Not bothering this year :(
Discussion
MR L,
Get yourself a map of the circuit showing all the grandstands (FR = tribunes). It is good advice given above not to go for a grandstand over the pits as you cannot see into the pits from there unless your in the front row. Any opposite the pits will be fine.
T18 is the ACO grandstand specifically available to ACO members although there are limited tickets for non members. Advantages are that it has bars and decent showers and loos available to members only.
Personally, I prefer Racordiment (T23?).
You can easily do as you suggest ie a seat on a banked spectator area but this will be no good in the pits straight from 2-3 hours before start and finish...crowded standing room only! Personally, I have always got a grandstand seat as it's a base to rest up, keep dry and warm too maybe, and you can always walk around accessible parts of the circuit too. Could be an age thing in my case!
One school of thought often stated on here is don't get a grandstand seat for your first visit because it is a vast place and there are lots to see and lots of spectating points available anyway. Maybe I would agree.
One ESSENTIAL piece of equipment is a pocket radio with FM plus 'phones so you can tune into Radio LeMans which is on all race and is in English....a fab broadcasting team too! Without this, following what's going on is pretty difficult.
R.
Get yourself a map of the circuit showing all the grandstands (FR = tribunes). It is good advice given above not to go for a grandstand over the pits as you cannot see into the pits from there unless your in the front row. Any opposite the pits will be fine.
T18 is the ACO grandstand specifically available to ACO members although there are limited tickets for non members. Advantages are that it has bars and decent showers and loos available to members only.
Personally, I prefer Racordiment (T23?).
You can easily do as you suggest ie a seat on a banked spectator area but this will be no good in the pits straight from 2-3 hours before start and finish...crowded standing room only! Personally, I have always got a grandstand seat as it's a base to rest up, keep dry and warm too maybe, and you can always walk around accessible parts of the circuit too. Could be an age thing in my case!
One school of thought often stated on here is don't get a grandstand seat for your first visit because it is a vast place and there are lots to see and lots of spectating points available anyway. Maybe I would agree.
One ESSENTIAL piece of equipment is a pocket radio with FM plus 'phones so you can tune into Radio LeMans which is on all race and is in English....a fab broadcasting team too! Without this, following what's going on is pretty difficult.
R.
Bobo W said:
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.
I like this Idea of try do things Differently, might work out a plan for 2016 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.
http://thumbsnap.com/f/pVAX7F2d
Pic of the Team Langoustine Campsite (Honduras) Inside of Tet rouge corner.
Pic of the Team Langoustine Campsite (Honduras) Inside of Tet rouge corner.
The Leaper said:
MR L,
Get yourself a map of the circuit showing all the grandstands (FR = tribunes). It is good advice given above not to go for a grandstand over the pits as you cannot see into the pits from there unless your in the front row. Any opposite the pits will be fine.
T18 is the ACO grandstand specifically available to ACO members although there are limited tickets for non members. Advantages are that it has bars and decent showers and loos available to members only.
Personally, I prefer Racordiment (T23?).
You can easily do as you suggest ie a seat on a banked spectator area but this will be no good in the pits straight from 2-3 hours before start and finish...crowded standing room only! Personally, I have always got a grandstand seat as it's a base to rest up, keep dry and warm too maybe, and you can always walk around accessible parts of the circuit too. Could be an age thing in my case!
One school of thought often stated on here is don't get a grandstand seat for your first visit because it is a vast place and there are lots to see and lots of spectating points available anyway. Maybe I would agree.
One ESSENTIAL piece of equipment is a pocket radio with FM plus 'phones so you can tune into Radio LeMans which is on all race and is in English....a fab broadcasting team too! Without this, following what's going on is pretty difficult.
R.
Thanks very much for that, I imagined a radio might be a requirement, its bad enough at the WEC if you don't have a radio, sounds like for the first time a grandstand is potentially not a great idea as I will want to go wandering and it looks slightly larger than Mallory... Get yourself a map of the circuit showing all the grandstands (FR = tribunes). It is good advice given above not to go for a grandstand over the pits as you cannot see into the pits from there unless your in the front row. Any opposite the pits will be fine.
