockdown dates we wont be allowed to travel in time for the June date and France are way behind us on the vaccine.

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Le Mans needs the punters, having a limited number wouldn’t work. They need as many back as they can. However there are reasons to be optimistic. Hopefully enough progress has been made by Summer. I can’t see them delaying it, but nor can I see them do it behind closed doors. Just have to keep fingers crossed and keep looking out for any announcements

I'm sorry, but this just doesn't add up.

• What are the reasons to be optimistic? I'm thinking of the position in France as explained by Kpy and Batmobile?
• If you can't see them delaying it (and why not?) why do you think that the position will have resolved sufficiently within 4 months to have a large crowd at Le Mans?
• They ran it huis clos last year, so there is at least a chance that they will (have to) do it again this year, surely?
  

[gert]

Originally Posted by S griffin

However there are reasons to be optimistic

Please explain, I don't see any?

[GT6]

You should always be optimistic, otherwise there is no hope, always hope for the best it may not happen but with out any hope in these dark times is too much to bear.
Hope may be all we have so please leave us hope

[S griffin]

Yeah, you should always look for that light at the end of the tunnel and there is a bit with the current rate of progress of vaccines. It's best to be optimistic, even if it doesn't always work. Fingers crossed guys

[steve nielsen]

wrong thread

[Peter Mallett]

Originally Posted by steve nielsen

wrong thread

Not sure it makes any difference.

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by GT6

You should always be optimistic, otherwise there is no hope, always hope for the best it may not happen but with out any hope in these dark times is too much to bear.
Hope may be all we have so please leave us hope

I hear you Simon, but simply repeating it isn't going to make the impossible happen!

I'd be a lot more optimistic if we had a statement from the ACO saying they're putting it back to September with every intention of getting (some) spectators there..... (but even that sounds like deja vu.... ).

In the meantime, you can be optimistic about Toyota v. Peugeot v Ferrari v Glickenhaus in 2023.....

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Yeah, you should always look for that light at the end of the tunnel and there is a bit with the current rate of progress of vaccines. It's best to be optimistic, even if it doesn't always work. Fingers crossed guys

I don't think that answers my three questions, but hey.......

[GT6]

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

I hear you Simon, but simply repeating it isn't going to make the impossible happen!

I'd be a lot more optimistic if we had a statement from the ACO saying they're putting it back to September with every intention of getting (some) spectators there..... (but even that sounds like deja vu.... ).

In the meantime, you can be optimistic about Toyota v. Peugeot v Ferrari v Glickenhaus in 2023.....

And now that Ferrari have joined we may see more,

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by GT6

And now that Ferrari have joined we may see more,

I think it should now be made obligatory by law for all manufacturers to enter.

'And today we unveil the Dacia Wetwang LMh!'

[GT6]

Now you are being silly Andrew, And it would be easy for renault to just rename the alpine as Dacia

[Aysedasi]

All Ferrari comments to the new thread please.

https://www.tentenths.com/forum/showthread.php?t=155948

[PascaLM]

According to AUTOhebdo (paper edition), from a source at the ACO, the 24 Hours would be postponed at the end of August, more probably on the 22 and 23. The creation of "villages" of 5000 persons or more is still in the air.

[S griffin]

Autohebbo is a reliable source and August wouldn’t be too much of a delay. Just have to see when spectators are allowed to visit from overseas at the earliest

[Simmi]

Originally Posted by PascaLM

According to AUTOhebdo (paper edition), from a source at the ACO, the 24 Hours would be postponed at the end of August, more probably on the 22 and 23. The creation of "villages" of 5000 persons or more is still in the air.

Finally some information. Must be a tough balancing act for the ACO as they won't want to tear up the WEC calendar too badly.

That rumoured date sits fairly equidistant between Monza and Fuji. So I can see why they've gone for it. Albeit September might have been better for fan numbers at the track.

[Anyopenroad]

That date would clash with the Suzuka 10 Hours IGTC race, not that I expect the ACO to know or care about that! The Sat-Sun is 21st-22nd btw, not 22nd-23rd.

[ATLFalconsFAN]

I'd be on board with an end of August race (purely as a spectator on TV). We've got back to back weekends of IMSA and Indycar at Laguna Seca in September, and I have at least two friends flying out for it. Would be terrible if Le Mans was on either of those weekends.

[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by batmobile

Progress in vaccine is not going so well here.Due to the lack of vaccine doses in France we can understand they need more doses in this area so where will go the doses as a priority??

It seems that there's a kind of first arrived first served rule, meaning that some areas have been ordering a long while ago much more doses than needed…*In addition, they've just change the rules of priority. My doctor told me to wait till the end of April at best for the first jab.

As to LM races, ACO has to study the two meetings in a raw, modern and classic, either at the end of Aug or early Sept. Dont know if its viable financial and technical wise with no spectators.
Sorry, others have been typing faster than me.

[Mike E]

Racer reporting possibility of August date too.

https://racer.com/2021/03/02/le-mans...st-allow-fans/

[Gingers4Justice]

Ideal for us teachers...

[Anyopenroad]

Just checked the credit note I got for the 2020 race and it says:

"This voucher is valid from 18/08/2020 and until May 31st, 2021 for 2021 24 HEURES DU MANS tickets of same type, category and price as initially booked and pending on availability. It can also be used as a deposit for another product with a higher price. Failing to use your credit note before its valid period, you will be fully refunded from June 1st, 2021."