Do i take the girlfriend ....
Discussion
rude girl said:
I think it would be fair to say that they broke the mould when they made that lady
My 'girl's view' then.. I think it would only be fair to give your girlfriend a warts and all run down of what it's like, then she can make a more informed decision (and remember to hold her tongue if she gets there and doesn't like it). In fact, print this off if you like and show it to her (I've been going for 4 years now).
1) Dirt. Le Mans (the event, not the town) is dirty. Filthy in fact. If the weather's fine, it's dusty. So dusty that your skin gets grufty and you get tide marks where you sweat (and oh boy will you sweat!) If the weather's bad and it rains, it's not impossible that you could wake up in the morning with an inch of water in your tent; mud can get inches thick. The camping isn't like a campsite; it's just rough ground (with very little shade) with some portaloos on it. I always take Tescos value socks and knickers and throw them away after use. Same with shoes - a pair of Matalan sneakers to be binned before coming home. Take baby wetwipes with you to maintain basic hygiene (more important for girls than boys
2)Toilet facilities. At peak times (between about 6.30am and 11am, and early evening, expect to queue for about 2 hours for a shower. There are some proper toilets, but there are also a lot of 'squat on the floor and pee in a hole' toilets. They are mostly clean. The portaloo showers will almost certainly struggle to keep up with demand so expect a few cold showers.
3)Weather Will be either baking hot (this year we were drinking a litre of water to walk 20 minutes) and too hot to sleep, or it can be freezing cold at night. If it rains, you just won't be able to get dry at all - that's the most miserable of all the possibilities.
4)Food BBQ is the way to go. Hard work, and unless you're in a big group and have taken a transit full of facilities, you'll be drinking warm water, and going to the Carrefour constantly for fresh food.
5)Racing Fantastic. If you like that sort of thing. There is plenty to do other than racing, but the itinerary is set by the racing. It's better if you follow the series and understand what's going on/know what at least some of the cars are - much more enjoyable that way. If you're not going to take an interest, don't waste your money on a grandstand seat.
6) Noise I'm always stunned by the people who whinge about the noise. You're camping inside a race track. There won't be any quiet at all (day or night)from Friday morning 'til Sunday night. But it's ok, because on Saturday night, the sound of the racing will be completely drowned out by fireworks - about 6 hours solid of bangers and rockets. Oh, and the sound systems on the campsite. And people revving engines. And shouting and laughing and saying rude words.Seriously, it's impossible to describe the noise - even sitting by a racetrack all day here doesn't give you any idea; it's intense. After a while, your eardrums can start to hurt. Take some earplugs.
7) Beer The day starts with a breakfast of beer and continues through in the same vein, finishing with a supper of beer. 'Nuff said.
8) Totty There's totty, but don't worry if you don't go. The boys don't go to LM to pull. They go to have a boys' weekend, and that sometimes involves leering at totty and saying blokey stuff.
9) Security There is a lot of pocket picking/ nicking stuff from tents. Don't take a handbag, don't take any jewellery that you're not going to keep on all the time (even when sleeping). Definitely don't take your best stuff. You won't need pretty necklaces or earrings, trust me!
10) Being a girl at Le Mans.
But if you're the type to tolerate the discomfort, you might just fall in love with the event.
I want it to be June again
I go with my Mrs and wouldn't have it any other way!
She loves it. We always buy something on trips - just silly stuff like a cap/race shirt etc - this year she bought a book called 'the worlds best 10 engines' or something - so you get the picture!
For 2006 I am getting hassled to a)rent/borrow a hummer and b)buy us both honda monkeys!!!!
Depends what kind of girl she is really.
She loves it. We always buy something on trips - just silly stuff like a cap/race shirt etc - this year she bought a book called 'the worlds best 10 engines' or something - so you get the picture!
For 2006 I am getting hassled to a)rent/borrow a hummer and b)buy us both honda monkeys!!!!
Depends what kind of girl she is really.
rude girl said:
er... I think we both know of an exception to that rule... indeed she showed a few of the lads how to do it.
10) Being a girl at Le Mans.
But if you're the type to tolerate the discomfort, you might just fall in love with the event.
edited to add a couple of things I forgot.
>> Edited by rude girl on Friday 19th August 11:14
>> Edited by rude girl on Friday 19th August 11:18
What a very good post
Been talking about this with the other half - she's really up for it, and is a bit of a girlie girl on occasion, but she's well away of what goes on in Le Mans! ie seen the photos and heared the stories She's giving it a go
rralston said:
What a very good post
She's giving it a go
w'hey to E! look forward to seeing her there... esp when its cooking duties...
neilsie said:
What a very good post
She's giving it a go
w'hey to E! look forward to seeing her there... esp when its cooking duties...
Don't forget the cleaning Neil...
IS200RJR said:
Thats where we stayed this year my mate took his DB9 and was continualy bomb barded with people asking him about it it was great.
We were there this year too! Was it a blue DB9 with very distinctive "GO" number plates? We were just round the corner in the Micra if it was yours. Very nice car, I have a few pics of it in the collection!
Wife comes with me every year! Loves the driving/fast car aspect plus spending a week in Chateaux pre race! She can take or leave the actual 24hr race but doesn't mind loafing around the circuit over the weekend (champagne usually helps!). 
Can't wait for next year - more motoring madness!
Can't wait for next year - more motoring madness!
I went with my better half this year, we camped at Houx, she loved it, she doesn't really have much interest in motorsport, would never bother with F1 on a Sunday afternoon, but loved the whole Le Mans thing, we went in a small group and she was the only girl, however she does love camping, and we have an Elise so camping is not too luxurious anywhere we go. I also kenw that she would enjoy the drive there and back as she always comes along with me as a pax on Elise runs.
For the Toilets and showers girls had a better deal, only a few girlies there, so not too much time in the queue.
Try it, atleast you'll both know for the following year, but have hotel details prepared as back up in case she really hates it.
Giles
For the Toilets and showers girls had a better deal, only a few girlies there, so not too much time in the queue.
Try it, atleast you'll both know for the following year, but have hotel details prepared as back up in case she really hates it.
Giles
Just don't go with the VMAX crowd. Weekend drinking rules included "must stand on one leg while talking to a lady".
Took my Mrs and it was far too normal to just chat to her (without standing on one leg), so was getting beverage-fined constantly. The cow kept on deliberately catching me out, then grassing me up to ensure I got totally pissed within an hour of arrival...
Top girl
Took my Mrs and it was far too normal to just chat to her (without standing on one leg), so was getting beverage-fined constantly. The cow kept on deliberately catching me out, then grassing me up to ensure I got totally pissed within an hour of arrival...
Top girl
RichUK said:
rralston said:
What a very good post
She's giving it a go
w'hey to E! look forward to seeing her there... esp when its cooking duties...
Don't forget the cleaning Neil...
haven't mate - we have your wife for that!
rralston said:
Podie said:
er... I think we both know of an exception to that rule... indeed she showed a few of the lads how to do it.
10) Being a girl at Le Mans.
But if you're the type to tolerate the discomfort, you might just fall in love with the event.
edited to add a couple of things I forgot.
>> Edited by rude girl on Friday 19th August 11:14
>> Edited by rude girl on Friday 19th August 11:18
What a very good post
She's giving it a go
Im keeping Mrs V away from her after the hang over from hell E managed to help her with
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