T18 is the ACO grandstand specifically available to ACO members although there are limited tickets for non members. Advantages are that it has bars and decent showers and loos available to members only.
Personally, I prefer Racordiment (T23?).
You can easily do as you suggest ie a seat on a banked spectator area but this will be no good in the pits straight from 2-3 hours before start and finish...crowded standing room only! Personally, I have always got a grandstand seat as it's a base to rest up, keep dry and warm too maybe, and you can always walk around accessible parts of the circuit too. Could be an age thing in my case!
One school of thought often stated on here is don't get a grandstand seat for your first visit because it is a vast place and there are lots to see and lots of spectating points available anyway. Maybe I would agree.
One ESSENTIAL piece of equipment is a pocket radio with FM plus 'phones so you can tune into Radio LeMans which is on all race and is in English....a fab broadcasting team too! Without this, following what's going on is pretty difficult.
R.
The place I am on the list with is suggesting they will have camp tickets at the end of the month so I will let you know what I end up with...
Ta for the advice and apologies for thread hijack
Mr L
I really wouldn't worry too much about Lager louts, whilst there are more than there were I am sure I think those above are looking on the golden old days through the rose tinted spectacles and this makes the present (whilst I am sure not quite as good) seem WAAAAAY worse in their eyes.
I have only been going since 2011, and I dislike lager louts as much as the next man. They really are easy enough to avoid so long as you avoid the houx roundabout on Friday - or just move right on through.
I really wouldn't worry too much about Lager louts, whilst there are more than there were I am sure I think those above are looking on the golden old days through the rose tinted spectacles and this makes the present (whilst I am sure not quite as good) seem WAAAAAY worse in their eyes.
I have only been going since 2011, and I dislike lager louts as much as the next man. They really are easy enough to avoid so long as you avoid the houx roundabout on Friday - or just move right on through.
fatboy18 said:
like this Idea of try do things Differently, might work out a plan for 2016
I first went to LM with Bobo W and then followed with every race, every pre-qual weekend and then every classic event. I am afraid I am ahead of you, I gave up with LM when the racing became a bore, with so much reliability and such clinical efforts with no passion some years ago. I know motorsport has become very professional, the teams, the cars, the support, the racing but it has lost a lot for me. My last main event (June) was probably 8 years ago and have since tried Nurburg 24, Spa Classic, Silverstone Classic and more recently with a few mates supporting THE Houx Annex roundabout Lotus Europa (you know the car no doubt) who is doing a few French hill climbs. Being in the middle of it is great. I'll get back to LM soon, but it'll be with my son to show him what it's all about.A change is as good as a rest.... Fatboy I salute you, give a few other events a try, you'll love them oh and the roads to Nurburg are awesome
I missed last year, even more so as I paid for a Euro Sport subscription and watched the race on TV. If I went every year I'd probably get tired of it. One year on, one year off works well for me, and I'm looking forward to next year because I will be heading over with some of the regulars, as well as a group of virgins.
Well your not going to believe this, the OH has suggested we make the Le mans trip over a week and stay at a couple of different chateaus on the way home as part of a full holiday!
Just had to open a bottle of red wine and sit down!
(For 2016)
Just had to open a bottle of red wine and sit down!
(For 2016)
Edited by fatboy18 on Tuesday 18th November 20:37
Sorry Isaac I think you are having a laugh, you said... 'so no racing time taken up with waiting for the BBQ to warm up.' this is what the whole thing is about, I think. Hanging around the campsite with a stubby (vodka) and some buddies while the coals are warming up then banging on some sangers and a bit of steak or some other speciality, this is the whole experience, coupled with not being able to sleep because of the parties going on or the person in the next tent snoring so bloody loud. Missing out on racing time is a given. How many people can honestly say, hand on heart, that they go there just for the racing and everything else gets in the way? Perhaps you are on a wind up, yes that has got to be it... now I am laughing, perhaps.
