LM24 Change in start time to Le Mans?

AllonFS · 16 Apr 2007, 12:56 (Ref:1892933)

(Not been around here much so apologies if this has already been discussed.) I saw this on the ACO website: http://www.lemans.org/24heuresdumans...D_1267_gb.html , and thought it was worth posting. This year's start will be at 3pm to do with French elections, but the postscript was interesting as it suggests a long term change to the start time.

"In the future the start time of 15h00 could become the rule to harmonise the timetable of the 2 major 24-Hour events (cars and bikes), and also to make things easier for the media as well as improving travelling conditions for the hundreds of thousands of spectators come to see a new page in the Le Mans legend being written. "

I have mixed feelings, I love the tradition of Le Mans and the 4pm start is part of that, on the other hand it is a hell of a long wait on Saturday for the race to start. What do your guys think about this?

paul-collins · 16 Apr 2007, 13:08 (Ref:1892944)

3pm start is 9am eastern. Might be problematic for televising in North America, but right now it's not a major concern, as I'm sure they're not getting much out of that, ratings- and rights-wise.

I'm only attached to the notion of the 4pm start due to the movie, but I'm not expecting the drivers to fire the engines at 4pm, so I suppose I can get over the actual time also...

bernard b · 16 Apr 2007, 13:39 (Ref:1892977)

the good point is that we'll have more daylight time on saturday
I always felt the night arriving too early in the race, especially last year when it started at 5pm

marcel82 · 16 Apr 2007, 14:00 (Ref:1892993)

in 88 they started at 15.00 due to elections as well.

**Aysedasi** · 16 Apr 2007, 14:45 (Ref:1893036)

The ACO has fiddled with the start time 4-5 times in the last 20 years. I feel like Allon. It should be 4 pm because that IS the time the Le Mans 24 Hours should start. Simple as that. There have been enough changes to the great race over the last few years - too many changes - few of which have been for the better - IMO.

But, I guess there does have to be a but.... A slightly earlier finish may have certain advantages to our party in term,s of getting to where we want to be after the race - not that it matters greatly to me. I sleep all the way there - they wake me for dinner - and I sleep all evening after that........

I confess I'm struggling to see a really essential reason to move the time - what they have stated sounds pretty woolly.......

**Bentley03** · 17 Apr 2007, 22:46 (Ref:1894324)

I'm quite definitely with bernard b on this one and for the same reason. The more hours of daylight racing on the Saturday, the better!

tux · 17 Apr 2007, 23:22 (Ref:1894350)

ahh well no matter what time it starts i think this one is going to be a bit special

**Aysedasi** · 18 Apr 2007, 08:05 (Ref:1894485)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bentley03

I'm quite definitely with bernard b on this one and for the same reason. The more hours of daylight racing on the Saturday, the better!

If I could be seriously God-like, I'd make the night last for 24 hours.......

**Bentley03** · 18 Apr 2007, 09:01 (Ref:1894520)

The earlier start time does offer one distinct advantage for those who frequent Tribune 34 (

); you'll be in the shade for both the start and the finish of the race!

Bramzel · 18 Apr 2007, 09:05 (Ref:1894526)

I wouldn't mind a earlier start. Less waiting on saturday, and more time to pack and leave on sunday.

Mal · 18 Apr 2007, 09:25 (Ref:1894543)

It suits me to be honest, gives us more time to get sorted on Sunday night and less hanging around on Saturday.

I appreciate tradition, but it is not the most important tradition to uphold imo.

I would rather them get rid of the dunlop chicane!

Suze · 18 Apr 2007, 10:43 (Ref:1894575)

3 / 4pm start doesn't bother me - having only been to one LM am not so up with the tradition, will just get used to whatever I go to I guess! We'll be there earlyish on Saturday anyway so start time doesn't affect me but could be good if it means can go home on Sunday night and it makes things easier...

Justin Moran · 18 Apr 2007, 17:33 (Ref:1894926)

Be glad of the extra time to strip the fixtures and fitting from Speedchills on Sunday, no matter though as we dont actually leave until Monday am anyway!

