Booking for 2014
Discussion
Hi guys.
It's been 4-5 years since I was last at Le Mans, and I'm resuming my duties of booking for a group of us (3-4 cars) to return next year. As I've been a bit out of the loop over the past few years, I could do with a little bit of info (particularly from those who have just been). I appreciate that a few things may have changed in the time we've missed, so I just want to sort out the...
- Where. We did a few trips to Houx Annexe, and one last-minute jaunt to Beausejour (won't go back in a hurry). Preference for somewhere close to the track for viewing (have seen a few mentions of a Porsche Curves site), walkable to the start-finish complex, but don't necessarily want anything structured/catered/group-organised (like the PH site).
- Who. We went with Team Langoustine on all occasions, which suited us great as we tend to book things separately (get camping sorted this year, work on crossing timings in the new year, then go direct for our GA passes). Haven't seen them mentioned much in 2013. Is there anyone else who does this as well, or better?
- When. I've initially suggested to book camping at the end of August, as this (from memory) is what we did in the past to get our preferred site. Is this still the case?
Thanks for any help!
It's been 4-5 years since I was last at Le Mans, and I'm resuming my duties of booking for a group of us (3-4 cars) to return next year. As I've been a bit out of the loop over the past few years, I could do with a little bit of info (particularly from those who have just been). I appreciate that a few things may have changed in the time we've missed, so I just want to sort out the...
- Where. We did a few trips to Houx Annexe, and one last-minute jaunt to Beausejour (won't go back in a hurry). Preference for somewhere close to the track for viewing (have seen a few mentions of a Porsche Curves site), walkable to the start-finish complex, but don't necessarily want anything structured/catered/group-organised (like the PH site).
- Who. We went with Team Langoustine on all occasions, which suited us great as we tend to book things separately (get camping sorted this year, work on crossing timings in the new year, then go direct for our GA passes). Haven't seen them mentioned much in 2013. Is there anyone else who does this as well, or better?
- When. I've initially suggested to book camping at the end of August, as this (from memory) is what we did in the past to get our preferred site. Is this still the case?
Thanks for any help!
Edited by Dave200 on Wednesday 26th June 12:32
I've just returned from my fourth year on the trot with Team Langoustine and would have no reason to go with anyone else. We book our ferries separately but they sort the site at Terte Rouge and the GA tickets as a package for my group which varies from 8-12 people.
Always nice to deal with, the site is secure and the atmosphere always entertaining.
Thats one vote...bet you'll get plenty of others!
Always nice to deal with, the site is secure and the atmosphere always entertaining.
Thats one vote...bet you'll get plenty of others!
Dave,
You may not be aware that the ACO has an online booking capability now. The first year it was just hopeless! I used it for 2013 and it worked fine. It's available exclusively for ACO members for two weeks before being opened up for the public. In 2012 it became available to ACO members on 6 November and I easily booked all I needed for 2013 that day. I suggest that you keep watch on the ACO website or the Le Mans thread on PH for advance info on the dates online booking opens up.
R.
You may not be aware that the ACO has an online booking capability now. The first year it was just hopeless! I used it for 2013 and it worked fine. It's available exclusively for ACO members for two weeks before being opened up for the public. In 2012 it became available to ACO members on 6 November and I easily booked all I needed for 2013 that day. I suggest that you keep watch on the ACO website or the Le Mans thread on PH for advance info on the dates online booking opens up.
R.
The Leaper said:
Dave,
You may not be aware that the ACO has an online booking capability now. The first year it was just hopeless! I used it for 2013 and it worked fine. It's available exclusively for ACO members for two weeks before being opened up for the public. In 2012 it became available to ACO members on 6 November and I easily booked all I needed for 2013 that day. I suggest that you keep watch on the ACO website or the Le Mans thread on PH for advance info on the dates online booking opens up.
R.
Thanks kindly for the info. How does one become an ACO member? Are there any limitations on ticket buying?You may not be aware that the ACO has an online booking capability now. The first year it was just hopeless! I used it for 2013 and it worked fine. It's available exclusively for ACO members for two weeks before being opened up for the public. In 2012 it became available to ACO members on 6 November and I easily booked all I needed for 2013 that day. I suggest that you keep watch on the ACO website or the Le Mans thread on PH for advance info on the dates online booking opens up.
