Noob questions
Discussion
Hi folks
I'm very excited to finally be going to Le Mans in 2012 with 3 mates of mine (who only really have a passing interest in cars but I convinced them it'd be a good laugh for a weekend). I have a couple of quick questions:
1. Would you recommend specific stand tickets or will general admin do the job? (Presume there are enough places to watch the racing without being in a stand?
2. Travelling back on a Sunday evening - is this a good idea or would it be best to stay another night, maybe watch the football and come back at leisure on the Monday?
3. Are BBQ's allowed?
Cheers
Phil
I'm very excited to finally be going to Le Mans in 2012 with 3 mates of mine (who only really have a passing interest in cars but I convinced them it'd be a good laugh for a weekend). I have a couple of quick questions:
1. Would you recommend specific stand tickets or will general admin do the job? (Presume there are enough places to watch the racing without being in a stand?
2. Travelling back on a Sunday evening - is this a good idea or would it be best to stay another night, maybe watch the football and come back at leisure on the Monday?
3. Are BBQ's allowed?
Cheers
Phil
Personally I would go for grandstands. There are 250K people there and they all want to see the start.
Get Sommer Tribune 16. End of the pit straight at the Dunlop chicane. One of the best with a big TV opposite.
Always a good base.
BBq's are fine and whether you stay on Sunday depends on you. It's always fun, but I would rather not be in the public sites on Sunday night as you tend to have to sleep with one eye open.
If you are in a private site, PH, Team Langoustine, Speed chills etc, then stay and watch the footy as security is not as issue.
Get Sommer Tribune 16. End of the pit straight at the Dunlop chicane. One of the best with a big TV opposite.
Always a good base.
BBq's are fine and whether you stay on Sunday depends on you. It's always fun, but I would rather not be in the public sites on Sunday night as you tend to have to sleep with one eye open.
If you are in a private site, PH, Team Langoustine, Speed chills etc, then stay and watch the footy as security is not as issue.
Mannginger said:
Hi folks
I'm very excited to finally be going to Le Mans in 2012 with 3 mates of mine (who only really have a passing interest in cars but I convinced them it'd be a good laugh for a weekend). I have a couple of quick questions:
1. Would you recommend specific stand tickets or will general admin do the job? (Presume there are enough places to watch the racing without being in a stand?
2. Travelling back on a Sunday evening - is this a good idea or would it be best to stay another night, maybe watch the football and come back at leisure on the Monday?
3. Are BBQ's allowed?
Cheers
Phil
Loads of info on here and on others (beermountain.com is an other good one, as is club arnarge). But specifically:I'm very excited to finally be going to Le Mans in 2012 with 3 mates of mine (who only really have a passing interest in cars but I convinced them it'd be a good laugh for a weekend). I have a couple of quick questions:
1. Would you recommend specific stand tickets or will general admin do the job? (Presume there are enough places to watch the racing without being in a stand?
2. Travelling back on a Sunday evening - is this a good idea or would it be best to stay another night, maybe watch the football and come back at leisure on the Monday?
3. Are BBQ's allowed?
Cheers
Phil
1) Stands are good, but you can see plenty with a general entrance ticket (but no guaranteed space...)
You cant see any of the start build-up or the end without a stand ticket, unless you sit opposite one of the many big screens
2) I've done both. In the campsites there is a lovely feel to the sunday evening which is a shame to miss. Just watch the alcohol- the french are VERY hot against drink driving (quite rightly, of course) so the morning driver will need to stop before the parties end.
3) Yes, in the camp sites. Not in the grandstands...
Mannginger said:
Hi folks
I'm very excited to finally be going to Le Mans in 2012 with 3 mates of mine (who only really have a passing interest in cars but I convinced them it'd be a good laugh for a weekend). I have a couple of quick questions:
1. Would you recommend specific stand tickets or will general admin do the job? (Presume there are enough places to watch the racing without being in a stand?
2. Travelling back on a Sunday evening - is this a good idea or would it be best to stay another night, maybe watch the football and come back at leisure on the Monday?
