GIANT LE MANS is a greatly expanded variant of Avalon Hill's 1961 boardgame LE MANS, designed especially for convention play by veteran game designer Mike Carr. Drivers each run a model car over an enlarged track map, competing and experiencing the many challenges of an endurance race. Spinouts, crashes, blown tires, mechanical problems, refueling, driver changes -- they're all here in this highly visual, highly popular game that first debuted at GEN CON in 1976, forty years ago. This is a game you won't soon forget, so grab your teammate or jump in by yourself and join the action! Driver orientation meeting 11:00 am, race time Noon BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND Ready for a game that's a little different, but has a long tradition? Then find a teammate and get ready for a real throwback event the GIANT LE MANS. In this classic game, you and a co-driver take turns behind the wheel at the famous Circuit de la Sarthe in France, taking individual shifts and trading off just like in the real race. In this event, you'll feel what it's like to compete in the world's most grueling endurance race and that's what makes this game so much fun. A Gaming Event Born at GEN CON in 1976 Here's your opportunity to enjoy a game that had its genesis in the "good old days" of convention gaming -- and which was played for the first time at GEN CON IX in Lake Geneva! During a trip to France that summer to attend the real Le Mans race, Mike Carr discovered a trove of small model cars at a hobby store. After scraping together enough francs to buy 15 of them, he had what he needed to create a giant size variant of Avalon Hill's 1961 boardgame, LE MANS. Using large poster boards, he created an 8 foot by 13 foot mapboard of the famous 8-mile track, drew up expanded rules and made a scoreboard to track the progress of all the cars. Crowd of racers take to the track Gary Con III (Photo Credit: Mark Clover) The first race on Saturday, August 21st, 1976 ran just 4 hours with individual drivers and was an immediate hit. It was an ideal convention game that was large in scale, accommodated lots of players, was highly visual and just plain fun. A series of 6 hour races was run in Milwaukee in subsequent years, paving the way for the highly popular 8 hour version with team drivers that was run numerous times at GEN CON in the 1980s and 1990s. The Ultimate Experience The apex of the game's popularity came in 1984, when 55 players comprising 20 teams converged in the basement of the Dungeon Hobby Shop in Lake Geneva for the ultimate gaming experience an around--the-clock 24 hour contest. Ten years later, 35 players and 14 teams ran another 24 hour game in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. Both times, the race went down to the final lap, with two or three cars challenging each other at the finish. Even today decades later players who took part in the 24 hour events still talk about them as one of their most memorable gaming experiences. Lots to See & Lots to Do This is a game that's fun to watch, but even more fun to play. The drivers make all the key decisions how hard to press the car during competition, whether or not to take chances in the corners, when to change worn tires, and how to cope with mechanical problems or body damage from on-track incidents. Players lean-in on the action at Gary Con Gary Con II (Photo Credit: Jason Azze) During play, each driver holds a clipboard displaying the current performance capabilities, gear speeds and endurance status of the car, moving it around the track as speeds change based upon the chosen gear. At every corner, the driver decides whether to take the turn safely or chance it at a higher speed, rolling the dice to determine the outcome. Pit stops occur for refueling, repairs and driver changes (when the incoming driver hands the driver vest and the clipboard to his teammate, indicating that his partner is now behind the wheel). Advantages of the Team Format Although this event covers several time slots, players take turns so no one has to participate continuously. All players must be present for the pre-race briefing and instructional session, but then take turns running the car, giving each other plenty of time for a break in between stints. From setup to victory celebration, Mike Carr and his team of judges keep things moving, handling the scoreboard, answering questions and providing advice for the competitors. Lots of movement and action at the the Giant Le Mans event at Gary Con II (Photo Credit: Jason Azze) Who's Going to be Your Partner? Partners are great but not essential. Even if you sign-up by yourself you can team up with another player at the briefing. There will also be one or two field cars where walk-ups can fill-in as a single team over the course of the event. GIANT LE MANS is easy to learn and play, making it ideal for game conventions and what better place to play than Lake Geneva, where it first began and had its greatest success? If you've never played a game like this, you owe it to yourself to experience it firsthand. Here's your opportunity to compete in this legendary race -- and have a great time doing it. Register yourself and your partner online, then join us on Saturday, March 5th for the pre-race briefing and instructional session at 11 am, followed by time trials and determination of the starting grid. The green flag will drop at Noon, followed by several hours of nonstop racing for you and your partner. Fasten your seat belt and plan on having some fun! Do you have what it takes to win at Le Mans? Come and be a part of this historic convention game and find out!
Howdy All, A little last minute push for registrants. This is a great event that is inexpensive and can be done with out too much commitment of time. Show up and drive the field car for a couple turns! Remember to search for Legends of Wargaming when looking for events! Futures Bright, Paul
