Where should I watch the start of the race from?
Discussion
Well if you have a grandstand seat at the start no problem or if you do not have one you will need to be on the area opposite the pit lane before 12.00 as it will be solid with people by then, however for your very first le mans i would recommend the making it to the start as it is an incredible experience when all the cars go past together at full blast for the one and only time. The sound echoing between the stands is something that 30 years ago got me hooked on this race and if you do one thing it must be that, you can watch the race near your campsite with a cold beer at any time.
gt6 said:
Well if you have a grandstand seat at the start no problem or if you do not have one you will need to be on the area opposite the pit lane before 12.00 as it will be solid with people by then, however for your very first le mans i would recommend the making it to the start as it is an incredible experience when all the cars go past together at full blast for the one and only time. The sound echoing between the stands is something that 30 years ago got me hooked on this race and if you do one thing it must be that, you can watch the race near your campsite with a cold beer at any time.
First class advice. Second choice for me would be just past Dunlop. Wherever you chose, just make sure you can see a big screen.If you choose the start/finish straight in front of the grandstands, make sure you fight your way through the crowds to get to the front.
More often than not, people behave like sheep and stop as soon as they get to the back of the crowd but there's often loads of room at the fence....
More often than not, people behave like sheep and stop as soon as they get to the back of the crowd but there's often loads of room at the fence....
We always head for the outfield banking, between Dunlop and Tetre Rouge.
It's a good view and even if you arrive late, you will usually find some space. The banking is quite steep, which means your view shouldn't be obscured too badly. Anywhere nearer the main entrance is mobbed. It's worth the walk round there.
It's a good view and even if you arrive late, you will usually find some space. The banking is quite steep, which means your view shouldn't be obscured too badly. Anywhere nearer the main entrance is mobbed. It's worth the walk round there.
Nobby Diesel said:
We always head for the outfield banking, between Dunlop and Tetre Rouge.
It's a good view and even if you arrive late, you will usually find some space. The banking is quite steep, which means your view shouldn't be obscured too badly. Anywhere nearer the main entrance is mobbed. It's worth the walk round there.
This. its easy to get a spot without being there hours before, and if you do turn up earlier there is a great buzz and atmosphere listening to the anthems etc...It's a good view and even if you arrive late, you will usually find some space. The banking is quite steep, which means your view shouldn't be obscured too badly. Anywhere nearer the main entrance is mobbed. It's worth the walk round there.
White-Noise said:
...there is a great buzz and atmosphere listening to the anthems etc...
That's all the anthems by the way, they play the anthems of all the participants. GSTQ should come near the end before the Marseillaise. There's also a flypast by the Patrouille de France this year (so plenty of diesel smoke 
) and then as the cars come round past Maison Blance to the Ford Esses they play the start of Also Sprach Zarathustra over the PA before the starter waves the Tricolour all hell lets loose. Ear defenders off for the start! 
We have always sat opposite the pits for the start, usually arriving between 10-11 depending on the traffic outside as we stay at La Suze. Have always loved the build up from there on the concrete terracing where it is quite relaxed . The only hassle is finding a way in and out when you need a pee, I just give tap on the shoulder with a pardon and then move them out of the way .
Within half an hour of the race starting the place starts to empty out, that has always amazed me !
Within half an hour of the race starting the place starts to empty out, that has always amazed me !
I will be watching the start ( as I always do ) from Mulsanne Corner.
The scene is the clock ticks to 3.00pm, Radio Le Mans tells you they are off, and a minute or two later and you hear the first cars dropping a cog or three before the first fox suddenly appears followed by the hounds snapping at his heels.
My usual vantage point is Arnage - I move there for the rest of the race, surely the best spot to watch the action. At night, dirt, smoke, red hot brake discs and away, and those that mis-judge the corner, well, we know what happens with much flag waving all the way back to Indianapolis.