3. Are BBQ's allowed?
Cheers
Phil
1. Been going 11 years and never had a stand ticket, we usually go on a budget though! General admin is fine for us, we get to the start line early enough on saturday to get a good spot just remember to take plenty of beer with you we always seem to run dry before the start! However much you take, you will never have as much as the Dutch I'm very excited to finally be going to Le Mans in 2012 with 3 mates of mine (who only really have a passing interest in cars but I convinced them it'd be a good laugh for a weekend). I have a couple of quick questions:
1. Would you recommend specific stand tickets or will general admin do the job? (Presume there are enough places to watch the racing without being in a stand?
2. Travelling back on a Sunday evening - is this a good idea or would it be best to stay another night, maybe watch the football and come back at leisure on the Monday?
3. Are BBQ's allowed?
Cheers
Phil
Once the race is under way there is plenty of viewing spots.2. We have done both, we travel back on sunday night if someone is in a rush back to get home. I would stay Sunday night if you can as then everyone can enjoy the full race rather than having to stay beer free and get some sleep.
3. yes, generally the bigger the better
Lots of Brits will do Le Mans as cheap as possible and have a really great time. However, I like my creature comforts and I want to have a seat (I'm old!). So, since I started going to Le Mans in 1996 I have always
I can give you an idea of costs on for the above, plus tolls, fuel, booze, food and incidentals. For 2011, for my son and I the total spend was just under £1100(£550 each). Before you say this was expensive, from a ticket agency's brochure the cost would be £1350 ish without tolls, fuel, booze food and incidentals.
If doing as cheap as possible I think if you had a general entrance ticket plus parking plus camping plus all travelling costs, booze and food you could get down to maybe £300 per person. Other PHers will have a better idea than me.
By the way I see you're in Surrey..so am I. I usually leave at around 05:30 on Friday, and get to hotel mid afternoon. I always try and get parked at the circuit by 09:00 to avoid the rush. Allow 4 hours Calais to Le Mans at the speed limit and EXCEED IT AT YOUR PERIL. On the Monday return, a leisurely 6 hours to Calais including lunch means getting back home around 5:00 pm or a bit earlier maybe.
And finally, book EVERYTHING now not later.
Hope this helps. E-mail me if you need more info.
R.
- had a general entrance ticket
- had a seat in La Sarthe grandstand
- parked in Parking Blanc
- travelled out Friday, back Monday
- had a hotel Friday and Sunday nights
- slept in the car on Saturday night
- got to France via Eurotunnel.
I can give you an idea of costs on for the above, plus tolls, fuel, booze, food and incidentals. For 2011, for my son and I the total spend was just under £1100(£550 each). Before you say this was expensive, from a ticket agency's brochure the cost would be £1350 ish without tolls, fuel, booze food and incidentals.
If doing as cheap as possible I think if you had a general entrance ticket plus parking plus camping plus all travelling costs, booze and food you could get down to maybe £300 per person. Other PHers will have a better idea than me.
By the way I see you're in Surrey..so am I. I usually leave at around 05:30 on Friday, and get to hotel mid afternoon. I always try and get parked at the circuit by 09:00 to avoid the rush. Allow 4 hours Calais to Le Mans at the speed limit and EXCEED IT AT YOUR PERIL. On the Monday return, a leisurely 6 hours to Calais including lunch means getting back home around 5:00 pm or a bit earlier maybe.
And finally, book EVERYTHING now not later.
Hope this helps. E-mail me if you need more info.
R.
1. Much debate, grandstand or not. I always now have a grandstand ticket. Turn up whenever and you have a booked seat with a decent view, in the shade or shelter from rain. It gets very busy and cramped on general entry at the choice viewing spots.
2. Would stay on Sunday if you can. You will be knackered by Sunday evening. Just sit back, relax and have a safe trip back Monday.
3. BBQ ok in camping.
Have a great trip.
2. Would stay on Sunday if you can. You will be knackered by Sunday evening. Just sit back, relax and have a safe trip back Monday.
3. BBQ ok in camping.
Have a great trip.
Make sure you download Stephen's Guide to Le Mans before you go - last year there were thousands that did it. He is only 16 and I have a little hand in the project.
