[LM24] Radio Le Mans

[Adam43]

Originally Posted by Anyopenroad

Like every sports racing fan I have huge affection for the RLM crew and enjoy spending the long hours of a 24H race with them. I do though sometimes wish they'd concentrate a bit more on the actual race. I suspect that when he's in the middle of a long story, theory or pet peeve it would take a car literally exploding in flames to get Mr Hindhaugh's attention back on the track .

I say this every year, but it is still relevant.

It’s a long race and there is scope to talk about other stuff. Although they could just generally cut down the opinion piece stuff. They have MWM for that.

However, primarily they should talk about what is going on. Whether they see it on the track (if there), on telly, on timing screens, from sources, etc...

And this is the comparison I make every year. Test match special. They talk about all sorts of stuff, but never miss commentating on every single ball.

RLM don’t need to describe every corner taken, but when not highlighting something on track the other stuff should be how is x doing verses y (E.g. y was 40s behind an hour ago, now 10s). What is likely to develop with pit stops? Are we seeing any trends in sector times, driver times, etc... Or even some scene setters, the rising sun, the smell of the bbq, etc...

The cakes that have been sent in, or the number 8 bus coming round the corner. Oh wait that is TMS.

Oh, and I also say every year - RLM, where would we be without it.

[SnoodyMcFlude]

I think test match special is an unfair comparison, there is loads of downtime between balls but no downtime in a 24h race.

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

[Adam43]

Quite. When there isn’t downtime don’t talk downtime topics! There is plenty of time to do so - and do it more justice.

There is always something to talk about the race even if no car is overtaking, pitting or spinning.

[Bentley03]

Has anyone heard anything regarding RLM's plans for Le Mans this year via Midweek Motorsport, Listeners' Collective, Twitter or elsewhere?

Wondering who will be commentating?

Will they be based at the circuit or in the UK, and if in the UK, will there even be pit lane reporters at the circuit?

And, if the commentary team are going to be 100% based in the UK (or outside of France, at least), will there even be an FM transmission of the Radio Le Mans stream for spectators to tune in to at the circuit? I'm guessing they are contracted to provide an FM transmission at the circuit for spectators, but they may not be, and with just a fraction of their usual trackside audience in attendance this year, I'm thinking the unthinkable might happen...no Radio Le Mans to tune in to at the circuit!?

Any info (and reassurance) appreciated.

[Aysedasi]

I confess I've not heard a thing - literally, radio silence......

[Truckosaurus]

Originally Posted by Bentley03

... I'm thinking the unthinkable might happen...no Radio Le Mans to tune in to at the circuit!?...

I hadn't even thought about that

Was there any FM content last year (there were, of course, plenty of team personnel/marshals/locals/etc that could tune in)?

I suspect the biggest hurdle for RLM staff is any quarantine requirements on their return to the UK and would that impact their other work commitments.

Also, they don't commentate by looking out of the window, so the quality of broadcast should, in theory, be the same if coming from their World HeadQuarters (Hindy's spare room) or the press centre at LM.

Even 'pitlane' interviews with drivers can be done over the phone.

[Peter Mallett]

They provided commentary remotely as I recall.

[Adam43]

I am embarrassed to say that is the last time I listened to any RLM.

Edit: apart from IMSA race coverage.

[Truckosaurus]

In related news, the test day and Wednesday practice sessions are now appearing in the broadcast calendar on their website.

No sign of any preview shows yet.

[S griffin]

That's great news, best to be kept up to date from the start of official testing. I'm sure they will do their usual top job

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

They provided commentary remotely as I recall.

I'm sure this is correct Peter. I don't think there were even any staff in the pitlane, hence the paucity of pitlane reports.

[Bentley03]

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

I'm sure this is correct Peter. I don't think there were even any staff in the pitlane, hence the paucity of pitlane reports.

And that, basically, is the root cause of my concerns that there may be no FM transmission for spectators at the circuit. Will they really send a team of engineers over to France to transport, set up and maintain the FM transmission equipment for just a few hundred spectators who would use the broadcast? I have my doubts, and using the online stream using mobile data is going to be a battery drainer and potentially expensive for anyone who doesn't have a contract with many GB's of mobile data included.

Maybe I'm just being alarmist, but if this transpires it's going to be a proper nuisance for many.

[AstonGeoff]

Of course we don't actually need a FM transmission in this day and age, just an internet connection to pick up the website.

In the past I've used that when out at Mulsanne or Arnage on the test day as the signal seemed to be turned down.

[Peter Mallett]

Originally Posted by Bentley03

And that, basically, is the root cause of my concerns that there may be no FM transmission for spectators at the circuit. Will they really send a team of engineers over to France to transport, set up and maintain the FM transmission equipment for just a few hundred spectators who would use the broadcast? I have my doubts, and using the online stream using mobile data is going to be a battery drainer and potentially expensive for anyone who doesn't have a contract with many GB's of mobile data included.

