Taking the family to Le Mans - first time help?
Discussion
Hi all,
I'm gradually working my way through old posts to see if I can take on any hints and tips, but in the mean time was wondering if posting this might fast track my knowledge.
I'm taking the wife and kids down to Le Mans this year, never even having driven on the continent before. Needless to say the nerves are starting to kick in.
In brief, i'm taking the wife's car (people carrier), the wife, daughter (aged 21), son#1 (17) and son#2 (6). Crossing from Dover->Calais.
Booked in at the Dairon campsite.
Are there any hints you can pass on from your first visit or even your first drive down there? Am I insane even attempting this?
Any information would be gladly received.
I'm gradually working my way through old posts to see if I can take on any hints and tips, but in the mean time was wondering if posting this might fast track my knowledge.
I'm taking the wife and kids down to Le Mans this year, never even having driven on the continent before. Needless to say the nerves are starting to kick in.
In brief, i'm taking the wife's car (people carrier), the wife, daughter (aged 21), son#1 (17) and son#2 (6). Crossing from Dover->Calais.
Booked in at the Dairon campsite.
Are there any hints you can pass on from your first visit or even your first drive down there? Am I insane even attempting this?
Any information would be gladly received.
First of all you're not insane - some might say you've come to your senses! There's a wealth of information on the Club arnage web site which is updated each year. Golden rule no 1 is obey the speed limits - the gendarmes are really hot around Le Mans time, and punishments are increasingly large on the spot fines. Don't know when you're going down but you will be bound to be in convoy with a load of other Brits and will see some amazing machinery. Friday morning at St Saturnin (a small village just north of Le Mans town to me is a must stop - it's well signposted. The village welcomes all Brits at the 'Great British Welcome'. Lots of cars on display, plenty of food and drink and like minded petrolheads. Enjoy.
I am taking my 10 year old next year. I have the advantage of having been many many times over the last 20 years to 24hr, Classic and prequalifying weekends. My advice would be to avoid the really rowdy areas and enjoying things such as the parade on Friday, the start is an absolute must, night racing at Arnage, Indianapolis and Hunadiere then obviously the finish.
The Parade I have little experience of, but it is great fun. We did it once and enjoyed it.
Start, get there well before the start and find a good spot opposite the clock, the atmosphere is great.
Arnage and Indianapolis for watching are immense at night, a real must see.
Mulsanne at Hunadierre is not what is used to be, but still good.
Enjoy it, although with all the boys going, the 21year old daughter may get some attention
The Parade I have little experience of, but it is great fun. We did it once and enjoyed it.
Start, get there well before the start and find a good spot opposite the clock, the atmosphere is great.
Arnage and Indianapolis for watching are immense at night, a real must see.
Mulsanne at Hunadierre is not what is used to be, but still good.
Enjoy it, although with all the boys going, the 21year old daughter may get some attention
Driving on the continent is easy, just remember that the curb is your friend and you'll be fine.
Ensure you've got all the usual stuff, warning triangle, yellow emergency vests (reachable from inside the vehicle), spare bulb kit and a sense of humour (vital for Le Mans, especially if you're camping near the dutch friday night).
the club arnarge site has some good suggestions for kit to pack..
Ensure you've got all the usual stuff, warning triangle, yellow emergency vests (reachable from inside the vehicle), spare bulb kit and a sense of humour (vital for Le Mans, especially if you're camping near the dutch friday night).
the club arnarge site has some good suggestions for kit to pack..
Brilliant, thanks guys!
I didnt realise the campsite was way out - I suppose you could say its an advantage for the wife and daughter when they need sleep! It looks pretty central, but I guess that means nothing.
Wont be able to take bikes, I will have a roofbox on sadly, good idea though.
Thanks for the tips, keep them coming - incidentally, not received the tickets yet, purchased them on the ACO website about 3 weeks ago ... is this normal?
Regarding the hi-vis, is it just the driver that needs one or does each passenger need to have one too?
I didnt realise the campsite was way out - I suppose you could say its an advantage for the wife and daughter when they need sleep! It looks pretty central, but I guess that means nothing.
Wont be able to take bikes, I will have a roofbox on sadly, good idea though.
Thanks for the tips, keep them coming - incidentally, not received the tickets yet, purchased them on the ACO website about 3 weeks ago ... is this normal?
Regarding the hi-vis, is it just the driver that needs one or does each passenger need to have one too?
