RE: The PH Guide To Le Mans

RE: The PH Guide To Le Mans

Thursday 11th June 2009

The PH Guide To Le Mans

Team PH's guide to the spectacle of the Le Mans 24 hours



Every year, the 24 hours of Le Mans attracts around a quarter of a million race-goers, 60,000 of whom are Brits - and plenty of those are PHers. So here are Team PH's top tips for that annual pilgrimage to La Sarthe.

Things to do before the race

Qualifying: 7pm - midnight on Thursday
Qualifying is the first real chance to see the drivers attacking the track and to really find out who's going to be fast on Saturday. There is, of course, also the small matter of it deciding the starting order for the race...

Drivers' parade: Le Mans city centre, 6pm-7pm on Friday

Olivier Panis at last year's drivers' parade
Olivier Panis at last year's drivers' parade
The drivers' parade is one of the things that makes Le Mans such a unique experience. The drivers should be getting ready for a gruelling 24-hour race that's less than 24 hours away, but here they are waving at the fans and signing autographs. So special is the experience for some that they take pictures of the fans, rather than the other way round.

Le Mans Legend race
If turbodiesels don't quite do it for you - and if you're not too hungover on Saturday morning - catch the 45min legends race starting at

Oliver Gavin signs a few autographs
Oliver Gavin signs a few autographs
9h30. This year the race is for Le Mans cars built between 1949 and 1965, so expect to see a gaggle of Jaguar C-types and D-types, AC Cobras and Ferraris of various types doing battle in this 12-lap race. A fine way to whet your appetite for the race proper.

The big race - where to watch (and when)

On the banking by La Chapelle
Good for the start - you get to see the cars coming over the brow of the hill, and under the Dunlop bridge - a classic Le Mans view. It's not a brilliant spot for overtaking, but there is a big screen on the infield opposite, so you should see the majority of passes - and be able to keep abreast of the action in general - from there.

Arnage corner
The viewing area on the short straight between Indianapolis and Arnage is a great place to get close to the cars, and the wall of trees opposite the spectator banking bounce the engine noise towards the spectators. The yowling Lamborghini and the Corvette C6s - which sound as though they're ripping a hole in the fabric of the universe sound particularly fabulous through here. The action is especially atmospheric at Arnage as twilight drifts into night.

Arnage is also good if you're feeling a bit credit-crunched this year. You can buy a weekend ticket for the Arnage and Mulsanne areas only for 25 euros (less than half the 62 euro price for general admission).

Tertre Rouge
Watch the cars hare off up the Mulsanne straight from here. Best during daylight running.

Porsche curves
There's not much in the way of bright lights and entertainment here, but the Porsche curves are a real test of a car's stability and agility and an excellent spot for getting a sense of which cars and drivers are working well.


Pit straight
Most spectators are rather tired and emotional by the time the grandstand opposite the pits comes into its own. The small hours of Sunday morning is where Le Mans is so often won or lost and - if you're still standing - there's a great view into the teams' garages, so you can follow the pit stops and mechanical disasters as they happen.

The way the wailing, rumbling engine notes echo around the concrete and metal valley of the buildings around the start/finish straight at 3am is quite enthralling, too.

The podium
If you're prepared to hang around by one of the big steel gates by the start/finish line, and you don't mind a run across the track and a hop over the pit wall, you can get right underneath the podium. Be quick, and you'll be able to taste the champagne, and stand side by side with celebrating pit crews, mechanics and team managers.

If you get bored of racing

The ferris wheel
A landmark of the circuit for so many years, the ferris wheel is an excellent way to get a different perspective on the spectacle that is Le Mans. Go for a ride, provided you can put up with the euro-pop techno-dance rubbish that pumps out of the wheel's PA system.

The funfair
The usual array of fairground games, sweet booths and foodstalls are available just behind the main pit grandstand - just make sure you've not had too much beer/burger/sweets before going on some of the rides.

