Le Mans and speeding

[Garlick]

Been chatting about this a lot in the office recently. This year we are heading down in two cars capable of high speed cruising, me in an Aston and some of the others in a V8 RR, but all I keep saying is for us to stick to the limits and enjoy the ride.

I just can't see why people moan about speeding when we know the plod are looking out for us. Make sure you have your docs and go steady, is it that hard? I know the days where you could run flat out down the 138 are a romantic memory, I wish we still could too, but times change.

When I head from London to Birmingham for meetings I don't go at 140 all the way, why would I do the same in France when we know bib are out in force?

I do get a bit nervous on B-road overtakes when I need to give a little right foot to pass slow trucks or whatever, just in case, but otherwise I'll be roof off (hopefully) with an arm on the window enjoying the drive (for me, the best part)

Not sure why I've posted this but I've written it now...I hope you see my point though, sooner or later someone will be on here post LM moaning about a big fine after getting caught.

[White-Noise]

Agreed Paul, just stick to the limit. Not that we have a choice with motorhome in tow :/

[Vocal Minority]

I am looking forward to a relaxing crusie down in the sun shine. First time I will be driving this year. Coming down from Oustrieham, and the autoroute was basically deserted last year

[zeb]

I still allow myself the 'Toll grand prix' indulgence (although to be fair thats just acceleration) rest of the time keep to the limits, just not worth the hassle now

[LFB531]

I like spending my hard earned on toys, not handing it over to someone else bacause I've been a wally!

Using the A84 as well and coming across country so a good easy drive with no real temptation to be daft.

[JaseB]

Watch out though as the the french police like Astons, I got stopped and fined in the DB9 last year for a speed I wasn't doing (165kph), I know I wasn't doing it because I wasn't in the boot of my mate driving the Peugeot at 135-ish in front of me...

Didn't have time to spare to argue the toss with them as we were heading for our ferry.

Taking a camper this year to be on the safe side and fingers crossed they won't be paying so much attention when we drive down to Monza instead!

[Antj]

I want to see lots of speeding, come on guys really put your foot down show us norms how fast your TVR /aston/Ferrari/GTR/ Corsa etc can go....................

Only as i really love hearing the sob stories afterwards and people moaning that they got caught.

This is exactly the reason why we go the backroads every year, A) as there are no Police to really worry about B) so we can have a nice easy drive down C) so we don;t have to constantly moan about the tts who seem hellbent on killing themselves, others, or at least their own bank balance.

always the same usual suspects anyway,

[archbish]

JaseB said:

I got stopped and fined in the DB9 last year for a speed I wasn't doing (165kph)

yeah, that's where my nerves are sitting - in a lairy loud rx7, I am somewhat concerned about being pulled over when adhering to the limit...

[RobbyJ]

Dashcam with GPS speedo built in?

[X50WER]

I will try get up over speed limit on the run down from Caen if there's enough miles to do it !!

[krisdelta]

I'm planning a nice gentle cruise down - I will be in a stickered up Aston, so have no desire to upset the BiB or locals generally. 1st LM and want to enjoy the weekend

I've driven through France a number of times in the car with no bother - stick to the speed limits and all should be fine, rogue BiB aside.

[Superhoop]

Agreed, not sure why people seem to try and claim the big fines associated with speeding on the way to Le Mans as a badge of honor - I've planned my trip with plenty of wiggle room so that I can just take a relaxed cruise down

[Vocal Minority]

Superhoop said:

Agreed, not sure why people seem to try and claim the big fines associated with speeding on the way to Le Mans as a badge of honor - I've planned my trip with plenty of wiggle room so that I can just take a relaxed cruise down

Extension of the logic of some people who buy fast cars principally to show off about money I suppose....

[Davwlk]

We set off tomorrow morning from Alicante and if it's like the last two years we won't see a Dibble until Arnage.
It's a big advantage driving up from the south knowing everyone else is coming from the north.

[johnhere]

And just to let you know guys their are more speed cams on the A28 than last year.

John

[likesachange]

I love a bit of speed like most but it's unlikely I will be hammering it as I have my (very) audible speed limited sitting next to me!

I've never drove in France so what is a "safe" speed to sit at without the risk of a fine? Here in England you can sit at 80mph and the plod won't waste there time with you.. Also I have heard there are cameras on the tolls that work out your average speed?? Is that true and I guess that means you cant get away with even a small blast?!?

[White-Noise]

I recall one year about 4-5 years ago I was at a services and got chatting to this guy in a GT3 RS I was parked next to. He was warning me about speeding, and I was saying you're right, Im not speeding!

5-10 mins down the road he came past like I dont know what and then was duly on the side of the road with plod; he must have been doing well over 130mph. We beeped and waved. I couldnt understand that situation!

[AllezWasps]

likesachange said:

I love a bit of speed like most but it's unlikely I will be hammering it as I have my (very) audible speed limited sitting next to me!

I've never drove in France so what is a "safe" speed to sit at without the risk of a fine? Here in England you can sit at 80mph and the plod won't waste there time with you.. Also I have heard there are cameras on the tolls that work out your average speed?? Is that true and I guess that means you cant get away with even a small blast?!?

Quite simply stick to the limit as per the signs at the side of the road. If they are feeling particularly grumpy they might even ticket you for 3-4 kmph over the limit. So certainly I would not recommend cruising at slightly above the speed limit- also bare in mind different stretches of motorway have different limits typically ranging from 90-130 km's and your speed must be reduced (clearly signposted on 130 km stretches) if it is raining.

And as for average speed cameras and police calculating your times between tolls- urban myth and utter rubbish!

[Troubleatmill]

AllezWasps said:

likesachange said:

I love a bit of speed like most but it's unlikely I will be hammering it as I have my (very) audible speed limited sitting next to me!

I've never drove in France so what is a "safe" speed to sit at without the risk of a fine? Here in England you can sit at 80mph and the plod won't waste there time with you.. Also I have heard there are cameras on the tolls that work out your average speed?? Is that true and I guess that means you cant get away with even a small blast?!?

Quite simply stick to the limit as per the signs at the side of the road. If they are feeling particularly grumpy they might even ticket you for 3-4 kmph over the limit. So certainly I would not recommend cruising at slightly above the speed limit- also bare in mind different stretches of motorway have different limits typically ranging from 90-130 km's and your speed must be reduced (clearly signposted on 130 km stretches) if it is raining.

And as for average speed cameras and police calculating your times between tolls- urban myth and utter rubbish!

I was done being 11km's over. Cost me 90 Euros.

Safe speed = Being less than the limit.

T H E Y....... A R E...... O U T ...... T O...... G E T...... Y O U!

[captainchaos him]

Stick on cruise at 85mph and you'll be fine, still get there quicker then the father in law who races down there!!