Conference terri::cars_uk

    
    When do the qualifiers start?
    
    Andy..A Novice at this type of racing..
    

    .0�	64 entries for this years race. It then went on to say that this
    .0�	number would be reduced to 46 after qualifying. Its refreshing to 
    
    46 cars for the race ? Why would they want to reduce the number of
    entrants so drastically ? The circuit is 13.5km long and can enjoy
    100 cars simultaneously.
    
    64 entries at this point sounds pretty good. I don't know what the 
    dealine is for entries. 

    The latest I heard about the GT category is that there would be around 
    50 cars (optimistic) including:
    
    - several Porsche Turbo (including 1 works car)
    - several Venturi 500 LM 
    - several Lotus Esprit LM
    - several Honda NSX
    - several Jag XJ220 LM (reduced weight and peak power)
    - several Ferrari 348 (from Italian GT championship)
    - ....
    
    If only 46 cars started, we would probably see less than 10 cars cross
    the finish line.

    Although I didn't count them I think are only about 50 pit garages
    hence 46 entries.
    
    Usual routine is,
    
    Tue morning scrutineering in the town center.
    Wed Qualifing at 19:00-2100 and 22:00-24:00 approx.
    Thu Qualifing at 19:00-2100 and 22:00-24:00 approx.
    Fri Rest day (sometimes a firework display at night)
    Sat 10:00 Parade of drivers
        ??    Support race.
    	14:00ish  Parade of cars (vintage/old and previous entries etc.)
    	16:00 the start
    
    Ian.
                  

    
    Re-1  
    
    	Time table of event looks right to me, However you missed the most 
    	notorious non event, the dec meet at the at the champagne bar at 11
    	on saturday evening. Hands up all those that have ever met up with
    	other dec peeps. 
    
    
    	Also I think the 46 is the garages. In days gone by when the entry
    	was in the 60's and the field started in the 50's there were enough
    	garages to cope. If there is a full field of 46 , gotta be better
	than that stupid effort last year.  	

    
    Re.-1
    
    Errmm,
    
    Richard, you out there? I've got piccies to prove it as well!
    
    BTW, we intend to make the pilgrimage this year.
    
    Cheers,
    
    Colin

    
    
    Errr.. how much do you want for the piccies Colin?
    
    
    Some of us have made contact before.... and no doubt will again
    this year!
    
    Richard. 
    
    

    
    Don't worry about the piccies Richard, remember you took some of me!
    
    Anyway, seeing as I am currently working for the illustrious Mr.
    Simpson, I think we should try and entice him along as well.
    
    Is it too soon to ask "Who else is going to be there"?

    
    Ok, I confess I did meet with some decies the other year, and a jolly 
    fine time too. Last year I was hidding from the rain and making a
    video. There is about 12 people going from London .
    
    
    And while on the subject ....
    
    In autosport today it says that the entry list will be trimmed to 50
    plus 2 reserves for qualifying. The final 52 will be published next
    week. The entry so far has 3 peugeots 3 toyotas. Among the rest is an
    entry of 23 GT cars including 3 XJ220Cs, 2 Lotuses and 5 Venturis and a 
    multitude of porsche 911 carreras and F40's. 
    
    Also The Allard built for 3.5 atmo sportscar racing was bought at
    auction recently for �80,000. It has been entered for the race and will
    be run by Yves Courage and is due for testing this week.
    
    
    	Garry

    re: Yves Courage
    
    Driver?  Owner?  Any relationship to Piers?
    
    Dave

    
    
    Me thinks it looses something in the translation. Yves being french
    you dont't pronounce Courage as spelt. If you mean the guy who used to
    drive for Frank Williams and was killed doing the same , then the
    answer is no relation (as far as I'm aware ) . The Allard is owned by
    Robs Lamplough and a partner Bob Pond. Courage are to run the car and
    the drivers will be Jean-Louis Ricci, one of the investors in the Allard
    project, and his partner in crime Henri Pescarolo.
    
