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

[Aysedasi]

I've got the Blu-Ray. I played about an hour before the depression set in.....

[S griffin]

I watched the DVD too, it just wasn’t the same without the fans. Thankfully the coverage was excellent as ever

[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

I played about an hour before the depression set in

With presidential election sketching out on the horizon, summer and bikinis, bistrots and restaurants reopening, everything is improving. Yesterday we were running out of stock of vaccines, we have too many today. I feel better, thank you…

[Truckosaurus]

Originally Posted by Bentley03

...I believe M.Fillon has referenced further details regarding ticketing being released in May in an interview for one of the French news outlets...

So, we are pretty much mid-May now, and no sign of any firm news one way or the other.

Can we hope for something to be announced in the next fortnight other than 'more news in June'?

Also, what level of hooping jumping and/or restrictions while attending is going to make it not worth bothering?

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by Truckosaurus

Also, what level of hooping jumping and/or restrictions while attending is going to make it not worth bothering?

This is really what concerns me. Just getting there would be an achievement in itself, but what are we going to have to deal with if we get there? We've heard no further initiatives about 'villages' around the circuit, limited in numbers, nothing about ticketing and I'm still discussing my membership with the ACO (as the 'new' memberships make little sense compared to the old one). There is just silence, almost as if the ACO are waiting for the magic wand to be waved to give the all clear....

[Truckosaurus]

Originally Posted by Truckosaurus

...hooping jumping...

I really need to improve my proof reading.

[Lutzvic]

just received a mail from ACO stating that the billeterie will be open soon......

[Le Vieux]

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

This is really what concerns me. Just getting there would be an achievement in itself, but what are we going to have to deal with if we get there? We've heard no further initiatives about 'villages' around the circuit, limited in numbers, nothing about ticketing and I'm still discussing my membership with the ACO (as the 'new' memberships make little sense compared to the old one). There is just silence, almost as if the ACO are waiting for the magic wand to be waved to give the all clear....

Not just when we get there, but - at present at least - when we return to the UK. Even if the ACO/French government gives us the green light, there's still a red light for those travelling from France to the UK.

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by Lutzvic

just received a mail from ACO stating that the billeterie will be open soon......

Nothing here. I guess 'soon' could mean anything.....

[Greem]

Decision made: not this year. Time of year, pandemic, uncertainty over travel and my own health mean it's a no-go. Gutted.

[Kpy]

Originally Posted by Le Vieux

Not just when we get there, but - at present at least - when we return to the UK. Even if the ACO/French government gives us the green light, there's still a red light for those travelling from France to the UK.

Amber, for what it's worth.

[Simmi]

For the moment the vaccination seems to have no bearing on whether you need to take PCR tests pre and post travel. If nothing changes then those additional costs will also put quite a few people off attending from the UK.

I believe it's a far cheaper process in many other European countries.

To be fair to the ACO they are in an impossible position really. All they could definitively do at this stage is say it's behind closed doors.

What's a bit frustrating is the fact that the Japanese WEC round is being used as a big barrier to moving the LM dates back.

[Le Vieux]

Originally Posted by Lutzvic

just received a mail from ACO stating that the billeterie will be open soon......

I've received what I assume is the same e-mail announcing that tickets will soon be on sale. The message also adds:

"We are looking forward to seeing you at the 24 Hours of Le Mans on 21 and 22 August for the 89th running of our famous race.

"Since the latest government announcements, everyone at the Automobile Club de l’Ouest has been pulling out all the stops to ensure we can host the race in the best possible conditions, with a sturdy health and safety protocol. Your safety is our overriding priority."

That's about as positive as we can currently expect, but it does suggest that they're working towards attendance for ACO members at the very least.

[whitemr2]

Originally Posted by Lutzvic

just received a mail from ACO stating that the billeterie will be open soon......

Nothing here, strange, I've got a lot of money in 'vouchers' at ACO, renewed my membership last year june (got nothing in return) and they don't send me a simple email

[GT6]

Agreed i am in the same boat, having paid in 2019/20 for tickets and camping direct from the ACO and obviously two years of aco membership(cheapest version) so hoping they will give those loyal customers first refusal of tickets for this years allocation when/if it happens.

[Truckosaurus]

I got the 'soon' email too. I'm not a member but I'm on a list of people who bought tickets for 2019 (just a single extra camping one). People without the email might have just unsubscribed due to all the gift shop spam they send out.

[whitemr2]

Originally Posted by Truckosaurus

I got the 'soon' email too. I'm not a member but I'm on a list of people who bought tickets for 2019 (just a single extra camping one). People without the email might have just unsubscribed due to all the gift shop spam they send out.

Nope, didn't unsubscribe, I like whatever **** they send, just because it's Le Mans.

[GT6]

i have not had the latest email from the ACO yet, but expect it will turn up soon

[dwh43scale]

Helpful post on RSL FB about 2020 credit notes which expire on 31st May 2021. I checked mine and confirm that it says that failure to use the credit note by 31st May 2021 will result in full refund after 1st June. Not however clear whether this is automatic or needs to be applied for.
Re ACO membership, renewal just came up and went for cheapest version. Not planning to go this year - full steam ahead for 2022 though !

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by dwh43scale

Helpful post on RSL FB about 2020 credit notes which expire on 31st May 2021. I checked mine and confirm that it says that failure to use the credit note by 31st May 2021 will result in full refund after 1st June. Not however clear whether this is automatic or needs to be applied for.
Re ACO membership, renewal just came up and went for cheapest version. Not planning to go this year - full steam ahead for 2022 though !

My renewal has just come up too. I'm waiting for the ACO to tell me what I got for my membership last year.... (no, I'm not joking)...

[GT6]

same here, once we know what is happening i will decide what to do

[whitemr2]

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

My renewal has just come up too. I'm waiting for the ACO to tell me what I got for my membership last year.... (no, I'm not joking)...

I don't think I am brave enough to stop my membership but I'm not happy with the way ACO treats it's members at the moment and past year. Like you said, we got nothing out of our membership last year.

[Aysedasi]

I have asked...... I've been promised a response from the 'Head of the Club'.....

[GT6]

i can understand the ACO to some extent as they must have seen a massive reduction in income over the last year, but i do think they should remember those loyal members once things return to a more normal situation.

[Aysedasi]

Yeah, agreed Simon. My feelings are also coloured by the fact that I'm going to have to pay more for the 'equivalent' membership this year and probably not get what I had for it the year before last. The situation is obviously complicated by the fact that no-one knows how tickets are likely to be allocated, how many there will be, whether guests will be allowed any access to member areas (as in the past) and indeed, whether tickets will be limited to members only. I expect to renew, but I felt that the question needed to be asked....