A beginers guide to Le Mans?

A beginers guide to Le Mans?

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Discussion

geeks

Original Poster:

9,121 posts

138 months

Wednesday 29th July 2015
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Hi All,

So the wife and I (probably a couple of friends as well) are looking at the possibility of getting ourselves over to Le Mans for the first time next year. Does anyone have a "Le Mans for Dummies" guide to organising themselves?

I.E Camping - we have a Camper, so consideration there
Access - Wife is disabled, cant really walk more than 1/4 of a mile, we will have a scooter for her but getting in and out of the circuit, is it going to be a pain?
Spectating - Needs to be given the same consideration as Access.

Any old hats with good advice? Would be reall very appreciated, virtual beers all round etc!

MadMacMcMad

1,266 posts

253 months

Wednesday 29th July 2015
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I would highly recommend Tribune 18 ACO. For viewing especially with potentially a wheelchair, your view may well be very restricted as the crowds have swelled over 250K people. So very crowded everywhere.
Tribune 18 has toilets, showers, food, bar and indoor TV if it gets a bit chilly!

There are specific camping zones for Motorhomes, but I would recommend going with a private site. Near Tertre Rouge inside the circuit gives excellent access. There are a couple of agencies that operate there and all deal with motor homes. It's important to have good Loo/shower facilities, water and electricity, marquee, bar etc if pos. It makes the event a lot more than motor racing.

Thomas Cook Airtrack or TL.

Mellow Yellow

885 posts

261 months

Wednesday 29th July 2015
quotequote all
Club arnage guide tells you everything you need to know, beermountain.com also have a very good campsite guide. If access is a concern I would suggest booking one of the sites within the circuit like la chapelle, interieur musee. Houx is also very close and has electric hookups but access to the circuit is via a bridge so may not be ideal. None of these sites are easy to get tickets for, you'll need to get in contact with teh main agents and get on a waiting list. Alternatively you coudl try one of the independents such as SpeedChills, I've no experience of them but you've come to the right place for help so somebody will post before too long.

allojon

282 posts

190 months

Wednesday 29th July 2015
quotequote all
lots of smart guides here which should cover all you need to know.
http://www.speedchills.com/le-mans-24-hours/460-sm...
The ones I have dipped into I've found helpful.

geeks

Original Poster:

9,121 posts

138 months

Wednesday 29th July 2015
quotequote all
Great advice so far guys, keep it coming lots to mull through is always good smile we really want to make the most of it!

996tom

93 posts

237 months

Wednesday 29th July 2015
quotequote all
Try Lycian events (They have an enquiry form on the web site) , they have "Village on the Curves" Private camp site with 24 hour security , showers ,toilets , bar & restaurant.
Its on the inside of the circuit so there is a great view from the camp site. Also they cater for Camper Vans with power etc . They provide a minbus(pre book but free ) drop off pick up service to the back of the circuit and the nearest stand to you is probably the Stand above the pits . If you had the stand above pits I believe there is a lift up to the appropriate seats/viewing area & there are disabled loos etc
I camped for the first time at Lemans this year although I am a veteran of 22 visits , I used to hotel & drive in but Lycians campsite has definitely converted me.
As mentioned by others Le Mans over the last couple of years has got quite busy and a good stand (ACO) if you can get it would be very beneficial .

Most importantly I hope you enjoy your trip what ever you do

SEE YA

3,522 posts

244 months

Wednesday 29th July 2015
quotequote all
996tom said:
Try Lycian events (They have an enquiry form on the web site) , they have "Village on the Curves" Private camp site with 24 hour security , showers ,toilets , bar & restaurant.
Its on the inside of the circuit so there is a great view from the camp site. Also they cater for Camper Vans with power etc . They provide a minbus(pre book but free ) drop off pick up service to the back of the circuit and the nearest stand to you is probably the Stand above the pits . If you had the stand above pits I believe there is a lift up to the appropriate seats/viewing area & there are disabled loos etc
I camped for the first time at Lemans this year although I am a veteran of 22 visits , I used to hotel & drive in but Lycians campsite has definitely converted me.
As mentioned by others Le Mans over the last couple of years has got quite busy and a good stand (ACO) if you can get it would be very beneficial .