    
    Garry 

    .9�    re: Yves Courage
    
    Yves Courage is a local (from LeMans) driver/manufacturer/team manager
    who used to build and race the COUGARs (Cougar-Courage, get the idea ?)
    
    Nothing to do with Piers Courage.

    Would the 93 LeMans be on 19 - 20 June?  Could someone post the full
    list of entries?

    
    Yes Le mans is on 19/20 June. The entry list was published last
    wednesday but I have not to date seen the full list. Autosport
    published some details this week. Category 1 has 7 entries (last years
    group c ). 3 cars each for Peugoet and Toyota and the 7th car the
    Allard. Category 2 ( The older group c cars) has 12 entries, including
    Porsche 962 entries from Kremer and Joest. The turbo cars will have
    unlimited fuel but power restricted by restrictor plates. There are 3
    entries in Category 3 ( 3 litre Le mans Prototype) , presumably this
    means the WM type of car. And last but not least cat 4 ( GT ) has a
    healthy entry of 30 which includes 3 TWR XJ220c's , 5 Venturi LM 500, a
    couple of Lotus Esprit 300 sports but no F40's.
    
    Garry

    .13�                              And last but not least cat 4 ( GT ) has a
    .13�healthy entry of 30 which includes 3 TWR XJ220c's , 5 Venturi LM 500, a
    .13�couple of Lotus Esprit 300 sports but no F40's.
    
    I've seen 3 Lotus Esprit 300 entries. And, as expected, a big crowd of
    Porsche 911 with different specifications, including the works car (3.8
    turbo). No F40's but one Ferrari 348tb. A GM something (Transam, I
    think). No Honda NSX. Some BMW M5's.
    
    When time allows I'll enter the whole list.

    
    
    Patrick,
    
    	If you have got a copy of the entry list that would be great. I
    expected Autosport to publish it this week . What that did publish is
    more or less what I put here. There was no mention of Porsche 911's.
    
    
    Garry

    
    The entry list:
    

	Team			Chassis				Engine
	----			-------				------
	

Category 1	


	Peugeot Talbat sport	Peugoet 905			Peugeot V10
	Peugeot Talbat sport	Peugoet 905			Peugeot V10
	Peugeot Talbat sport	Peugoet 905			Peugeot V10
	Toyota Team TOM'S	Toyota TS010			Toyota RV10
	Toyota Team TOM'S	Toyota TS010			Toyota RV10
	Toyota Team TOM'S	Toyota TS010			Toyota RV10
	Jean-Louis Ricci	Allard J2X			Cosworth

Category 2
	
	ADA Engineering		Prosche 962			Porsche
	Sard Co Ltd		Toyota				Toyota V8
	Porsche Kremer Racing	Kremer Porsche 962		Porsche
	Porsche Kremer Racing	Kremer Porsche 962		Porsche
	Obermaier Racing	Porsche 962c			Porsche
	GP Motorsport		Spice SE90C			Cosworth
	Graff Racing		Spice SE88			Cosworth
	Nisso Trust Racing	Nisso Toyota			Toyota
	Courage Competition	Courage C30LM			Porsche
	Courage Competition	Courage C30LM			Porsche
	Chamberlain Eng.	Spice SE89C			Cosworth
	Joest Racing		Porsche 962C			Porsche

Category 2 replacments

	Roland Bassaler		Sauber C6			BMW M1	
	Team Guy Chotard	Porsche 962C			Porsche
	Courage Competition	Courage C30LM			Porsche

Category 3

	Welter Racing		WR LM 93			WR Peugeot
	Didier Bonnet		Debora SP93			Alfa Romeo
	Sport &immagine SRL	Lucchini SP91			Alfa Romeo
	
