When do you give in to sleep?
Discussion
I'm going back to Le Mans this year for the first time since 2004. Costing me a small fortune as I now live in Canada.
Anyway, I want to see as much track action as possible so thinking about staying trackside till around midnight, then going to the tent for sleep and getting up at 4.45 ish for sunrise as I've never seen it at Le Mans. But then again I may just try staying up for the whole 24 hours.
Easier said than done I know! Just wondered what everyone's strategy is for the race. Or do you just play it by ear?
Anyway, I want to see as much track action as possible so thinking about staying trackside till around midnight, then going to the tent for sleep and getting up at 4.45 ish for sunrise as I've never seen it at Le Mans. But then again I may just try staying up for the whole 24 hours.
Easier said than done I know! Just wondered what everyone's strategy is for the race. Or do you just play it by ear?
I've never managed it but you always see the a few people in sleeping bags or camping chairs sleeping next to the circuit which seems like a good compromise. If you can carry it and the weather is on side then you might be better off sleeping next to the circuit in a similar manner with sleeping bag and chair?!
This is probably weak by others standards but I think the latest I've managed is going to bed at 3:00 and then back up at 7:00 but I pay for it Sunday afternoon and normally end up crashing out at some point before the end of the race but make sure I set an alarm to watch the last hour. With Toyota's expiry in the final moment this year I'd of been gutted to have slept through it!
This is probably weak by others standards but I think the latest I've managed is going to bed at 3:00 and then back up at 7:00 but I pay for it Sunday afternoon and normally end up crashing out at some point before the end of the race but make sure I set an alarm to watch the last hour. With Toyota's expiry in the final moment this year I'd of been gutted to have slept through it!
It's getting the balance between how late/how early...the latest I've managed is about 2pm & I was on Bleu Nord but I've never managed any earlier than about 7am the next day (I know that's not hardcore) - this years plan is to see sunrise (it'll only have taken 4 prior trips hopefully to see the sunrise). It all depends on temperature/weather ultimately as a warm night allows you more options for sleeping out under the stars I think!
This year will be my 9th. Apart from 2010, when I stayed up from 07.00 Saturday until 22.00 Sunday I tend to stick to a set plan.
After the race start, head back to the tent for some grub about 18.00, get back out for the sunset and try and stay awake until sunrise. I love being in the ACO grandstand in the early hours watching the pit stops, and I always try to get up to Mulsanne corner for sunrise which is very special. I try to sleep for a couple of hours after sunrise before getting up and the tent packed away mid morning and back at the circuit by lunchtime for the race finish.
I cannot recommend staying up for the "night" enough! the best time of the race!
After the race start, head back to the tent for some grub about 18.00, get back out for the sunset and try and stay awake until sunrise. I love being in the ACO grandstand in the early hours watching the pit stops, and I always try to get up to Mulsanne corner for sunrise which is very special. I try to sleep for a couple of hours after sunrise before getting up and the tent packed away mid morning and back at the circuit by lunchtime for the race finish.
I cannot recommend staying up for the "night" enough! the best time of the race!
For me, the best time of the race is between 05:00 and 09:00 Sunday. So I usually stay up until about midnight then kip in the car in Parking Blanc between midnight and 05:00 (I have never camped). Seat in the empty grandstand at the Ford Chicane watching track action, cars entering the pits, RLM in my ears, 1664 on the go, sun's up, perfect!
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My routine has been set for many years now in that i watch the race until it gets dark then head off to my tent, my alarm clock(bladder) never fails to wake me up just before sunrise, i get up dress warmly and then head out have a pee then grab a coffee and then watch the race at tertre rouge for a couple of hours as the sun come up, i then head back and grab a couple more hours of sleep, vital as i will be driving home directly after the race
First few years I did the whole race trackside (getting some awful uncomfortable cold kip, but still trackside). It was punishing but strangely satisfying come Sunday evening. Really felt I'd shared that endurance feeling of the event.
This practice has dwindled a bit though, both through my own desire for a bit more comfort but also making trip more pleasant for the others.
We drift off between 1900-2200 and go get something to eat off circuit, freshen up and the head back for a bit around 0000-0300. Then back to the house for sleep. Usually get back to the circuit for 1000-1100. If weather was bad we probably wouldn't go back at night. It's more about finding a balance for everyone these days.
It's nice to do the '24', but just go with what suits your trip.
This practice has dwindled a bit though, both through my own desire for a bit more comfort but also making trip more pleasant for the others.
