Not bothering this year :(
Discussion
lowdrag said:
I miss the old bar at the paddock entrance.
I miss the fact that you used to be able to actually get near and even into the paddock without a special person's pass! After the race on one of my earliest trips we just wandered around the back of the pits and chanced upon Nelson Piquet having tea with the mechanics round a trestle table!Happy days...
Its an interesting one and totally understand - we dont go every year, so far been to the main race 4 or 5 times with stonking hot ones and freezing cold/wet ones (McLaren winning on one of those), plus been to the Classic twice. Have tried free for all camping on Houx Annexe, private camping on Porsche Curves, Off site (with Le Mob - brilliant ) and this years Classic at Speed Chills (also excellent). Facilities have got better on the sites
We say everytime that its changed and maybe we wont come back - then we start the discussions and we plot a return - not every year mind, we probably go every 3 or 4 years now mixing between main race and classic. We are planning the main race again in 2016 and then who knows - interim years we do other trips, we have done Normandy Beaches, The Somme, Ypres, Cornwall!! and next year Arnhem for the Market Garden stuff.
le Mans has changed and I loved the old times with the fun fairs (how did they get away with those shot guns)and loud cars and being able to stand right by the barriers down the Mulsanne (I have pictures of us leaning over the barriers taking photos as the cars' whizz past).
For us it's the atmosphere and friends we go with and the ones you meet meet there who become friends after too - yes, the idiots have made some areas no go and yes, the racing does seem sanitised, but we love the whole trip. Out on the ferry Wednesday night (or Thursday if you are my mate who forgot we were heading out Wednesday this year!!), amble through the countryside roads to get to the circuit, camping, the beers, the cars - we will probably head out for the day on the Friday in 2016 as we have 'done' the pit lane walk and 'done' the Parade in Le Mans (all good but time for a change)- its about mixing it up a bit I think. We head off Sunday afternoon after the race to Ouisterham - nice shower in hotel, meal and ferry home on Monday - lots of stories to swap, something different each year and the 'well we wont do that again' discussions - then, somehow, a few years later we are back....and it all starts again.
Good discussion
HH
We say everytime that its changed and maybe we wont come back - then we start the discussions and we plot a return - not every year mind, we probably go every 3 or 4 years now mixing between main race and classic. We are planning the main race again in 2016 and then who knows - interim years we do other trips, we have done Normandy Beaches, The Somme, Ypres, Cornwall!! and next year Arnhem for the Market Garden stuff.
le Mans has changed and I loved the old times with the fun fairs (how did they get away with those shot guns)and loud cars and being able to stand right by the barriers down the Mulsanne (I have pictures of us leaning over the barriers taking photos as the cars' whizz past).
For us it's the atmosphere and friends we go with and the ones you meet meet there who become friends after too - yes, the idiots have made some areas no go and yes, the racing does seem sanitised, but we love the whole trip. Out on the ferry Wednesday night (or Thursday if you are my mate who forgot we were heading out Wednesday this year!!), amble through the countryside roads to get to the circuit, camping, the beers, the cars - we will probably head out for the day on the Friday in 2016 as we have 'done' the pit lane walk and 'done' the Parade in Le Mans (all good but time for a change)- its about mixing it up a bit I think. We head off Sunday afternoon after the race to Ouisterham - nice shower in hotel, meal and ferry home on Monday - lots of stories to swap, something different each year and the 'well we wont do that again' discussions - then, somehow, a few years later we are back....and it all starts again.
Good discussion
HH
The first few times that I did LM we were camping at Houx Annexe. Good fun, but the overly drunken t
ts and the fireworks started to make it a bit dodgy. Haven't been since 2012 as we moved across the Atlantic, but the last couple of LM's were with my eldest son and we just parked up outside the circuit in the family people carrier and used push bikes to get around. It got us away from the headbangers and having push bikes was excellent for visiting every area of the circuit.
