Stop CRYING

[LMP900]

Currently we are ALL complaning about the withdrawal of Cadillac and Audi from the BIG race and now ORECA is probably leaving. Boo Hoo Hoo! Are we forgetting that the whole sportscar scene has been destroyed time and again by the big budget teams? Are we that ignorant??? No we shut that Le Mans isn't going to be good, us fools. With Cars like the MG EX259, the Bentley EXP-8, the Lovely Courage C65 that has jus been revealed, the Dome S101, the Panoz LMP-1, the new IRM-02S, Private Audi's, the possibility of a Dallara or 2. WHAT ARE WE COMPLANING???? so the logo's will not be as big and brand names won't be on everything in sight! I don't care, LE Mans will be good as it always has been, this isn't the early nineties, the FIA didn't throw stange regulations changes at us which caused the small grids of then. I feel this won't harm Le Mans one bit and the next time I hear another cry out of you guys I'll personally come by when I'm in the neighbourhood!!!

[Adam43]

Originally posted by LMP900
the next time I hear another cry out of you guys I'll personally come by when I'm in the neighbourhood!!!

Thanks.

I think you have got most posters here wrong. We all first and foremost love Le Mans and will still think it's the best race even if the manufacturers aren't there.

However, maybe some of us like the Manufacturers and think it is a shame that there aren't more around. They produce some great cars. Also two or more big teams going for it is great (I could list examples from over the years that we all enthuse about, but it would go on too long).

You might say that sporstcars has been "destroyed time and time again by big budget team", but equally these teams have made sporscar racing. The produce the best cars, the most exciting races and the passion.

Having said that, I think, that most sportscar fans love the privateers and these are an integral part of sportscar racing.

Next year's race is still shaping up to be a great race, but you can still be of the opinion that it is a shame Cadillac, Audi and Oreca are leaving. When a team leaves should we say, excellent they have left? Discussing this is healthy and is not whinging or whatever.

Anyway, I can't wait for next year.

[rdjones]

Originally posted by AdamAshmore

Thanks.

I think you have got most posters here wrong. We all first and foremost love Le Mans and will still think it's the best race even if the manufacturers aren't there.

However, maybe some of us like the Manufacturers and think it is a shame that there aren't more around. They produce some great cars. Also two or more big teams going for it is great (I could list examples from over the years that we all enthuse about, but it would go on too long).

You might say that sporstcars has been "destroyed time and time again by big budget team", but equally these teams have made sporscar racing. The produce the best cars, the most exciting races and the passion.

Having said that, I think, that most sportscar fans love the privateers and these are an integral part of sportscar racing.

Next year's race is still shaping up to be a great race, but you can still be of the opinion that it is a shame Cadillac, Audi and Oreca are leaving. When a team leaves should we say, excellent they have left? Discussing this is healthy and is not whinging or whatever.

Anyway, I can't wait for next year.

Well said Adam, I couldn't agree with u more.

[Fab]

We love to complain !

Good or bad cars on the track, I'll be at the circuit at the first minute of the PQ next 4th of May !

[kdr]

see you there fab!

[Nordic]

I agree with Adam, I have been to every 24hrs since 1980, and will be there again next year god willing. I like to think that as long as the race is run and I am able I will be there no matter what cars run.
It is always good to have the works teams there, if you have enough of them like 99 for example, its not so good when one is allowed to run away unchallanged like Audi have been able to in the last few years.

[Fab]

Originally posted by kdr
see you there fab!

Still how many days ? Darn, 7 months, can't believe it, my bag's already packed !

[Aysedasi]

Originally posted by Nordic
I agree with Adam, I have been to every 24hrs since 1980, and will be there again next year god willing. I like to think that as long as the race is run and I am able I will be there no matter what cars run.
It is always good to have the works teams there, if you have enough of them like 99 for example, its not so good when one is allowed to run away unchallanged like Audi have been able to in the last few years.

Yep, spot on.

The only tears I will shed will come when I can't get to Le Mans for another year.

My God, what a terrible thought!

[cybersdorf]

4l V8s for 2004 - that's reason enough to cry, don't you think... banghead:

[SL]

The lack of the big teams seems to often make a better race, I have been most years since '78 and some of the best races have been when the factories were either there in force or not at all. Recall the 79 race with both lead cars having problems in the last few hours. The famous Rondau and Maxda wins. The 95 spectacular McLaren win due mainly to a single driver doing a night shift. the year Toyota lost in the last hour or so. Brun's fantastic 1990 effort to out run the factory Porsche's and keep with the Jag's and Nissans.

No 03 looks like being a great race, the hot sunny weather will probably test even the best driver

Hopefully I will be allowed to join the 'Nordic Tours' Le Mans Raid 2003 again

Simon

[Nordic]

Hopefully I will be allowed to join the 'Nordic Tours' Le Mans Raid 2003 again

Simon [/B][/QUOTE]

More than welcome as long as a chq is forthcoming to cover your camping etc, your driving talents may well be required as well.

[rdjones]

Originally posted by SL
The lack of the big teams seems to often make a better race, I have been most years since '78 and some of the best races have been when the factories were either there in force or not at all. Recall the 79 race with both lead cars having problems in the last few hours. The famous Rondau and Maxda wins. The 95 spectacular McLaren win due mainly to a single driver doing a night shift. the year Toyota lost in the last hour or so. Brun's fantastic 1990 effort to out run the factory Porsche's and keep with the Jag's and Nissans.

No 03 looks like being a great race, the hot sunny weather will probably test even the best driver

Well said and I do hope so

[PhilD]

While we are remembering some great years. I will always remember '99 as the year Toyota with a full line up of Japanese drivers nearly pulled off a win. Ofcourse the flying Mercedes was memorable too. BMW won but would they have if that Toyota had kept going? we will never know now.
Canada Phil

[Aysedasi]

Originally posted by PhilD
While we are remembering some great years. I will always remember '99 as the year Toyota with a full line up of Japanese drivers nearly pulled off a win. Ofcourse the flying Mercedes was memorable too. BMW won but would they have if that Toyota had kept going? we will never know now.
Canada Phil

Yes, that brings back me memories for me too, Phil. The real sadness (as I've said before) is that Toyota canned the project a year early. The 2000 Le Mans was theirs for the taking.

[Fab]

Originally posted by Aysedasi
The 2000 Le Mans was theirs for the taking.

Could you imagine Toyota vs Audi !!! Oh gosh, what a race it could have been...