Category 4	
	
	Obermaier Racing	Porsche Turbo II		Porsche
	Obermaier Racing	Porsche Carrera II		Porsche
	Team Paduwa		Porsche Carrera II		Porsche
	Team Paduwa		Porsche Carrera II		Porsche
	Heico Dienstlestungen	Porsche 911 RSR			Porsche
	Muhlbauer Motorsport	Porsche RSR			Porsche
	FA Derkum		Porsche 911			Porsche
	Stephen Holgate		Porsche 911 Carrera		Porsche
	TWR Racing		Jaguar XJ220C		Jaguar V6 Turbo		
	TWR Racing		Jaguar XJ220C		Jaguar V6 Turbo		
	TWR Racing		Jaguar XJ220C		Jaguar V6 Turbo		
	Le Mans Porsche Team	Porsche 911 Turbo		Porsche
	Scuderia Chicco D'Oro	Porsche Carrera			Porsche
	Jack Leconte		Porsche Carrera RSR		Porsche
	MMI			Porsche RSR Turbo		Porsche
	Ed Arnold Racing	BMW M5				BMW
	Ed Arnold Racing	BMW M5				BMW
	Riccardo Agusta		Venturi LM500			MVS
	Stephane Ratel		Venturi LM500			MVS
	Tolson D'Or		Venturi LM500			MVS
	Empain-Graham		Venturi LM500			MVS
	Jacadi Racing		Venturi LM500			MVS
	Lotus sport/Chamberlain Lotus Esprit Sport 300	Lotus 2.2 turbo
	Lotus sport/Chamberlain Lotus Esprit Sport 300	Lotus 2.2 turbo
	John Graham		Chevrolet Transam		GM V8
	Roock Racing		Porsche Carrera RS		Porsche
	Roock Racing		Porsche Carrera 		Porsche
	Jankle Racing		Chevrolet Corvette		Chevrolet
	Ecurie Biennoise	Porsche 911 Carrera		Porsche 3600
	Simpson Racing		Ferrari 348			Ferrari


Category 4 replacements

	Alain Lamouille		Venturi LM500			MVS
	BBA Competition		Venturi LM500			MVS

    

    .16�    The entry list:
    
    Thanks Garry. This is the list I have too. Next version will have
    drivers names. All I have so far is the 9 P905 drivers.

I've got my pass out for this weekend.

I would describe myself as a car enthusiast with a penchant for enjoying
himself on the odd occasion...

Hope to see you there...

-Steve

    
    Re.las
    
    Errmm, oh gawd, may I book the following week off?

	This sounds fairly interesting.

	For those of us who may be LeMansly Challenged:

	1. How do you get there from Brussels?

	2. What's the parking situation?

	3. How much does it cost?

	Ian.

    
    1. Fly/train/drive ..... lots of options. If driving, quickest in
       autoroute, apart from Saturday mid-day on between Paris & Le
       Mans. Getting there offers multiple choices -- if you return soon
       after the race on Sunday, I would NOT recommend the autoroute as it
       nears Paris. I got stuck for a couple of hours 2 years back. It's OK
       from LM, but turn off as you approach halfway between LM/PAR.
    
    2. Parking easy on Thursday/Friday -- less so on Saturday. (Not
       strictly true -- parking is easy enough when you've got that 
       close...problem can be the approach)
    
    3. Tickets somewhere around 300 Ffr. Camping pass about 200 FFr,
       although many people with very small tents put them up in the car 
       park for free (ie illegally)
    
    Looks good this year. Good entry. 
    
    Beer/food expensive on site -- take a packed ice-box. A couple of 
    lightweight stepladders & a couple of planks pays huge dividends for 
    improved vision -- take some rope to lash them to a tree, car, or 
    similar fixed point.
    
    
    Colin

    Mes chers amis,
    
    Last weekend saw most of the top entries out for a fast drive in the
    country for the official test sessions.
    
    I imagine that most teams were using the weekend to concentrate on
    shaking down their relatively untried machinery, rather than going for
    a fast time - not that grid positions count for a great deal at Le
    Mans.
    