>Martini...LB
>Martini...LB
Another small dose of "The good old days"
This was taken in 1982 - but the Ferris Wheel was a feature for many years
This was blazing hot 1983
T-Bird Swap Shop 956B run by Preston Henn 1983 also
This Pantera was entered by a UK team - I think it was 91 or 92 - we sneaked onto the straight - this was taken at daybreak.
Group 44 Jaguar 1984
This was minutes before the celebrations in '82
J David 956 of John Fitzpatrick 1983
I think that's a Sauber Merc with it's headlights on - 89 - or 90, before they f
ked around with the run down to the esses.
Ear-splitting Mazda 717 C2 1983
Pit straight at dawn 1983
Callaway Agusta Corvette C4 - I'm guessing early-mid 90's
Starting grid from the old pit balcony 1990?
Raymond Boutinaud 928S - 1983
Tribunes 1981
Billy Hagan Stratagraph Camaro 1981
....and who remembers this very famous vendor?
....Best damn chicken in the state!! His first Le Mans was 1955 and was there EVERY year until 1995 - He made his annual income from that single event each year - he told me he sold around 2000 poulet-roti each year - he was a genuine Le Mans institution - sadly missed.
This was taken in 1982 - but the Ferris Wheel was a feature for many years
This was blazing hot 1983
T-Bird Swap Shop 956B run by Preston Henn 1983 also
This Pantera was entered by a UK team - I think it was 91 or 92 - we sneaked onto the straight - this was taken at daybreak.
Group 44 Jaguar 1984
This was minutes before the celebrations in '82
J David 956 of John Fitzpatrick 1983
I think that's a Sauber Merc with it's headlights on - 89 - or 90, before they f
ked around with the run down to the esses.Ear-splitting Mazda 717 C2 1983
Pit straight at dawn 1983
Callaway Agusta Corvette C4 - I'm guessing early-mid 90's
Starting grid from the old pit balcony 1990?
Raymond Boutinaud 928S - 1983
Tribunes 1981
Billy Hagan Stratagraph Camaro 1981
....and who remembers this very famous vendor?
....Best damn chicken in the state!! His first Le Mans was 1955 and was there EVERY year until 1995 - He made his annual income from that single event each year - he told me he sold around 2000 poulet-roti each year - he was a genuine Le Mans institution - sadly missed.
Edited by Matt Harper on Wednesday 19th November 02:15
fatboy18 said:
Brilliant Pics Matt 
Was that 1982 also? Looks like it to me?
As for that Chicken, god that was great. I remember buying a whole chicken and scoffing it around 1am in the morning Bloody lovely
That's another thing gone 
Post those pics on here too Was that 1982 also? Looks like it to me?As for that Chicken, god that was great. I remember buying a whole chicken and scoffing it around 1am in the morning Bloody lovely
That's another thing gone http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
fatboy18 said:
Brilliant Pics Matt Was that 1982 also? Looks like it to me?
As for that Chicken, god that was great. I remember buying a whole chicken and scoffing it around 1am in the morning Bloody lovely That's another thing gone
Editing my post for dates - based on what I can drag from the memory banks and a smattering of Google! Was that 1982 also? Looks like it to me?As for that Chicken, god that was great. I remember buying a whole chicken and scoffing it around 1am in the morning Bloody lovely
That's another thing gone fatboy18 said:
Well your not going to believe this, the OH has suggested we make the Le mans trip over a week and stay at a couple of different chateaus on the way home as part of a full holiday!
Just had to open a bottle of red wine and sit down!
(For 2016)
Just had to open a bottle of red wine and sit down!
(For 2016)
Edited by fatboy18 on Tuesday 18th November 20:37
fatboy18 said:
Well your not going to believe this, the OH has suggested we make the Le mans trip over a week and stay at a couple of different chateaus on the way home as part of a full holiday!
Just had to open a bottle of red wine and sit down!
(For 2016)
well that sounds like a very accommodating OH to me, hope you bit her arm off (metaphorically of course) maybe you should do 2015 as a recce for 2016 - after all don't want a duff chateaux now do we !!Just had to open a bottle of red wine and sit down!
(For 2016)
Edited by fatboy18 on Tuesday 18th November 20:37
Bob
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