[LM24] Radio Le Mans

[Aysedasi]

For those who don't know, a good friend of mine (and James and Tony) is our very own Tenths member Trussers, aka Paul Truswell of Radio Le Mans.

As I usually do around this time of year, I've exchanged emails with Paul to see what the RLM crew are up to this year. This is what he told me:-

Hello Andrew,

It’s the same team as normal, pretty much. John Hindhaugh, Jim Roller and Jonny Palmer in the booth. Nick Daman, Bruce Jones, Shea Adam and Joe Bradley in the pits. Jeremy Shaw – who will also be working for Eurosport – although I’m not sure whether he will be in the pits as well or in the box. Paul Tarsey adding colour.

No Charles Dressing this year – the Grand-Am schedule is rather too tight… they have races on both weekends either side of Le Mans weekend, and Chuck is committed to being at their races for TV purposes.

I haven’t heard anything about commentary position, but I’m guessing it will be the same as last year.

I have the impression that there will be a number of pre-recorded items, but these will probably be broadcast when there is no other track activity on.

On a related note, I am not sure if ten-tenths has picked up on the death recently of Benoit Froger. In a sense, he was one of the founding fathers of Radio Le Mans. When the radio station was first launched, he was our point of contact with the ACO, and although the ACO was distinctly lukewarm about the whole idea of an English radio station, Benoit was sufficiently visionary to see its potential.

He was always very supportive in getting us the information we needed, as well as important things like passes. He was a vital link as well in making the liaisons between us and French Telecom, etc. More recently, he worked for GM as the French arm of their marketing team and contributed greatly to the success of Corvette in the nineties and noughties. A good chap.

Best wishes

Paul



Paul already knows what I think of Le Mans and I make no excuses whatsoever in plugging the service. In fact, I think anyone who contributes to the Le Mans subforum here would be surprised if we didn't give RLM a darned good plug - what would we do without them - whether you're at the circuit trying to keep up with qualifying or the race, or at home logged on to the website and live timing, trying to make sense of everything. I've been listening to RLM since it's inception in 1987 and we almost take what they all do for granted.

I don't think it would do any harm to use this thread to enable members to support RLM and what they'll be providing for us all this year - anecdotes and interesting stories welcome!

[GT6]

And for all those that like me enjoy RLM the tomorrows mid week motor sport at 8.00 uk time is well worth listening to it will be the last MWM for most of us

[Muppetdave901]

Love Radio Le Mans, critical at the circuit in my mind to even have a vague idea of what's going on. Always listen to MWM, albeit usually as a podcast when I'm working on a Thursday.

I like that despite being 'media' they all seem like down to earth guys (like most sportscar people in general) and you usually get a good bit of banter on their forum and twitter etc.

An essential part of the Le Mans experience.

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by Muppetdave901

I like that despite being 'media' they all seem like down to earth guys (like most sportscar people in general) and you usually get a good bit of banter on their forum and twitter etc.

Yes, I've met quite a few of them - other than Paul - over the years and James and I had a beer with Paul, Chuck Dressing and Paul Tarsey last year and with Joe Bradley and some of the technical boys the year before. Great guys. A great shame though that we'll miss the unmistakeable voice of Charles (Chuck) Dressing, who I've always much enjoyed listening to.

[vincegail]

Radio Le Mans. Essential hearing

Can't say I'll be missing Chuck Dressing. He probably has a lot of fans, but I'm not one of them.

Benoit Froger on the other hand (although never heard of him before) is a visionair and I'm glad he helped RLM come to fruition. Respect!

[Muppetdave901]

Bumped in to Hindy a couple of times but he's always been in the middle of something, otherwise I'd say hello.

Now if I could just bump in to Mr McNish and get him to sign the littlun's Audi babygro...

[Victor_RO]

Originally Posted by Muppetdave901

Now if I could just bump in to Mr McNish and get him to sign the littlun's Audi babygro...

And get him to say "Hello Collective!"

[Muppetdave901]

Originally Posted by Victor_RO

And get him to say "Hello Collective!"

That's my son's proudest moment (his words not mine) receiving this tweet from Allan: "a Audi race driver of the future if I ever saw one."

[Mal]

Well I have been listening to RLM since it started, but I have never met any of them. But Le Mans was a very confusing place before they arrived....

[wewantourdarbyback]

We should ban the very idea of RLM not existing, I shudder at the thought.

[Muppetdave901]

Originally Posted by wewantourdarbyback

We should ban the very idea of RLM not existing, I shudder at the thought.

Had an odd year at the circuit last year for various reasons and my radio packed up sat pm - it was like having my arm cut off!

[whitemr2]

I feel a little silly walking allong the track with my big noisereduction headset on my head. But not listening to RLM is not knowing what is going on so I'll just take looking silly for granted. Hope they have a stronger signal this year. In advance a big thank you to RLM for broadcasting.

[eps]

My car radio is still tuned in to RLM! As are all the other radios (yes plural!) I take to Le Mans. Unmissable. Which reminds me I need to charge a few double As....

I've got an Ear Defender Radio (RaceTunes) and a personal digital/FM radio and we've got various radios for the campsite...

[Simmi]

Once you get to La Sarthe having RLM in your ear is more important than having shoes on your feet.

[Gingers4Justice]

RIP Benoit Froger.

Radio Le Mans clearly would not exist without you, or at least, would not have been born until much later. I don't think it's shallow or sad to say that Radio Le Mans has played a significant part in who I am and has been there as the back drop to some wonderful memories with my dad from my childhood. Each year I return to Le Mans older and different to the year before, but RLM still has that magic.

And if Benoit Froger is responsible for such a service, then I think he deserves a great deal of appreciation and it's a shame I hadn't heard of him when he was alive.

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by Simmi

Once you get to La Sarthe having RLM in your ear is more important than having shoes on your feet.

That I like

[Truckosaurus]

Can I dare to suggest that without RLM Le Mans would just be another motor race.

I notice their Preview shows start tonight after the MWM show.

[Mal]

Originally Posted by Truckosaurus

Can I dare to suggest that without RLM Le Mans would just be another motor race.

you are welcome to say it -... but I for one dont agree in the slightest. It may enhance the experience but it doesn't affect what the race is.

The crowds were just as big before RLM everyone seemed to think it was just as special.

[GT6]

i agree with Mal, I started at Le Mans in the mid eighties and remember hanging around the speakers at 20 minutes past the hour for the 10 minutes of english, it is much better now but Le Mans would be different with out the sounds of RLM but I would still be there

[Truckosaurus]

There's big crowds at BTCC races, and I don't think anyone would claim they are special

Let us hope we never find out what LM without RLM is like.

[CTD]

Last year, my first Le Mans, I started to catch the RLM frequency after Paris, and get trying until it succeeded close to Le Mans .

As I have only been to Le Mans once, my pleasure on the track is limited (although I enjoyed it MASSIVELY!). However my many years as a spectator from home, has always been with the danish commentary muted, and RLM over the speakers instead. The knowledge and Passion of the crew is simply unique, and I can't think of a more knowledgable commentator team than RLM!

I hope RLM will be at Le Mans till the day the race itself no more. (which I of course hope never happen)

[GT6]

As we approach Le mans in the car, the first time we hear RLM is one of those "WE have arrived moments"

[wewantourdarbyback]

The trip through France for us is normally soundtracked by the RLM preview shows, perfect way to start the trip.

[eps]

Originally Posted by wewantourdarbyback

The trip through France for us is normally soundtracked by the RLM preview shows, perfect way to start the trip.

This.

[Aysedasi]

Of course it's always been special, but RLM does nothing but enhance that special experience.