Driving down late on Friday night.

[Jmracing66]

Sadly my usual Wedneday to Monday Le Mans trip has been given way to work this year. So it's Friday to Monday instead, leaving after work.

I'm expecting to be on the tunnel around 8pm. Has anyone else done this on the friday night before, or am I better off taking the train down and meeting the rest of the group down there ?

[gt6]

the roads will be clear but remember by the time you get to calais it will be 10.00pm so by the time you get to the camp sites it will not be long before it starts getting light again.

[The Leaper]

Twice I've been to LM24 by myself travelling Friday night returning Sunday night. On the Friday I used Eurotunnel at around 11:00 pm, arrived at Parking Blanc at about 4:00am and slept in the car for a few hours. My only advice about the trip there is that the roads will be very empty, petrol stations that are open few and far between (I took a jerry can, good comfort) and you will be a target for the police so take your time and enjoy the deserted roads.

I also think that for short trips like this and sleeping in the car Friday and Saturday it's good advice to get a tribune seat, otherwise you may be seriously knackered by the time you need to head back to the UK!

R.

[gt6]

Ruddy hell you must have been motoring 11.00pm eurotunnel means that you will be on the motorway in france about 1.00am that leaves 3 hours to drive to le mans.

[Pothole]

Driving on a Friday?!?!?!?!?! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZvzKWfPqYM Are you MAD!???

[The Leaper]

Well, Calais more like 12:45 am French time, Le Mans say 4:15, 3 1/2 hours, done. I have also done the reverse journey on Sunday in 4 hours flat, twice, after leaving the circuit 15 minutes before the end of the race (boo) and relying on RLM for the finish(hooray).I once did this in a reasonably modest Saab Turbo following a squad of TVR Griffiths...fantastic!

R.

[gt6]

I think that if you expect to do 265 miles in 3 and a half hours you need to think again, plus remember the mess that is Rouen, going around will add a good 1/2 hour extra. The roads might be empty at night but the french police will have less cars to choose from.

[The Leaper]

GT6,

I agree , but I was describing travelling in the past, not this year. 3 1/2 hours on empty night roads in France is doable and 4 hours on the Sunday too. I'm not recommending it though.

R.

[muppetdave]

It's surprising how quick it is heading down there without the traffic. I can't remember exactly, but a few years back I did Fri-Mon, going after work, so about 19:00 Eurotunnel. Granted we stopped at Rouen overnight, but I think the journey total was about 3.5 hours - cruise control at 80 all the way, leaving early on Saturday morning we'd picked up our tickets/parking by 8:00.

[Barry Sheene]

Did my 1st trip on a friday night back in 2001

I'm a bit more organised these days though

[knight]

Done it once, got a very early euro tunnel on Saturday morning, arrived at the circuit at about 10 or 11am, parked in parking blanc, then left straight after the race. Probably wouldn't do it again but at least I know it can be done