Le Mans Classic
Discussion
Hi all,
I've done some searches on PH about the Le Mans Classic but a lot of the topics tend to be "Which should I go to?". The answer is usually overwhelmingly in favour of the full fat Le Mans.
I'm definitely doing the Classic next year, because it's what my Dad wants to do for his 65th. Having been to the full-fat 24 Hours a few times I'm pretty clued up on that by now, but have no idea about the classic so have a few questions.
Firstly, I assumed that it's not one long 24 hour race, but a series of races. Do people who attend tend to be watching the races or is the classic seen as more like a giant classic car show?
Secondly, do the usual camping position rules apply? IE, go to Houx and expect a party. Pay a bit more and you get something more serene? Also, is the camping more "marque based"? I'm in the BMWCCGB, so obviously I would have allegiances to uphold
Finally, it'd be good to hear about any other general opinions or recommendations in going to the Classic. Are there any good resources I should be reading?
Many thanks guys!
I've done some searches on PH about the Le Mans Classic but a lot of the topics tend to be "Which should I go to?". The answer is usually overwhelmingly in favour of the full fat Le Mans.
I'm definitely doing the Classic next year, because it's what my Dad wants to do for his 65th. Having been to the full-fat 24 Hours a few times I'm pretty clued up on that by now, but have no idea about the classic so have a few questions.
Firstly, I assumed that it's not one long 24 hour race, but a series of races. Do people who attend tend to be watching the races or is the classic seen as more like a giant classic car show?
Secondly, do the usual camping position rules apply? IE, go to Houx and expect a party. Pay a bit more and you get something more serene? Also, is the camping more "marque based"? I'm in the BMWCCGB, so obviously I would have allegiances to uphold
Finally, it'd be good to hear about any other general opinions or recommendations in going to the Classic. Are there any good resources I should be reading?
Many thanks guys!
Polariz said:
Secondly, do the usual camping position rules apply? IE, go to Houx and expect a party.
Well, let's hope not! Regular 24 Hours going downhill at a fast rate already, hopefully the Classic will remain chav and neanderthal free!A lot of your questions I'd like to see answered too, as it will (fingers crossed) be my first Classic Le Mans this year too.
What I do know, though, is that a lot of regular campsites are spoken for by car clubs. So only a few sites are left for the public. IIRC: Maison Blanche, Beausejour and Blue Sud or Nord.
vincegail said:
Well, let's hope not! Regular 24 Hours going downhill at a fast rate already, hopefully the Classic will remain chav and neanderthal free!
A lot of your questions I'd like to see answered too, as it will (fingers crossed) be my first Classic Le Mans this year too.
What I do know, though, is that a lot of regular campsites are spoken for by car clubs. So only a few sites are left for the public. IIRC: Maison Blanche, Beausejour and Blue Sud or Nord.
Haha indeed Vincegail. My Dad and I were in Airtrack for Le Mans this year and it was perfect for us. I'd be interested to see if they're running again next year for the Classic. A lot of your questions I'd like to see answered too, as it will (fingers crossed) be my first Classic Le Mans this year too.
What I do know, though, is that a lot of regular campsites are spoken for by car clubs. So only a few sites are left for the public. IIRC: Maison Blanche, Beausejour and Blue Sud or Nord.
My son and I have been to Le Mans 24 hours many times and to all the Le Mans Classics. We do both the same way: travel Friday/Monday, stay in a hotel Friday and Sunday nights, sleep in the car in Parking Blanc on Saturday (although we are tending to get a hotel for the Saturday too now at the Classic!). So, we have no advice regarding camping at the Classic.
As far as the racing is concerned, the cars are grouped into decades, usually six of them. Each decade races four times for 45 minutes (so 24 races all together), and their aggreggate times count for the positions at the end. There's usually around 300 cars racing overall! So you get all the 1920s Bentlys etc grouped together, and at the other end, BMW M1s and the like. Keeping track of winning teams etc is not easy, but it doen't matter because you're there to see different levels of racing.
The Classic used to be low on spectators; I think there were 35,000 the first time we went. Now there may be around 100,000. I may be corrected on numbers by others who know better than me.