    Here are the top times:
    
    Peugeot 905 (Baldi) 3 29.08
    Toyota TS010 (Lammers) 3 30.86
    Toyota TS010 (Wallace) 3 33.88
    Peugeot 905 (Dalmas) 3 34.13
    Porsche 962C (Winter, Jelinski) 3 37.14
    Courage C30 (Robert, Moran) 3 41.49
    Porsche 962 (Pescarolo, Wollek) 3 44.54
    ...
    
    Salut,
    Ed.
    
    

    
    Any info on the GT entries?
    
    Mark

    H-J St�ck driving the works Porsche 911 Turbo was miles faster than all
    the other GT entries and even left some of the 962s in the dust. He
    clocked in at 4 04.67, 11th fastest time overall. Apparently the
    Venturis were slow and tended to break.
    
    Salut,
    Ed.

    
    I've just realised that my stand duty at the Paris Air Show happens to
    coincide with the Le Mans weekend ............. dim, or what! Must go
    book a ferry & drive over.
    
    Last time I went, I managed to miss the Deccies champers by going to
    the wrong bar. May have meant cheaper rounds, but not very sociable.
    Could someone post explicit instructions as to the precise time & 
    location, with no scope for mis-interpretation by thickies  -- if I 
    remember correctly, there were two of the same type, one in the 
    in-field & one on the other side. I went to the wrong one.
    
    Colin

    
    
    Folks,
    
    	Anyone out there with an Espace, Previa etc type machine willing
    to swap for the Le Mans Weekend. Payment (negotiable) plus use of
    Celica or Audi in return. 
    
    There are currently 4 of us confirmed for the trip, but others are also
    interested , hence we are looking for a vehicle larger than a standard
    4 seater.
    
    We are aiming for Portsmouth - Caen crossing (Friday 15:30) and
    returning Monday morning return crossing (8:30 ish). 
    
    Anyone that can help or is even interested in coming along then please
    mail KERNEL::RHASKING (833 3667) or phone Campbell Robertson (847
    5672).
    
    Thanks,
    
    Rob.
    
    	

    Have you tried to book your tickets yet ?
    
    Two weeks ago I had problems because everything was fully booked.
    
    If you change the car or number of passengers you can do that up to the
    last minute.
    
    See you in Camping Des "S" (?) from Tuesday afternoon, grey Astra
    H 126 SWF, for a beer.
    
    Ian.

    
    Hi,
    
    	Fully booked now!!!  I had problems when I booked back in march. I
    didn't want friday boats out or sunday/early monday home.  I'll be
    there Friday through monday in Camping Houx (next door to Des "S").
    
    Garry

    
    I have just booked a slot on the Portsmouth - Caen 15:00 18th June
    				     Caen - Portsmouth 08:30 21st June
    
    	This is currently for 1 car, 4 adults.
    
    Hope to see you guys there.
    
    Rob

    Could someone post a concise resume of the regulations defining the
    different categories running in this year's race? The rules have
    changed so many times that I'm lost...
    
    BTW, if Le Mans is anywhere near as exciting as this year's Indy 500
    and - to a lesser extent - Monaco GP, then we're in for a goodie.
    
    Salut,
    Edward

    
    Take a look at .16 of this note , thats the full and official entry
    list for this year . Category's 1 and 2 equate to last years group C1
    and group C2. Category 3 is the joker in the pack, and category 4 is a
    new class.
    
    Garry
    
    BTV cameraman/Producer
    

    Could a seasoned campaigner provide details of the rumoured
    DEC - sorry Digital - glass-raising event?
    
    Which champagne bar? Where precisely? And when?
    
    Ta.                   
    Salut,
    Edward

    Oh no not that again !!!!!!!
    
    
    How about the time honoured tradition of the champers brolly at the
    back of the pits, as you come out of the tunnel from under the track,
    at 11pm . Chances are that I will be there with the BTV crew so there's
    something to look for. A bunch of guy's with mic's ,light's and largish 
    Sony camera ( probably ratted ) , should be easy. 
    
