ACO membership

ACO membership

Author
Discussion

Caterbroon

Original Poster:

73 posts

129 months

Wednesday 29th July 2015
quotequote all
Looking to take Mrs CB to the 24h in 2016 and she is reasonably chilled about the prospect of camping (Travel Destinations - Porsche Curves - event tents) but I suspect the ability to sit in a grandstand and have a few relatively civilised stops for drinks while viewing the race might help things along.

I am looking at taking out an ACO membership which I believe would give us access to the ACO Tribune (T18) with a seat in the stand, access to the bar, restaurant and showers. It also provides access to the ACO viewing area at the inside of the Dunlop bridge (with bar and food) and similar in the village.

There seems to be 3 levels of membership, Passion 24 - €39, Passion VIP - €105 and Passion 24 Gold - €249. From what I can see on the website it would appear that you need the VIP version to access the Tribunes and members areas, although the Club Arnage site seems to indicate that you would only need the basic level 24 to do this.

Do any members know the score or anyone who has researched it in the past ?

Yours in confusion
Broon

FraMac

785 posts

216 months

Wednesday 29th July 2015
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Hi - we're ACO members - be aware that your membership does not entitle you to a grandstand seat - you need to purchase that in addition. Other than that you're spot on, and there is another ACO pavilion the other side of the track from Maison Blanche (bar, terrace trackside etc).

//j17

4,471 posts

222 months

Wednesday 29th July 2015
quotequote all
Unless your wife enjoys a good walk I'd recommend one of the other private camping areas; Pistonheads/1st Tickets in Bleu Nord, SpeedChills in Bleu Sud, Thomas Cook/Airtrack next to Houx, Team Shrimp by Tetre Rouge, or the others I always forget. It's quite a trek up from Porsche Curves/Beausjour - and even further back when your tired, hot and just want to be back at camp.

Personally unless one of you has either a drinking or plumbing issue access to the ACO areas of the village doesn't make much odds. Sure if a 5-10 min round trip from your grandstand seat's too long without beer, or you're likely to spend more time on the toilet seat rather than grandstand seat but if not I'd save the money and spend it at the Champagne tent.

For grandstand seats there's no real difference between the view from the ACO stand to any of the others - just stick to the outside of the circuit and avoid the roofless T23/Raccordement stand.

MadMacMcMad

1,266 posts

253 months

Thursday 30th July 2015
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Passion 24 VIP (around 100E) will allow you to buy 2 T17/18 ACO grandstand seats. they are 100Euro from the ACO. You also get a small discount on the GE passes. So with membership expect to pay 440E ish for all your race tickets and membership direct from the ACO. However, having a membership does not guarantee you will be able to get the grandstand seats. They are sought after and agencies do take a big chunk of the stands. If you don't get them through the ACO, then expect to pay the same but in £'s for the complete package through an agent.
You do get access to a few areas away from the crowd and the ACO stand is a haven if it's hot or peeing down.
If I had my other half in tow, it would be a must.

Camping wise, comfort and security is king. I would always recommend joining an organized site. Cleaner, more facilites and keeps the hooligans and pykies away.

Dblue

3,252 posts

199 months

Thursday 30th July 2015
quotequote all
Its a no brainer. Basic Passion membership costs 100euros odd and you save around 19euros per GE Ticket, so thats 60 odd euros net.
You can buy seats early when they go on sale to members when you will be able to pick your seat on the web site.
You get membership access tothe ACO areas on race week though they were too busy this year.

Also 15% discount on all the ACO stuff you buy.

There are more advantages though some are really only applicable to residents of France

RichB

51,430 posts

283 months

Thursday 30th July 2015
quotequote all
Do they still have the ACO members hall? That used to be the place where you could get hourly lap carts, discounted beer/wine, TVs on the wall etc. and loos that were approaching clean with loo paper!

struttob

345 posts

148 months

Sunday 2nd August 2015
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Does membership last 12 months from when you sign up or does it run from January to December (as I think I read somewhere)

i.e If I was to join today would my membership run until August next year or December this year ??

Bob

FraMac

785 posts

216 months

Sunday 2nd August 2015
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It's 12 months from when you join. So join now it comms out July next year.

FraMac

785 posts

216 months

Sunday 2nd August 2015
quotequote all
It's 12 months from when you join. So join now it comms out July next year.

FraMac

785 posts

216 months

Sunday 2nd August 2015
quotequote all
Comms = conks

struttob

345 posts

148 months

Monday 3rd August 2015
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OK so looks like I will join in September - that should give me early ticket (Durand No17 grandstand) orders in November (?) and coverage for the 24H and the Classic next year !

Bob

purple haze

258 posts

223 months

Tuesday 4th August 2015
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Almost worth it alone for the fact that you get decent toilets. I've roughed it often enough at Le Mans but taking out VIP ACO membership must rate as the one of the smarter things I've done over the years I've been going to the Sarthe

Caterbroon

Original Poster:

73 posts

129 months

Wednesday 5th August 2015
quotequote all
Thanks guys. On balance I think I'll take out the 100€ membership for peace of mind. Decent loos, showers and the odd beer will be good - especially if it rains or is crazy hot. Not too bothered about a seat in the Tribune as I like to walk about and see things from different places.

mon the fish

1,412 posts

147 months

Thursday 6th August 2015
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Next daft question for a 2016 virgin - do I have to buy a membership for the wife and I each, or would buying one membership get us both into the VIP/showers etc?

Grumpy Griff

177 posts

248 months

Thursday 6th August 2015
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The membership includes you and a partner. We have been members for a few years and the fee is worth the showers and toilets alone.

mon the fish

1,412 posts

147 months

Thursday 6th August 2015
quotequote all
Grumpy Griff said:
The membership includes you and a partner. We have been members for a few years and the fee is worth the showers and toilets alone.
Great, thanks

RichB

51,430 posts

283 months

Thursday 6th August 2015
quotequote all
Not been to Le Mans for a few years. Has the ACO building been replaced? My recollection was a sort of glass warehouse type building with loos outside in portacabins. It was ok but not a posh as you lot are making it sound.

Great Dane

2,719 posts

165 months

Thursday 6th August 2015
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And you can get up to four (?) guest in with the payment of 15€ which is also well worth it IMHO

Dblue

3,252 posts

199 months

Thursday 6th August 2015
quotequote all
RichB said:
Not been to Le Mans for a few years. Has the ACO building been replaced? My recollection was a sort of glass warehouse type building with loos outside in portacabins. It was ok but not a posh as you lot are making it sound.
Lots of updates and improvements every year. Last year was brilliant but rather too oversubscribed this year unfortunately.


My group is 12 or so lads and the discount on 6 tickets alone nearly covers the cost. 19 euro per head saving just on GE Tickets alone.

gt6

1,422 posts

184 months

Friday 7th August 2015
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As a member you can also get a pack when you first visit the ACO members area at the dunlop bridge, it includes a programme so that is another saving. Been a member now for many years and would agree the most on here that it is well worth joining and the cost of 100 euro's is taken care of with all the discounts on tickets/camping/grandstands and next year the additional savings for the classic make if even better