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

[Truckosaurus]

Indeed. At least a heartfelt thank-you from the ACO from members who show loyalty in 2021 when there's a good chance they get 'nothing' again this year.

As for 'members only' on tickets, we seem to more easily get seats on the ACO grandstand from an agency than we ever managed via the ACO direct when actual members, and I can't see the ACO wanting to totally freeze out agencies for 2021 unless the actual number of 'fans' is minimal.

[JoeW04]

Got the news this evening that we have an entry for the fun cup race on Friday afternoon before the big dance

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by JoeW04

Got the news this evening that we have an entry for the fun cup race on Friday afternoon before the big dance

That's great news! Well done!

[Gerard C]

All track meetings allowed from 19 May. From 30 June, spectators allowed depending on prefecture allowance + sanitary pass mandatory for events receiving more than 1000 people. So fingers crossed for the end of Aug…

[GT6]

well fingers are still crossed

[Aysedasi]

Sanitary pass? Negative Covid test plus proof of vaccination(s)?

[GT6]

Sanitary pass, sounds like something you collect from the ACO which then lets you join the queue for the toilets

[Gerard C]

Toilets? Where that?

[Kpy]

"Sanitary pass" is a mistranslation of the french phrase "pass sanitaire", better to call it a "health pass".
Whatever, the pass (not yet in existence) will be a digital certificate to be used as proof of vaccination/negative test/WHY to facilitate entry to concerts and other events.

[Truckosaurus]

The big questions then become:

1) will they only will accept the French app/certificate
2) does the French app only display vaccines/tests taken in France?
3) will there be a nice little earner in selling Covid test kits to foreign tourists so they can register the results on the app - which would mean, of course, staying somewhere away from the circuit for a few days first in order to get the 'paperwork' in order...

or, we might be surprised and the results from the UK app can be exported into the French app in advance.

[Kpy]

Originally Posted by Truckosaurus

The big questions then become:

1) will they only will accept the French app/certificate
2) does the French app only display vaccines/tests taken in France?
3) will there be a nice little earner in selling Covid test kits to foreign tourists so they can register the results on the app - which would mean, of course, staying somewhere away from the circuit for a few days first in order to get the 'paperwork' in order...

or, we might be surprised and the results from the UK app can be exported into the French app in advance.

The pass is being developed by the EU, and referred to at EU level as a Green Certificate. France, Malta and the Netherlands are among the countries piloting the EU's pass.
So in answer to your questions:

1) Currently, and for the forseeable future, EU vaccination certificates only. There have been no discussions between Brussels and London so far on the EU system recognising Britain's NHS app.
2) It will work by digital correlation of EU vaccination codes and perhaps official laboratory test results
3) It is not designed to upload test kit results, but a system could perhaps be set up locally to Le Mans for government testing and certification

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

Toilets? Where that?

You must know the famous wall?

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by Kpy

The pass is being developed by the EU, and referred to at EU level as a Green Certificate. France, Malta and the Netherlands are among the countries piloting the EU's pass.
So in answer to your questions:

1) Currently, and for the forseeable future, EU vaccination certificates only. There have been no discussions between Brussels and London so far on the EU system recognising Britain's NHS app.
2) It will work by digital correlation of EU vaccination codes and perhaps official laboratory test results
3) It is not designed to upload test kit results, but a system could perhaps be set up locally to Le Mans for government testing and certification

I'm sure that this is right, but the NHS app does have a facility built in to share covid 19 and vaccination status when travelling. You are invited to 'show this when asked by officials'. When opened it has one of those QR codes and also vaccination dates and type of vaccine.

[GT6]

The famous wall, a site of significant historical importance.

[Kpy]

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

I'm sure that this is right, but the NHS app does have a facility built in to share covid 19 and vaccination status when travelling. You are invited to 'show this when asked by officials'. When opened it has one of those QR codes and also vaccination dates and type of vaccine.

Sure, the NHS app has those bells and whistles. But it's not valid as a green health card in the EU, and discussion of mutual recognition of apps hasn't even started yet.