Maybe I'm just being alarmist, but if this transpires it's going to be a proper nuisance for many.

You could always buy a local sim. Even 30 euros would be cheaper than roaming charges. Data messaging works whatever number you use.

[AstonGeoff]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

You could always buy a local sim. Even 30 euros would be cheaper than roaming charges. Data messaging works whatever number you use.

I didn't think roaming charges were due to return till next year?

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by AstonGeoff

I didn't think roaming charges were due to return till next year?

Depends on network, and for some they are under a 'fair use' arrangement.

EE:
Any contract taken out, renewed or upgraded after 7 July - 2£ per day roaming from Jan 22.

O2:
Fair use cap of 25GB, from 2 Aug 21. After that, £3.50 per GB.

Three:
Fair use cap of 12GB, from 1 Jul 21.

Vodafone:
Fair use cap of 25GB already in place. After that, £3.13 per GB.

[Gingers4Justice]

Originally Posted by Adam43

I am embarrassed to say that is the last time I listened to any RLM.

Edit: apart from IMSA race coverage.

Me too.

Bit of a shame how they handled relationships with former colleagues. Put me off RLM big time. The "you're either with us or against us" attitude appears to be largely their own making, and in doing so, they've lost this listener.

[J Jay]

Originally Posted by Adam43

I am embarrassed to say that is the last time I listened to any RLM.

Edit: apart from IMSA race coverage.

That's a rather large, recurring exception!

There's been something of a clique/family* around RLM for at least as long as I've been into sportscars, which'll be more than a decade now. It has worked out well for them in some cases, and badly in others.

To be fair (I don't want to dog-pile RSL here...), I have enjoyed the wider focus for other realms of motorsport that they have more-or-less forced themselves into. I also think it's good that they're looking further afield for opportunities, and to move away - albeit slowly - from the old guard towards younger presenters/commentators.

Still, I do chuckle every time Dagys is invited on MWM, given the collective opinion of him only a couple of years ago!

*delete as appropriate

[Aysedasi]

My focus is (and always has been) very narrow. I listen to RLM when I'm at Le Mans. No other time. I miss some of the commentators they used to have on, the likes of Ian Titchmarsh, Jim Roller, Sam Collins, Graham Tyler. I still love hearing from Bruce Jones and Joe Bradley in the pitlane. Nick Damon I can take in limited doses.... Of course many of us have listened for years to Trussers on RLM too. Besides that, as I say, my interest in RLM (RSL) is pretty limited but I'm hugely grateful for the (generally) fantastic service they've given us at Le Mans since 1987.

[J Jay]

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

A wave of nostalgia for commentators past

Any time is a good time to wish Truswell a full recovery. He's updated his blog too, it seems he was invited to the Spa Fun Cup race on behalf of DRM.

In the relatively short time I've been following sportscars, it's rather poignant to know that most of those names are out of the picture for various reasons. I suspect they'll all pop up on RLM's historic racing show at some point (and that's probably why they have a historic racing show truth be told).

Jim & Sam on the sunset shift will always be my quintessential RLM at LM experience.

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by J Jay

Jim & Sam on the sunset shift will always be my quintessential RLM at LM experience.

Yes, Trussers aside, Jim and Sam were always the real highlight of my night shifts too.

[joeb]

RLM has started posting their 2021 Le Mans content on their site:

http://www.radiolemans.co/category/r...s/le-mans-24h/

The prototype and gt previews can be found there.

[Adam43]

Thanks. I haven’t been on the look out. I have a long journey at the weekend - that’ll be something to listen too.

[Truckosaurus]

I see from their Facebook group that they will be broadcasting remotely (so no pitlane reports) and discussions about the FM broadcast are continuing.

Also, I listened to the previews earlier in the week, they were refreshingly free of the usual informercials from sponsors, but I do hope that doesn't mean they aren't in a financial hole for the event (hopefully reduced travel and hotel costs make things easier).

[Gingers4Justice]

Originally Posted by Truckosaurus

I see from their Facebook group that they will be broadcasting remotely (so no pitlane reports) and discussions about the FM broadcast are continuing.

Also, I listened to the previews earlier in the week, they were refreshingly free of the usual informercials from sponsors, but I do hope that doesn't mean they aren't in a financial hole for the event (hopefully reduced travel and hotel costs make things easier).

I used to love the updates about camping on the previews though - used to be part of the build-up to the event! However, I won't miss the three-hour long interview with a former obscure gentleman driver who's on to talk about launching his new gazebo business in the last few hours of the race.

I wonder when they'll be back?