Once nice feature is that each decade of cars is grouped together in the paddock and it's open to the public provided you get an access ticket, which is easily obtained when you book your tickets. I think they may be available at the event too. The paddocks are just full of fab cars, many being worked on and with the drivers and owners there too, so you can get involved as much as you wish. There is a dress code for the paddock--period wear--but ignore it, everyone else does!
Overall, from a spectator's point of view in my opinion Le Classic is not as intense as the 24 Hours, and access all areas is straightforward. I'm not aware of any chavvy activities anywhere either. It's wrong to compare the two events IMHO, they just take place on the same circuit, that's all.
It's quite a nice idea to alternate between the events: 24 Hours one year, the Classic the next etc.
One other thing: there's far less on site catering at the Classic, so fewer places to get jambon/fromage baguettes and beer.
R.
As far as the racing is concerned, the cars are grouped into decades, usually six of them. Each decade races four times for 45 minutes (so 24 races all together), and their aggreggate times count for the positions at the end. There's usually around 300 cars racing overall! So you get all the 1920s Bentlys etc grouped together, and at the other end, BMW M1s and the like. Keeping track of winning teams etc is not easy, but it doen't matter because you're there to see different levels of racing.
The Classic used to be low on spectators; I think there were 35,000 the first time we went. Now there may be around 100,000. I may be corrected on numbers by others who know better than me.
Once nice feature is that each decade of cars is grouped together in the paddock and it's open to the public provided you get an access ticket, which is easily obtained when you book your tickets. I think they may be available at the event too. The paddocks are just full of fab cars, many being worked on and with the drivers and owners there too, so you can get involved as much as you wish. There is a dress code for the paddock--period wear--but ignore it, everyone else does!
Overall, from a spectator's point of view in my opinion Le Classic is not as intense as the 24 Hours, and access all areas is straightforward. I'm not aware of any chavvy activities anywhere either. It's wrong to compare the two events IMHO, they just take place on the same circuit, that's all.
It's quite a nice idea to alternate between the events: 24 Hours one year, the Classic the next etc.
One other thing: there's far less on site catering at the Classic, so fewer places to get jambon/fromage baguettes and beer.
R.
vincegail said:
What I do know, though, is that a lot of regular campsites are spoken for by car clubs. So only a few sites are left for the public. IIRC: Maison Blanche, Beausejour and Blue Sud or Nord.
Correct - Houx is reserved for competitors and not available to us 'riff-raff' 
Maison Blanche seems to sell out quickly, but the others tend to have availability even quite close to the event. Can't recall when tickets go on sale, but I think it's early 2014 (but check, as it could be late 2013) - sign up for the newsletter on the Classic website.We've stayed on Bleu Nord for the last two Classics, and it's convenient in terms of access to the grandstands and paddock areas. However, facilities were somewhat lacking in terms of the number of available showers. We had a motorhome so it was OK, but it's something to be aware of.
One thing we did find a little annoying was that enclosures such as Arnage were closed for the Friday night practice sessions, but they had been open in 2010. Not the end of the world, but it's a great place to watch all the turbo cars at night, with oodles of flame spewing from the exhausts.
Paddock tickets are worth getting, but grandstands (IMO), not so much. It's not as busy and there was plenty of room on the terraces in front of the stands on the Saturday and Sunday.
The car club areas are worth looking around, and there are numerous display areas in addition to the paddocks for each 'plateau' of cars.
Polariz said:
I'm definitely doing the Classic next year, because it's what my Dad wants to do for his 65th.
Firstly, I assumed that it's not one long 24 hour race, but a series of races. Do people who attend tend to be watching the races or is the classic seen as more like a giant classic car show?
Secondly, do the usual camping position rules apply? IE, go to Houx and expect a party. Pay a bit more and you get something more serene? Also, is the camping more "marque based"? I'm in the BMWCCGB, so obviously I would have allegiances to uphold
Finally, it'd be good to hear about any other general opinions or recommendations in going to the Classic. Are there any good resources I should be reading?
Definitely more 'dad friendly' than the main race. It's a slower paced event, with a very different 'vibe' to the main race, and is all the better for it.Firstly, I assumed that it's not one long 24 hour race, but a series of races. Do people who attend tend to be watching the races or is the classic seen as more like a giant classic car show?
