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Q&A With Pierre Fillon on ACO’s Response to Pandemic

Wide-ranging interview with ACO President Pierre Fillon on current status of events, expected schedule changes…

Photo: Dominique Breugno/ACO

In a wide-ranging interview, ACO President Pierre Fillon explains the impact the coronavirus pandemic is having on the club, the expected busy month of September for Le Mans as well as soon-to-be-announced revised schedules for the FIA World Endurance Championship and the European Le Mans Series.

How does the postponements and rescheduling affect competitors, spectators and suppliers?

“We’ve never been faced with a situation like this before. An unprecedented situation calls for exceptional measures. Our schedules have changed; of course they have.

“Our plans have been thrown up in the air and we are coming to terms with the fact that, for several weeks at least, we won’t be able to hold any events. It would be naive, irresponsible even, to ignore the situation or pretend it wasn’t happening and have events cancelled at the last minute, with all the consequences that would entail.

“We prefer to postpone events and to give everyone ample notice, so that competitors, spectators, hosts, partners, suppliers and emergency services can plan accordingly.

“We took an early decision to reschedule the 24 Hours Motos, before so many other events were postponed. When September and October started filling up and the 24 Hours of Le Mans was rescheduled, we brought the 24 Hours Motos forward to avoid clashes and to give ourselves time to organize two major events in succession.

“To an outsider it might look like a domino effect, but it’s more like doing a motorsport event jigsaw puzzle, working as a team with the FIA, the FIM, the FFSA and the FFM to ensure the best possible outcome for all.

“By postponing, we can still honor commitments, and even if an event is rescheduled several times, it’s still better than an outright cancellation which would have dire consequences for some. These events are still five months away.

“Let’s not forget that all such events in France and overseas are being rescheduled within a similar time frame. That means many meetings, with event organizers supporting each other.”

September is going to be a very busy month. Is that going to affect ticket sales?

“Admittedly, this autumn is going to be packed with events. And there are probably more to come.

“But June, when we usually hold the 24 Hours of Le Mans, is a busy month too. There’s the French Open, an international football tournament every two years, basketball finals, Formula One Grand Prix – so attendance-wise the situation will be no different.

“When September comes around, if people are spoilt for choice on which events to attend, that will be something to celebrate, not a problem.

“Where tickets are concerned, it will be up to us to put together an attractive package to suit the circumstances, tailored to perhaps a different audience, certainly with different priorities and a new mind-set.

“In 1968, the 24 Hours of Le Mans was also postponed to September. There were 300,000 spectators that year. Whatever happens, we will do our best to satisfy fans, competitors, suppliers and partners. It’s a team effort.”

Have you had many requests for refunds?

“For the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 24 Hours Motos, we have registered few hundred requests of reimbursement.”

Can we expect shorter seasons for the WEC and ELMS?

“We’ll be able to tell you more about that shortly. Once again, we’re not deciding any of this alone. We’re discussing it with everyone else involved so we need a few more days.”

How are you working these new calendars out?

“It’s a joint task involving competitors, our partners, the federations, the other circuits for our international events, the organizers, promoters, the Ministry of Sport, other sports disciplines, TV channels, and so on. It’s not just us here at Le Mans or just motorsport.

“We have a special unit working on it and it’s actually harder to set out a calendar over a few short months than for the usual year.

“We take stock every day, reconsider things according to the latest situation with the pandemic, and the instructions enforced in different countries because our championships travel from one place to another and our competitors don’t just come from France. They must be able to compete in our races.”

Will the ACO staff be called on to work over the summer?

“We know we can count on the support, efforts and professionalism of our staff and that they’re ready to adapt. At this difficult time, I’m delighted by everyone’s initial reaction – they’re all as keen as ever to organize our races. That’s our job, it’s what drives us.”

Internally, how is the ACO coping with the situation?

“We’re reorganizing our set-up. Our employees are adapting their work and getting ahead on long-term projects, but of course the usual timeline has been reviewed.

“As a club, the ACO has always promoted mobility for all. This is one of our core tasks and core values. We are available to provide any help we can to the local prefecture. The prefect knows that he can call on us as required.

“We have also transferred all the intensive care equipment that we have at the circuit to the hospital in Le Mans.

“All the devices, monitoring equipment … they need all the extra equipment they can get. It just seemed the natural thing to do, to help the health services out.

“The medical staff who work at the circuit during events are now hard at work in their respective healthcare facilities and my thoughts go out to them. I commend all of them for their unrelenting commitment.”

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