Le Mans & Indy: Without spectators this year
EITHER OR Despite all efforts to admit at least a limited audience, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and also the Indy 500 will take place in front of empty grandstands. A first. The organizing Automobile Club de l'Ouest had considered various solutions to ensure that the 88th staging of the 24 Hours of Le Mans would not [...]
The organizing Automobile Club de l'Ouest had considered various solutions to ensure that the 88th staging of the 24 Hours of Le Mans would not take place in front of empty stands. Most recently, the gates of the Circuit des 24 Heures would have been opened only to A.C.O. members and advance ticket holders.
In the United States, organizers of the equally classic 500-mile race also made an effort to allow at least 25 percent of the usual crowd for the 104th running on August 23.
Cancellation only for GP Monaco
Both organizers are now waving it off - in 2020, two of the world's three biggest motor races will be held without spectators on site. The Monaco Grand Prix, which is one of the Big Three of motor racing, was already canceled in the spring.
Cancellation was apparently not an option for either Le Mans or Indianapolis. Both races had been postponed to later dates: The French marathon from mid-June to September 19/20 and the famous oval race in the pasta pot with its numerous preceding practice days from May to August.
Only on TV or the Internet
Official determination and the uncertain development of the health situation moved both race organizers for this extraordinary measure in extraordinary times.
However, fans will be kept happy with TV broadcasts and livestreams as well as exclusive background reports on social media.
Together almost 200 years old history
The Indy 500 has been around since 1910, the 24 Hours of Le Mans since 1923. While there were forced breaks during the war years, two "ghost races" are now a novelty in the history of the two classics.
In sporting terms, this should not detract from the action - but the always magnificent atmosphere of both events, each with around a quarter of a million spectators, will undoubtedly be completely lost.
