Changes to Maison Blanche 2015 - Porsche Experience Centre
Discussion
Just to amplify lowdrag's post....
My son and I have been going to Le Mans since 1996 and except for one year we have always had seats in the "Motul" grandstand, previously known as Maison Blanc etc, so we're very familiar with the immediate vicinity. To me, my interpretation of lowdrag's pics sequence is that the Porsche Centre is going to be just inside the external boundary of the circuit and a few metres south of the grandstand, north of the showers etc facilities just inside the Maison Blanc circuit entrance, sited on what was often in the past the paddock area for the support race. This is also opposite what were the traditional hospitality areas alongside the approach to the Ford Chicane. If I am right it means that the Porsche Centre will not directly impact on the Maison Blanc camping area.
R.
My son and I have been going to Le Mans since 1996 and except for one year we have always had seats in the "Motul" grandstand, previously known as Maison Blanc etc, so we're very familiar with the immediate vicinity. To me, my interpretation of lowdrag's pics sequence is that the Porsche Centre is going to be just inside the external boundary of the circuit and a few metres south of the grandstand, north of the showers etc facilities just inside the Maison Blanc circuit entrance, sited on what was often in the past the paddock area for the support race. This is also opposite what were the traditional hospitality areas alongside the approach to the Ford Chicane. If I am right it means that the Porsche Centre will not directly impact on the Maison Blanc camping area.
R.
Thanks for the great photos Lowdrag. Looking at them hopefully the big wheel will be able to stay where it is then so at least that is something.
Unfortunately what we don't know are the resulting impacts on:
The ticket agency I use is saying that there will be some pitches lost but they don't know how many of their allocation they will lose until the ACO tell them. Hopefully this will be within the next month or so.
It would be a great shame to lose all of the camping at Maison Blanche so all we can hope is that some is retained. If so there may be one upside in that the queues for the toilets and showers might be shorter!
Unfortunately what we don't know are the resulting impacts on:
- The previous hospitality on the entrance to the chicane. Will that be moved elsewhere in Maison Blanche?
- The camping areas themselves. These may still be affected as they will also be adding low grip areas, off road driving, kick plate etc somewhere around the Maison Blanche circuit?
- If Porsche are going to need any more of the wider area for parking guests or other activities while the race is on. They are opening it during the Le Mans week so would be making a big deal of the new facility (hopefully they won't need parking right next to it as presumably the guests didn't park next to the hospitality when it was on the other side of the track)
- If they want a load of sweaty campers right next to their lovely new building
The ticket agency I use is saying that there will be some pitches lost but they don't know how many of their allocation they will lose until the ACO tell them. Hopefully this will be within the next month or so.
It would be a great shame to lose all of the camping at Maison Blanche so all we can hope is that some is retained. If so there may be one upside in that the queues for the toilets and showers might be shorter!
lowdrag said:
In the background of this photo you can see the shower and toilet block just left as you enter Maison Blanche camping. It appears to me that they have taken one hell of a big chunk of the site away.
I'm not sure that is the toilet block - it's the unknown building (old MB circuit pits/current PEC?) that's usually surrounded by marshall caravans and the support race encampment. The (once upon a time) white roof North of the MB gate on this map. The MB gate is South of this, between the long dark roof of the toilet block and the white roof of the ticket office.
So far it doesn't look like too much of the camping area will be touched - by the building work at least. Will there still be space for the support race camp around the new PEC or will they get moved further South? If they do, would that change things from this year? They would just be moving towards the huge wasted Corvette space.
//j17 said:
I'm not sure that is the toilet block - it's the unknown building (old MB circuit pits/current PEC?) that's usually surrounded by marshall caravans and the support race encampment. The (once upon a time) white roof North of the MB gate on this map. The MB gate is South of this, between the long dark roof of the toilet block and the white roof of the ticket office.
So far it doesn't look like too much of the camping area will be touched - by the building work at least. Will there still be space for the support race camp around the new PEC or will they get moved further South? If they do, would that change things from this year? They would just be moving towards the huge wasted Corvette space.
