Best day to go?

Best day to go?

Author
Discussion

wanacoop

Original Poster:

1,247 posts

222 months

Saturday 29th October 2016
quotequote all
Hi all, my mates and me are hoping to go back to Le Mans next year, and we're just talking about what's the best day to get the ferry over.
We went on to Thursday last time in 2011, but when we arrived, we noted that most of our site was already full. Do you think Wednesday is the best day to go? Also, we absolutely love seeing the huge variety of awesome cars that are doing the pilgrimage, so we kind of want to go at the busiest time so that we see and drive down with the biggest selection of exotica we can!

Any advice would be great. Thanks.

FredericRobinson

3,694 posts

232 months

Saturday 29th October 2016
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Sunday, no point wasting days working when you could be at Le Mans

MrC986

3,492 posts

191 months

Saturday 29th October 2016
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We go overnight on the Wednesday via Portsmouth Caen & with a relatively short distance from the port to LM we're at the campsite for just after lunch at the latest (stopping far too frequently these days) although the downside is that we miss the "hooning" you see on the autoroute at the toll booths, but we do see a lot more of proper France. Everyone has there own slant on what's best

SEE YA

3,522 posts

245 months

Saturday 29th October 2016
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I leave Wednesday night arrive Thursday morning leave Monday morning.

gt6

1,424 posts

185 months

Sunday 30th October 2016
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Been going down earlier for some time now and in the last 10 years got used to going down tuesday, plenty of fellow travellers going that day and room in the campsite to choose the usual spot(TR still open not allocated) we get set up say hello to the regulars and then spend wednesday looking around, until first session of cars. Tuesday is the idea day i think

lestiq

705 posts

169 months

Sunday 30th October 2016
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First year we went on the friday, basically arrived, tented then hit the town, never truly caught up on sleep. Week off work totally wrecked.

Every year since, we've always gone down on the tuesday, feels like more of a holiday, get to see practice and quali in a (somewhat) quieter circuit.

Going to be pricey this year, hopefully the pound may claw back some of its value again before June.

surveyor

17,817 posts

184 months

Sunday 30th October 2016
quotequote all
We go down Wednesday. Would be nice to go earlier, but for both self-employed and employed holiday time is not an unlimited commodity and only so much can go on a boys weekend away...

wanacoop

Original Poster:

1,247 posts

222 months

Sunday 30th October 2016
quotequote all
Thank you for your suggestions.
I think we'll go for Wednesday, like someone said, it's tricky to get too much time off work, and probably be easier to get past her indoors also! readit

Some Gump

12,689 posts

186 months

Sunday 30th October 2016
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Thursday is the day for the journey - loads of cars around, good banter on the traveling part. traffic is gash tho.

Weds is the day for the race - get down earlier lets you see so much more track action on the thurs, you avoid the epic traffic jams on thurs, etc etc.

//j17

4,480 posts

223 months

Monday 31st October 2016
quotequote all
If you want to see lots of interesting cars on the drive down then probably Thursday or better Friday.

If you want to get the most from the trip I'd say Wednesday though. Yes there are fewer cars on the Autoroute but also less time pressure so we take a slower/much more interesting driving route that means an early Eurotunnel/lunch stop/Le Mans 4ish. This gives you time to pitch camp and hit the supermarket before eating and catching night qualifying.

Thursday's then just really relaxing. Final top-up shop and chill.

Friday's maybe a meet or Classic British Welcome, followed by town for a nice lunch, drivers parade and nice dinner.

Saturday's race day.

Sunday's race then either head part way back and hotel for a shower you can use without touching flesh against the walls/filling your shoes with water and a nice meal, or if there's a few of you just chill on the campsite and smugly drink beer as you watch people queue to escape.

Monday drive home, with no insane pressure to make a channel crossing, making up time lost getting out of Le Mans/through Rouen while also not getting an escorted trip to the cash point with Mr Plod.