LM24H first timer

[Porkerr]

Hi all,

After numerous years visiting the Goodwood FoS, we've decided to visit Le Mans this year instead.

Being inexperienced regarding Le Mans, I have some questions.

The idea would be to head to Le Mans Thursday-evening, ideally, is Thursday night a good time to arrive or do people generally arrive earlier in the week?

I have booked tickets and a campingpitch through Teamlangoustine.com, we've booked the pitch at Blue Nord. What to expect there? With all the campings to choose from I just took an educated (thank you Beermountain.com) guess and went for Blue Nord. How many people do you generally count/pitch. Is there possibility to leave one car on the campsite like you do at the FoS-campsite, or do all cars need to go on a separate parking?

Apologies for the many questions, looking forward to it immensely!

[FraMac]

Porkerr said:

Hi all,

The idea would be to head to Le Mans Thursday-evening, ideally, is Thursday night a good time to arrive or do people generally arrive earlier in the week?

We generally get there much earlier in the week - and if you're arriving at night you'll be pitching your tent in the dark (illuminated by your headlamps - top tip).

Porkerr said:

I have booked tickets and a campingpitch through Teamlangoustine.com, we've booked the pitch at Blue Nord. What to expect there? With all the campings to choose from I just took an educated (thank you Beermountain.com) guess and went for Blue Nord. How many people do you generally count/pitch. Is there possibility to leave one car on the campsite like you do at the FoS-campsite, or do all cars need to go on a separate parking?

TL post here so hopefully someone will be along to answer this.

[Oi U]

Blue Nord is my team's favourite location, having sampled most of the campsites outside the circuit over the years. Thursday evening should be fine, providing you have some illumination if it's dark. You should be able to leave your car parked next to the tent for the duration, though I suspect that you might want to go shopping at some point on Friday. In respect of what will be there - there will be long queues for (hot) showers and loos, unless you time it right. There will also be some mobile refreshment outlets not too far away, but it's another short drive if you want fresh bread, etc.

Edited by Oi U on Tuesday 10th April 14:14

[RobbyJ]

Last year was my first year and I too chose Bleu Nord. It was a good site, there were 4 of us in one car and we fitted on one pitch no problem. As time went on we shared our neighbours pitch to form a communal drinking area! A decent campsite, as others have said the queues for the bogs and showers can be long (20-30 mins) depending on when you time it. There were a few late night morons but only a minor issue, and there were a couple of tents round us that had some stuff stolen but don't let this put you off, just don't leave your wallet in plain sight!

Staying in PH Bleu Nord this year so I'm looking forward to that.

[The Angry Gopher]

Thursday's a perfectly respectable time to arrive at Le Mans; assuming you're driving you'll be sharing the roads with plenty of other race goers (more so than earlier in the week). You'll probably miss the quali sessions but the build up proper starts Friday.

As a newbie it took me a couple of years to realise there was free entry to the pit lane on the Friday, the 'Great British Welcome' at St Saturnin's well worth a visit, and the Driver's Parade in Le Mans centre is Friday evening.

Enjoy!

[Oi U]

Oh, and watch out for sneaky Mr Plod and his outriders If you even think about breaking any speed limits on the way down.

[RobbyJ]

I went down on Friday last year and back on Monday, it worked for me and minimised time off work so I'm doing the same again this year, and traffic both ways was fine last time.

[Diamond blue]

RobbyJ said:

I went down on Friday last year and back on Monday, it worked for me and minimised time off work so I'm doing the same again this year, and traffic both ways was fine last time.

But "Traffic" is entirely the point of the journey IMO. Its an amazing gathering of some of the most interesting metal you'll ever see all on the hoof.
Avoiding it is completely missing the best bit.
Travel on Thursday or Friday during the day and back on Sunday night or better, Monday and its a blast.

Friday night in LeMans a must see, PH Sunday service (On a Friday) at Le Bounty and the Great british Welcome at St Saturnin all highly recommended as is getting in your car at some point and getting out on the surrounding roads for a (sensible) hoon

[Porkerr]

Oi U said:

Oh, and watch out for sneaky Mr Plod and his outriders If you even think about breaking any speed limits on the way down.

