Le Mans for the virgin

Le Mans for the virgin

Author
Discussion

Some Gump

12,671 posts

185 months

Tuesday 4th November 2014
quotequote all
I do love the misconception that the ACO public campsites are the biggest hive of scum and villianry. I've never yet (touch wood) had any issues whatsoever in 3 seasons of Houx, which is considered a lively site by some. Meanwhile, the worst "chavvery" i heard of last year (involving the theft of a participating team's support vehicle) was perpetrated by some cocks that were staying at a private site.

IMO all this shows is that chavvy tts exist all over, and the only difference is that sometimes chavvy tts have a budget, so do their badness in a nicer setting. Thankfully, the bad part is a tiny percentage of the event - so enjoy the event, enjoy all of it - this means staying at the track, staying up late and losing sleep, not staying up the road and popping by for a bit =)

That said, if your preference is off site then it's all good - the only real rule at le mans is "anything goes" =)

//j17

4,471 posts

222 months

Wednesday 5th November 2014
quotequote all
Public vs. Private Camping

1) Pitch size
Draw - both public and private sites are generally marked, measured pitches of the same size these days.

2) Price
Public win - no extras to pay for so cheaper.

3) Toilets/Showers
Narrow private win - much lower toilet/shower to camper ratio on private sites so fewer/shorter queues. That said it's only really the sheep who face long queues on the public sites. Exactly why do you HAVE to shower at 9am? If you shower around 1pm there won't be much of a queue and if you do it at 1am+ before turning in for the night you won't see a queue.

4) Other Facilities
Private win, but optional. Having a big marquee with the race on TV is useful, as is the ability to just buy food without the hastle of making fire/get a cold beer even on Sunday afternoon of a hot week without hiking for ice.

5) Security
Private win, but more countering the fear of crime rather than the risk of it. The public sites have security but they are just there to stop people getting in and camping without paying. Public sites are also huge, so your tent will generally be lost in the crowd - while you're away from your tend your more likely to lose something by having your pocket picked than your tent rummaged, and that risk a no worse than any other large gathering of people.



Personally I go private these days, just for the peace of mind that someone is watching over my stuff but that didn't stop be going public when I missed out on private tickets last year.

giger

732 posts

193 months

Wednesday 5th November 2014
quotequote all
We've only ever been private, originally with Vauxhall (who sadly no longer attend), and Thomas Cook Airtrack. Airtrack is very good, I haven't used the others so can't offer direct comparison but from what people have said you can't go wrong with any of those mentioned above.

I would suggest that Airtrack is more civilised, no loud music etc as people are more there for the racing than the partying, and the campsite is isolated from the other camping areas. Facilities are very good, different size pitches are available, there is a bar, 3 meals a day (if you book it), organised night excursions and it's about a 5 minute walk to the track (which will get you to the bank just before dunlop - a great viewing point). Like many they will also offer pre-erected tents if you don't want any hassle and you can even book a caravan! Private toilets and showers goes without saying.

It is possibly slightly more expensive than some but I rate it highly. It also tends to sell out quite quick, but it is a pretty large area and they can take a few hundred people.

LFB531

1,233 posts

157 months

Wednesday 5th November 2014
quotequote all
giger said:
We've only ever been private, originally with Vauxhall (who sadly no longer attend), and Thomas Cook Airtrack. Airtrack is very good, I haven't used the others so can't offer direct comparison but from what people have said you can't go wrong with any of those mentioned above.

I would suggest that Airtrack is more civilised, no loud music etc as people are more there for the racing than the partying, and the campsite is isolated from the other camping areas. Facilities are very good, different size pitches are available, there is a bar, 3 meals a day (if you book it), organised night excursions and it's about a 5 minute walk to the track (which will get you to the bank just before dunlop - a great viewing point). Like many they will also offer pre-erected tents if you don't want any hassle and you can even book a caravan! Private toilets and showers goes without saying.

It is possibly slightly more expensive than some but I rate it highly. It also tends to sell out quite quick, but it is a pretty large area and they can take a few hundred people.
That's encouraging to read, I've just booked my group in there having been too slow with my annual booking for TL. Did discover by chance that although the TC dedicated website for this is currently down, you can book it in their High Street outlets.

threadlock

3,196 posts

253 months

Tuesday 16th December 2014
quotequote all
Hoping I can join in this thread as a Le Mans virgin attending next year. My brother's booking tickets for my dad and me as a gift. Looks like we'll be staying in Beausejour because we don't have many choices now.