The infield
There's plenty of merchandise stalls selling posters, hats, models and general memorabilia, particularly on the infield areas behind the pit garages - so there's plenty of ways for a committed shopaholic to part with their cash. Don't expect good value stuff, though. Buy something from the PH online shop if you want that...

Live Music
Head over to the live music stage on the outside of the Dunlop bridge if the music of exhaust and induction is too much, where you'll find a wide variety of acts, from cover bands to relatively well known acts.

Food and drink

For the most part, the grub available at the circuit is standard, fairly greasy motorsport fare. Spicy merguez sausages and sweet churros (think stick-shaped donuts) do liven things up, and PH can heartily recommend the good-value concessions at Arnage.

Further afield, there are plenty of pleasant street cafes in Arnage village itself - and you can car-watch as you enjoy your steak-frites.

Author
Discussion

Omerta

Original Poster:

2,009 posts

250 months

Thursday 11th June 2009
quotequote all
Any links to live video for those of us on the wrong side of the planet? If not there's always Radio Le Mans I guess...

Jarama79

123 posts

199 months

Thursday 11th June 2009
quotequote all
"The yowling Lamborghini and the Corvette C6s - which sound as though they're ripping a hole in the fabric of the universe sound particularly fabulous...

That's one way to describe the noise a LM Corvette makes at full-tilt...

My favourite metaphor likened the C6's aural assault to that of 'a particularly violent, wet fart', which had me giggling all week in 2008!

I'm gutted I'm not going to Le Mans this year. frown

andy_b

727 posts

250 months

Thursday 11th June 2009
quotequote all
I have produced a Le Mans Spotter Guide with the help of Radio Le mans, which might be of use. Its available as a 2page PDF or 2 seperate JPEGs and is correct* as Wednesday am. Enjoy.

http://www.spotterguides.com/content/view/23/46/


  • - 007 Aston has orange mirrors and windscreen strip - text incorrect

niva441

2,003 posts

230 months

Thursday 11th June 2009
quotequote all
andy_b said:
I have produced a Le Mans Spotter Guide with the help of Radio Le mans, which might be of use. Its available as a 2page PDF or 2 seperate JPEGs and is correct* as Wednesday am. Enjoy.

http://www.spotterguides.com/content/view/23/46/


  • - 007 Aston has orange mirrors and windscreen strip - text incorrect
I just found the link via Radio Lemans, I like the format, especially the extra detail differentiating between cars in the same team.

vdubbin

2,165 posts

196 months

Thursday 11th June 2009
quotequote all
Thanks for the spotter's guide Andy! Now to print it without the boss noticing... biggrin

Dr Imran T

2,301 posts

198 months

Thursday 11th June 2009
quotequote all
Nice 'little' write up smile there is always plenty to see and do in Le Mans.
I can't make it this year so I have had to make do with watching it on Eurosport.

I would alse suggest to have a stroll around the old part of the city - lovely.

crmcatee

5,689 posts

226 months

Thursday 11th June 2009
quotequote all
Cracking guide Andy and I do like the preference given to the Astons.. smile


Two copies currently printing

polo 51

14 posts

187 months

Thursday 11th June 2009
quotequote all
Quick question
Is eurosport showing the full 24 hours again like it did last year?
Thanks smile

Gizmo!

18,150 posts

208 months

Thursday 11th June 2009
quotequote all
Bit late for this isn't it guys? wink

raceboy

13,069 posts

279 months

Thursday 11th June 2009
quotequote all
polo 51 said:
Quick question
Is eurosport showing the full 24 hours again like it did last year?
It looks like it yes, although you will have to keep swapping between Eurosport and Eurosport UK channels. wink
Or at least that what it looked like last night as I looked through the Sky Planner. smile

polo 51

14 posts

187 months

Thursday 11th June 2009
quotequote all
thanks raceboy smile will try to stay up all night to watch it again biggrin

rev-erend

21,401 posts

283 months

Thursday 11th June 2009
quotequote all
You forgot - a visit to a Champagne tent and a Grand Marnier crepe is just superb smile

lotuswills

4 posts

195 months

Thursday 11th June 2009
quotequote all
niva441 said:
andy_b said:
I have produced a Le Mans Spotter Guide with the help of Radio Le mans, which might be of use. Its available as a 2page PDF or 2 seperate JPEGs and is correct* as Wednesday am. Enjoy.