I pass France regularly and always take my trusty Mini Coyote with me, it's never missed a beat and always warns me timely for Les Gendarmes both fixed and mobile, I hope it does come the same come June!

Regarding the route, we're coming from the West so I would normally not take the 'British route', but as some of you mentioned the whole route seems like part of the experience.

Is the E402 the autoroute of choice to share some roadspace with some British metal?

[Porkerr]

Diamond blue said:

Friday night in LeMans a must see, PH Sunday service (On a Friday) at Le Bounty and the Great british Welcome at St Saturnin all highly recommended as is getting in your car at some point and getting out on the surrounding roads for a (sensible) hoon

I've never heard of the Great British Welcome, what exactly is that about?

I have heard of 'Mad Friday', it seems like a lot of fun but reading some of last years' reports I'm somewhat reluctant to take part with my own car as apparently not everyone shares the same respect for someone else's material?

[A Curtis]

Do NOT drive anywhere on saturday, you'll realise why if you do! Roads closed, traffic everywhere, nightmares!

Get yourself to the supermarket friday morning, have a blast around the mulsanne etc then get the car back to the campsite for 2/3pm before everyone gets too drunk on the roads so your car is safe. Then enjoy the mad friday fun and atmosphere. Wake up, chill out and get set for the race. 6/7pm on sunday go for some more food, relax and have a good kip for the long haul back on monday.

Have fun!

[//j17]

Oi U said:

Oh, and watch out for sneaky Mr Plod and his outriders If you even think about breaking any speed limits on the way down.

Yea, those French police, sneaking around catching people breaking the law...

[//j17]

Porkerr said:

I've never heard of the Great British Welcome, what exactly is that about?

A chance for people with classic or interesting cars to have a little morning drive, park-up to let people look at your car while you look at theirs in a chilled and friendly environment.

http://www.classicbw.org/?ln=UK

Porkerr said:

I have heard of 'Mad Friday', it seems like a lot of fun but reading some of last years' reports I'm somewhat reluctant to take part with my own car as apparently not everyone shares the same respect for someone else's material?

Yea, let's just say that the CBW brings out the best of Le Mans and Mad Friday generally the worst. It's quite easy to avoid though, especially as you're over the Bleu Nord side so don't have to take your life (or at least car) in your hands trying to drive around Beausjour/Karting Nord/Houx/Houx Annex areas.

Pop out in the car Friday morning the the CBW, heading back to camp for lunch and you will be fine. If you want to see Mad Friday just walk over and stand at the back, letting the people with minimal concern for others safety play with those with minimal concern for peoples property.

[Porkerr]

//j17 said:

Yea, let's just say that the CBW brings out the best of Le Mans and Mad Friday generally the worst. It's quite easy to avoid though, especially as you're over the Bleu Nord side so don't have to take your life (or at least car) in your hands trying to drive around Beausjour/Karting Nord/Houx/Houx Annex areas.

Pop out in the car Friday morning the the CBW, heading back to camp for lunch and you will be fine. If you want to see Mad Friday just walk over and stand at the back, letting the people with minimal concern for others safety play with those with minimal concern for peoples property.

Thanks so much for this valuable info. CBW sounds like a lot of fun indeed. From what I gather here it seems best to arrive in the afternoon on Thursday, rather than late in the evening.

I can't wait, it seems like a fantastic experience!

[hyper jay]

hi mate you will love it i promise you !

get there as early as possible on the Thursday, you can then catch the night qualifing track action that goes on till midnight .

le mans at nights fantastic

[GTRalex]

we get to camp nice and early on the thursday morning, it means driving through the night on the wednesday but worth it! Gives you time to set up camp and enjoy the day ready to watch the night qualifying

[FraMac]

Porkerr said:

Thanks so much for this valuable info. CBW sounds like a lot of fun indeed. From what I gather here it seems best to arrive in the afternoon on Thursday, rather than late in the evening.

I can't wait, it seems like a fantastic experience!

If you can get there earlier on the Thursday you'll make your life easier - you can do a shopping trip to Super U at Arnage and start to find your way around.

The Beermountain AGM is PM Thursday, very close to where you're camping, but you may be stretched to make it. If you think you may then put your name on the guest list at Beermountain.com, as either an attendee or a possible.