Le Mans on yer own !?
Discussion
I've been three times on my own in the past 20 years, and on others with my son.
I think that, assuming you have been before, there's little point in spending several days at Le Mans so I've travelled overnight and got to the circuit at about 4 am on the Saturday and parked up in my pre reserved car space. Had a good few hours kip and got ready for the action. I'd recommend Parking Blanc because it's close to and entrance and also not far back to the car because...I always have slept in the car for part of Saturday night. I don't see the need the go off circuit with all the traffic etc.
The big decision is when to come home. Do you leave the circuit 30 minutes before the end of the race and make a fast return home, wait until maybe two hours after the end of the race and travel home getting a late Channel crossing, or stay over part of the way back for a good earned comfortable rest? Got to bear in mind that you've had not much sleep the Saturday night end you could be bushed for the journey home.
Another thing: get a tribune seat too. You'll need somewhere reasonable comfortable and the faces around will become familiar so you can have a chat etc. You can still walk to all the great parts of the circuit anytime you wish.
I say all this living in Surrey so not much travelling to do within the UK.
Another option is to fly into Tours, hire a car for a couple of days, park at the circuit, and then fly back.
R.
I think that, assuming you have been before, there's little point in spending several days at Le Mans so I've travelled overnight and got to the circuit at about 4 am on the Saturday and parked up in my pre reserved car space. Had a good few hours kip and got ready for the action. I'd recommend Parking Blanc because it's close to and entrance and also not far back to the car because...I always have slept in the car for part of Saturday night. I don't see the need the go off circuit with all the traffic etc.
The big decision is when to come home. Do you leave the circuit 30 minutes before the end of the race and make a fast return home, wait until maybe two hours after the end of the race and travel home getting a late Channel crossing, or stay over part of the way back for a good earned comfortable rest? Got to bear in mind that you've had not much sleep the Saturday night end you could be bushed for the journey home.
Another thing: get a tribune seat too. You'll need somewhere reasonable comfortable and the faces around will become familiar so you can have a chat etc. You can still walk to all the great parts of the circuit anytime you wish.
I say all this living in Surrey so not much travelling to do within the UK.
Another option is to fly into Tours, hire a car for a couple of days, park at the circuit, and then fly back.
R.
You won't be alone as although I've always been in a group of 4 (6 this yr), I'm always surprised by the friendliness of the guys there, or it just the large amounts some have had to drink!? You could always find a last minute cancellation camping somewhere & see if another PHer is in the same situation as you & will share the travel costs etc? If you are thinking of camping, speak with Brian at 1st Tickets who does the PH camping & is one of the authorised companies & see if he has any last minute cancellations in the PH "enclave" where you can get food in the package etc as its normally a friendly group of guys (& the occasional girl)
Edited by MrC986 on Friday 22 May 18:31
In that case get yourself a copy of the Club Arnage Guide here to find out all you need to know:
http://www.clubarnage.com/
For the first trip don't try and do everything...decide what's the most important and concentrate on those things. You'll be back again and again so you'll have plenty of opportunity to get through the lot!
R.
http://www.clubarnage.com/
For the first trip don't try and do everything...decide what's the most important and concentrate on those things. You'll be back again and again so you'll have plenty of opportunity to get through the lot!
R.
Nearly had to do it on my own a couple of times. My first ever trip was a case of 'I must finally do Le mans' and I was set to do it solo but at the last minute someone else came along.
I'd have no issues going on my own, I'd still have a great weekend. It would be great for focusing on the race and not worrying about others being tired or bored!
I hear the big campsites can be very welcoming, but maybe the small private sites on or off the circuit would be a good way to go solo but make it more likely to meet friendly others.
I'd have no issues going on my own, I'd still have a great weekend. It would be great for focusing on the race and not worrying about others being tired or bored!
I hear the big campsites can be very welcoming, but maybe the small private sites on or off the circuit would be a good way to go solo but make it more likely to meet friendly others.
Nearly had to do it on my own a couple of times. My first ever trip was a case of 'I must finally do Le mans' and I was set to do it solo but at the last minute someone else came along.
I'd have no issues going on my own, I'd still have a great weekend. It would be great for focusing on the race and not worrying about others being tired or bored!
I hear the big campsites can be very welcoming, but maybe the small private sites on or off the circuit would be a good way to go solo but make it more likely to meet friendly others.
I'd have no issues going on my own, I'd still have a great weekend. It would be great for focusing on the race and not worrying about others being tired or bored!
I hear the big campsites can be very welcoming, but maybe the small private sites on or off the circuit would be a good way to go solo but make it more likely to meet friendly others.
I'm going on my own for the first time this year (13th Le Mans), my regular mates are both spending their cash on restoring classics and moving house this year, can't see any reason why I should miss out though. I'll be there for the full week from Sunday as usual, did Silverstone and Spa WECs solo too, and may well be on my tod for the Spa 24. Who do you think's going to enjoy the week more, me or the lads stuck at home?
Here's my favourite memory regarding Le Mans solo from several years ago.