Secondly, do the usual camping position rules apply? IE, go to Houx and expect a party. Pay a bit more and you get something more serene? Also, is the camping more "marque based"? I'm in the BMWCCGB, so obviously I would have allegiances to uphold
Finally, it'd be good to hear about any other general opinions or recommendations in going to the Classic. Are there any good resources I should be reading?
And you're right, it's a series of races for each of the six plateaux - they race 3 times over the course of the 24 hours. More or less back-to-back, but with a bit of extra fannying around time to get all the cars organised for the different style starts - for example, the older cars do a Le Mans style start and then form up in the right order on the Mulsanne, but the more recent cars have a rolling start.
There is a split of car club camping areas and general camping, with the car clubs generally being on the inside in places like Karting Nord. Camping is certainly less boisterous than the main race, although not really been in any of the car club camping areas, to the BMW lot could be complete tearaways for all I know
There is a Le Mans Classic website which is handy for general info, and sign up to their email alerts to ensure you find out when tickets are available.
Thanks for all the replies so far ladies and gents.
It sounds like I'll need to start researching the details of where to stay and what not a bit closer to the event, which is fine by me.
It's good to hear that in general it's more "Dad friendly" and it'd be great that in general the people who turn up are more into classic cars than the standard LM24 crowd.
Keep the experiences/tips coming peeps!
It sounds like I'll need to start researching the details of where to stay and what not a bit closer to the event, which is fine by me.
It's good to hear that in general it's more "Dad friendly" and it'd be great that in general the people who turn up are more into classic cars than the standard LM24 crowd.
Keep the experiences/tips coming peeps!
Nick M said:
Camping is certainly less boisterous than the main race, although not really been in any of the car club camping areas, to the BMW lot could be complete tearaways for all I know
Having recently attended the recent BMWCCGB AGM in my local region I found I was probably the youngest person there by a good 15 years! If they are tearaways, I'd love to see it!
vincegail said:
A lot of your questions I'd like to see answered too, as it will (fingers crossed) be my first Classic Le Mans this year too.
What I do know, though, is that a lot of regular campsites are spoken for by car clubs. So only a few sites are left for the public. IIRC: Maison Blanche, Beausejour and Blue Sud or Nord.
Vince, no problem with tickets etc to the classic, nadine will arrange everything and as an ACO member you will get discounts on tickets, camping etc, if you book early you will get ACO grandstand and paddock passes these are essential trust me.What I do know, though, is that a lot of regular campsites are spoken for by car clubs. So only a few sites are left for the public. IIRC: Maison Blanche, Beausejour and Blue Sud or Nord.
TR camp site is booked by the triumph clubs so getting tickets there is difficult and they charge a fortune, yes it is good and they have a cheap bar etc but it will cost 2 or 3 times what Nadine will charge for Maison Blanche, and you will have to pay for paddock and a non ACO grandstand.
We will almost certainly be taking an old stag down next year and camping MB, but I would say unlike the main event the campsites only open wednesday/thursday and to be honest after arriving thursday last year we will probably go back to friday next year
gt6 said:
unlike the main event the campsites only open wednesday/thursday and to be honest after arriving thursday last year we will probably go back to friday next year
Good point - we've traveled down on the Thursday the last couple of times, but there's nothing happening until the Friday. We just got ourselves nicely organised on the Thursday evening so we had all day trundling round the paddocks on the Friday. Also got up early on the Friday morning and did a lap of the entire circuit (including the Porsche curves, pit straight, the Dunlop bridge and the Esses round to Tertre Rouge) on our bikes, which was fun.Polariz said:
It's good to hear that in general it's more "Dad friendly" and it'd be great that in general the people who turn up are more into classic cars than the standard LM24 crowd.
My dad and I go in his motorhome (I know, the hardships... ) and he's in his early 60's. He loves it, and wants to go again next year in spite of the weather we had last time.One thing to mention is that, given the more spread out nature of all the car clubs, the village, paddocks, etc., it's possible to cover a lot of distance walking around, so dodgy knees can take a bit of a hammering
The Classic is a great event but it's very different to the main Le Mans, in fact i'd say it only shares the location with the main event. Different things to see, different racing format, a totally different atmosphere, but still the same camp site bogs and dust / mud
I did the Classic last year and will do it again as it's a great Classic Car show, the cars parked around the camp sites and within the track parking areas are stunning. You'll see cars you just never get to see in public which is worth the trip alone.
