Le Mans help needed for Oldie to newie
Discussion
Hi all, first trip down for me was back in 95, I went every year up until 2010, then last time 2013. I've always done the drive down Thursday come back Monday option but this year me and a mate are getting the ferry to Caen overnight Friday and driving down to watch the race and then drive back to tunnel Sunday night. As this is the first time I've been for a while and first time I’ve done it this way I have a few questions I would appreciate if anyone could help me with these?
Up first is ACO membership? I always used to get this as it was worth it for the discount on the tickets, as there are only two of us is it worth getting? About £ 90.00 but we get discount on two tickets and access to the enclosure? I can’t appear to find what discount you get on the tickets now?
I’m not sure if we should go hardcore and have sleeps in the car throughout the night or should we look at getting a campsite? Obviously this would have to be a drive away, I'm sure I've seen sites in the grounds of chateau’s advertised in the past? Having a bit of trouble finding any of these now? I must say having a decent sleep appeals to me as we are driving home on the Sunday after the race.
We plan to take a couple of bikes in the back of the car, remembering the huge amount of traffic getting in and out of the circuit in the past is there anywhere to park and ride into the circuit? Of course I’m presuming you can still get in the circuit with bikes?
Tunnel, not sure how many people drive back on the Sunday anymore so was wondering is it worth paying the extra to get a Flexi ticket? I guess for those that do come back on the Sunday everyone will be arriving at the tunnel the same time so it may be worth the extra to be able to get on the next train?
Sorry about the long post but any answers much appreciated.
Up first is ACO membership? I always used to get this as it was worth it for the discount on the tickets, as there are only two of us is it worth getting? About £ 90.00 but we get discount on two tickets and access to the enclosure? I can’t appear to find what discount you get on the tickets now?
I’m not sure if we should go hardcore and have sleeps in the car throughout the night or should we look at getting a campsite? Obviously this would have to be a drive away, I'm sure I've seen sites in the grounds of chateau’s advertised in the past? Having a bit of trouble finding any of these now? I must say having a decent sleep appeals to me as we are driving home on the Sunday after the race.
We plan to take a couple of bikes in the back of the car, remembering the huge amount of traffic getting in and out of the circuit in the past is there anywhere to park and ride into the circuit? Of course I’m presuming you can still get in the circuit with bikes?
Tunnel, not sure how many people drive back on the Sunday anymore so was wondering is it worth paying the extra to get a Flexi ticket? I guess for those that do come back on the Sunday everyone will be arriving at the tunnel the same time so it may be worth the extra to be able to get on the next train?
Sorry about the long post but any answers much appreciated.
I would have a look at airbnb as someone booked a place using it only the other day for LM.
ACO Membership is only worth it if buying 6 or more tickets. There is although a nice enclosure on the inside of the dunlop bridge that is ACO only. You get one guest entry the others are 35 Euros if I remember correctly.
The trams run 24 hours a day during race week so anywhere in town is good.
Camping I would say unless you are on circuit! Access by car is almost a no during race day.
Flexi tickets cost more but from what I have heard that haven't saved that much as the time is lost at passport control and queuing on the motorway. Someone else may correct me on this though!
ACO Membership is only worth it if buying 6 or more tickets. There is although a nice enclosure on the inside of the dunlop bridge that is ACO only. You get one guest entry the others are 35 Euros if I remember correctly.
The trams run 24 hours a day during race week so anywhere in town is good.
Camping I would say unless you are on circuit! Access by car is almost a no during race day.
Flexi tickets cost more but from what I have heard that haven't saved that much as the time is lost at passport control and queuing on the motorway. Someone else may correct me on this though!
ACO membership is worthwhile because you get priority booking which is crucial if you want tribune seats and a specific car park. We always want seats and get the car into Parking Blanc. We sleep in the car due to the traffic on Saturday night and Parking Blanc is ideal being very close to the circuit entrance at the Ford Chicane area. We travel Friday morning, return Monday morning. We get an out of town hotel for Friday and Sunday nights.
R.
R.
Hi Lensey,
Once a Le Mans fan always a Le Mans fan !
I'm in my 60's now, where does the time go but I'm still up for a good time at Le Mans.
ACO membership, I would probably say not worth it if your going just for the weekend, most of the prime grandstand tickets offered by them have normally been snapped up, there will be plenty of grandstand, car park and entrance tickets for sale nearer the date on this and other sites at face value. However that said it can be handy to have ACO membership for the following reasons, firstly it's going to get you into there complex beneath the grandstand a great place for snack and freshen up, in there you can also book a free trip round race control on the Friday, also it will give you access to their trackside enclosure beyond the Dunlop bridge, a great area with bars and a few museum exhibits.
I've never stayed offsite and only camped, having tried them all I've ended up for the last 4 years going to the Thomas Cook Sports site it's is simply the best, situated only a 5 minute walk from the pits it offers fenced security and English security staff, full quality catering of a very high standard, deluxe showers cleaned after every shower. A large hospitality area & TV if it's wet. Whilst it is mainly camping they have other options available to. They have entertainment which normally finishes about midnight.
There's many who bring bikes seems a good idea, I general take a drive out to arnage & mulsanne about 11pm not to busy then.
I've given up driving back,on the Sunday, just to tired, tend to,travel Newhaven Dieppe Route. They do offer a discount of 20% if you ring and book rather than booking on line.
Hope this has wet your appetite, should you end up on the Thomas Cook site be sure to look me up might even buy you a pint!
Once a Le Mans fan always a Le Mans fan !
I'm in my 60's now, where does the time go but I'm still up for a good time at Le Mans.
ACO membership, I would probably say not worth it if your going just for the weekend, most of the prime grandstand tickets offered by them have normally been snapped up, there will be plenty of grandstand, car park and entrance tickets for sale nearer the date on this and other sites at face value. However that said it can be handy to have ACO membership for the following reasons, firstly it's going to get you into there complex beneath the grandstand a great place for snack and freshen up, in there you can also book a free trip round race control on the Friday, also it will give you access to their trackside enclosure beyond the Dunlop bridge, a great area with bars and a few museum exhibits.
I've never stayed offsite and only camped, having tried them all I've ended up for the last 4 years going to the Thomas Cook Sports site it's is simply the best, situated only a 5 minute walk from the pits it offers fenced security and English security staff, full quality catering of a very high standard, deluxe showers cleaned after every shower. A large hospitality area & TV if it's wet. Whilst it is mainly camping they have other options available to. They have entertainment which normally finishes about midnight.
There's many who bring bikes seems a good idea, I general take a drive out to arnage & mulsanne about 11pm not to busy then.
I've given up driving back,on the Sunday, just to tired, tend to,travel Newhaven Dieppe Route. They do offer a discount of 20% if you ring and book rather than booking on line.
Hope this has wet your appetite, should you end up on the Thomas Cook site be sure to look me up might even buy you a pint!
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