Looking again I think you are right. Hopefully good news subject to whatever else they may have planned for the area past the new building.So far it doesn't look like too much of the camping area will be touched - by the building work at least. Will there still be space for the support race camp around the new PEC or will they get moved further South? If they do, would that change things from this year? They would just be moving towards the huge wasted Corvette space.
Here is another view that shows the area quite well, although quite an old photo - http://binged.it/1q2y752
Edited by Revhappychappy on Thursday 30th October 11:26
I have mocked up my interpretation going by Lowdrags pictures. Its not to scale, just a rough guestimation.
However, it shouldn't effect the camp-site too much? But I would assume Porsche plan to use part of the Maison Blanche circuit during the Le Mans week, so perhaps thats why.
However, it shouldn't effect the camp-site too much? But I would assume Porsche plan to use part of the Maison Blanche circuit during the Le Mans week, so perhaps thats why.
Edited by coogy on Thursday 30th October 17:11
Apologies folks. Living here means I rarely go to the camp sites so I am not too au fait! Yes, looking at Google Earth it is clear that the majority of Maison Blanche camping won't be affected, although the fencing around the building site is, as can be seen, quite a distance from the actual building, which I guess is why the ACO are withholding for the moment 300 places.
Unashamedly, I have copied this from Brian's email today regarding his 1st Tickets company and the future of camping at Le Mans:-
Our preparations for next year’s race are well underway and we have requested a good allocation from the circuit for all campsites. There are significant changes to Maison Blanche, which have an impact on the amount of camping spaces available. However, the circuit have also introduced a new campsite (Epinettes) which increases the total number of camping spaces available.
The Porsche Experience Centre building work is well underway and is due to open in June 2015. It is on the site of the Maison Blanche paddock and pit boxes used for driving experience and track days. The development involves a three storey building and changes to the layout of the 2.9km Maison Blanche track, covering an area of over 3,000m2.
The ACO have formally informed us that the changes to the track layout will have an impact to camping on Maison Blanche and that they are “...obliged to initially cancel about 300 pitches until we know if we are able to use some of the rehabilitated areas. Unfortunately we won’t be able to switch your lost pitches to high level campsites such as Houx, Tertre Rouge”. This represents about a 30-35% reduction of Maison Blanche. As a consequence, we expect our allocation to be reduced by a similar proportion and may not be able to meet all of our provisional bookings. Once we receive confirmation of our ticket allocation we will then know the full extent of the impact.
On a positive note, a new campsite called Les Epinettes, will be available in 2015. This campsite is opposite the Houx Campsite and accessed via Chemin aux Boeufs. It adds a further 1500 camping spaces to the circuit, amply covering the reduction of spaces on Maison Blanche.
I am sure he won't mind (will you Brian?) This new camp site will be not fa from the little train nor the tram, so I hope it will become a new and vibrant camping for you all.
Our preparations for next year’s race are well underway and we have requested a good allocation from the circuit for all campsites. There are significant changes to Maison Blanche, which have an impact on the amount of camping spaces available. However, the circuit have also introduced a new campsite (Epinettes) which increases the total number of camping spaces available.
The Porsche Experience Centre building work is well underway and is due to open in June 2015. It is on the site of the Maison Blanche paddock and pit boxes used for driving experience and track days. The development involves a three storey building and changes to the layout of the 2.9km Maison Blanche track, covering an area of over 3,000m2.
The ACO have formally informed us that the changes to the track layout will have an impact to camping on Maison Blanche and that they are “...obliged to initially cancel about 300 pitches until we know if we are able to use some of the rehabilitated areas. Unfortunately we won’t be able to switch your lost pitches to high level campsites such as Houx, Tertre Rouge”. This represents about a 30-35% reduction of Maison Blanche. As a consequence, we expect our allocation to be reduced by a similar proportion and may not be able to meet all of our provisional bookings. Once we receive confirmation of our ticket allocation we will then know the full extent of the impact.
On a positive note, a new campsite called Les Epinettes, will be available in 2015. This campsite is opposite the Houx Campsite and accessed via Chemin aux Boeufs. It adds a further 1500 camping spaces to the circuit, amply covering the reduction of spaces on Maison Blanche.