    
    Precise directions , as there are 2 tunnels now. If you know where the
    new museum is you've found the tunnel, if not . Facing the main ACO
    building the tunnel is to the left at the exit end of the pit lane. Go 
    under the tunnel , it turns right at the end the goes up hill. There is
    a bar thing to the right that normally does roast chicken and the
    champers brolly is on the left. 
    
    Anyone not go along with that ????????
    
    
    As an aside I have loosly arranged a DEC$PISSUP part 1 for friday.
    There are a number of people from this office as well as the folks I go
    with. Suggestion is for those around friday night. The people I'm with
    will be barbie'ing some food anyway, along with the few bottles of
    mouth wash. If anyone wants to come over with more mouthwash and barbie
    some bangers or whatever , feww free. We'll be in  Camping Houx , and
    should be easy to find, Large choclate and cream trailer tent and a
    long wheelbase transit in green.
    
    
    Only 16 days to go!!!!!!!!!
    
    
    Garry 

Hey Garry, as long as it's an open invitation...

I may even make it up there this year... mind if i come along? Not sure if 
anyone will be with me, but i'd loooveee some bbq'ed english bangers!

Cheers,

					Lewis.

PS. What's BTV?

    
    BTv is a bit of a joke. Every I go with the same people , and every
    year I do a video. Last year being so wet and all, Plus a new member of our
    crew thought it would be fun to go out and interview people etc. We
    did, the video was fun and BTV was the name he gave us. But what does 
    BTV mean ????
    
    
    	Bol'erks  Television
    
    
    The invitation is open but not so sure that we'll take any bangers ,
    probably get all the food over there on friday.
    
    Garry
    
    
    
    

    
    FWIW, I booked ferries easily last week (Thursday). Going out Wednesday
    Dover-Calais for business purposes (Paris Air Show), returning 
    Dieppe/Portsmouth 1700hrs Monday.
     
    See u at the bar. Must remember to print off directions....
    
    Colin

    
    To all those going , see ya there , saturday evening 11pm at the
    champers brolly in the village behind the pits. To those who will be
    there friday night if you find yourself in the area or Camping Du Houx,
    the offer of trotting over with a few beers etc is there. I'm off
    tomorrow after noon.
    
    
    Garry

    Alliot was fastest in the first session before pranging the Peugeot a
    couple of laps later. A Toyota is second fastest with another Peugeor
    third.
    
    Apparently the Jags and the Venturis spent most of their time in the
    pits. St�ck in the works Porsche was the fastest GT car by miles. The
    mysterious Mig did not complete one single flying lap.
    
    See ya there.
    Salut,
    Edward

    No significant changes further to yesterday's final practice session.
    The Peugeots and Toyotas occupy the first three rows with a gaggle of
    Porsches behind them. St�ck remains the fastest GT contender. The
    Jaguars have still been experiencing problems and one of them ended up
    in a sandtrap.
    
    Drivers of the faster cars have been serious problems avoiding MUCH
    slower GT cars, particularly on Les Hunaudi�res.
    
    Salut,
    Edward

Well? All I got on grandstand yesterday was the peugeot 1-2-3 followed by 
Toyota 1-2-3 result. What happened in the GT class? Did the Porches run
away with it?

Information starved!!

Terry

    
    From a report on Radio 5 one of the Jaguar XJ220's won the GT class
    followed by loads of Porsches,
    
    Martin..

    GT Class was won by David Brabham/David Coulthard/?? Jaguar to complete
    a Brabham family double with Gary in the winning Peugeot.
    
    Paul

    Any chance of a look-see at BTV's coverage of the race this year ?
    Every other news agency considered the event not worth mentioning.
    Nothing on the news, nothing in Monday's papers. Stuff all !
    
    The only mention I could find of TV cover was by Eurosport - fine if
    you've got the dustbin lid on the side of your house; useless if you
    havn't (which is me)
    
    Disgusted of the UK.
    