I don't go for grandstands. Make sure to go to Mulsanne Corner and Arnage during night racing or night quali... Friday is a busy day too pick as many as you want from: Mad Friday Antics (check Youtube to see what goes on)/ Pit walkabout / Drivers Parade in the City Centre / Football EC shown on big screens
I don't go for grandstands. Make sure to go to Mulsanne Corner and Arnage during night racing or night quali... Friday is a busy day too pick as many as you want from: Mad Friday Antics (check Youtube to see what goes on)/ Pit walkabout / Drivers Parade in the City Centre / Football EC shown on big screens
Edited by Great Dane on Wednesday 28th December 00:30
1. Never had a grandstand and personally can't see why it would add anything to the weekend. True it's busy for the 1st 90 minutes of the race but last year I probably saw as much of McNishs crash as anyone else there. Save your money for other things!
2. Sunday nights are well worth staying for. Left on the Sunday for the 1st couple of years and stayed at Rouen but really enjoy the post race beers now. We always stay in what people call the public campsites but we're in a motorhome so don't have as bad a security issue as just having a zipped tent I guess. As long as you're up early enough or lock all movable items in car before you bed down you should be ok.
3. A good BBQ is essential!
Enjoy
2. Sunday nights are well worth staying for. Left on the Sunday for the 1st couple of years and stayed at Rouen but really enjoy the post race beers now. We always stay in what people call the public campsites but we're in a motorhome so don't have as bad a security issue as just having a zipped tent I guess. As long as you're up early enough or lock all movable items in car before you bed down you should be ok.
3. A good BBQ is essential!
Enjoy
http://t.co/Dd3xBjm
There are a couple of other films as well but I like this one to give a flavour of the event and of course Truth in 24 is a must...
A few pictures for atmosphere
There are a couple of other films as well but I like this one to give a flavour of the event and of course Truth in 24 is a must...
A few pictures for atmosphere
Edited by Great Dane on Wednesday 28th December 12:24
been to the main race 26 times and never had a ticket for grandstand, have watched start from the starting straight many times and the finish aswell, the race track is massive and you certainly will need to see as much of the track as possible, for your first trip save your money, I have stayed on sunday and yes it is a great atmosphere but for the last 20 years we always head back on Sunday, race finishes at 3.00pm so no problem getting back in time.
get the best campsite you can afford and yes BBQ's are essential
get the best campsite you can afford and yes BBQ's are essential
I've never had a grandstand seat, or seen the start or finish from the start/finish area. My preference is to go for a trackside campsite, Maison Blanche, Tertre Rouge, the TL site at Hunaudieres, the bottom end of Beausejour, the private sites at the Porche Curves (or Mulsanne or Arnage but they're a bit isolated for me) and stroll trackside at 10 to 3 after a long lunch. Particularly if it's wet or very hot.
Odd how the question of having a tribune seat or not arises. Clearly, there are fans of having it and others who do not see the point of spending money on it. I'd always go for a seat. I go to Le Mans for the racing so I spend most of my time there trackside, either in my seat or at other vantage points between Porsche Curves and Tetre Rouge. Spending many an hour strolling this area...must be a couple of miles perhaps..is great from both inside and outside the track. I reckon that during the actual 24 hours of racing I spend time 50/50 in the seat and elsewhere watching the racing. Then there's time for food, booze, the Village etc.
Favourite time? In La Sarthe tribune at sun up with the first 1666 of the day, tuned into Radio LM! Usually superb track action, great commentary, few people about, and another 10 hours to go! What else is there one could ever want?
Favourite time? In La Sarthe tribune at sun up with the first 1666 of the day, tuned into Radio LM! Usually superb track action, great commentary, few people about, and another 10 hours to go! What else is there one could ever want?
Thanks folks
A couple of the group are preferring to go for a slightly more budget approach and so we're going no stand seats. We're using the PH organisers so should be secure soo we're also going to stay the Sunday night - good for watching the football / winding down.
I'm very excited - see you there!
A couple of the group are preferring to go for a slightly more budget approach and so we're going no stand seats. We're using the PH organisers so should be secure soo we're also going to stay the Sunday night - good for watching the football / winding down.
I'm very excited - see you there!
