First year at Le Mans...what to expect?
Discussion
I am taking 6 Le Mans virgins with me this year - I missed last year, but am a regular. I can't stay away from the place - absolutely love it. I'll be taking the lads to the track Thursday evening. Friday will be a visit to the Great British Welcome and then on to the PH meet (if there is one), hopefully for some epic pork baps and a catch up. I'll give them a taster of the lunatics (they have asked) before we go back to the camp site and then get a mini bus into Le Mans to get properly on it. People can do what they want on Race day, but the plan is to alternate between a decent amount of track time (at various times) so they can properly drink up the atmosphere. Sunday we will no doubt head onto the track for some sight seeing and pictures. After that my work will be done - I've even given them a nice easy drive back on the Monday. Looking forward to it is an understatement.
I swear I registered on here years ago
none the less you'll love it there !!!!
Brought up in a family of gear heads that have been have been attending le Mans for 20+ years I took the plunge 4 years ago, I haven't missed one since and I can see myself still going many many years from now.
its a great environment, plenty of nutters, plenty of alcohol, plenty of friends to make that you'll meet again at the same time next year!
If you make it a yearly thing my only advice is to book early, the guy who arranges our group of 10-15 books up before Christmas and he's got the same pitch for 8 or so years now.
My only choice left this year is do I take the bike for the ride down?...
none the less you'll love it there !!!!
Brought up in a family of gear heads that have been have been attending le Mans for 20+ years I took the plunge 4 years ago, I haven't missed one since and I can see myself still going many many years from now.
its a great environment, plenty of nutters, plenty of alcohol, plenty of friends to make that you'll meet again at the same time next year!
If you make it a yearly thing my only advice is to book early, the guy who arranges our group of 10-15 books up before Christmas and he's got the same pitch for 8 or so years now.
My only choice left this year is do I take the bike for the ride down?...
Hope you and girl friend get to Le Mans, would recommend it with out reservation to anybody irrespective of having interest in motor sport or anything powered by petrol my brother thoroughly enjoyed the experience on three occasions and he,s got less interest in cars than Steven Fry has in the Suns page three.Although there must be thousands who enjoy the experience staying in hotels, for me and tens of thousands the only way to go is the numerous camp sites.It,s THE CRAIC one big B.B.Q I,ve had some amazing times there over the last twenty years.On the down side it gets more crowded every year and getting around the circuit in your own transport is becoming difficult.Dont be put off by anything you read,you cant fail to enjoy and yes you have been warned it is addictive.My better half can,t understand why a 24hr race last for 5 to 7 days.Le Mans has to be the best value motor sport fixture on the calender.Regards Baz Rhyl
So I have just completed my booking with the ever excellent Travel Destinations. Campervan for me this year, staying at Houx Annexe. Out enjoying France for more than the whole week as well. Just to add to the post theme - you will love it. I can only reiterate what everyone else has said. Try everything, enjoy everything and be prepared to be going back in years to come. Simply the best motorsport experience available
Some fantastic responses in here chaps, thank you very much!
Unfortunately our plans have had to be put on hold this year for LM but will definitely be there for '16 now we know to plan it sooner. All is not lost though because we'll be at Festival of Speed to compensate.
Have a good trip everyone and we'll see you next year
Unfortunately our plans have had to be put on hold this year for LM but will definitely be there for '16 now we know to plan it sooner. All is not lost though because we'll be at Festival of Speed to compensate.
Have a good trip everyone and we'll see you next year
ezi said:
Unfortunately our plans have had to be put on hold this year for LM but will definitely be there for '16 now we know to plan it sooner. All is not lost though because we'll be at Festival of Speed to compensate.
Oh come on, whats the matter with you! Le Mans doesnt need organisation or a flash car, the old wrecks are just as cool there were some guys a few years back that got a ticket the week before with a knackered Avenger Estate that totally stole the scene (they reckoned it had marks from every bodily fluid in it 
)There's loads of time to plan it still.
1994 I had no plans whatsoever about attending, sat down for tea on the friday evening and noticed they were talking about Le mans on the telly, I asked the OH what our plans were for weekend, she had none so I picked the phone up, booked a crossing with P&O for later the same evening, we got to Le mans around 6am the following morning, parked in Parking blue, bought an entry ticket at the gate and had a great weekend 
All this Booking up in advance is OK if you want a particular campsite or grandstand seat, but you can get by without it all
Sometimes it makes it more fun
All this Booking up in advance is OK if you want a particular campsite or grandstand seat, but you can get by without it all
Sometimes it makes it more fun ezi said:
Unfortunately it all comes down to my work not allowing me the time off 
That's really bad news. What can you do about it?1. Leave
2. Demand a ridiculous salary increase and then negotiate back to where you are but with time off in June. if it fails see 1 above.
3. Get the missus pregnant and hope its premature and use the paternity leave.
4. Take your Boss
Time to think creatively.....
Missingbadly said:
ezi said:
Unfortunately it all comes down to my work not allowing me the time off
That's really bad news. What can you do about it?1. Leave
2. Demand a ridiculous salary increase and then negotiate back to where you are but with time off in June. if it fails see 1 above.
3. Get the missus pregnant and hope its premature and use the paternity leave.
4. Take your Boss
Time to think creatively.....
The roar of cars for 24 hours is unforgettable......, cherry red discs, bits hanging off cars in the early hours, all-out to the last seconds...Radio Le Mans blaring ads about the 'Castrol Goyls', rank hot dogs steeped in garlic, red wine drenched T Shirts, huge campfires with wood borrowed from the woodyard near Arnage plus the odd tree felled form the campsite...
Maybe we'll go back again but I think things have changed so much. Just as good, but different if you know what I mean.
Maybe we'll go back again but I think things have changed so much. Just as good, but different if you know what I mean.
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