I arrived at 4.00 am Saturday as planned, and had a good kip in the car in Parking Blanc. Woke up around 8 am and immediately behind me were four elder guys who were clearly long term Le Maners and had set themselves up extremely well on site. They were even wearing their annual team T shirts! On my emergence from the car, chat ensued and I found out that they only ever meet once a year in the same place for 5 days! I was invited to join them for an English fry up...how could I resist! Luckily, I had an ample supply of 1664s which I happily shared with them over then rest of the stay. I had several meals with them.
I have to say that I think they were together more for the annual round of friendship and separation from their other halves rather than the racing but that in itself is a great thing. Those guys really made that particular trip something special.
R.
I arrived at 4.00 am Saturday as planned, and had a good kip in the car in Parking Blanc. Woke up around 8 am and immediately behind me were four elder guys who were clearly long term Le Maners and had set themselves up extremely well on site. They were even wearing their annual team T shirts! On my emergence from the car, chat ensued and I found out that they only ever meet once a year in the same place for 5 days! I was invited to join them for an English fry up...how could I resist! Luckily, I had an ample supply of 1664s which I happily shared with them over then rest of the stay. I had several meals with them.
I have to say that I think they were together more for the annual round of friendship and separation from their other halves rather than the racing but that in itself is a great thing. Those guys really made that particular trip something special.
R.
OP.
You will be made more than welcome with many of the people that come to Le Mans.
For instance.... in my small crowd.
A US forces soldier serving in Germany rucks up on Friday night with nowhere to pitch up ( before the pitch sizes were controlled)- The guys next to us - and us - rejig tents, cars etc - and make sure he has room.
He doesn't have a BBQ or gazebo etc. But we all share our resources, he contributes by beer, doing a bit of washing up etc.
Le Mans isn't about me, me, me - the whole ethos is about sharing.
I have leant my Sat Nav a few years back to some newbies because - they had never been before and needed to get to Carrefour.
They returned it - and gave a few beers as a thank you.
You will be welcomed with a friendly group.
If you are still a bit unsure - drop me a PM.
Toodle Pip
T
You will be made more than welcome with many of the people that come to Le Mans.
For instance.... in my small crowd.
A US forces soldier serving in Germany rucks up on Friday night with nowhere to pitch up ( before the pitch sizes were controlled)- The guys next to us - and us - rejig tents, cars etc - and make sure he has room.
He doesn't have a BBQ or gazebo etc. But we all share our resources, he contributes by beer, doing a bit of washing up etc.
Le Mans isn't about me, me, me - the whole ethos is about sharing.
I have leant my Sat Nav a few years back to some newbies because - they had never been before and needed to get to Carrefour.
They returned it - and gave a few beers as a thank you.
You will be welcomed with a friendly group.
If you are still a bit unsure - drop me a PM.
Toodle Pip
T
Have done many other races on my own, and the camaraderie is just excellent. From help with tents/equipment/food/drink...even tickets! I have never felt unwelcome at a big event.
Not done LM on my own but can easily see myself doing it and I would expect it be just the same as others. The added bonus of LM, is that there is so much going on, around and about.
Not done LM on my own but can easily see myself doing it and I would expect it be just the same as others. The added bonus of LM, is that there is so much going on, around and about.
I went by myself for my first year in 2011 & was basically adopted by the group of French guys camped next to me. I found it very refreshing how friendly people were & how easy it was to stop & have a chat.
I'll be honest, I don't find it that easy talking to strangers at the best of times, but the people at LM made it pretty easy.
All I did for that trip was just keep an eye on the official programme on the ACO website for the week & the different forums for things that were happening around the circuit & I just showed up. I got to watch Steve McQueen's Le Mans on a big screen, sitting on pit straight in 2011 just by knowing what's going on.
There is an upside, you can do what ever you want!
I'll be honest, I don't find it that easy talking to strangers at the best of times, but the people at LM made it pretty easy.
All I did for that trip was just keep an eye on the official programme on the ACO website for the week & the different forums for things that were happening around the circuit & I just showed up. I got to watch Steve McQueen's Le Mans on a big screen, sitting on pit straight in 2011 just by knowing what's going on.
There is an upside, you can do what ever you want!
Rs2oo said:
Someone should start a singles trip where everyone travelling alone can camp together. Still do your own thing but have company when you want, breakfast and evening BBQ etc.I would never go alone but admire those who do.
That sounds a good thread idea for next year.Will pm you guys, it's so great how this PH community works isn't it
Over the years we have adopted several people, two years ago i was meeting a Romanian guy, who contacted me on another le mans forum, at the station as i had invited him to join our group. Saw the Paris train pull in and was looking for him when a chap walked towards me looking lost and i asked if he was Victor, he turned out to be Australian on his own and asked how to get to the circuit, so that year we had 4 nationalities on our camp and enjoyed it even more than usual.
This thread makes interesting reading for me as I could very well be faced with making a solo trip this year. The mob that I usually go with are always a bit last minute .com but this year things are looking very shaky indeed. I havn't missed a year since 2008 and to be honest as its only a once a year thing I don't want to miss it.
Maybe we should form our own team for all solo attendees, how about Team Billy No Mates lol
Maybe we should form our own team for all solo attendees, how about Team Billy No Mates lol
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