Car for Le Mans
Discussion
Hi all,
My first post on this forum!
I'm going to Le Mans this year with 12 other guys, but i'm stuck for a decent vehicle. It's a stag weekend and I am best man. We are not into dressing the stag as a girl and all having matching tour t-shirts & all that just want a memorable weekend.
The others are far more petrolheads than I and have some nice cars - 911, RS4, TVR etc - to take. However, my choices are a completely mundane Astra 1.6, or my wife's XC90. Hardly exciting.
Does anyone know where I could hire/rent/borrow a decent second hand car for the event? Standard supercar hire is prohibitively expensive, and i'm not looking for a Ferrari/Aston etc - just something that drives with some excitement. Could be a 2-seater or could be a top end saloon/coupe - just want to put the stag in something decent for the event.
I found some places in the westcountry that rent out second hand MGBs/TVRs but the mileage allowance is pants - i'm coming from Southampton.
Any ideas appreciated
Thanks
Steve
My first post on this forum!
I'm going to Le Mans this year with 12 other guys, but i'm stuck for a decent vehicle. It's a stag weekend and I am best man. We are not into dressing the stag as a girl and all having matching tour t-shirts & all that just want a memorable weekend.
The others are far more petrolheads than I and have some nice cars - 911, RS4, TVR etc - to take. However, my choices are a completely mundane Astra 1.6, or my wife's XC90. Hardly exciting.
Does anyone know where I could hire/rent/borrow a decent second hand car for the event? Standard supercar hire is prohibitively expensive, and i'm not looking for a Ferrari/Aston etc - just something that drives with some excitement. Could be a 2-seater or could be a top end saloon/coupe - just want to put the stag in something decent for the event.
I found some places in the westcountry that rent out second hand MGBs/TVRs but the mileage allowance is pants - i'm coming from Southampton.
Any ideas appreciated
Thanks
Steve
Hi Steve,
Rest assured, most people who go to Lemans DONT have expensive cars......over the years our group who have been going for many years have anything from a £200 jalopy Rover dstickered up to a New Audi RS4 and Lotus Exiges....New BMW M3 etc...
I have a Porsche 944 which has been many times, but last year and this year I am going in an old Talbot Camper van rust 'n' all!...slow, fun and comfy!
For a fun factor, doing some funny decals and having a party counts for more than a £100k supercar....and when you've seen loads of Astons going down, well, they become common and nothing special.
My advice, save the dosh on renting a motor, have some fun with your mates and enjoy being different. Lets be honest once you have parked up for the weekend, who's looking at the motor anyway?
Have a great time and some of our pics and info are at lemansclub.com, Rob.
Rest assured, most people who go to Lemans DONT have expensive cars......over the years our group who have been going for many years have anything from a £200 jalopy Rover dstickered up to a New Audi RS4 and Lotus Exiges....New BMW M3 etc...
I have a Porsche 944 which has been many times, but last year and this year I am going in an old Talbot Camper van rust 'n' all!...slow, fun and comfy!
For a fun factor, doing some funny decals and having a party counts for more than a £100k supercar....and when you've seen loads of Astons going down, well, they become common and nothing special.
My advice, save the dosh on renting a motor, have some fun with your mates and enjoy being different. Lets be honest once you have parked up for the weekend, who's looking at the motor anyway?
Have a great time and some of our pics and info are at lemansclub.com, Rob.
I agree, an interesting car for the journey is nice but not essential. Having been down in various motors, last year was in a boring passat stickered up with a roof box- it meant we could take loads of stuff for a great camp site set up. If your going in a normal car take something with the most space! One time at Le Mans I had my stag do there and I always wish I had gone for the helicopter flight during the race, personally I'd save your money for that for him.
Just a thought, but you could travel down in the Volvo with all the kit, but what about trying to blag some passenger lifts, from services to services say, on the way down for the stag?
Not sure our crowd could help, we're going from the North via Zeebrugge, but knowing the LM spirit I'd imagine that plenty would be willing to help,
Not sure our crowd could help, we're going from the North via Zeebrugge, but knowing the LM spirit I'd imagine that plenty would be willing to help,
Take the XC90 - sounds like luxury to me! You'll be grateful when you drive past the rest of us stuck up to the door handles in mud come Monday morning! Honestly, it's not about what you're driving - richer people will bring their toys for you to look at so just enjoy what you've got - I take my work van each year, but driving around the campsites with 10 people on the roof always brings a smile to my face. So try towing the stag down Arnage on a table top - guaranteed to get more heads turning than any supercar! Have a good one.
