Commentary: At this hour, at the Circuit de la Sarthe in Le Mans, France, the 88th running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans (88e 24 Heures du Mans) is drawing to a close. The "grand prix of endurance & efficiency" is traditionally run within a week or ten days of the summer solstice. This year's 88th edition was originally scheduled for 13-14 June, but was delayed due to the pandemic & panic. In place of the race during that original weekend, an e-sports (video game) race was held—the "24 Hours Virtual": Start-link & Finish-link. This year's race is being held on the weekend closest to the autumnal equinox.
The Automobile Club de l'Ouest (A.C.O.), the organizers of the great race, in consultation with the local government authorities in France, decided to hold this year's race "behind closed doors"—without fans. The Circuit de la Sarthe is eight & a half miles long (8.467 miles/13.626 kilometers), & yet they couldn't find room for even a few thousand socially-distanced fans? I've only ever watched the 24 Heures du Mans on television, never yet in person, but because the A.C.O. has decided that fans are not essential to the great race, I've decided that the great race is not essential for me as a fan. I didn't wake up in time to watch the start of the race yesterday morning. I didn't stay up all night watching the race. As this post publishes, I'm at church for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, not watching the finish of the race. I missed seeing this year's 24 Hours of Le Mans; only time will tell is if I missed the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
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