I was disappointed with the racing though, it was all a little too staged and almost impossible to follow. The 'Le Mans' style starts were pointless as the cars followed the pace-car afterwards for a competitive rolling start, then throw in a drivers change at half distance, and a lack of English commentary or video screens, and you very quickly loose track of the leader board. There are only a few cars properly 'on-it' within each class as the teams seam take an 'endurance' approach given the multiple races.
Given how fantastic this years Le Mans Legends support race was, this track can serve up some stunning Classic racing, it just didn't seam to happen at last years Classic. Great to see and hear these cars on a track, just don't expect wheel to wheel racing through the field at the Classic.
Next year the plan is to do the 24 hour Le Mans with my Brother in the Tuscan, then go to the Classic as part of a driving trip to France with my better half in the Maserati, spend a couple of days getting there and a couple of days on the way home and just spend the Saturday and Sunday at the Classic.
Paul
I did the Classic last year and will do it again as it's a great Classic Car show, the cars parked around the camp sites and within the track parking areas are stunning. You'll see cars you just never get to see in public which is worth the trip alone.
I was disappointed with the racing though, it was all a little too staged and almost impossible to follow. The 'Le Mans' style starts were pointless as the cars followed the pace-car afterwards for a competitive rolling start, then throw in a drivers change at half distance, and a lack of English commentary or video screens, and you very quickly loose track of the leader board. There are only a few cars properly 'on-it' within each class as the teams seam take an 'endurance' approach given the multiple races.
Given how fantastic this years Le Mans Legends support race was, this track can serve up some stunning Classic racing, it just didn't seam to happen at last years Classic. Great to see and hear these cars on a track, just don't expect wheel to wheel racing through the field at the Classic.
Next year the plan is to do the 24 hour Le Mans with my Brother in the Tuscan, then go to the Classic as part of a driving trip to France with my better half in the Maserati, spend a couple of days getting there and a couple of days on the way home and just spend the Saturday and Sunday at the Classic.
Paul
Rs2oo said:
That is a good thing. Catering at Le Mans is diabolical at best.
True but the way things are organised its easier to pop in to town for a decent meal, you don't feel as though you are missing too much by not being at the circuit for the full 24 hours. You can always catch the grids that you miss at another time. Certainly more relaxed but getting more and more popular.
This weekend is the LM Story, OK not many Brits but only uses Buggati circuit, very much a local event but still good for classic race car spotting.
I've been to the classic a couple of times and camped at Beausejour both times. A quieter site than the others that is big enough to find peace if you need or of you like crowds there is the busy (entrance) end.
Also the showers and toilets at Beausejour stay in good condition the whole weekend. The down side is that it is further away from the main action than the others and it is a 1.5 mile walk to the main viewing areas. In 2008 the Porches curves viewing was open and right next to the site but in 2012 it was closed, boo, hiss.
It's worth getting the tram into town on Friday and/or Sunday evening for a change of scene and some decent food, there are several good restaurants in the old town near the cathedral. The food in Arnage is ok but not as good as the city center.
Do get a pass for the pits areas, one of my favourite memories of last year was wandering round the pre-war pits and chatting to the mechanics.
Also wait up for at least one after dark race start on the pit straight, it is quiet on spectators but the noise, lights and atmosphere of an after dark race start is excellent.
Also the showers and toilets at Beausejour stay in good condition the whole weekend. The down side is that it is further away from the main action than the others and it is a 1.5 mile walk to the main viewing areas. In 2008 the Porches curves viewing was open and right next to the site but in 2012 it was closed, boo, hiss.
It's worth getting the tram into town on Friday and/or Sunday evening for a change of scene and some decent food, there are several good restaurants in the old town near the cathedral. The food in Arnage is ok but not as good as the city center.
Do get a pass for the pits areas, one of my favourite memories of last year was wandering round the pre-war pits and chatting to the mechanics.
Also wait up for at least one after dark race start on the pit straight, it is quiet on spectators but the noise, lights and atmosphere of an after dark race start is excellent.