    
    Went there, enjoyed the prototypes, bored by the GT's. Not going back a
    third time to see less enchanting racing than I can see at Castle Combe
    for less money ....
    
    The Jag's were a real spectator disappointment. Appeared to be painted
    in camouflage colours which made them hard to see. Very quiet, &
    appeared to be cruising round like rather fast large ground-hugging slugs
    in automatic top gear ... & this is coming from a Jag fan who saw them 
    win with prototypes a few years back. Not enough vibrancy to cause me to 
    be excited by GT's, which I had hoped to be.
    
    Perhaps painting them Venturi pink & taking out a wad of baffles might
    help ........ or possibly fit CD's with excellent speakers so that they
    can play Peugeot-type noises as they waft past.
    
    On the fun side, it was hot (very), sunny (very), & the beer was as
    expensive as ever. Crowds seemed well up, & well natured this year --
    not suprising with a Pug 1-2-3. The Jag crew got a huge cheer from the
    1605hrs rabble for their class win -- me included.
    
    Unusually easy trip back to Dieppe, & even the crossing back was a
    mini-cruise in the sun.
    
    Colin

    
    Agree with most of .-1.
    
    I was trying to imagine Le Mans with just GT cars (next year ??) and
    kept on feeling how quiet it would be. The Pugs and Toyotas were Loud
    (still down on the rotary Mazda though). 
    
    If it does all go GT class (no prototypes) then I can only hope there
    will be the wished for Diablos, F40s, F1s, EB110s etc to make the
    racing close. One of the things to watch for was the VAST differences
    in braking distances and cornering speeds between the prototypes and
    the rest. A Pug or Toyota closing on a group of slower cars into the
    Esses was quite frightening at times. 
    
    Then of course it was this speed differential that wiped out one of the 
    interesting front battles -
    
    The leading Pug at the time (about 11 pm on Saturday) was 2 seconds (
    thats close after 7 hours racing) clear of the leading Toyota when one
    of the Lotus' drove into the back of the Toyota causing it to pit for
    about 45 minutes. Apparently it seems the Toyota flew past entering 
    a bend and then stood on its brakes (as normal) at which point the
    Lotus used the Toyota for its brakes. 
    
    
    Whatever the entry next year I guess we'll still be going.
    
    	A good crowd (well behaved from what I saw)
    	A HOT weekend
    	Very nice 'Hawiain Tropic' girls although Radio Le Mans seemed to 
    		linger the point a little.
    	Less grass on the spectator banking and more sand/dust
    	Easy car park access (can they adopt the same for Silverstone ?)
    	Most popular British Sportscar this year...Lotus/Caterham 7's 
    	 	- loads in the car parks, at the port on the ferry etc.
    	
    	For all its quieter nature , still had a great time. 
    
    	Jean Todt and Peugeot must be 'over the moon Arry'.
    	Tom Walkinshaw and TWR must be pleased.
    
    
    	See you next year.
    
    Rob

    I have to echo the sentiments in the last note. GTs are simply boring
    to watch. Even the Jags, which are great lookers, seemed to be running
    in slow motion and making no noise.
    
    All the spectacle was provided by the Peugeots and Toyotas. It was a
    close and exciting race up until 22.00 when Toyota 38 and a Lotus came
    together in one of the chicanes on the straight. Indeed, during the 3rd
    or 4th hour, we were treated to a dog fight between Boutsen and Lees
    that was as exciting as any GP. The Peugeots were clearly faster on the
    straight, but the Toyotas handled better in the slower sections.
    Peugeot seemed to have made the right choices, as the Toyotas never
    managed to actually overtake them when they were close. The Toyotas
    also seemed to suffer from the heat, with recurrent overheating
    problems.
    
    A good weekend for the Brabham family!
    
    I definitely will go back next year (like every year). Even when the race is
    mediocre, the event as a whole is always memorable. Night racing is
    simply thrilling... I hope that the ACO can come up with a formula to
    bring the prototypes back next year. I also hope that Mosely and
    Ecclestone don't try to take over the show and turn it TV-driven
    circus.
    