http://www.spotterguides.com/content/view/23/46/


  • - 007 Aston has orange mirrors and windscreen strip - text incorrect
I just found the link via Radio Lemans, I like the format, especially the extra detail differentiating between cars in the same team.
Nice one Andy - Unfortunately I cant be there either this year ! will also have to do with Eurosport !.

jpf

1,311 posts

275 months

Thursday 11th June 2009
quotequote all
Well, if you can't go to LeMans because you are on the wrong side of the pond, Road America has great food and races ALMS for 4 hours...

www.roadamerica.com The Spa of North America!

predding

455 posts

215 months

Thursday 11th June 2009
quotequote all
Great guide - thanks Andy - just about to leave (from Toulouse) tomorrow am - watching the qualy live at 6pm on Eurosport 2 then the preview at 8:45 on Eurosprt etc etc Is on all through the weeknd

Cheers guys - make sure the beer is in the fridge...beer

tbtstt

215 posts

180 months

Thursday 11th June 2009
quotequote all
Great little guide, but I can't believe that you didn't give Mulsanne Corner a mention in places to watch from.

Sitting on the bank, beer in hand, watching (and listening!) to the cars accelerating off the corner and tearing into the woods is pretty much as close to motorsport (viewing) nirvana as you can get...

predding

455 posts

215 months

Thursday 11th June 2009
quotequote all
jpf said:
Well, if you can't go to LeMans because you are on the wrong side of the pond, Road America has great food and races ALMS for 4 hours...

www.roadamerica.com The Spa of North America!
Methinks Omerta is Downunder as he said on the other side of the Planet...they did have ALMS in Adelaide in 2000 when Audi raced the Crocodile R8 and won with Alan McNish

Gizmo!

18,150 posts

208 months

Thursday 11th June 2009
quotequote all
tbtstt said:
Great little guide, but I can't believe that you didn't give Mulsanne Corner a mention in places to watch from.

Sitting on the bank, beer in hand, watching (and listening!) to the cars accelerating off the corner and tearing into the woods is pretty much as close to motorsport (viewing) nirvana as you can get...
I was at Mulsanne about 1-2am last year. Bloody brilliant.


sniff diesel

13,105 posts

211 months

Thursday 11th June 2009
quotequote all
Jarama79 said:
"The yowling Lamborghini and the Corvette C6s - which sound as though they're ripping a hole in the fabric of the universe sound particularly fabulous...

That's one way to describe the noise a LM Corvette makes at full-tilt...
They still sound like a Prius compared to the noise the Panoz used to make cloud9

fosse

33 posts

270 months

Friday 12th June 2009
quotequote all
predding said:
jpf said:
Well, if you can't go to LeMans because you are on the wrong side of the pond, Road America has great food and races ALMS for 4 hours...

www.roadamerica.com The Spa of North America!
Methinks Omerta is Downunder as he said on the other side of the Planet...they did have ALMS in Adelaide in 2000 when Audi raced the Crocodile R8 and won with Alan McNish
I think Omerta is a kiwi. Those of us in Oz can catch most of it on ONE HD.

The Adelaide race in 2000 was a great success, but as usual we had wowsers complaining about the money "wasted" on it. From what I can remember it pretty much broke even and any follow up races would have turned a profit. I was working there and the teams were excellent. As an engineering student I was in heaven as the Audi guys showed me around their car in the morning. They also partied pretty hard with the local "gentlemens" clubs doing quite well out it!