We drift off between 1900-2200 and go get something to eat off circuit, freshen up and the head back for a bit around 0000-0300. Then back to the house for sleep. Usually get back to the circuit for 1000-1100. If weather was bad we probably wouldn't go back at night. It's more about finding a balance for everyone these days.
It's nice to do the '24', but just go with what suits your trip.
We made a conscious effort to reign in the saturday afternoon boozing by avoiding the Guiness Tent. €9 a pint was the last straw frankly.
As a result, made it to 0530 on Sunday morning after a rather excellent black ops mission last year and was enthralled by the closeness of the race at that point. Nodded off on the sofa at our Arnage house until about 8 before forcing myself up again.
As a result, made it to 0530 on Sunday morning after a rather excellent black ops mission last year and was enthralled by the closeness of the race at that point. Nodded off on the sofa at our Arnage house until about 8 before forcing myself up again.
I'm into my photography and as mentioned above, the two or three hours leading up to Sunday sunrise is quite possibly the best time to be out and about.
That said, I'm a bit of an oldie, so I tend to hit the sleeping bag at about 10:30-11:00pm on Saturday evening, set an alarm for 2:30am - wander round, get some night photos of the pits, dawn photos from Tertre Rouge looking back up to the Dunlop bridge, then a (very) slow wander back to the campsite at Porsche Curves for about 8:00am, grab a couple of hours more kip, then up for brekkie and the remainder of the day
That said, I'm a bit of an oldie, so I tend to hit the sleeping bag at about 10:30-11:00pm on Saturday evening, set an alarm for 2:30am - wander round, get some night photos of the pits, dawn photos from Tertre Rouge looking back up to the Dunlop bridge, then a (very) slow wander back to the campsite at Porsche Curves for about 8:00am, grab a couple of hours more kip, then up for brekkie and the remainder of the day
There are also other factors in answering this question..
The weather - If it's tipping down with rain, being out at night is miserable, with the other big factor being what is happening in the race - For example, when Rockenfellar had the big crash a few years back an race continued being a safety car for 4 hours through the night, there wasn't really anything to watch, so a became a perfect opportunity to get some sleep..
The weather - If it's tipping down with rain, being out at night is miserable, with the other big factor being what is happening in the race - For example, when Rockenfellar had the big crash a few years back an race continued being a safety car for 4 hours through the night, there wasn't really anything to watch, so a became a perfect opportunity to get some sleep..
Over the years I've attended I aim to get to 1am and then head back for 2 to 3 hours kip. Get back up for the sunrise magic and stay track side until the end. I never leave on the Sunday so push the hours a little.
If heavy rain occurs I'll take shelter back at camp and watch the coverage but more often than not I stick it out with the brolly and jacket. It is an endurance event race after all. Safety car periods normally provide a good opportunity to grab some food and drinks or a short snooze.
If heavy rain occurs I'll take shelter back at camp and watch the coverage but more often than not I stick it out with the brolly and jacket. It is an endurance event race after all. Safety car periods normally provide a good opportunity to grab some food and drinks or a short snooze.
I did the 24 for the first time last year. Went way to hard in the days leading up to the race walking around and trying to see everything that i did not manage much of the night.
Not much point to my story other than a warning to any one thinking about doing it for the first time. Be prepared before you go and relax in the days leading up to the race.
Still enjoyed it though.
Not much point to my story other than a warning to any one thinking about doing it for the first time. Be prepared before you go and relax in the days leading up to the race.
Still enjoyed it though.
my first time at Lemons was 2008, I stayed awake for the whole race bar about 10mins sleep near Dunlop bridge! since then I fall asleep when I feel I cannot stay awake anymore and in the past few years this has been at about 3am until when I awake a few hours later.
watching the sun rise at Arnage corner is a 'must do' if you're a virgin to lemons but once you've witnessed it a few times then it's done.
watching the sun rise at Arnage corner is a 'must do' if you're a virgin to lemons but once you've witnessed it a few times then it's done.
AussieFozzy said:
I did the 24 for the first time last year. Went way to hard in the days leading up to the race walking around and trying to see everything that i did not manage much of the night.
Not much point to my story other than a warning to any one thinking about doing it for the first time. Be prepared before you go and relax in the days leading up to the race.
Still enjoyed it though.
Good advice. Not much point to my story other than a warning to any one thinking about doing it for the first time. Be prepared before you go and relax in the days leading up to the race.
Still enjoyed it though.
I never manage much after 3am. Usually knackered by that point in the week and sound of cars puts me to sleep tbh. At tetre rouge this year so hoping to get up for dawn.
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