Le Mans tops sporting events

[Jag_Warrior]

Le Mans tops sporting events

National Geographic magazine has listed the Le Mans 24 Hours as the premier sporting event in the world and “should be seen by all sports enthusiasts at least once in their lives.”
The classic race in northwest France, celebrating its 80th anniversary this June, has now occupied the No. 1 slot in the publication's annual survey for three years. This year it is rated above the Olympic Games in second place, the World Cup in soccer, the Super Bowl, the NBA final (basketball), the Masters (golf), the Argentine Open (polo), the Wimbledon tournament (tennis), the World Series (baseball) and the Grand National in England (horse racing).
National Geographic justified its selection by saying: “Skill, speed and stamina are the three S's that mark the world's best automobile race, the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The event, organized by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest, bridges past and present on a nonpermanent track near the city of Le Mans on the Sarthe river. Fifty-six cars start in a series of classes that include prototypes, dedicated race cars and modified street cars. The diversity of autos gives the race a mix of old-fashioned and modern competitors.”
The ACO might wish that the magazine's opinion was shared by TV viewers. When the New York Giants edged out the New England Patriots, 21-17, in this year's Super Bowl, data released by the Nielsen Company revealed that NBC's broadcast of the game was the most-watched TV show in American history. Nielsen's estimate of 111.3 million viewers is far beyond the ACO's wildest dreams.

Le Mans tops sporting events

[scaliwag]

I guess I must be one of the lucky few, haven't missed many Le Mans since the 1970's and since the Superbowl has been televised in the UK I've not missed any.

However I'm lead to believe Le Mans is probably the best supported by the number fans at the track.

Regards scaliwag

[harvick#1]

I will completely agree, I think Le Mans is prolly #1 on my bucket list. Super Bowl is just another game, Le Mans 24 Hours is special, its different and it can never be replicated. and the best thing about racing is that its one of the few sports to evolve in time, just look from the past ten years how much the race improved from reliability and sheer speed, as the other thing of the the numerous Auto Manufacturers being represented in the race. La Sarthe ranks up there as well for me as one the best tracks the world

[scaliwag]

Hi harvick#1, please translate what does bucket list refer to?

I'm old, I stopped counting my age several years ago on my seventieth birthday.

Regards a confused scaliwag.

[harvick#1]

a bucket list is a list of things of things you would like to do before you die.

most people will say travel around the world, run a marathon, see certain events live, etc...

[scaliwag]

Thanks for that harvick, if you can get yourself to London you are welcome to join me the misses and two friends in our motorhome to the camp site at the track.

Regards scaliwag.

[DavePI2]

ever since 1970 when I discovered lemans and the porsche 917 this has always been the one constant on my bucket list. Too bad the lemans start was done away with after the 1969 race(1970 start doesn't count).

[ProRally]

Le Mans tops sporting events

Le Mans tops sporting events

Been to the circuit many times for other events, but this year I will be there for the 80th Anniversary .... looking forward to June

[scaliwag]

Hi ProRally, look us up we'll be in Tertre Rouge camp site, look for a Rapido motorhome with one old gal and three old duffers, combined age that of Methuselah, if you can

make it we'll buy you several beers.

Regards scaliwag.

[BDunnell]

If there is one race from history at which I wish I'd been present (and born in time to have been there), it's the 1969 Le Mans. I'd still love to attend, though, even if it can never be the same as that again.