I only went to the classic in 2010. The heat really got to me that year, so I didn't manage to walk around as much (I'm disabled so its difficult) but one thing I did notice, is that from MB campsite, I didnt really see or hear many cars at all. Sat outside in the evening on the Saturday night, I couldn't hear any racing whatsoever.
I will be certainly going next year. Hope the weather isn't as hot so i can enjoy it more!
I will be certainly going next year. Hope the weather isn't as hot so i can enjoy it more!
Did the classic last year for the first time, We stayed on Karting Nord, its was good, sadly the weather was not! Had some massive rain showers, but we managed to stay dry, Just!
Its very different to the main 24 hr race, driving from the Houx roundabout to Beausejour was a pleasure, no idiots stopping you to do a burnout.
No idea where we will stay next year?
The Bugatti circuit is used for various car clubs to show all their cars together, then at certain times over the weekend some clubs are invited to do parade laps of the circuit.
Some of the driving on these parade laps was bloody dangerous, One moment comes to mind of a bloke in a blue porsche boxster, he pulled up along the side of the pit wall and waited for his mate to catch up with him!
meanwhile, other cars were flying by some at over 100mph! Why the bloke did not pull in at the end of the pit lane beats me! would have been much safer. Also saw a few other accidents from so called Gentleman drivers!
The main village is nowhere near as crowded as at the main 24hr race. I was hoping to see the group c cars racing but sadly i did not see any
The best thing for me over the whole weekend was being offered a chance to drive 3 laps of the circuit with the TVR Guys, turning onto the main start finish straight, I thought I had died and gone to Heaven
and hitting the mulsanne straight without having to go around the roundabouts was Bloody Awesome! Had the car up to 160mph at one point! 
I would go again if I can find a way of getting track time again, but if not I prefer the buzz of the main 24hr race.
Its very different to the main 24 hr race, driving from the Houx roundabout to Beausejour was a pleasure, no idiots stopping you to do a burnout.
No idea where we will stay next year?
The Bugatti circuit is used for various car clubs to show all their cars together, then at certain times over the weekend some clubs are invited to do parade laps of the circuit.
Some of the driving on these parade laps was bloody dangerous, One moment comes to mind of a bloke in a blue porsche boxster, he pulled up along the side of the pit wall and waited for his mate to catch up with him!
meanwhile, other cars were flying by some at over 100mph! Why the bloke did not pull in at the end of the pit lane beats me! would have been much safer. Also saw a few other accidents from so called Gentleman drivers!The main village is nowhere near as crowded as at the main 24hr race. I was hoping to see the group c cars racing but sadly i did not see any
The best thing for me over the whole weekend was being offered a chance to drive 3 laps of the circuit with the TVR Guys, turning onto the main start finish straight, I thought I had died and gone to Heaven
and hitting the mulsanne straight without having to go around the roundabouts was Bloody Awesome! Had the car up to 160mph at one point! I would go again if I can find a way of getting track time again, but if not I prefer the buzz of the main 24hr race.
We do the 24hr one year and then the Classic on the next. I personally much prefer the Classic as not being a youngster any more and I am more interested in the cars and racing than just getting drunk and behaving like an idiot. There is definately a much more chilled vibe about the whole event. We do the overnight boat to Caen or Le Havre Wednesday return Monday for both events. We have stayed at Maison Blanche for the last two Classic events and will aim to stay there again next year. We will go for the ACO Passion 24 membership and make sure we get the paddock passes as that walk around is great. Cant wait!
I went to the classic for the first time last year, we were running a car, so my experience was probably a bit different to a spectator, but I found it quite poorly organised, and difficult to follow what was going on in our own period never mind the overall classifications. races were also cut short and moved at a moments notice, seemingly so they could fit in yet another parade lap of for galaxies!!
overall i was left very underwhelmed, not sure I'd rush back as a spectator, although i am on the look out for a drive next year.
We didnt camp in the competitors enclosure but instead stayed with first tickets just outside the circuit which worked well, had good facilities and was secure.
overall i was left very underwhelmed, not sure I'd rush back as a spectator, although i am on the look out for a drive next year.
We didnt camp in the competitors enclosure but instead stayed with first tickets just outside the circuit which worked well, had good facilities and was secure.
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