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pandorazboxx · 07-27-2010, 07:24 PM

That never stopped me from running into my sisters car in front of me. :-D

**Swiftman** · 07-27-2010, 11:52 PM

Didn't if have four lanes? Sadly I never got to ride on the other one/two of them.

**Fur Dozy** · 07-28-2010, 03:18 PM

there were three lanes. One track that was solo and another double. towards the end of it life the double track was rarely used.

Franco · 08-24-2010, 09:16 PM

I think Griffon is a fun coaster (though clearly not as great as it could be, or even close to being the greatest in the park), but every time I see it, it makes me sad. I always reminisce upon childhood rides around the track on Le Mans. What was the coolest thing as a kid? Being able to drive. Busch Gardens had that experience in a uniquely themed way. Plus, I used to love all the different kinds of cars. *Sigh* I wish there was someway to get it back.

**Nora** · (This post was last modified: 08-24-2010 11:10 PM by Nora.)

Well the LeMans cars was one of the very few rides that the rider had control of; which is why I loved them so much. True, there was a rail that kept you on the track, but you could still steer and be the one in charge of the ride. Die Schwarze Spinne and Tea Cups were about the only other rides with some sort of control, albeit a much lesser extent.

Good times the LeMans.

If BGW does renovate New France, perhaps the LeMans will make a comeback in some way. Of course this is just pure hope talking here.

Franco · 08-25-2010, 10:56 AM

I always enjoyed that feeling of being in complete control of the car, but knowing that everything was going to be safe. The atmosphere at Le Mans was so peaceful, even being right next to Alpengeist after 1997. I can't imagine why they removed Le Mans for Griffon. Sure, Le Mans took up a lot of space for a non-coaster ride, but I have to imagine that they could have found a different spot for it. And, the Raceway was always popular; it had one of the longest lines in the park. One of the things I hate most about the removal of Le Mans for Griffon is that they removed a ride from a flat spot to build it. Every other coaster in the park is a great terrain ride, except Griffon. It's the closest thing to a "parking lot coaster" that BG has. I know the surrounding area is landscaped, but it really didn't match BG's standards.

**Nora** · 08-25-2010, 05:49 PM

I did hear from the inside park rumor mill that Ireland was thought of as a possible location for Griffon. Still; I have no idea why exactly LeMans was on the chopping block.

Franco · 08-25-2010, 06:30 PM

Ireland would have been the better location, in my opinion. Even when Corkscrew Hill was still there, it was never a ride that made you want to visit that country. CH wasn't an "anchor ride." And now that it's gone, there's nothing that makes me want to go there (how many times can you see Celtic Fyre?) France already had the popular Le Mans. I just don't get it.

Scoutn757 · 08-25-2010, 07:06 PM

(08-25-2010 06:30 PM)Franco Wrote: Ireland would have been the better location, in my opinion. Even when Corkscrew Hill was still there, it was never a ride that made you want to visit that country. CH wasn't an "anchor ride." And now that it's gone, there's nothing that makes me want to go there (how many times can you see Celtic Fyre?) France already had the popular Le Mans. I just don't get it.

I'll agree on that. Ireland is nothing more than a place where I create through traffic

BBW · (This post was last modified: 08-25-2010 11:27 PM by BBW.)

I remember internet discussion around the time of Griffon's announcement and construction that low capacity rides like Le Mans can be somewhat vulnerable/ripe for being taken out -- kind of like having an end to or a difficult service life maybe Rolleyes

-- but anyway issues are the low rider capacity per car plus a certain amount of maintenance required for a bunch of gasoline engines. Also the noise and the fumes. In that sense a ride like that is obviously very technically outmoded.

Of course none of these are adequate justifications for getting rid of Le Mans to me! I loved that track, going out into the trees, plus the bridges/overpasses. Pretty cool for an antique car ride for sure!

As has been mentioned on the forums before, refitting all of them as electric cars (as they did with the one used in the parade) and bringing them back as a park ride anywhere would be so wonderful ...

ETA: Please note that I'm not claiming that these issues are why LeMans is no more. As I said, my understanding is just that these are issues/concerns/vulnerabilities that may/may not come into play when major changes are being proposed for a park.

Franco · 08-26-2010, 12:26 AM

It would be fantastic if they made the cars electric and brought back Le Mans! (I'm thinking "Revenge of Le Mans" Big Grin

) It seems like since the consensus is that Ireland is lacking an attraction, Le Mans should make its comeback there!

Scoutn757 · 08-26-2010, 12:43 AM

The raceways are a staple at Disney and probably NEVER come out.

If they made the cars electric I would miss the subtle lope they had at idle

**Nora** · 08-27-2010, 10:46 AM

Yeah I would miss the smell of the gasoline and roar of the engine; but being that I drive an electric car myself; I can attest for their ease of maintenance and reduced level of sound can be a perk at times. It would be the most logical and money saving choice if BGW did decide to bring back a version of LeMans.

I agree with BBW on the reasons of the removal. Anyone of those reasons sounds plausible to me. I don't agree with the park if those reasons were a part of the deciding factor. But not matter the reason, it is very sad to see the cars gone from the park and I think pretty much every regular park goer would like to see them back in action one day.

Scoutn757 · 08-28-2010, 08:05 PM

(08-27-2010 10:46 AM)Nora Wrote: Yeah I would miss the smell of the gasoline and roar of the engine; but being that I drive an electric car myself; I can attest for their ease of maintenance and reduced level of sound can be a perk at times. It would be the most logical and money saving choice if BGW did decide to bring back a version of LeMans.

I agree with BBW on the reasons of the removal. Anyone of those reasons sounds plausible to me. I don't agree with the park if those reasons were a part of the deciding factor. But not matter the reason, it is very sad to see the cars gone from the park and I think pretty much every regular park goer would like to see them back in action one day.

That is one thing I still have not got used to. My gas saver is an Integra and my nice car is a Cobra.

OT: I love the face that they are still being maintained (making an assumption that the majority is since they were used in the parade.) I have a small amount of hope that one day... maybe one day I can let my kids drive with me and have the same excitement as I did with my dad.