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Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: theowletman on 13 September 2009, 22:14:00

Title: 1000 kms of Le Mans at Silverstone
Post by: theowletman on 13 September 2009, 22:14:00
Just back from the race today. What a fabulous day out. Totally different to the strict exclusions of F1. Walk into the pit garages during the race, watch the telemetry and even have it explained, autograph hunt ( got Nigel Mansells at last ), my mate even came away with a used race tyre, and the Michelin tyre team collapsed it for him to make it easier to carry. Totally relaxed surroundings, no parking problems, £25 in, go where you like, sit where you like, even walk the pit lane and grid before the race. Highly reccommended. No more shelling out £250 for a F1 ticket for this OOFer.
Title: Re: 1000 kms of Le Mans at Silverstone
Post by: waspy on 13 September 2009, 22:23:14
The only reason why everyone involved with F1 has an umbrella when it rains isn't to stop them getting wet, it's to stop them drowning [smiley=vrolijk_1.gif]
Title: Re: 1000 kms of Le Mans at Silverstone
Post by: albitz on 14 September 2009, 00:01:03
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Just back from the race today. What a fabulous day out. Totally different to the strict exclusions of F1. Walk into the pit garages during the race, watch the telemetry and even have it explained, autograph hunt ( got Nigel Mansells at last ), my mate even came away with a used race tyre, and the Michelin tyre team collapsed it for him to make it easier to carry. Totally relaxed surroundings, no parking problems, £25 in, go where you like, sit where you like, even walk the pit lane and grid before the race. Highly reccommended. No more shelling out £250 for a F1 ticket for this OOFer.
I can remember when F1 was like that. Brands Hatch (1982 iirc) £20 to get in,walking down the pitlane,mansell and Arnoux walking past in the opposite direction having a chat with each other.The days before the really serious money ruined the sport. :)
Title: Re: 1000 kms of Le Mans at Silverstone
Post by: Turk on 14 September 2009, 00:56:15
Not a bad day then :y

Now I may be having a Glamour Model moment (see how I handled that. I was going to say "blonde moment", then I remembered Debs is within reasonable striking distance), Anyhoo, I digress...
I don't get the "Le Mans at Silverstone" bit :-?  Both are race tracks.

That's like saying "a Brands Hatch at Donington". 
Title: Re: 1000 kms of Le Mans at Silverstone
Post by: albitz on 14 September 2009, 00:57:52
Le Mans type cars presumably? :-/
Title: Re: 1000 kms of Le Mans at Silverstone
Post by: Turk on 14 September 2009, 01:12:54
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Le Mans type cars presumably? :-/
Or maybe the event wasn't actually called "1000 kms of Le Mans at Silverstone" and he means it was an "endurance" race, with Le Mans being the most famous.
Anyhoo, something tells me he may have enjoyed the day. ;D
Title: Re: 1000 kms of Le Mans at Silverstone
Post by: kris on 14 September 2009, 06:53:24
think this is what he went to. looks like fun.

http://www.planetlemans.com/2009/09/12/le-mans-series-1000km-of-silverstone-qualifying/
Title: Re: 1000 kms of Le Mans at Silverstone
Post by: Elite Pete on 14 September 2009, 08:59:28
I went to LeMans about 12 years ago and it was the same, I wasn't kicked out of the pits until about an hour before the race. I went with Page and Moy and they had drivers coming into their tent to chat with us. I would love to go again :y
Title: Re: 1000 kms of Le Mans at Silverstone
Post by: tunnie on 14 September 2009, 09:25:52
sounds interesting, did not know it was that cheap! Maybe a run to the LeMan next year on the beemer bike  :)
Title: Re: 1000 kms of Le Mans at Silverstone
Post by: Kevin Wood on 14 September 2009, 09:30:13
I'm seriously considering the Classic Le Mans next year.

I've been to many of the modern Le Mans and they are good fun. Not just for the racing, which I find I dip in and out of over the weekend, but for the fact that everywhere you go within a 30 mile radius of countryside around Le Mans, there are petrol heads kicking tyres and looking under bonnets.

It's not stupidly over-priced like most motorsport either IMHO.

Kevin
Title: Re: 1000 kms of Le Mans at Silverstone
Post by: Turk on 14 September 2009, 20:51:58
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think this is what he went to. looks like fun.

http://www.planetlemans.com/2009/09/12/le-mans-series-1000km-of-silverstone-qualifying/

Ah, right.  :y 
Title: Re: 1000 kms of Le Mans at Silverstone
Post by: theowletman on 15 September 2009, 13:29:24
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Not a bad day then :y

Now I may be having a Glamour Model moment (see how I handled that. I was going to say "blonde moment", then I remembered Debs is within reasonable striking distance), Anyhoo, I digress...
I don't get the "Le Mans at Silverstone" bit :-?  Both are race tracks.

That's like saying "a Brands Hatch at Donington". 
Its part of the Le Mans series, 5 races, Le Mans ( of course ) Spa, Silverstone, Nurburgring ( IIRC )and I cant think of the other one. Top day, top value, top people, this meeting and its relaxed atmosphere is for the true fans, not the ones eating prawn sandwiches on somebody's entertainment budget. Access to most of the garages is OK even during the race, they do ask you to step back when re-fuelling though. Oh, and the noise, the noise, sorry music from those Aston Martin engines!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: 1000 kms of Le Mans at Silverstone
Post by: theowletman on 15 September 2009, 13:33:48
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I went to LeMans about 12 years ago and it was the same, I wasn't kicked out of the pits until about an hour before the race. I went with Page and Moy and they had drivers coming into their tent to chat with us. I would love to go again :y
MRI still do the packages ( motor racing international ). Better still buy your own parking and camping and get the general admission ticket on the gate. That way if you can't go you haven't lost anything, put the camping ticket on Ebay, they sell for more than face value nearer the event.