Oh.... and back to Mulsanne for the end, 24 hours later, parking is usually fairly easy, and as it also means I am well placed in front of the traffic queue heading South to Tours and I am sipping a cool 'beveragino' in the village Mulsanne pub watching the cars go by.
See you there...
Stay cool
The scene is the clock ticks to 3.00pm, Radio Le Mans tells you they are off, and a minute or two later and you hear the first cars dropping a cog or three before the first fox suddenly appears followed by the hounds snapping at his heels.
My usual vantage point is Arnage - I move there for the rest of the race, surely the best spot to watch the action. At night, dirt, smoke, red hot brake discs and away, and those that mis-judge the corner, well, we know what happens with much flag waving all the way back to Indianapolis.
Oh.... and back to Mulsanne for the end, 24 hours later, parking is usually fairly easy, and as it also means I am well placed in front of the traffic queue heading South to Tours and I am sipping a cool 'beveragino' in the village Mulsanne pub watching the cars go by.
See you there...
Stay cool
joekarter said:
We have always sat opposite the pits for the start, usually arriving between 10-11 depending on the traffic outside as we stay at La Suze. Have always loved the build up from there on the concrete terracing where it is quite relaxed . The only hassle is finding a way in and out when you need a pee, I just give tap on the shoulder with a pardon and then move them out of the way .
Within half an hour of the race starting the place starts to empty out, that has always amazed me !
We stay at La Suze also.... If you're not already using it, Parking Expo is brilliant. Easy access from the village onto motorway which takes you past the circuit, exit is just before the main traffic chaos. Getting back is just as easy. Only slight hold up is at very entrance of the parking, but no queuing!Within half an hour of the race starting the place starts to empty out, that has always amazed me !
Usually a clear, 15-20min run from village to parking. Then it's just crossing the road to the entrance.
But keeping on topic.... Have done pit straight every year. Would add that grandstand is essential in my view though. Pit straight offers some atmosphere whilst you wait. There's then plenty of time for going to the others viewing areas when it's underway.
I have also enjoyed 1-3am on the pit straight. Pit action lit up, hardly anyone around on the concrete section. Just walked up and down whilst following the radio Le man bloke so you can see what he's looking at and talking about.
Edited by DS240 on Thursday 4th June 09:17
DS240 said:
We stay at La Suze also.... If you're not already using it, Parking Expo is brilliant. Easy access from the village onto motorway which takes you past the circuit, exit is just before the main traffic chaos. Getting back is just as easy. Only slight hold up is at very entrance of the parking, but no queuing!
Usually a clear, 15-20min run from village to parking. Then it's just crossing the road to the entrance.
But keeping on topic.... Have done pit straight every year. Would add that grandstand is essential in my view though. Pit straight offers some atmosphere whilst you wait. There's then plenty of time for going to the others viewing areas when it's underway.
I have also enjoyed 1-3am on the pit straight. Pit action lit up, hardly anyone around on the concrete section. Just walked up and down whilst following the radio Le man bloke so you can see what he's looking at and talking about.
We love La Suze, it is very relaxing there after being at the circuit for the day.I picked up parking Blanc ticket on here, I know we will be sat in traffic for a while just past the Expo on Saturday morning if we leave it too late. We normally arrive at around 10 ish and then head to the terrace opposite the pits, for this year we may go up closer to the Dunlop chicane and then head down to TR for a BBQ early evening, having the car in Blanc is handy for transferring gear in and out, the Expo is an option for the future though.Usually a clear, 15-20min run from village to parking. Then it's just crossing the road to the entrance.
But keeping on topic.... Have done pit straight every year. Would add that grandstand is essential in my view though. Pit straight offers some atmosphere whilst you wait. There's then plenty of time for going to the others viewing areas when it's underway.
I have also enjoyed 1-3am on the pit straight. Pit action lit up, hardly anyone around on the concrete section. Just walked up and down whilst following the radio Le man bloke so you can see what he's looking at and talking about.
Edited by DS240 on Thursday 4th June 09:17
I like your live commentary idea, might give that a try.
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