If we were still living in France it would be on the agenda every year - now we make do with the Sebring 12 hour race which has a certain charm too, despite the radically smaller scale. Sadly last year Sebring was not an obligatory stop for the LM series so no LMP1 and thus a bit less of the wow factor.
ts and the fireworks started to make it a bit dodgy. Haven't been since 2012 as we moved across the Atlantic, but the last couple of LM's were with my eldest son and we just parked up outside the circuit in the family people carrier and used push bikes to get around. It got us away from the headbangers and having push bikes was excellent for visiting every area of the circuit.If we were still living in France it would be on the agenda every year - now we make do with the Sebring 12 hour race which has a certain charm too, despite the radically smaller scale. Sadly last year Sebring was not an obligatory stop for the LM series so no LMP1 and thus a bit less of the wow factor.
Thought you might like a look at these Pics, 1982..... Changed a bit!
Le mans 1982
Full album here
https://www.flickr.com/photos/90582394@N02/sets/72...
Le mans 1982
Full album here
https://www.flickr.com/photos/90582394@N02/sets/72...
Edited by fatboy18 on Friday 14th November 15:48
Le mans 1994
Sadly not as many photos this time
Rest of set here
https://www.flickr.com/photos/90582394@N02/sets/72...
Sadly not as many photos this time
Rest of set here
https://www.flickr.com/photos/90582394@N02/sets/72...
@fatboy1
BLOODY MARVELOUS - I really enjoyed looking through those shots, THANKS - I will find some '81 shots - mostly black and white in those days for me though.
What I notice most (apart from the buildings/cars/clothes) is how many trees there were back then - pretty much all gone now.
FAB, thanks again.
BOB
BLOODY MARVELOUS - I really enjoyed looking through those shots, THANKS - I will find some '81 shots - mostly black and white in those days for me though.
What I notice most (apart from the buildings/cars/clothes) is how many trees there were back then - pretty much all gone now.
FAB, thanks again.
BOB
Edited by struttob on Friday 14th November 17:06
struttob said:
@fatboy1
BLOODY MARVELOUS - I really enjoyed looking through those shots, THANKS - I will find some '81 shots - mostly black and white in those days for me though.
What I notice most (apart from the buildings/cars/clothes) is how many trees there were back then - pretty much all gone now.
FAB, thanks again.
BOB
I had a bit of spare time this afternoon so loaded that lot up BLOODY MARVELOUS - I really enjoyed looking through those shots, THANKS - I will find some '81 shots - mostly black and white in those days for me though.
What I notice most (apart from the buildings/cars/clothes) is how many trees there were back then - pretty much all gone now.
FAB, thanks again.
BOB
Your dead right about the trees, it was one of those things that really added to the atmosphere of the place.I've just been on Google earth and looked at the circuit now
Airtrack, M & M stadium all the carparks, Karting Nord camping gone, Houx Annex cut in half, Maison Blanc loosing over 300 pitches this year, its a stark contrast to how it used to be I also remember other campsites, not ACO ones, there used to be camping behind Honduras, you never hear of it being advertised? Anyone know if that is still used?
Can't believe that amongst all the reminiscing there's been no mention of the snake woman or Irta the fat lady 
I first went in 1987, taken along by a mate who'd already been going a few years. Got the bug and it became a fixture for me in the calendar, all other holidays had to work around Le Mans. Was great meeting up again with people we only saw once a year
Haven't been for 3 years now, the Audification saw me lose interest in the racing, the last few years we went we were leaving Sunday lunchtime to get to a hotel/chateau as the result just didn't matter any more. The change of atmosphere also contributed. One of the highlights for us was Chartre sur le Loir on Friday afternoon. It was annoying to have a great day down there then not be able to get back to camp without running the gauntlet of tts 
it also put an end to us taking sports cars, company repmobile only the last few years.
Will probably try the Classic next time it's on, or mate who introduced me to Le Mans has suggested Angouleme
I first went in 1987, taken along by a mate who'd already been going a few years. Got the bug and it became a fixture for me in the calendar, all other holidays had to work around Le Mans. Was great meeting up again with people we only saw once a year
Haven't been for 3 years now, the Audification saw me lose interest in the racing, the last few years we went we were leaving Sunday lunchtime to get to a hotel/chateau as the result just didn't matter any more. The change of atmosphere also contributed. One of the highlights for us was Chartre sur le Loir on Friday afternoon. It was annoying to have a great day down there then not be able to get back to camp without running the gauntlet of t
ts it also put an end to us taking sports cars, company repmobile only the last few years.Will probably try the Classic next time it's on, or mate who introduced me to Le Mans has suggested Angouleme
Like many here I started going every year from the late 80's. It became an institution, meeting many good friends there and I even managed to convince the wife to include it as part of our honeymoon. Like most things over time it became stale so with other things occupying my time (principally kids) I stopped going to the main in 2009 although continued my attendance at the Classic with a view to try other things.
