Le Mans for the virgin
Discussion
It's a bit concerning that Le Mans seems to have such a negative and scary reputation for newbies. Given that the camp sites accommodate around 60,000 people + there will obviously be noise, beer and a few rum'ns but that should not detract from the remainder that generally look out for each other and have a great time. I first attended in 1979 and have been back every year bar 6, in that time I have taken all sorts of cars and stayed in most of the camp sites and had no real issues......the important thing is to join in.....and this year I will be taking my XKR again and camping in an ACO site again and I can't wait......if it becomes much tamer it would be sad, I loved the old village as I am sure many others did, it was much more 'wild west'
Once you get to ale Mans you be be hooked for life and radio Le Mans provide great coverage so you can keep informed right the way through
Once you get to ale Mans you be be hooked for life and radio Le Mans provide great coverage so you can keep informed right the way through
It's a bit concerning that Le Mans seems to have such a negative and scary reputation for newbies. Given that the camp sites accommodate around 60,000 people + there will obviously be noise, beer and a few rum'ns but that should not detract from the remainder that generally look out for each other and have a great time. I first attended in 1979 and have been back every year bar 6, in that time I have taken all sorts of cars and stayed in most of the camp sites and had no real issues......the important thing is to join in.....and this year I will be taking my XKR again and camping in an ACO site again and I can't wait......if it becomes much tamer it would be sad, I loved the old village as I am sure many others did, it was much more 'wild west'
Once you get to ale Mans you be be hooked for life and radio Le Mans provide great coverage so you can keep informed right the way through
Once you get to ale Mans you be be hooked for life and radio Le Mans provide great coverage so you can keep informed right the way through
Very well aware that we are in danger of becoming gentlemen of a certain age, my brother and I are going to Le Mans for the first time this year. Having heard a bit too much about anarchy on campsites, I think we got the last hotel rooms in town...
The big question I suppose is what are the recommendations from the LM veterans for getting the most out of the weekend? Are there any areas for getting something reasonable to eat inside the circuit etc?
Cheers!
The big question I suppose is what are the recommendations from the LM veterans for getting the most out of the weekend? Are there any areas for getting something reasonable to eat inside the circuit etc?
Cheers!
Apex Predator said:
Very well aware that we are in danger of becoming gentlemen of a certain age, my brother and I are going to Le Mans for the first time this year. Having heard a bit too much about anarchy on campsites, I think we got the last hotel rooms in town...
The big question I suppose is what are the recommendations from the LM veterans for getting the most out of the weekend? Are there any areas for getting something reasonable to eat inside the circuit etc?
Cheers!
Quite honestly, to get the most out of the weekend you really need to camp. Age is not an issue as long as you can get about OK.The big question I suppose is what are the recommendations from the LM veterans for getting the most out of the weekend? Are there any areas for getting something reasonable to eat inside the circuit etc?
Cheers!
Personaly Beau is too far out, but if you want a bit of civilization, then spend what you would pay at a hotel on a private campsite. Chances are the food provided there would be as good as the best available from outlets in the circuit village.
Apart from going to town for the drivers parade and subsequent friday night sillyness, you will want to spend the rest of your time at the circuit. Without a base, the temptation is to head back to town and you may miss much of the atmosphere.
Have a look around some private sites, plenty mentioned on this forum and try to get settled at the circuit.
Son and I have always done the same combo: hotel for Friday and Sunday nights, sleep in the car at the circuit on Saturday for which we get a reserved car parking space. I agree that once at the circuit there's no point in going back to a hotel for Saturday night because (a) the heavy traffic in and out and (b) missed action.
R.
R.
Food inside the circuit is either stupendously expensive and rather good or expensive and poor.
What we did last year, after deciding that the schlep from BSJ the year before was too much, was to camp off site and drive in. The traffic was only murder down past the back of the stands towards BSJ and I think that was mostly due to zealous checking of cars into BSJ itself. Getting into Parking Rouge was reasonably straightforward. We stocked the car with baguettes, fromage et jambon and had a picnic between the rows (camping chairs and a folding table just like the Froggies do) when we felt hungry. We also brought our camping stove so we could have a brew. The only real drawback is that one of you needs to stay sober to drive. We went off on an excursion to the far flung parts at about midnight and it was still very busy down BSJ way but going through the villages on the eastern side was relatively simple if you had a satnav that wasn't insisting you go down the D338!
If you are booked into a hotel than the tram is going to be your best means of access. If you need to go back into town to freshen up or resupply then it will quieten down at some point.
What we did last year, after deciding that the schlep from BSJ the year before was too much, was to camp off site and drive in. The traffic was only murder down past the back of the stands towards BSJ and I think that was mostly due to zealous checking of cars into BSJ itself. Getting into Parking Rouge was reasonably straightforward. We stocked the car with baguettes, fromage et jambon and had a picnic between the rows (camping chairs and a folding table just like the Froggies do) when we felt hungry. We also brought our camping stove so we could have a brew. The only real drawback is that one of you needs to stay sober to drive. We went off on an excursion to the far flung parts at about midnight and it was still very busy down BSJ way but going through the villages on the eastern side was relatively simple if you had a satnav that wasn't insisting you go down the D338!
If you are booked into a hotel than the tram is going to be your best means of access. If you need to go back into town to freshen up or resupply then it will quieten down at some point.
Another option, well worth doing.
If you are staying away from the circuit, then toilets etc can be an issue.
Get a 'Club 24' membership. 1 between 2 of you.
That way, you can use the toilets and showers inside tribune 17/18 ACO. While you are at it, get a couple of seats in that stand and then you will have a base, with bar, food, toilets and showers.
These tickets are still available, but you will have to hunt through a few agencies to find them.
I will point you to them if you PM me.
If you are staying away from the circuit, then toilets etc can be an issue.
Get a 'Club 24' membership. 1 between 2 of you.
That way, you can use the toilets and showers inside tribune 17/18 ACO. While you are at it, get a couple of seats in that stand and then you will have a base, with bar, food, toilets and showers.
These tickets are still available, but you will have to hunt through a few agencies to find them.
I will point you to them if you PM me.
SEE YA said:
A good choice, good people right near Porsche Curves.
Going there for my 60th celebration as a treat - previously we have been 'slumming' it in 'wild camping', houx annexe three times, Houx Club once and the ACO campsite once.And I am bringing four Danish 'virgins' :-0
Edited by Great Dane on Thursday 19th February 23:15
Great Dane said:
SEE YA said:
A good choice, good people right near Porsche Curves.
Going there for my 60th celebration as a treat - previously we have been 'slumming' it in 'wild camping', houx annexe three times, Houx Club once and the ACO campsite once.And I am bringing four Danish 'virgins' :-0
Edited by Great Dane on Thursday 19th February 23:15
Brian at the guys at 1st Tix are first class. So much so I was gutted to have missed out on the main site this year but will be attending on the Bleu Nord extension announced last week. Not quite all the bells and whistles but a case of hey-ho, lets give it a go. It's a PH'er designated area so hopefully we'll all be looking out for each other.
Any Le Mans newbie must read this as preparation for what can occasionally happen.....
http://www.lemans2006.co.uk/socks.htm
http://www.lemans2006.co.uk/socks.htm
MrC986 said:
Any Le Mans newbie must read this as preparation for what can occasionally happen.....
http://www.lemans2006.co.uk/socks.htm
Excellent. I must remember not to show that to my wife, lest I be doing le mans solohttp://www.lemans2006.co.uk/socks.htm
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