Take the xc90 and pimp it up.. I took my v8 Diesel Rangie Last Year and it was perfect spacious, nice and high up and comfortable.Like The others say have a theme...Look at the fake rozzers last year!!!
Dont Bother Renting a Tvr Or MG..They wont make it there and back!!!
Need Something With Luggage Space Or Take Some Rope & Hope!!!
Dont Bother Renting a Tvr Or MG..They wont make it there and back!!!
Need Something With Luggage Space Or Take Some Rope & Hope!!!
Edited by rickh on Sunday 11th May 00:25
Brilliant advice, thanks! Definitely sounds like its more about just having fun.
How do the stickers/livery work eg. Can you just peel them off again? Might get at least one embarrassing photo of the stag and turn it into a sticker, can I get custom stickers made with 4 weeks to go and where would I get these?
Thanks again
Steve.
How do the stickers/livery work eg. Can you just peel them off again? Might get at least one embarrassing photo of the stag and turn it into a sticker, can I get custom stickers made with 4 weeks to go and where would I get these?
Thanks again
Steve.
Helicopter flight does look amazing, I believe it's just a turn at the airport opposite the track and pay there and then affair. Think it's about €50pp.
There are loads of people who supply vinyls. I've always used this guy, he's very fast, good at short notice and seems much cheaper than others I've spoken to. Just speak to him about what you want and in what size and he'll sort it. I've normally sent him images to use/copy. He works in coloured vinyl rather than printed images though and has done '24 heures du stag' stickers as well as sorting some 'beerwagen' stickers:
www.ebay.co.uk/usr/olivertonkin
olivertonkin@aol.com
There are loads of people who supply vinyls. I've always used this guy, he's very fast, good at short notice and seems much cheaper than others I've spoken to. Just speak to him about what you want and in what size and he'll sort it. I've normally sent him images to use/copy. He works in coloured vinyl rather than printed images though and has done '24 heures du stag' stickers as well as sorting some 'beerwagen' stickers:
www.ebay.co.uk/usr/olivertonkin
olivertonkin@aol.com
Edited by dredgey on Sunday 11th May 08:44
Another +1 for comfort here!
One of our crew is taking his Tiger kit car this year. The trip only works for him because we'll be carrying his camping kit, were too old for minimalist! It'll be a great trip for him as long as it doesn't rain.
In the meantime, I'll be cruising along in the Jag enjoying the drive and when I get to LM it'll be parked up and not used again until Monday by which time those big leather seats and auto box will look very inviting indeed.
Whatever you take it'll be a trip to remember, or as much as you can recall anyway!
One of our crew is taking his Tiger kit car this year. The trip only works for him because we'll be carrying his camping kit, were too old for minimalist! It'll be a great trip for him as long as it doesn't rain.
In the meantime, I'll be cruising along in the Jag enjoying the drive and when I get to LM it'll be parked up and not used again until Monday by which time those big leather seats and auto box will look very inviting indeed.
Whatever you take it'll be a trip to remember, or as much as you can recall anyway!
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
The police themed convoy is well remembered by my gang from the journey home last year, although the thread above shows how diverse the transport is & how the Brits make their own spectacle (even in liveried rep mobiles etc.)
The banter at the tunnel or ferry & every stop/peage queue is priceless & is open to everyone, regardless of what you are travelling in (you might find some form of hi-powered water dispenser useful for your car if your 'unwashed' friends have drop-top cars & insist on fresh air motoring
)
The police themed convoy is well remembered by my gang from the journey home last year, although the thread above shows how diverse the transport is & how the Brits make their own spectacle (even in liveried rep mobiles etc.)
The banter at the tunnel or ferry & every stop/peage queue is priceless & is open to everyone, regardless of what you are travelling in (you might find some form of hi-powered water dispenser useful for your car if your 'unwashed' friends have drop-top cars & insist on fresh air motoring
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