We went to the Nurburgring 24 and various other events but for me at least, the oft attributed phrase, "so much more than just a race" rang truer more than ever. Having been so many times I got into a rut of always doing it the same way so when I went back it was with a view that I would endeavour to go and try as many new things as possible to re-invigorate that passion and boy has it worked, as I can't wait for next year.
We went to the Nurburgring 24 and various other events but for me at least, the oft attributed phrase, "so much more than just a race" rang truer more than ever. Having been so many times I got into a rut of always doing it the same way so when I went back it was with a view that I would endeavour to go and try as many new things as possible to re-invigorate that passion and boy has it worked, as I can't wait for next year.
Well this is an eye opening thread... I have never been to Le Mans but next year was going to be my first...
I have gone to the WEC at Silverstone since it began and all of the Britcar 24 hours - but next year i am going to be in a position to travel (some lunatic finally let me have a passport) so my first thought was to go to Spa WEC and Le Mans 24 hours.... Mrs Lizard wasnt impressed with this initial reaction and wont be attending...
Was looking at trying to get into Maison Blanche (name?) camping and hoping to park near the tent as my new toy will be hopefully taking me there...
Am I going to be disappointed?
I'm an insomniac which helps with the sleep/racing but dont drink at all - want atmosphere but not lagerloutness...
I have gone to the WEC at Silverstone since it began and all of the Britcar 24 hours - but next year i am going to be in a position to travel (some lunatic finally let me have a passport) so my first thought was to go to Spa WEC and Le Mans 24 hours.... Mrs Lizard wasnt impressed with this initial reaction and wont be attending...
Was looking at trying to get into Maison Blanche (name?) camping and hoping to park near the tent as my new toy will be hopefully taking me there...
Am I going to be disappointed?
I'm an insomniac which helps with the sleep/racing but dont drink at all - want atmosphere but not lagerloutness...
MrLizard said:
Was looking at trying to get into Maison Blanche (name?) camping and hoping to park near the tent as my new toy will be hopefully taking me there...
Get your name on a waiting list with one of the official ticket agents, and see how you get on. Maison Blanche will probably be a bit smaller this year (exact details to be confirmed). You book a set size pitch, or pitches, so having your tent next to your toy should be a given, if your overall pitch is big enough.FraMac said:
Get your name on a waiting list with one of the official ticket agents, and see how you get on. Maison Blanche will probably be a bit smaller this year (exact details to be confirmed). You book a set size pitch, or pitches, so having your tent next to your toy should be a given, if your overall pitch is big enough.
Have just taken your advice, am now on a list, pitch would be 7m x 5m and told toy would be next to tent...Any grandstand advice?
ta
fatboy18 said:
Don't book the Grandstands on the inside of the circuit track (the one above the pitts) You don't see half as much as you do if your on the Outer side of the track 
Leonard would be my recommendation seating mid to high.
is it a requirement at all? If i take a camping chair and am prepared to get very wet i assume thats an option? Leonard would be my recommendation seating mid to high. MrLizard said:
fatboy18 said:
Don't book the Grandstands on the inside of the circuit track (the one above the pits) You don't see half as much as you do if your on the Outer side of the track Leonard would be my recommendation seating mid to high.
is it a requirement at all? If i take a camping chair and am prepared to get very wet i assume thats an option? Leonard would be my recommendation seating mid to high. Grandstands are expensive, You will get a great view of the cars coming around the ford chicane, up the main straight and round the corner towards the dunlop bridge. If the weather is bad it will also give you some protection. If its your first Le mans Im sure you will have a good time.Would be interesting to know your thoughts when you get back
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