Not long now!

chewymonster · 19 Apr 2007, 01:14 (Ref:1895190)

Not likey. A little early on US West coast. Previous time was an hour better. But of course not a deal breaker.

dj4monie · 22 Apr 2007, 07:45 (Ref:1897462)

Start time doesn't bother me and I'm use it... That's what Media Centers and Tivo's are for...

Sodemo · 22 Apr 2007, 19:03 (Ref:1897866)

Still no Eurosport coverage this year?

**FIRE** · 22 Apr 2007, 19:31 (Ref:1897889)

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Monster

Still no Eurosport coverage this year?

No

Steve Tarrant · 22 Apr 2007, 20:01 (Ref:1897929)

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Monster

Still no Eurosport coverage this year?

Unlikely, seeing that Motors TV are showing it live again this year.

chewymonster · 23 Apr 2007, 04:57 (Ref:1898193)

Quote:

Originally Posted by dj4monie

Start time doesn't bother me and I'm use it... That's what Media Centers and Tivo's are for...

How do you Tivo the first hour of a 24 hour race. Before the 7 AM start was okay, 6 AM is an hour earlier. Of course, you can watch the Tivod start later in the day while Speed takes a break to show some Bush Series practice/autction/reality show rerun. But still, I would rather catch the start live. So that basically leaves no other options than waking up earlier.

dj4monie · 23 Apr 2007, 10:50 (Ref:1898409)

I will be up early, still tapping it....

Media Center will FINALLY allow me to get it ALL on the HD without any issues. Use Video ReDo to edit any unwanted content, shrink down to Divx and I SHOULD be able to get 14 hours of coverage on no more than 2 dual layer disc, I hope

I will be going to Europe soon, might stay for the race itself, we'll see. If not I'll be leaving a Slingbox over somebody's house and whatever I can't get here from Speed, I'll get it from the Slingbox I hope too anyway...

bernard b · 23 Apr 2007, 11:11 (Ref:1898429)

Quote:

Originally Posted by dj4monie

..... Media Center will FINALLY allow me to get it ALL on the HD without any issues. Use Video ReDo to edit any unwanted content, shrink down to Divx and I SHOULD be able to get 14 hours of coverage on no more than 2 dual layer disc, I hope ......

14 hours should fit on 1 dual layer disc, don't you think? (10M / min)
anyway... I know a mule that'd like to see it

closedtopracers · 24 Apr 2007, 09:30 (Ref:1899164)

For the first time in about ten our party will not be attending this years race

Is motors TV worth an investment into the evil empire aka SKY tv?

Truckosaurus · 24 Apr 2007, 09:51 (Ref:1899177)

Quote:

Originally Posted by closedtopracers

Is motors TV worth an investment into the evil empire aka SKY tv?

Put it this way, I'm going to be moving to a new flat next month, and MotorsTv is the only channel that I'd miss from my current cable line-up.

Whether it is worth the price of a Sky subscription is a question that only you can answer (and that I'll have to decide on too).

(BTW - double check which package MotorsTV falls under for Sky, it was under either News or Documentaries when my dad signed up, rather than the more obvious 'sport' package).

Suze · 24 Apr 2007, 10:46 (Ref:1899206)

Quote:

Originally Posted by closedtopracers

For the first time in about ten our party will not be attending this years race

Is motors TV worth an investment into the evil empire aka SKY tv?

It depends what offers are on at the time! To be honest Sky can be an awful company to deal with but if you are only going to get one / two packages it may not be too expensive - and as Truckosaurus says, check which package Motors comes under because we have Motors but not Sky Sports.

dj4monie · 24 Apr 2007, 10:47 (Ref:1899209)

Quote:

Originally Posted by bernard b

14 hours should fit on 1 dual layer disc, don't you think? (10M / min)
anyway... I know a mule that'd like to see it

That was a guess, I didn't break out the bit-rate calculator either

But yeah, with Divx it could all fit onto one dual layer at 720x480 which is SDTV anyway and that's how its being shown.

Can't wait for the day when Le Mans is in HD!

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