Laon Historique 2010

[Darren390]

Hi guys,

I'm looking at going to the Laon Historique this year and was wondering if anyone knows how to register for it without going through a tour company like Continental Tours. There will be a small group of us going as singles and the single supplement is very expensive. Even sharing hotel rooms is still costly. I can book the hotel and ferry direct but cant find anywhere to register for the event?

Anyone advise???

Darren

[Maryben]

Attended several Laon Historique meetings but always with Continental Car Tours. Have seen people signing on and paying cash to enter the event on the Saturday morning. Did consider doing this once but thought finding hotels would be difficult. Always thought Continental Car Tours offered good value although event not so enjoyable now as it was a few years ago.
Ben

[Darren390]

Thanks for the reply Ben. So you think you can enter on day then? I thought it was restricted to 400 cars, not sure if I want to risk going all that way and not getting entry to the event though!

[Graham-P]

We went last year and found it a bit restricted, they put pace cars in to slow everyone down, we found that it cause a bit of congestion going through the town, we got all hot and bothered so only managed a couple of 'laps'.
As for booking in on the day not sure you can do that as the organisers prepare a 'welcome pack' for you on the Saturday when you go to the Cathedral to register for the weekend, this pack includes a 'Rallye plate' which is specific to you. to stick on the car to get you through to the town on Sunday and on the runs on Saturday.
You need to be looking for hotels now as many clubs and travel companies tend to block book them for the weekend. I'll see if I can dig out the email address for the organizers, we had to confirm our entry with them, but never got any replies from them so not too sure how much joy you will get from them.

[Furyblade_Lee]

Darren, I have been doing this since 2004 and for the last 3 years done it via a friend who gets us rally entries. Alas I am calling time on this trip for a year or two, although its still good it is not what it used to be! They used to really go to town on the Saturday rally with the Police shutting off roads ect, hardly any oncoming traffic for 100 miles, and one year we even got to drive the old historic track at Chimay. Now you are just given a map, the roads are all open and as we travel alone mainly it is hard for us and we generally get lost in the first 20 mins!! And the Sunday town parade-cum-hillclimb has become a bit sanitized with police cars circling with you, they wave you past but you certainy cant pass them at speed! Still good fun, I may come this year but will bring my Simitar not my mental kitcar to reflect the new relaxed atmosphere.

Anyway, back to your point, it is quite hard to get rally entries without a tour operator.My friend who books us has dinner with the organisers in the evenings, and he is personal friends, I would have no idea how to go about getting an entry generally. Turning up MAY get you an entry, but the French are French and I would not want to risk just bowling up if you did not know any of the organisers. Every car is logged and a pre rally booklet printed with driver / vehicle details entered, and you all get a plaque. To be honest. we got so lost last year you could always just drive around the countryside with the others and just wing it!

As a guide, friday to monday with Continental Car Tours will cost minimum £350, 1 car 2 people. We can do it independant for about £250, but we stay in a real crap hotel as the middle of the road ones are all booked up. What I miss is staying in the Ibis is a jam packed car park of classics and interesting cars. As someone who has often saved £100 I would honestly rather pay the bit extra and soak up the atmosphere with the main crowds




Me and the wWife last year in the blazing sunshine, good weekend!

Edited by Furyblade_Lee on Friday 8th January 21:47

[Darren390]

Thanks for the reply. I've decided against Laon this year and have booked to go to the Le Mans Classic instead. Will certainly look at Laon next year though, the big problem was single supplements which made it very expensive.

Really looking forward to Le Mans now though. Myself and 2 friends in 3 classic Mustangs. Cant wait, saving up for the fuel already though!

Thanks again,
Darren

[threespires]

I've always used Continental Car Tours as I am then guaranteed a good hotel and no hassles.

The Laon Classic is a superb event, and highly recommended. I mentioned this thread to Continental Car Tours, and this is his reply :-

Continental Car Tours have been supporting the Laon Historique since it started in the early 90's. On our first expedition we took 25 cars and that figure rapidly rose to over 100 cars. Currently we send in excess of 200 cars each year which is over half the total of cars allowed (400) and we are their largest sponsor.

Continental Car Tours reserve in advance and pay deposits on the best hotels available in the town which are all two star (plus the Mercure 3 star), leaving the cheaper hotels (1 star & guest houses) for individuals to book themselves.

All in all, it's a fun run, a great opportunity to allow classic car owners to get together and an inexpensive alternative to a static car show.

See you in 2010

Edited by threespires on Wednesday 13th January 11:18

[Madscanner]

Hi

For various reasons (I could tell you, but then I'd have to bore you...) I will be going to Laon this year, indepedently.

Just curious if anyone else is booking ferry crossings independently and have come across any deals?

(as a guide, for crossing lunch time Friday and returning late Sunday, I've found Seafrance at £48, P&O at £60, LDLines at £45 and Norfolkline at £61 - all non-flexible fares...)

[shonfield]

I`m off to Laon to-day for the 2nd time and just noticed this.I recommend Continental car tours its worth the extra.They do the lot and you just turn up and enjoy.They even booked a table for 20!! for our "team" at the Ibis for the 1st night.Remember there are over 600 cars entered,thats a lot of people.Book early for next year its a great w/end. MIKE.

[Madscanner]

Just got back last night - had a pretty good time, and would definitely do it again.

I went indepedently, without any problem, booking a hotel in the old town (a 2 minute walk from the Place LeClerc), booking my entry via the organisator's email address, and had a nice relaxed time of it.

[dinkel]

Looks like a good one. Any snaps and stories on the 2012 edition?