first Timer - Grandstand Worth It?
Discussion
As per the title really.
Ferry, camping (Village on the Curves), and GE tickets all booked but trying to decide on whether or not to book grandstand seats. No intention of staying in one place for the whole 24 hours but like the idea of seats when we want them. Are grandstands worth it? Are they covered? And which ones are recommended (close-ish to Porsche curves)?
Thanks
DS
Ferry, camping (Village on the Curves), and GE tickets all booked but trying to decide on whether or not to book grandstand seats. No intention of staying in one place for the whole 24 hours but like the idea of seats when we want them. Are grandstands worth it? Are they covered? And which ones are recommended (close-ish to Porsche curves)?
Thanks
DS
Edited by Dick Sternum on Monday 25th January 18:24
You pays your money and takes your choice, i am usually on a budget and have never felt the need for them but other love the guaranteed view and shelter that they provide, many grandstands will already be sold out so if you want one get it fast and perhaps stick to the start finish line as i would recommend you seeing your first start from there, other places around you can always watch from the banking/fences.
A couple of guys from the group I go with (they've done every year for the last 18 or so years) got grandstand seats for the first time a couple of years ago. Their verdict....
They'd never do it again.
Their view: packed at the start of the race, couldn't really see any better as everyone was standing, hot due to the amount of people, and as they'd paid for them, felt that wandering around the circuit would have been a waste of the money they'd spent.
I think one of the best things about Le Mans is the freedom of walking around the circuit and watching from different places
They were in the main grandstand above the pits btw
They'd never do it again.
Their view: packed at the start of the race, couldn't really see any better as everyone was standing, hot due to the amount of people, and as they'd paid for them, felt that wandering around the circuit would have been a waste of the money they'd spent.
I think one of the best things about Le Mans is the freedom of walking around the circuit and watching from different places
They were in the main grandstand above the pits btw
Going for the third time this year and will again be getting a grandstand seat.
Admittedly I only really use it for 6 hours or so during the race - 3 at the start and 3 at the end, but given they are relatively inexpensive it is not an issue. All the points mentioned here are true - they keep the sun/rain/wind off when needed, and it is nice to have somewhere to go to late at night.
It is true that not having a grandstand won't jeopardise your fun - you will have a great time, but for very little outlay it provides opportunities for great viewing and some creature comforts.
Yes, they are all sold out, but nearer the time those surplus to requirements will be up for sale on this forum and also at Beer Mountain and Club Arnage.
Enjoy yourself!
Pauly
Admittedly I only really use it for 6 hours or so during the race - 3 at the start and 3 at the end, but given they are relatively inexpensive it is not an issue. All the points mentioned here are true - they keep the sun/rain/wind off when needed, and it is nice to have somewhere to go to late at night.
It is true that not having a grandstand won't jeopardise your fun - you will have a great time, but for very little outlay it provides opportunities for great viewing and some creature comforts.
Yes, they are all sold out, but nearer the time those surplus to requirements will be up for sale on this forum and also at Beer Mountain and Club Arnage.
Enjoy yourself!
Pauly
I have been going on and off since 1986 - most of the time without a grandstand ticket. The busier the event has become the more relevant a grandstand seat has become. The last few years we have bought grandstand tickets due to travelling with my Father. We've gone for T23 at the Ford Chicane - plenty of action there and clear view of a big screen also covered (but the further back you sit the more cover you get).
Dunlop is good too. I wouldn't get seats above the pits - that's a pretty limited view.
Dunlop is good too. I wouldn't get seats above the pits - that's a pretty limited view.
Personal choice really.
1. If you want to be on the main straight for the start/finish and don't like standing around for hours then yes.
2. If you want to be saved from the worst of the sun/rain then yes.
If however you're happy to watch the start from anywhere then I'd just go with the spectating area next to your campsite, as the start/finish is a reasonable hike from there. After a couple of hours there wander up via the Maison Blanche and Ford Chicane viewing areas and you'll find the terracing in front the grandstands on the start/finish straight near empty and offers almost as good a view in to the pit garages as a grandstand.
If you DO go grandstand avoid:
- The stands above the pits (T34 - Paddock Stands). Sure you see the track but while you're looking down at it from above/at the people in the grandstands opposite those in the grandstands opposite have more of a view across the track and in to the pit garages below where you're sat.
- The stand just before the start/finish line (T22 - Raccordement). No roof so you're paying to sit in the sun if it's hot/the rain if it's cold.
Provided their websites are up to date it looks like a few of the ticket suppliers still have grandstand places available.
1. If you want to be on the main straight for the start/finish and don't like standing around for hours then yes.
2. If you want to be saved from the worst of the sun/rain then yes.
If however you're happy to watch the start from anywhere then I'd just go with the spectating area next to your campsite, as the start/finish is a reasonable hike from there. After a couple of hours there wander up via the Maison Blanche and Ford Chicane viewing areas and you'll find the terracing in front the grandstands on the start/finish straight near empty and offers almost as good a view in to the pit garages as a grandstand.
If you DO go grandstand avoid:
- The stands above the pits (T34 - Paddock Stands). Sure you see the track but while you're looking down at it from above/at the people in the grandstands opposite those in the grandstands opposite have more of a view across the track and in to the pit garages below where you're sat.
