Classic Le Mans

[mph]

What's the best way to attend the event ?

Has anyone had any experience of an organised trip (using their own classic car) that they could recommend.

Alternatively can anyone recommend a decent place to stay ?

Thanks

[Setch993]

Hi
We went with Racetours (now defunct I believe, hope I am wrong and need to research). No doubt others exist. Racetours organised all tickets and camping permits etc. We camped at Maison Blanche, 1st time in a motorhome and 2nd time camping in a tent. Temperatures in 2010 were early 40 deg C, too hot by half for a pasty Yorkshireman.
On both occasions the event was fantastic, access great etc Going this year in a classic, as that was the only missing factor from previous trips.

[biffonracing]

We organised our own trip there a few years ago

stayed in a stunning Chateau

http://lemans.beerpie.com

[hot66]

if you want the true LeMans experience, camping trackside is a must. Going to sleep in your tent in the early hours of the morning to the sound of supercharged Astons & waking up a few hours later to 935's is what it's all about

[lowdrag]

hot66 said:

if you want the true LeMans experience, camping trackside is a must. Going to sleep in your tent in the early hours of the morning to the sound of supercharged Astons & waking up a few hours later to 935's is what it's all about

Blimey - you slept six hours? seriously, for accomodation contact the Le Mans tourist office (bureau de Tourisme) where they speak perfect english. They'll find you a gite if there are a few of you or even B&B, but most hotels are booked and full since way back.

[hot66]

[varsas]

My only advice would be to not do it in a Spitfire. It's a very long way in a car like that, and you'll get upset when, with your foot to the floor in overdrive top, you get overtaken by a Lotus Esprit. Then a Porsche 911...then a Cobra Replica... (joking really, it was amazing)

An V12 XJS or similar is a much more civilized way to go, and will allow you to keep up with the French diesel hatchbacks.

I know you haven't asked but...

Take the Route Napolean down, although the north bit of France is a bit dull so take the autoroute from the port to the start of the road. I left very early Monday morning (was booked on the first ferry) and had one of the best drives of my life on empty roads, traveling through apparently deserted French villages, and then opening up the V12 out of town. I hardly saw another car, and it was just magic; CD on the stereo, Air-con keeping me cool. However, on the way down I latched on to a group of Porsches and that was great fun too seeing all the other old cars (most British registered) actually out on the road. At no time did I race a Ferrari 348 away from a toll booth.

Must go again, or I would like to go to the 'normal' LeMans.

[Cobra Andy]

check the Le Mans section a bit further down on the front page, theres some good threads running about the classic.

[tapkaJohnD]

So many people cross the Channel, find the Autoroute, and rush down to Le Mans in as short a time as possible, when France is such a wonderful country, especially for touring by car. Last time, we went across to the north of Paris, to visit the Rheims-Gueux circuit and its timeless pit and grandstand complex, then back to Rouen to drive the old Les Essart road racing circuit, before getting to Le Mans. With the exception of the Rheims region, where champagne vines can be grown on any old bit of waste ground, France is full of camp sites, many of them luxurious and rarely full, so stop where you like.
Here's our chateau stop.