My mate wants to bring his '70s Corvette and I'm wondering about taking my XKR. Looking for advice about whether we might regret these choices if the campsites are likely to be boisterous or full of bored miscreant party animals.

Could anybody who's stayed at Beausejour give me some idea of whether we might regret taking nice cars along please? Fanks

OvalOwl

924 posts

130 months

Tuesday 16th December 2014
quotequote all
You might not get much sleep but your cars will be fine. Anybody who nicks an Aston buggy whilst pissed is going to have crashed it by the time they get to BSJ. wink But keep your windows up when entering or nipping off to the shops. The hoons wanting you to do burnouts are not averse to using their supersoakers.

Parts of BSJ can get muddy if/when it rains.

paulyv

1,017 posts

122 months

Wednesday 17th December 2014
quotequote all
I was a Le Mans virgin last year and BSJ was just fine. If you want it quiet head to the wooded area...in the main entrance, down through the site, then at the gate within BSJ which leads to the second big field you head left. Very peaceful if you want that kind of thing. Your cars should be safe anywhere on BSJ but keep back from the tracks as if it is dry you'll get a very dusty car. Worst I saw all weekend were large and very detailed cocks drawn in said dust on several cars. They all took me ages to draw.

You'll really enjoy it.

FraMac

785 posts

216 months

Wednesday 17th December 2014
quotequote all
threadlock said:
Looks like we'll be staying in Beausejour because we don't have many choices now.
BSJ should be absolutely fine - a number of our contingent camp there each year with no issues - take your cars along and enjoy.

If you want a different site, register with the official ticket agents (for public sites, or private sites) - they'll put you on a waiting list.

Enjoy your first Le Mans - that's the important thing!

Megaflow

Original Poster:

9,347 posts

224 months

Wednesday 17th December 2014
quotequote all
As I started this I thought I'd better update as it has bounced back to life.

I am on PH Camping mailing list and waiting for prices, looks like it is going to be January now. But, it will be either PH or Airtrack. Both look very good, so hopefully one will be cheaper to make the decision easy, otherwise picking between them could be hard work...

:hehe

Great Dane

2,719 posts

165 months

Wednesday 17th December 2014
quotequote all
You will be back - trust me! So don't try to do everything - take it easy and chill out as well. Enjoy the atmosphere - the racing - the dawn - night racing - Mad Friday - the parade - the pit walk - the shops - mulsanne corner at dawn - the cool cars - the support races - the museum - radio le mans - le mans city - the bbq's - the friendships - the prize giving - the great British welcome - etc etc

Check youtube for all this

Audi made a couple of stunning feature films which are free to download via Applestore or can be seen on youtube - every second counts

threadlock

3,196 posts

253 months

Wednesday 17th December 2014
quotequote all
Thanks for the replies. They're very helpful. I've watched a few of the videos showing the mud, the post-race campsite doughnuts, and the mad Friday burnouts and piss-throwing competitions, and it all looks a bit scary for my precious car compared with the don't-give-a-fk alternative of taking my everyday beater. I'd be *very* sad if someone scrawled a cock into the paint of my XKR or it got a careless manhandling out of a mud bath. (Obviously, cocks drawn on other people's cars are funny though biggrin )

We've been wondering about buying an old XJ for £600 and cruising down in carefree style and luxury for the weekend instead...

Some Gump

12,671 posts

185 months

Wednesday 17th December 2014
quotequote all
Stickers, threadlock. Stickers!

If you care too much about the XKR, then buy a wafter and compensate by having an outrageous livery. The road to le mans is part of the trip - you can join in either by having something nice to look at, or something daft to look at. We always go daft - the designing of the car then adds to the build up ands having the sticker delivery is like Christmas used to be as a kid =)

threadlock

3,196 posts

253 months

Wednesday 17th December 2014
quotequote all
Some Gump said:
Stickers, threadlock. Stickers!
This sounds like good advice biggrin

TransverseTight

753 posts

144 months

Friday 19th December 2014
quotequote all
I've been going 6 years, used to stay on the open access - not even a security fence, Karting nord. Right next to the mad Friday road. Never had anyone mess with the cars which have over the years included XKRs, Evos, Audi R8, VXR220s, Caterhams, M3 etc Even a Merc Sprinter or 3.