Great Dane said:
Make sure you download Stephen's Guide to Le Mans before you go - last year there were thousands that did it. He is only 16 and I have a little hand in the project.
I don't go for grandstands. Make sure to go to Mulsanne Corner and Arnage during night racing or night quali... Friday is a busy day too pick as many as you want from: Mad Friday Antics (check Youtube to see what goes on)/ Pit walkabout / Drivers Parade in the City Centre / Football EC shown on big screens
2011 was my first LM24hr, and it goes without saying that my attendance for 2012 is a forgone conclusion.I don't go for grandstands. Make sure to go to Mulsanne Corner and Arnage during night racing or night quali... Friday is a busy day too pick as many as you want from: Mad Friday Antics (check Youtube to see what goes on)/ Pit walkabout / Drivers Parade in the City Centre / Football EC shown on big screens
Edited by Great Dane on Wednesday 28th December 00:30
Many, many of the things i wanted to do were checked off the list last year, but there is one that i want to concentrate on this time around - night racing.
I want to see the mulsanne or somewhere else spectacularly fast, during the night stint.
2011 i stayed around the pit straight in the small hours, so where should i go this time?
Mulsanne straight is 'black opps' - police dogs many people have their own secrets which they don't part with. I went to the porsche curves - inside and as close you can get 'up the track' and on top of the Karting pits
see my youtube clips
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwIsaw0GZcU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9TD1qHPT6Q&fea... (if you don't want to crawl around in the dark, this is a cool place too)
Many clips from Mulsanne at night on Youtube
But I also like Tetre Rouge (inside and outside) and Arnage is a must IMHO
and
see my youtube clips
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwIsaw0GZcU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9TD1qHPT6Q&fea... (if you don't want to crawl around in the dark, this is a cool place too)
Many clips from Mulsanne at night on Youtube
But I also like Tetre Rouge (inside and outside) and Arnage is a must IMHO
and
1. General Admission gives you access to plenty of places with a good view of the track. You can get into the grandstands anyway with a GA ticket if you go late at night, so you're not missing much by not paying for the grandstand tickets.
2. I've done both, but 1 attempt to leave on the Sunday shortly after the race put me off forever. It takes hours, literally hours, just to get out of Le Mans itself. And the boys in blue are out in force on all the major roads in the area so you need to be on your best behaviour. Alternatively, you could stay another night, finish off your beers and relax, then leave in your own time the next day without a massive queue and a massive police presence. I know which option I prefer!
3. BBQs are mandatory, substantial loss of man points and high risk of gut rot for anyone who tries to live on pot noodles and beer for the best part of a week...
2. I've done both, but 1 attempt to leave on the Sunday shortly after the race put me off forever. It takes hours, literally hours, just to get out of Le Mans itself. And the boys in blue are out in force on all the major roads in the area so you need to be on your best behaviour. Alternatively, you could stay another night, finish off your beers and relax, then leave in your own time the next day without a massive queue and a massive police presence. I know which option I prefer!
3. BBQs are mandatory, substantial loss of man points and high risk of gut rot for anyone who tries to live on pot noodles and beer for the best part of a week...
Great Dane said:
Mulsanne straight is 'black opps' - police dogs many people have their own secrets which they don't part with. I went to the porsche curves - inside and as close you can get 'up the track' and on top of the Karting pits
see my youtube clips
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwIsaw0GZcU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9TD1qHPT6Q&fea... (if you don't want to crawl around in the dark, this is a cool place too)
Many clips from Mulsanne at night on Youtube
But I also like Tetre Rouge (inside and outside) and Arnage is a must IMHO
and
Thanks for the vids. I was ont he main straight grandstand , and then a little on the infield side (dunlop bridge area) in the early hours. see my youtube clips
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwIsaw0GZcU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9TD1qHPT6Q&fea... (if you don't want to crawl around in the dark, this is a cool place too)
Many clips from Mulsanne at night on Youtube
But I also like Tetre Rouge (inside and outside) and Arnage is a must IMHO
and
I'd like to see a heavy braking area at night. What about the end of Mulsane?
Or the tight right where the track rejoins down by the Big Wheel (scurries off to find a circuit map)
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