Indeed, almost 6 months post-Brixit there is no mutual recognition of UK and EU drivers' licences (France says it will accept valid UK licences until the end of 2021).

[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

You must know the famous wall?

OK, you're fair enough to "talk" with a Froggie, then this is a quizz only for you, Aysedasi (nice new avatar).
Back in the day, let's say the seventies, do you remember how what you call scrutineering "le pesage" en français was made? First part took place Place des Jacobins, in the town center, we all know that. But afterwards teams and cars had to satisfy at least one other check. This one brought a lot of fun because, GT's apart, we all had to cheat. Where and what?

[Aysedasi]

Hmmm, the 70's are before my time Gerard, I'll have to have a think!

[Gerard C]

No problemo, young man! After the first checks like weight and safety at Place des Jacobins, before being granted the official sticker it was mandatory to satisfy an U-turn between the walls -also called "fascines"- after the last marshals post (130 or 131), just at the beginning of the pit straight.

I never heard about a sport proto able to do this without some help, like one mechanic at wheel and six others pushing the car sideways! Hence the laugh. When came the turn of official teams (like Matra, Ligier) the area went suddenly very secret and behind closed doors!

Over the years strange rules came up like having spares and tools in the trunk, sometimes a showel (Cadillac Le Monstre) to dig out the car at Tertre Rouge, the famous spare wheel (remember Lotus?), the even more famous "valise ACO" not mentioning the fact that any driver stopped on the track had to keep his/her helmet on (Marie-Claude "Beaumont" experienced this). Helmet off meant automatically the car was withdrawn.

J'espère que cet intermède vous a un peu distrait, en attendant que vous puissiez profiter de cette course en live! Cheers friendly!

[Aysedasi]

Yes, I know of some of these things Gerard, especially the issue with the Lotus 'wobbly wheels' and their wheelnuts. Actually, many of the cars undergo the u-turn test at Le Mans every year - still.....

https://youtu.be/yc49Xc8TDD0

[Gerard C]

Nice link, thanks, but in the seventies the skate board thing was not an option! Because you're much involved in the fun constest voting sometimes for the good ol'cars, I'll try and find the story about a sandwich found in the Mulsanne straight not being jambon-beurre but baguette and rocker instead!

I know the french instances have not always been faire with foreign entrants, especially those involve in the performance index. A very good friend of mine just built a replica of a Spitfire like this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpepDRqcFCo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g04H-BTUe9E
Far from Hollywood I's say!

[whitemr2]

I have hope for the 24 to go ahead with spectators, although I can Imagine it must be a tough call for ACO and the French government. Just Read the German government is closing it's borders due to the Indian variant for all living in UK. Not good. I guess nobody knows where we will stand in August.
Fingers crossed.

[vincegail]

I don't see Le Mans happening with spectators, or only with a small amount of them and a huge pile of fun-killing measures, so I won't be there regardless. I therefore booked a campsite near Malmedy several weeks ago, and will set up Vincegail's Racing Services facilities there. Not the real thing, but not too shabby either

[Mike E]

Originally Posted by vincegail

I don't see Le Mans happening with spectators, or only with a small amount of them and a huge pile of fun-killing measures, so I won't be there regardless.

Agreed

[Aysedasi]

Personally, I think there will be spectators if the Indian variant doesn't take hold in France - but I doubt very much that spectators from the UK will have much joy particularly if the situation with the Indian variant doesn't sort itself out pdq. I mooted weeks ago that the 'spectatorship' at Le Mans this year could well be very 'local' but that was pooh-poohed.

As was said earlier, even if spectators do make it, I wonder what they're going to have to deal with once they get there.... I suspect that the experience will be extremely restricted.

Oh and I know Simon will chastise me for being pessimistic (again) but realism has to kick in, sooner rather than later.

[whitemr2]

IF I can get hold of tickets and I'll be able to get the days off from work, it will be in and out for me, nothing more.