Driving on the continent is in my experience easier than in England. The motorways are so easy and flowing but as said above the French coppers are hot on speeding. I'm going down from Dover on the Thursday at I think 8:20am. The family will be fine the wife a daughter will even find it amazing, it's a spectacle for everyone even if you are not into racing.
Whatever crossing you are on it will be a great laugh with loads of Brits making a noise on ferry. Just look out for cars with lm stickers all over them.
Adam
Whatever crossing you are on it will be a great laugh with loads of Brits making a noise on ferry. Just look out for cars with lm stickers all over them.
Adam
Edited by adsvx220 on Wednesday 9th May 17:19
Oi U said:
I don't know if Beermountain mentions it, but I would add that everyone in the group who wants to follow the action has their own radio with earphones so that they can listen to Radio Le Mans (or block out the noise!).
Good one, i will put a radio on the list. Do they sell small ear mounted radio's there - a bit like the ones you can get at rugby internationals where you can hear the ref's transmission...?I'm heading down on the Thursday also, but a bit later ... 11:10 I think or thereabouts.
There are practice sessions running when you arrive Thursday afternoon and evening and these are a great way of seeing the cars at night, getting you all excited ready for the weekend. The crowds won't be so big on Thursday evening so you can spend time finding your bearings on the circuit. It's huge!
One top tip I didn't realise until my last couple of visits - all the grandstands are free to all during practice, so you can get up above the pits and look down on the cars as well as visit other places that cost a packet to sit in during the actual race.
When people say you're a long way out at Dairon they mean a long way from the "village". This is where the pit lane, main grandstands, trade stands, food places, fun fair etc etc are located. It's a 20 min walk from Dairon but there is a free shuttle "train" service during the race.
I'd try and avoid driving anywhere near the circuit and camp sites from around 6pm on the Friday, things do get a bit rowdy and this might not be so good with a little 'un in tow. Walking is fine. I'd also recommend ear defenders or ear plugs at a minimum for sleeping. Not for car noise so much as other campers, fireworks, generators, stereos etc which can make things a bit miserable if you're unlucky with your neighbours.
Hope you all have a great time!
One top tip I didn't realise until my last couple of visits - all the grandstands are free to all during practice, so you can get up above the pits and look down on the cars as well as visit other places that cost a packet to sit in during the actual race.
When people say you're a long way out at Dairon they mean a long way from the "village". This is where the pit lane, main grandstands, trade stands, food places, fun fair etc etc are located. It's a 20 min walk from Dairon but there is a free shuttle "train" service during the race.
I'd try and avoid driving anywhere near the circuit and camp sites from around 6pm on the Friday, things do get a bit rowdy and this might not be so good with a little 'un in tow. Walking is fine. I'd also recommend ear defenders or ear plugs at a minimum for sleeping. Not for car noise so much as other campers, fireworks, generators, stereos etc which can make things a bit miserable if you're unlucky with your neighbours.
Hope you all have a great time!
zcsccg1 said:
Good one, i will put a radio on the list. Do they sell small ear mounted radio's there - a bit like the ones you can get at rugby internationals where you can hear the ref's transmission...?
They do, but they are awful and overpriced. You need to get:- Radio with in-ear phones. (I bought some for £5 at asda last year)
- Ear defenders (Ebay, about £3)
Wear the in ear phones for the radio with the ear defenders over the top, else you'll not be able to hear the radio over teh cars.
zcsccg1 said:
Brilliant, thanks guys!
Wont be able to take bikes, I will have a roofbox on sadly, good idea though.
If you can get a rear carrier cheap (go outdoors were doing a three bike carrier for around thirty quid) it's the way to go. As others have said you're a little way out on Dairon - if you want to move your car over the weekend it'll be a mission.Wont be able to take bikes, I will have a roofbox on sadly, good idea though.
There may be parts of the roads that surround the circuit that you may want to avoid at certain times, unless you enjoy drunken idiots throwing water into your car, banging on your windows and insisting on a burnout before getting their dirty hands off of your bodywork and allowing you on your way.
Mark B said:
zcsccg1 said:
Brilliant, thanks guys!
Regarding the hi-vis, is it just the driver that needs one or does each passenger need to have one too?
All occupantsRegarding the hi-vis, is it just the driver that needs one or does each passenger need to have one too?
As you were, carry on
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