    It was very hot.
    
    Salut,
    Edward                              

    
    BTW, forgot to mention that one of the more interesting episodes was
    chatting to drivers at the Dieppe ferry. On the 1400hrs departure
    yesterday there were genuine ex-works Le Mans C-Types, real & replica
    D-types, multiple E-Types, a McLaren M10 (??) kit car thingy, Ferrari
    324b, couple of Cobras. A very pleasant hour was spent in the standby
    queue...... & I got away right at the back!
    
    BTW2, in deference to our Venturi-owning readership I have said little
    about the Gentleman Drivers activities, although I was pleasantly
    surprised how many were still running late in the race. 
    
    Colin
    
    Colin

    The ACO have stated that, for the two practice sessions and the race
    itself, they recorded 220 000 paying spectators. This probably means
    that there well over 100 000 people there to see the race. Not bad for
    an epreuve that is not part of any championship and benefits from
    almost zero media hype.
    
    Keep it up.
    
    Salut,
    Edward

    
    re: many of the the last few. 
    
    Attendance:- Many of our crew felt that this year was possibly lower
    attendance than last year. In view of the appalling weather last year
    and the fact that the grid was full we were supprised. But taking many
    things in to account , its probably true. It was very easy to get a
    place on the campsite on friday where as it the past we have had
    problems on wednesday.
    
    Coverage:-
    	I only got back midday yesterday. But yes coverage is piss poor. I
    saw a few lines of drivel in mondays guardian on the result and thats
    it. Considering there were Jaguars, Lotus and various other uk intrests
    and drivers, not impresses. As for the BTV coverage. I looked through
    the VT yesterday very quickly, There's more than last year , its
    better than last year , it sure is funny. It'll take me a week or so to 
    to do the editing , titles and sound but after that I may be able to
    release it.
    
    
    The race:
    
    	Well I feel that at this juncture that it is inportant for the ACO
    to put next years plans together very quickly. I think the GT class is
    getting back to what Le mans is all about. I personally would be very
    pleased to see Peugeot and toyota go. Sportscar racing reached a point
    where it killed it's self. Far too much money was pumped into projects
    like the 905 and the TS010. It was painfully obvious that prototype and
    GT cars do not belong on the same track. The speed differential was
    staggering. For Peugeot to win, in my books to winning the way
    Peugeot did is no big thing. Ok they put a lot of time and money into
    winning and obviously they did it right, the same really applies to
    Toyota, but peugeot done it better. But it highlights why sports car
    racing died the way it did. There were teams there this year who ran on
    a shoestring and done a damed good job, they had no chance of really
    winning. My view is that next year it should be all GT cars, There are
    plenty around, and if it were decided now there is a lot of time to get
    the cars ready.
    
    We had a good weekend , the weather was great, there was some interest
    as Jaguar did reasonably well, plenty of food and drink. Next Year, Yes
    will probably go but that depends on a lot of things.\
    
    
    Garry    

    If Le Mans, and sports car racing in general, is to become GT only,
    then surely the GT category needs redefining. If next year's race is
    limited to Jags, Venturis, and Porsche 911s (a car that is 30 years
    old!!), then spectators will abstain in droves. They are dull, slow, and
    quiet.
    
    All the great duels at Le Mans have been between prototypes that have
    little or nothing to do with production models, even if the names on
    the cars were well known to the man in the street; Mercedes/Jaguar in
    the 50s, Ford/Ferrari in the 60s, Ferrari/Porsche, Ferrari/Matra,
    Renault/Porsche, Porsche/Jaguar and Mercedes/Jaguar.
    
    The sight and sound of the cars must pull the crowds. If Mercedes,
    Jaguar and Porsche had not ceased their prototype developments, then
    sports car racing would be a exciting as ever. Maybe the real problem
    stems from the current economic climate, in which major constructors
    can no longer afford the luxury of a costly motor sport program while
    they are losing money and making people redundant.
    