R.
Dave,
All the information you need is here:
http://www.lemans.org/en/aco-department/club.html
You can join at any time and there are various membership levels. Mine is called Passion 24. My membership renews in October. For 2012/13 the cost is €98. This gets you, as far as tickets are concerned, a discount (10% as I recall) on a limited number of tickets (6 I think) and booking online two weeks ahead of non members. I also think you get slick delivery of tickets too.
You also get access to the ACO grandstand with decent loos, showers and bars, but note that you cannot see any of the circuit unless you also have tickets for seats in that grandstand.
For me, the two advantages are the ease of tickets for the grandstand and parking area that I want, and access to the ACO grandstand for facilities etc, although this year I also got seats in the ACO grandstand. I've realised I much prefer being in La Sarthe grandstand (as with all previous years I've been since 1996).
Whether or not it's worth €98 depends on whether or not you take advantage of what it offers, costs savings versus membership cost and other things all included. I know many PHers think it's a waste because all they require is a GE ticket which is available easily. Once you opt for a grandstand seat the ACO membership becomes something to consider more seriously in my view.
R.
All the information you need is here:
http://www.lemans.org/en/aco-department/club.html
You can join at any time and there are various membership levels. Mine is called Passion 24. My membership renews in October. For 2012/13 the cost is €98. This gets you, as far as tickets are concerned, a discount (10% as I recall) on a limited number of tickets (6 I think) and booking online two weeks ahead of non members. I also think you get slick delivery of tickets too.
You also get access to the ACO grandstand with decent loos, showers and bars, but note that you cannot see any of the circuit unless you also have tickets for seats in that grandstand.
For me, the two advantages are the ease of tickets for the grandstand and parking area that I want, and access to the ACO grandstand for facilities etc, although this year I also got seats in the ACO grandstand. I've realised I much prefer being in La Sarthe grandstand (as with all previous years I've been since 1996).
Whether or not it's worth €98 depends on whether or not you take advantage of what it offers, costs savings versus membership cost and other things all included. I know many PHers think it's a waste because all they require is a GE ticket which is available easily. Once you opt for a grandstand seat the ACO membership becomes something to consider more seriously in my view.
R.
I am looking at Le bounty camp site, very good prices or maybe Village on the Curves however it does sit in the the middle of another camp site.
So it is a bit like the Little big Horn indians all around you. The camping site is excellent as are the people there. I have been with them before a few times.
They both look like two safe site for us and our car.
So it is a bit like the Little big Horn indians all around you. The camping site is excellent as are the people there. I have been with them before a few times.
They both look like two safe site for us and our car.
Edited by SEE YA on Wednesday 26th June 20:52
I used to go with another group but for the last few years I have booked the GE tickets and campsites online and also have the Passion 24 card. We arrive Thursday, leave Monday (four of us) and the GE tickets using the card were 54 euros each, rather than the 71 euros advertised. One point to notice is you get free paddock passes for the Classic with the card membership as long as you book early enough so for me that is sufficent to go for the card.
We do the 24 hr one year, the Classic the next.
Cheers
We do the 24 hr one year, the Classic the next.
Cheers
I've been going for the last ten years, staying on Karting Nord, then once at Porsche Curves and for the last two we have stayed at Houx. (karting Nord has gone completely now, as they have just built their brand new and impressive karting circuit on it). Houx is well positioned for ease of access and proximity to the main 'village' via the underpass, or you can take the other route from the site via the medical centre into the village centre. It's also very close to the trams at Antares. We did feel somewhat 'out the way' down at Porsche Curves as it's a bit more of a hike to the grandstand area & village than the other sites - but I guess it's down to your own preference. The benefit with Houx is there is free electric hook up, but you may need extra extension cable (blue type sockets). We've always booked through Travel Destinations, who have always provided a first class service - see their website www.lemansrace.com or tel 0844 873 0203. We've taken motorhomes for the last couple of years and they arrange everything inc ferry travel, en-suite cabins, grandstand seats etc and endeavour to get you your preferred plots numbers (if you know them that is). Bbq's are not a problem on Houx and nor were glass bottles, despite all the concerns raised is previous forums - although, technically it is part of the circuit, but no-one seemed to be bothered this year! Hope this helps.
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