We are much more civilised now though. No loud parties of the side of the karting nord road. I bet a lot of people miss us ;-)

Some Tunisian blokes did try to start a fight with us once after we covered their windscreen with beer labels as they parked right across where we had set up the burnout area. When they got back and realised what we had done, one of the 2 guys got a bit angry, went to break a beer bottle across his front wing, but stupid twunt just dented the car. LOL. We made sure he was happy before he left, helped him clear the windscreen and sent him on his way with a fresh coldie.

Was fun sadly no longer there. Only bad experience was getting 4 bikes stolen 1 night when we forgot to lock them up. 1 was a £300 bike I had bought for my Mrs the previous Xmas frown Solution don't take bikes, or don't forget to lock them up. Probably someone from BSJ TWOKed them as we are on the way back and it's a long way. And they just forget where they "borrowed" them from the morning after.

Vette_1978

3,235 posts

221 months

Friday 19th December 2014
quotequote all
threadlock said:
My mate wants to bring his '70s Corvette and I'm wondering about taking my XKR. Looking for advice about whether we might regret these choices if the campsites are likely to be boisterous or full of bored miscreant party animals.

Could anybody who's stayed at Beausejour give me some idea of whether we might regret taking nice cars along please? Fanks
Take it, don't worry. My first year with the Corvette was 2005 in BSJ, after that we've used Houx Annexe, Karting Nord and Tetre Rouge. The car has been fine in all of them. I took a car cover the first few years to try and keep off the dirt but gave up using it in the end. Maybe just worth while being considerate of wheel spinning idiots so park accordingly. Also worth getting your pitch marked out. Not sure if BSJ is marked these years or if you can still tape off an area.

Bobo W

761 posts

251 months

Friday 19th December 2014
quotequote all
Vette_1978 said:
threadlock said:
My mate wants to bring his '70s Corvette and I'm wondering about taking my XKR. Looking for advice about whether we might regret these choices if the campsites are likely to be boisterous or full of bored miscreant party animals.

Could anybody who's stayed at Beausejour give me some idea of whether we might regret taking nice cars along please? Fanks
Take it, don't worry. My first year with the Corvette was 2005 in BSJ, after that we've used Houx Annexe, Karting Nord and Tetre Rouge. The car has been fine in all of them. I took a car cover the first few years to try and keep off the dirt but gave up using it in the end. Maybe just worth while being considerate of wheel spinning idiots so park accordingly. Also worth getting your pitch marked out. Not sure if BSJ is marked these years or if you can still tape off an area.
Sentiment echoed if only because when you get to the ferry port / tunnel and see everyone else in the most fabulous array of cars you'll be wondering did I make the right decision, similarly you could take the autoroute all the way down (yawn) but as you see all the fun people are having when they take the route national you'll be questioning more. There will always be a few idiots in the campsite but fwiw I wouldn't think twice about taking the fun cars and please people let's get some perspective on this for the newbies in terms of the fringe behaviour, it really is just that and shouldn't influence your decision.

moribund

4,030 posts

213 months

Saturday 20th December 2014
quotequote all
+ 1

W1TAK

277 posts

218 months

Monday 29th December 2014
quotequote all
I'm a virgin and just booked through lycian events....cannot wait!! Wil be driving from Prague in my GT2

SEE YA

3,522 posts

244 months

Monday 29th December 2014
quotequote all
W1TAK said:
I'm a virgin and just booked through lycian events....cannot wait!! Wil be driving from Prague in my GT2
A good choice, good people right near Porsche Curves.

GF328

31 posts

111 months

Monday 29th December 2014
quotequote all
I'll be going off the second time (first 2013). My mate is an old hand and has been going for 15 years or something.

We are staying with speed chills at blu nord. Same as before - superb all round place.

He's a bit conservative whilst I fancy the idea of getting properly stickered up for the road. I might just do it and watch his face when I pick him up haha.

Where would be a good place to start. I need design inspiration plus a contact do make the stickers ( black RR sport btw)