    Salut,
    Edward
    
    PS. I made my way to the champagne brolly at 11.00 pm on Saturday. So
    did a lot of other people, and there was no way to distinguish Digits
    from non-Digits...

    Re .-1,
    
    I agree, the GT cars where DULL. If Le Mans goes GT then I expect not to
    attend next year.
    
    A problem I see with GT cars is they are difficult to repair (long
    pit stops) and the construction of the car (hence safety) is not up the
    standards of the C1 classes.
    
    For me the best racing was the old fuel limited formula. If you can fit
    the car into the regulation box you can race it. We had a huge variety
    of machinery and engine configurations (962/Eagle/Aston/Jag/Mazda/Merc)
    up until recently.
    
    Jag and Merc sort of shot themselves in the foot by over developing the
    cars so they cost too much, with the final nail in the coffin being the
    3.5l NA engines.
    
    I would suggest a return to the late 80's, with limits on technology
    (Active/Traction control/Carbon brakes etc.) for cost reasons, to put
    some of the tactics back into the race and maintain the speed and
    thrills of large noisy group C cars.
    
    Ian.

    
    Edward, 
    
    I Was there at 11pm , there was 7 of us, I had the camera, there was
    one guy doing the lighting, and another interviewing people. If you
    were there, sorry , you should have come and gave us a prod. None of
    the people I recognise were around so we moved on after a 20 mins to
    half an hour.
    
    
    With regard to the classes , I think its less simple that what pulls
    the crowds. Le Mans is one of those event that will probably have a
    crowd so long as names turn-up and there is a race. The problem is that
    people that go to sportscar / endurance racing often have a different
    outlook on racing and too much time and effort was put into the last
    dying years of the WSCP to making it exciting for the spectators.
    Agreed that some of the more recent races have featured tatanic battles
    with Porsche, Jaguar, Mercedes and Mazda. But you have to look at what
    makes that kind of racing tick. There is much said about boring racing
    in F1. Look at the grid, there a few teams at the top who are really
    going to play for honours at each race and then there is the rest, no
    chance of winning unless everybody retires.  
    
    There is no way that the finances to support an F1 championship and a
    sportscar championship are available. It did hear that in the last
    years of WSPC , the budget that Merecedes ran with was way in excess of
    any F1 team. I would be the first to admit that I would love to see
    battles with XJR12's, 962's , C11 etc etc, but being realistic that is
    not going to happen. The only way that sportscar racing will survive is
    with teams like Joest, Kremer, Obermaier, Courage and so on.  As soon
    as big names enter the frey and pour million upon million into a
    prototype project, the same situation will exist. What is needed is for
    a base to be put together of a class where the pot required is smaller
    and that people intrested in the type of racing can get involved. You
    have to be able to limit the amount of development, starting with a
    basic car in my view is the place to start. A blank sheet of paper and
    a mega budget with all the right people can't be beaten, and absolutly
    not the place to start. Take any formula that has gone into decline and
    I beat the reason is money. Where the money required to get in on the
    act gets too high all the small teams drop out, you end up with a
    championship with a hand full of cars and a spectator attendance that
    will drop like lead. I don't think the current GT category is quite
    right but it is a good basis to start with. This years race proved that
    given a reasonable budget there are people and teams that can afford to
    race. 
    
    It is important to remember the origin of sportscar racing and the
    spirit of it. I think it could be dull and boring if the requlations
    are written such that a Porsche 911 is the only car to fit the bill ,
    but given the right rules and requlations , not too ambitious, and for
    god's sake don't make it look like touring cars. My thoughts are that
    the cars should be super sportscars, F40,XJ220,Venturi etc with maximum
    engine size,turbo etc. A limit on fuel, but realistic and a limit on
    aerodynamics. I would see it as something that you might find on the
    road, maybe not very often, is not a pure gas guzzler and not something
    that is purly designed for the track.  A lot could be learned from the
    way american racing is run!!!
    
    
    Garry