I am sure he won't mind (will you Brian?) This new camp site will be not fa from the little train nor the tram, so I hope it will become a new and vibrant camping for you all.
Here's my take on the position of the Porsche Experience Centre based on the you tube link above
It appears to not take any land away from Maison Blanche campsite but a couple of concerns would be:
1. Will Porsche allow people to walk past the building or will it be fenced off for corporates only, I'm guessing there should be just enough space to walk around back &/or front. If not people staying on Maison Blanche may have to exit at the gate nearest to them then re-enter the circuit further up the road? That would be a right pain!
2. Will Porsche take over the grass banking coming down to the ford chicanes for corporate viewing?
3. Will Porsche want a little test track to take customers for a spin? This would be harsh as it would take over a large area! I'm pretty sure they wouldn't do it unless they had the small loop incorporating part of the circuit when mulsanne straight, arnage etc is open to traffic (Wednesday am, Thursday am, Friday etc)
It appears to not take any land away from Maison Blanche campsite but a couple of concerns would be:
1. Will Porsche allow people to walk past the building or will it be fenced off for corporates only, I'm guessing there should be just enough space to walk around back &/or front. If not people staying on Maison Blanche may have to exit at the gate nearest to them then re-enter the circuit further up the road? That would be a right pain!
2. Will Porsche take over the grass banking coming down to the ford chicanes for corporate viewing?
3. Will Porsche want a little test track to take customers for a spin? This would be harsh as it would take over a large area! I'm pretty sure they wouldn't do it unless they had the small loop incorporating part of the circuit when mulsanne straight, arnage etc is open to traffic (Wednesday am, Thursday am, Friday etc)
I guess it's the construction of the skid pan and 4x4 course which will take away the most camping pitches. Hopefully it will settle down back to near normality once the builders have left. Although I wouldn't want to set up camp on the skid pan incase someone found the on button for the sprinkler system at 4am!
greatal said:
Received an email from ACO this morning: "....Due to the construction of the new Porsche Experience Centre in the Maison Blanche area, we have lost more than 400 camping pitches."
I think the ticket agencies were due to find out about their allocations by the end of this month. Finger crossed...
Not sure it adds much to our understanding but this Official Porsche video shows what I assume is where the Experience Centre itself will be. Seems broadly consistent with everything else we've seen. The unknown is of course how far this will extend into the campsite (towards the curves).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPrhIPNs8cg&li...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPrhIPNs8cg&li...
Well, having read the above I decided to ring the press office who put me through to reservations. As of today, the number of places lost, which was provisionally 300, is now 500. That is official. So many of you will find yourselves by default at Les Epinettes, the new camping site opposite Houx on the other side of the Bugatti circuit. A long way from the pits and village I'm afraid, but there are the baby trains since you aren't far from the tram terminus and Antares, the cultural centre.
Just received this from our agent...
Booking Agent said:
Following our email update about the changes at Maison Blanche in October 2014, we have now received our ticket allocation from the ACO for the 2015 Le Mans 24 Hours, but with one large exception.
The circuit are still not able to confirm the Maison Blanche allocation to any of their official agents.
We met with the ACO last week at the Autosport Show to discuss this with them, they informed us that this is due to the ongoing development work at Maison Blanche for the new Porsche Experience Centre. The amount of useable camping space at Maison Blanche is still unknown. Also, it is now expected that the impact will be much greater than originally estimated, potentially reducing the site to less than half its current size.
Doesn't sound promising, but we've always been very happy with their exceptional levels of service in previous years. They're working to source alternatives and implement a waiting list for those who've booked on MB... I don't envy their job at the moment!The circuit are still not able to confirm the Maison Blanche allocation to any of their official agents.
We met with the ACO last week at the Autosport Show to discuss this with them, they informed us that this is due to the ongoing development work at Maison Blanche for the new Porsche Experience Centre. The amount of useable camping space at Maison Blanche is still unknown. Also, it is now expected that the impact will be much greater than originally estimated, potentially reducing the site to less than half its current size.
Edited by BigDaveTheMighty on Monday 12th January 15:44
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