No Problems!

Sir,

Perhaps you would allow me to comment with reference to bad or criminal behaviour at Le Mans (Letters, Motor Sport, August 1988). It is true that on the night of June 9 some people threw bottles at cars on the Mulsanne. It is said that they were caught and dealt with by the CRS.

Turning to June 11, for part of the evening I watched the race from Tertre Rouge round to Enceintes Arnage. At 9pm local time good positions could be found in bright day light. There were units of CRS and gendarmes all round the crowd. Four were positioned just at the entry to the Esses. They were all armed and carried radios. There was so little for them to do that they were having a job deciding what to have for their evening meal, and while talking to them I found their biggest concern was that if a French car did not win the race then it should be a British one.

Throughout the whole of my stay on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, I saw no violence, no drunkenness and no petty crime such as pick-pocketing from the crowd. The French were warm and friendly, and everyone seemed to have a good time. One man was celebrating his thirtieth visit to the race.

The only danger I saw was one car having an almighty spin at the Esses and a Cougar exploding in the pits. l and my friends stayed up all night, and the only criticism I can make is that there is nowhere to sit down.

M G C Potter

Cheddington, Bedfordshire