First time Le Mans tips
Discussion
JT3K said:
Fixed cameras are now able to send fines to the UK and they time you between toll booths.
Great PostCouple of questions about the statement above. Since when do they time you between toll booths as I've regularly done very fast times between them historically and always thought it an urban myth that the info is used to prove speeding. Also, presumably fines sent to the UK are unenforceable, i.e. if you don't pay, nothing further happens ? Again, a new thing ? It's news to me, although I've recognised it will come in eventually
The only thing I'd add of importance to your 'things to do' is lunch in La Chartre Sur le Loir, outside Hotel De France, on the Friday - always one of my LM24 highlights, great drive down, top place to visit and the square is always full of interesting cars & people
Edited by jonby on Wednesday 6th May 11:42
jonby said:
JT3K said:
Fixed cameras are now able to send fines to the UK and they time you between toll booths.
Great PostCouple of questions about the statement above. Since when do they time you between toll booths as I've regularly done very fast times between them historically and always thought it an urban myth that the info is used to prove speeding. Also, presumably fines sent to the UK are unenforceable, i.e. if you don't pay, nothing further happens ? Again, a new thing ? It's news to me, although I've recognised it will come in eventually.
The Leaper said:
//j17,
It's been a good few years since my last visit to the Stella Bar at TR. How does one get there now following the may changes at TR that have been done over the years?
R.
From the TR end of the 'inside' viewing area drop down to the road and turn left, under the track and ta-da! If you're 'outside' then you need to take the foot tunnel+ under the track to the inside.It's been a good few years since my last visit to the Stella Bar at TR. How does one get there now following the may changes at TR that have been done over the years?
R.
+ That's the new, clean and lit foot tunnel under the track that replaced the old pitch-black, urine-scented tunnel of shame
OvalOwl said:
jonby said:
JT3K said:
Fixed cameras are now able to send fines to the UK and they time you between toll booths.
Great PostCouple of questions about the statement above. Since when do they time you between toll booths as I've regularly done very fast times between them historically and always thought it an urban myth that the info is used to prove speeding. Also, presumably fines sent to the UK are unenforceable, i.e. if you don't pay, nothing further happens ? Again, a new thing ? It's news to me, although I've recognised it will come in eventually.
There is also as yet, as I understand it, no mechanism for points between the UK and Europe - points under a French system are not relevant so unless countries bring their respective points systems into line with each other, I don't really see how it can be anything other than a fine once (if) they do bring the new system in to include the UK. Unless your suggestion of 'convictions' is that the UK authorities will look at the speed and the speed limit, then apply UK penalty points based on same ?
They don't time you between the booths, common rumour that comes up year after year.
As has been mentioned Les Flics lase cars, I've generally spotted them, they like you to have a decent long downhill run towards them and their usually on the embankment of a bridge, and then they radio to their mates which can be a chase bike, or Subaru, or alternatively they wait at the next peage where you stop.
The latter method is why people seem to think they've been timed, they've not they've been lased on route.
Either way keep to 80-85mph and you make decent progress and no one's bothered.
As has been mentioned Les Flics lase cars, I've generally spotted them, they like you to have a decent long downhill run towards them and their usually on the embankment of a bridge, and then they radio to their mates which can be a chase bike, or Subaru, or alternatively they wait at the next peage where you stop.
The latter method is why people seem to think they've been timed, they've not they've been lased on route.
Either way keep to 80-85mph and you make decent progress and no one's bothered.
Truck's Top Tips:
- Bring a bog roll with you, although the situation has much improved since the cleaning was outsourced a few years ago.
- Use a supermarket that isn't the Carrefour at Centre Sud as that's the most overcrowded one. There's a big Super-U and a little backstreet supermarket (seems to be a different brand every year) in Arnage.
- Another option for Friday is to go down to Chartre sur le loir and have a drink at the Hotel de France.
- Getting to town on the tram is quick and easy.
- Impress waiters by telling the 'Spanish Coffee' joke, they love it.
- Eat the Merguez, Leave the Andouille.
- Buy carrier bags of ice from the fish counter.
- Beware the Franz Klamer toilets.
- Shower when the sunshine wakes you up and go back to bed = no queues and hot water
- Walk down to the Arnage corner, takes about an hour but is on the level so a fairly easy walk - just follow the queue of cars.
- Trying to make cunning short cuts to avoid traffic jams around the circuit never works, you'll always end up at the back of yet another queue.
- Bring a bog roll with you, although the situation has much improved since the cleaning was outsourced a few years ago.
- Use a supermarket that isn't the Carrefour at Centre Sud as that's the most overcrowded one. There's a big Super-U and a little backstreet supermarket (seems to be a different brand every year) in Arnage.
- Another option for Friday is to go down to Chartre sur le loir and have a drink at the Hotel de France.
- Getting to town on the tram is quick and easy.
- Impress waiters by telling the 'Spanish Coffee' joke, they love it.
- Eat the Merguez, Leave the Andouille.
- Buy carrier bags of ice from the fish counter.
- Beware the Franz Klamer toilets.
- Shower when the sunshine wakes you up and go back to bed = no queues and hot water
- Walk down to the Arnage corner, takes about an hour but is on the level so a fairly easy walk - just follow the queue of cars.
- Trying to make cunning short cuts to avoid traffic jams around the circuit never works, you'll always end up at the back of yet another queue.
I'm not sure if this stand is still there in the Village, but if it is, the Grand Marnier crepes at about 4am are an absolute joy to behold!!!!
The go-karts on the old wooden floor are also a real treat. Although I've heard the fair has moved from Dunlop to Karting so not sure we'll find them this year. The potential for whiplash was always amazing, especially when then swing out the wooden stopper and you pile into the back of a sationary kart at full pelt.
I also lost a wallet one year on the dodgems, realised as soon as I got off but by then the
s running the stand had got the wallet. They removed the cash and gave me back the wallet claiming they just found it...really....itchy beard.....
Try to have enough beer tokens on you before entering the Village as the cash machine always seemed to be doing a roaring trade with long queues.
The go-karts on the old wooden floor are also a real treat. Although I've heard the fair has moved from Dunlop to Karting so not sure we'll find them this year. The potential for whiplash was always amazing, especially when then swing out the wooden stopper and you pile into the back of a sationary kart at full pelt.
I also lost a wallet one year on the dodgems, realised as soon as I got off but by then the
s running the stand had got the wallet. They removed the cash and gave me back the wallet claiming they just found it...really....itchy beard.....Try to have enough beer tokens on you before entering the Village as the cash machine always seemed to be doing a roaring trade with long queues.
gt6 said:
i would heartily recommend the GM crepes, in the old days you could pour large amounts of GM on from huge bottles on the stall but i think they restrict the amount these days, but they are still are real part of the le mans experience
They didnt seem to mind me drowning my crepe in GM last yearcja said:
24lemons said:
/\/\ This 1000 times! There's nothing like a late night crepe!
Does this relate to the 'must have a bog roll' post, too?? 
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