Apprenez-moi 24H du Mans: Off-topic discussion forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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Dec. 16, 2011 5:04 p.m. sobe_death Reader

AKA, Learn me some 24h of LeMans.

I'm currently living in Germany right now, and will be saving up some cash to visit either the 24h of LeMans or the 24h at Nurburgring in 2012. Or Both. Nurburgring is significantly cheaper than LeMans, but right now this is a once-in-a-lifetime thing for me, and I might as well do it while I'm young and don't have to pay for a plane ticket from the US.

Has anyone been to LeMans? Any pointers on the most photogenic corners? The best camping areas?

I also hear that the Nurburgring race is attended by some very Grassroots-friendly fans that can bring a party rivaling even that of The Mitty

Dec. 16, 2011 5:13 p.m. MG Bryan HalfDork

My French is insanely rusty, but I thought it was apprends-moi?

Dec. 16, 2011 5:19 p.m. sobe_death Reader

I dunno, mine is equally rusty. It's been about 10 years since I last used any French language skills that didn't help me bed a beautiful woman.

Dec. 16, 2011 5:57 p.m. Keith SuperDork

S'ok, from what I understand Le Mans is a British race that happens to be held in France

Never been, but I was planning to go this year. Then I started to think about the Le Mans Classic event, and I think that's going to be the trip instead.

Dec. 17, 2011 10:16 a.m. sobe_death Reader

I haven't looked, but what are the differences between them?

Dec. 17, 2011 10:22 a.m. Keith SuperDork

The classic is a series of vintage races that take place around the clock. More GT40s and 962s

Dec. 17, 2011 10:58 a.m. Stealthtercel HalfDork

Not that anybody cares about this even slightly, but, just for the record, it's "apprends-moi" if you're talking to one person and "apprenez-moi" if you're talking to more than one. (Or to just one person that you have to be formal with, like Mr. or Mrs. Suddard.) So sobe_death was correct.

Racing may now resume.

Dec. 17, 2011 11:05 a.m. JG Pasterjak Production/Art Director

I've not been to LeMans, but I have been to the N24, and I'll be going back in 2012 (on my own nickel—that's how cool it was).

For me, the epicness on the Nurburgring race comes down to the fact that it is open to all comers. They'll start about 250 cars on a typical year, and it's everything from factory GT3 machines to some local guys in a '92 GTI that towed it there with the minivan that takes their kids to school. It's basically like you took Thunderhill, the Rolex 24 and Burning Man and threw them all in a blender.

The weirdest part, though? NO MIATAS. It's so foreign to look over a huge race grid and see not a single Miata. Definitely reminds you you're in a different country.

jg

Dec. 17, 2011 12:50 p.m. sobe_death Reader

That's strange, I've seen tons of Miatas here in Kiel!

Dec. 17, 2011 3:14 p.m. JG Pasterjak Production/Art Director

sobe_death wrote:

That's strange, I've seen tons of Miatas here in Kiel!

Ha. For whatever reason they aren't making it to the racetracks. Maybe it's a TUV thing. Or maybe NASA needs to start a Dusseldorf region and pimp some Spec MIata.

jg

Dec. 17, 2011 4:16 p.m. friedgreencorrado SuperDork

Here's one!

Most of the Miata/Nurburgring pix I found were from GT5, tho.

Dec. 18, 2011 8:59 a.m. sobe_death Reader

Spec Miata on the 'ring... Imagine the carnage!!

Dec. 18, 2011 9:02 a.m. z31maniac SuperDork

That picture frightens me. Can't imagine no roll bar on the Ring.

Dec. 18, 2011 6:09 p.m. stafford1500 New Reader

If no roll bar worries yuo then don't think about all the bike riders that take it on...
I would vote for the 24 hours at Nurburgring. Having been to the LeMans race, it is entertaining, but the limited number of entries and the strict ACO rules would be of less interest to most of us.
The last time at the 'Ring was also with the LeMans rules classes. The days before the event included lots of fun watching the street cars show up, drop 40 Euros, sign a waiver and take to the track. Most entertaining was sitting by one of the many overpasses drinking a beer and trying to determine what was coming down track. Oh yeah, don't forget to stop in at the Pistenclasse (spelling?) near the day entrance. good beer and great history on all the walls.

I've spent a lot of time at tracks all over the world and the 'Ring seemed to be the most fun for the average joe.