- The stand just before the start/finish line (T22 - Raccordement). No roof so you're paying to sit in the sun if it's hot/the rain if it's cold.
Provided their websites are up to date it looks like a few of the ticket suppliers still have grandstand places available.
Son and I have been regulars since 1996. We have always had grandstand seats. I agree with all the comments above. I think if you're there essentially for the racing as we are, (as opposed to majoring on any off track activities), then a grandstand seat is advantageous especially if you're up in the night, sun rise hours etc. At this time the grandstands are not very busy, you can sit anywhere, and you can snooze in comfort! Personally, there's nothing better than being in T23 as the sun rises, the racing is intense, you're on yet another 1664, the large TV screen opposite gives all other course activities, RLM is in your ears, and there's something like another 10 hours to go!
Avoid the grandstand above the pits. For the LM virgin, this looks like the place to be: it's not. You do get a good line of sight of the track but you cannot see any pits action due to its overhang, unless you're in the front row. Also, although it has a roof it is actually quite open and faces west so it will be sunny/hot and also as it faces the prevailing whether direction it gets wet in there too.
Only one grandstand has a bar and loos, and that is T18 the ACO members' grandstand. It is available to non members. We only use this grandstand when going to Le Mans Classic because at that event there is so much more pits action and, of course, on track action too because a new race starts every hour.
Something else to consider, maybe. Book a car parking space in a car park near to the location of the grandstand you choose. If you don't you could be a considerable distance from where the car is. We always sleep in the car Saturday night so straightforward access becomes reasonably important.
Oh, and getting seats right now will be difficult although you should be able to get them at a significantly marked up price from the well know motor racing ticketing agencies.
R.
Avoid the grandstand above the pits. For the LM virgin, this looks like the place to be: it's not. You do get a good line of sight of the track but you cannot see any pits action due to its overhang, unless you're in the front row. Also, although it has a roof it is actually quite open and faces west so it will be sunny/hot and also as it faces the prevailing whether direction it gets wet in there too.
Only one grandstand has a bar and loos, and that is T18 the ACO members' grandstand. It is available to non members. We only use this grandstand when going to Le Mans Classic because at that event there is so much more pits action and, of course, on track action too because a new race starts every hour.
Something else to consider, maybe. Book a car parking space in a car park near to the location of the grandstand you choose. If you don't you could be a considerable distance from where the car is. We always sleep in the car Saturday night so straightforward access becomes reasonably important.
Oh, and getting seats right now will be difficult although you should be able to get them at a significantly marked up price from the well know motor racing ticketing agencies.
R.
It was recommended to me for my first time at Le Mans to have a Grandstand seat, and it was a great suggestion. While it adds to the cost, the ability to see the track at the start and end is worth it as far as I am concerned.
Yes it's crowded, there is not much room, particularly if you have a camera bag.
We switched from the Start Finish straight to the Ford Chicane a few years back and see a lot more action there.
Typically we use it for 2 or 3 hours at the start, a little around 7pm. Maybe in the night, and for the last 2 hours of the race.
This helps avoid the crush and visibility problems from other popular viewing spots.
Yes it's crowded, there is not much room, particularly if you have a camera bag.
We switched from the Start Finish straight to the Ford Chicane a few years back and see a lot more action there.
Typically we use it for 2 or 3 hours at the start, a little around 7pm. Maybe in the night, and for the last 2 hours of the race.
This helps avoid the crush and visibility problems from other popular viewing spots.
PC staying at the village myself again good people.
The view from there is good on the bend, about a 40 min walk to the main track.
As for a seat, there are so many good view point around the track I never buy a seat.
I like to move around the track and view points during the race.
Each to there own, as its your first trip try as grandstand seat your call.
See you there
The view from there is good on the bend, about a 40 min walk to the main track.
As for a seat, there are so many good view point around the track I never buy a seat.
I like to move around the track and view points during the race.
Each to there own, as its your first trip try as grandstand seat your call.
See you there
I buy mine on the basis that if it's chucking it down with rain, I want somewhere covered to sit. Didn't use them that much last year as the weather was decent, nor the year before that, but I've got them again this year on the same basis.
Given the cost of the overall trip, it's almost peanuts and not worth not considering. That said, if you do the race on the cheap then it's a significant outlay, so needs more thought. For a first timer I'd say yes, get some, but get some recommendations from others as to where is worth sitting.
Given the cost of the overall trip, it's almost peanuts and not worth not considering. That said, if you do the race on the cheap then it's a significant outlay, so needs more thought. For a first timer I'd say yes, get some, but get some recommendations from others as to where is worth sitting.
The GA ticket gives you access to all the public areas. In general, this means access to the circuit from the Porsche Curves up to Tetre Rouge, plus the two outside track viewing areas at Mulsanne Corner and Indianapolis to Arnage. However, this is the case on the outside of the track but not the inside. For the inside you get access only from the end of the pits straight to Tetre Rouge because of the pits/paddock area and the rest is taken over by hospitality marquees etc. Put another way, the area all the way from Tetre Rouge to the Porsche Curves (other than the two areas at Mulsanne and Indianapolis/Arnage) are closed to the public, hence the well-known "black ops" for that area.
R.
R.
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