Radio Le Mans

Radio Le Mans is the English language radio service for the 24 Hours of Le Mans race.It first broadcast at the Le Mans 24 hour race.

History

Although the Public Address commentary was broadcast on local ('special event') radio in 1986, it was primarily in French. The first English language appearance of Radio Le Mans was in 1987 headed by a sportscar and radio enthusiast, Harry Turner, backed by Jim Tanner and Chris Crewe-Smith, founders of TTC radio. Backed by Silk Cut Jaguar the station quickly found favour with the tens of thousands of English-speaking fans at the race. The early years provided for only a very rudimentary service, no pit reports and a music loop played overnight. Throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s the station evolved adding new features like the 'Mad' Friday Campsite Tour in 1989. This show, conceived and presented by a newcomer, John Hindhaugh, was to prove almost as popular as the race coverage, and propelled Hindhaugh, with his distinctive North-Eastern accent and irreverant attitude, to a similar status with the fans as the commentary team.

Haymarket Publications, publishers of Autosport had been involved almost from the start. At first only giving ad pages which were then "sold on" by Radio Le Mans to raise funds. When Studio 6 and Landon Brown, the first operators of the service stepped aside, Haymarket took over the running of the service, and remained in control until 2005.

Radio Le Mans was only available to listeners at the circuit until 1997 when it began streaming on the internet.

From 2004 to 2006 the service was also available to digital satellite listeners, as it was carried on the Globecast Radio channel on the Sky Digital (UK & Ireland) platform in the UK. Globecast Radio also carried coverage of the American Le Mans Series. Globecast Radio ceased broadcasting in January 2007.

Since 2006 the service has been run by Radio Show Ltd., RSL was formed specifically to ensure the continuation of Radio Le Mans when Haymarket declined to renew their contract with the ACO. The website www.radiolemans.com now runs a sportscar and automotive audio stream all year which includes live coverage of other races from around the world, including those of the American Le Mans Series Le Mans Series, Nurburgring 24 and Britcar 24. In addition there is an extensive, free archive of all of the Radio Show Limited broadcasts.

Le Mans 24 Hour Presenters & Commentators

1986 Public address commentators (French) plus Bob Constanduros
1987 Neville Hay, Richard Hay, Bob Constanduros
1988 Neville Hay, Ian Titchmarsh, Paul Truswell, Janice Minton, Andy Smith
1989 Ian Titchmarsh, Paul Truswell, John Hindhaugh, Steve Ancsell
1990 Ian Titchmarsh, Paul Truswell, John Hindhaugh, Janice Minton, Martin Haven,
1991 Ian Titchmarsh, Paul Truswell, Steve Ancsell, Martin Haven, Simon Maurice
1992 Paul Truswell, John Hindhaugh, Bob Constanduros, Steve Ancsell, Martin Haven
1993 Ian Titchmarsh, Paul Truswell, John Hindhaugh, Steve Ancsell, Janice Minton, Bob Constanduros, James Allen, Martin Haven
1994 Ian Titchmarsh, Paul Truswell, John Hindhaugh, Steve Ancsell, Bob Constanduros, Harry Turner
1995 Ian Titchmarsh, Paul Truswell, John Hindhaugh, Steve Ancsell, Harry Turner, Graham Tyler, Richard Riley
1996 Paul Truswell, John Hindhaugh,
1997 Ian Titchmarsh, Paul Truswell, John Hindhaugh, Steve Ancsell [ [http://www.clubarnage.com/rlm97.htm Radio Le Mans 1997 Programme schedule ] ]
1998 Ian Titchmarsh, Paul Truswell, John Hindhaugh, Steve Ancsell [http://www.autosportmag.com/gt/news/980512.htm]
1999 Paul Truswell, John Hindhaugh
2000 Paul Truswell, John Hindhaugh
2001 Paul Truswell, John Hindhaugh
2002 Paul Truswell, John Hindhaugh, Alan Hyde
2003 Paul Truswell, John Hindhaugh
2004 Paul Truswell, John Hindhaugh
2005 John Hindhaugh, Gary Champion, Holly Samos, Alan Hyde, Charles Dressing, Paul Truswell, Johnny Mowlem, Neville Hay, Joe Bradley, Graham Tyler, Henry Hope-Frost and Lucy Nell [ [http://journal.autosport-atlas.com/2005/lemans/radio.html Radio Le Mans 2005 at Autosport-Atlas ] ]
2006 John Hindhaugh, Paul Truswell, Jim Roller, Gary Champion, Alan Hyde, Graham Tyler, Joe Bradley
2007 John Hindhaugh, Paul Truswell, Jim Roller, Charles Dressing, Gary Champion, Bruce Jones, Graham Tyler, Nick Daman, Henry Hope-Frost
2008 John Hindhaugh, Paul Truswell, Jim Roller, Charles Dressing, Graham Tyler, Joe Bradley, Bruce Jones, Nick Daman, Bob Constanduros

Other Race Coverage

Radio Show Limited, the people behind Radio Le Mans, also provide internet radio commentary on every round of the American Le Mans Series, Le Mans Series, Nürburgring 24 hour race, and Silverstone 24 hour race. There is also coverage of other motorsport events, car tests, and motorsport magazine shows.

American Le Mans Series Radio

Since the first Petit Le Mans race in 1999 [ [http://www.club-arnage.com/plm99.htm Petit Le Mans 1999 ] ] , John Hindhaugh and other members of the Radio Le Mans team has provided commentary of every round of the American Le Mans Series. Radio Show Limited provide the production and broadcast services for every ALMS race which includes syndication on XM Satellite Radio as well as worldwide at www.radiolemans.com

References