Most importantly I hope you enjoy your trip what ever you do
+1 Good people already book there again myself. Going a new route this year, from Plymouth once in France under a four drive to the track.

The Leaper

4,937 posts

205 months

Wednesday 29th July 2015
quotequote all
In terms of wheelchair access, La Raccordiment grandstand has space for about 6-7 and has a ramp access. I happen to think it is also the best grandstand, and I am an ACO member and can get into the ACO grandstand if I wish.

R.

p1stonhead

25,489 posts

166 months

Troubleatmill

10,210 posts

158 months

Friday 31st July 2015
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We really need a sticky for this....

LotusMan70

32 posts

105 months

Monday 17th August 2015
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I've never been to Le Mans but I really want to do the 24 next year - I have no idea what tickets to buy and where to stay...help?

SEE YA

3,522 posts

244 months

Monday 17th August 2015
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Beermountain for advice on lemans.

//j17

4,471 posts

222 months

Tuesday 18th August 2015
quotequote all
LotusMan70 said:
I've never been to Le Mans but I really want to do the 24 next year - I have no idea what tickets to buy and where to stay...help?
In brief the only MUST HAVE is a general entry ticket that you can just walk up to the gate and buy (or buy in advance and avoid the queues). Depending how much you're there to see the race vs. the experience a grandstand seat is optional. If you're going to watch a solid few hours, like to turn up 10min before the start and like cover from the rain/sun they get a grandstand seat, otherwise don't bother.

There's loads of options of where to stay, both on and off site and from sleeping in your car to 5* chateau. To get the full experience I'd go for camping at the circuit on one of Bleu Nord/Sud, Maison Blanche, Tetre Rouge, Houx/Houx Annex, Karting Nord. These are a little more expensive than Beausjour but also a shorter walk to the track/tram. Private camping gives you an additional layer of fences and security who's job is to keep the private area secure, as opposed to the general campsite security who's job is really just to cycle (just that bit slower than your car can crawl in first gear) in front of you to show you to your pitch when you first arrive. They are also more expensive and while you'll find stories of people having things stolen on the general campsites they are the minority and just unluckey. The vast majority of people use the general camping without problem so it's in no way essential.

If you can come down mid-week/return on Monday. While you can do the Mad Friday drive down/Great Escape on Sunday you never get to relax and if you're rushing more likely to speed and risk getting caught/fined.

OvalOwl

924 posts

130 months

Tuesday 18th August 2015
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The timetable is available elsewhere but just to recap it here;

Sun Mon Tues Scrutineering in town.
Weds Thurs afternoon/evening practice and qualifying open grandstands.
Friday morning and afternoon open pit lane other car events round about.
Friday evening drivers' parade in town. Also Mad Friday antics at the campsite entrances.
Saturday morning warm up support races
Saturday afternoon build up to start at 3.00 pm
Sunday 24h later! 3.00 pm finish. Mad dash to Calais to get home for work on Monday
or.......
Relax, catch up on some sleep and head off to Calais in a more sober and relaxed frame of mind on Monday.

Club Arnage have a guide "Le Mans (not just) for Dummies" that will tell you all you need to know: http://www.clubarnage.com/caguide/


The Leaper

4,937 posts

205 months

Tuesday 18th August 2015
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Son and I have been going to Le Mans since 1996, including Le Classic Le Mans. Personally, I would not do so without a seat in a tribune of my preference, and also without a hotel to sleep etc. I guess I'm just too old to camp! So, we use a hotel for all nights except Saturday when we sleep in the car parked in Parking Blanc. And I certainly agree that travelling home Monday is much the best way to do it.

I'm also an ACO member which is only useful in three ways: preferential booking ahead of the public, the ability to get seats and parking exactly where I want, and access to the best showers and loos at the circuit.

R.

SEE YA

3,522 posts

244 months

Tuesday 18th August 2015
quotequote all
To get the best, I arrive on Thursday park up car moves again on Monday after a good breakfast ferry in the afternoon.

Going from Plymouth, this time under a four hours to the track.