Le Mans on my own
Le Mans on my own
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Gmund

Original Poster:

77 posts

167 months

Tuesday 2nd June 2015
quotequote all
Hi All

I'm toying with the idea of going from Hampshire to Le Mans for the first time on my own (as all my mates are talkers), as I really want to be there! I don't know if it's too late to get tickets/ferries/camping, but thought this would be the place to ask for advice.

I'm one of these idiots that spends the year thinking about such events, and then a week before, getting mad at myself at the thought of missing it!

I done this at Goodwood last year. Bought the tickets on eBay at midnight for triple their RRP, and had to drive 50 miles out of my way on the morning of FOS to collect them!

To go, or not to go? (for someone that doesn't like doing big events alone)

Output Flange

17,009 posts

234 months

Tuesday 2nd June 2015
quotequote all
There was another thread recently about people doing it alone. I am this year, as my usual group can't make it.

Plenty of tickets coming up on the sale/swap thread, so you'll be fine if you decide to do it. You're never on your own at LM.

CampingGaz

189 posts

166 months

Tuesday 2nd June 2015
quotequote all
Just do it - You'll enjoy yourself and it's easy to make 'le mans' friends smile

If you're flexible (and living in Hants gives you a lot of ferry options) you'll make it across. GA tickets available at gate, camping may be your only issue (in car or maybe someone on here will be looking to off-load camping tickets ?). If you search there are some hotel options available if you don't want to stay on site.

Troubleatmill

10,210 posts

182 months

Tuesday 2nd June 2015
quotequote all
Just do it.

You won't be alone.

Top tip... when you get to the site - get to know your neighbours.

Offer a few beers - ( They might have a fridge and replace your warm ones for cold ones )

Be sociable.

Enjoy


Just try an get a camping spot.
General entry tickets are freely available on the gate.

Gmund

Original Poster:

77 posts

167 months

Tuesday 2nd June 2015
quotequote all
CampingGaz said:
Just do it - You'll enjoy yourself and it's easy to make 'le mans' friends smile

If you're flexible (and living in Hants gives you a lot of ferry options) you'll make it across. GA tickets available at gate, camping may be your only issue (in car or maybe someone on here will be looking to off-load camping tickets ?). If you search there are some hotel options available if you don't want to stay on site.
Hello again CampingGaz, you're everywhere tonight! Sorry if this is a silly question, but what is a GA ticket?

Gmund

Original Poster:

77 posts

167 months

Tuesday 2nd June 2015
quotequote all
Gmund said:
CampingGaz said:
Just do it - You'll enjoy yourself and it's easy to make 'le mans' friends smile

If you're flexible (and living in Hants gives you a lot of ferry options) you'll make it across. GA tickets available at gate, camping may be your only issue (in car or maybe someone on here will be looking to off-load camping tickets ?). If you search there are some hotel options available if you don't want to stay on site.
Hello again CampingGaz, you're everywhere tonight! Sorry if this is a silly question, but what is a GA ticket?
Ah General Access! I was replying to you, then I saw a previous reply!

CampingGaz

189 posts

166 months

Tuesday 2nd June 2015
quotequote all
Spot on....Not often two topics come up on PH which I know something about laugh !

Just back from Test Day (on my own) and then back down to LM next Tuesday with half a dozen mates for a our normal 7 day trip

Edited by CampingGaz on Tuesday 2nd June 20:16

gt6

1,473 posts

208 months

Tuesday 2nd June 2015
quotequote all
There are quite a few camping tickets appearing and even some on the better sites, if you get a TR one you are welcome to join us we arrive Tuesday. You can buy the tickets at any of the gates but as said the real issue is you must have a camping ticket. Check here, ten-tenths, beermountain and club arnarge and you will find a few available, most people have a pecking order of campsites, but most are good.

Gmund

Original Poster:

77 posts

167 months

Tuesday 2nd June 2015
quotequote all
Thank you all very much! I feel very encouraged now! GT6, what is a TR? Sorry for all of these silly questions, I'm a newbie.

JamieBurford

182 posts

153 months

Tuesday 2nd June 2015
quotequote all
Gmund said:
Thank you all very much! I feel very encouraged now! GT6, what is a TR? Sorry for all of these silly questions, I'm a newbie.
Tertre Rouge, it's a campsite. Most campsites seem to get abbreviated. GV - Garage Vert BSJ - Beausejour MB - Maison Blanc and so on...

Gmund

Original Poster:

77 posts

167 months

Tuesday 2nd June 2015
quotequote all
Next questions:

1) Do you get parking with a GA ticket?
2) Can I sleep in the car, or will I get a Gendarme banging on my window, calling me a merde?

Thanks again.


JamieBurford

182 posts

153 months

Tuesday 2nd June 2015
quotequote all
No, general entrance just gets you into the circuit and racing village, no grandstands or anything. Parking passes and camping passes are bought separately.

Sleeping in the car isn't really a good idea. Much better to get a campsite, pitch a tent, camping chair, beer.
Much better way to meet people too. A very friendly place.

JamieBurford

182 posts

153 months

Tuesday 2nd June 2015
quotequote all
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Best place to find camping and tickets at this late stage.

Gmund

Original Poster:

77 posts

167 months

Tuesday 2nd June 2015
quotequote all
Output Flange said:
There was another thread recently about people doing it alone. I am this year, as my usual group can't make it.

Plenty of tickets coming up on the sale/swap thread, so you'll be fine if you decide to do it. You're never on your own at LM.
Dude, you've owned some fricking amazing motors! I'm a child of the 80's, and used to drool over most of those BM's! Would love to own an E46 CSL one day. If only they'd made a manual. Not sure I could live with SMG, so might have to pip for 'standard' car, or CS.

Gmund

Original Poster:

77 posts

167 months

Tuesday 2nd June 2015
quotequote all
JamieBurford said:
No, general entrance just gets you into the circuit and racing village, no grandstands or anything. Parking passes and camping passes are bought separately.

Sleeping in the car isn't really a good idea. Much better to get a campsite, pitch a tent, camping chair, beer.
Much better way to meet people too. A very friendly place.
Thanks, Jamie. I was looking at tents in Tesco today. See how organised I am hahaha???

JamieBurford

182 posts

153 months

Tuesday 2nd June 2015
quotequote all
I use a pop up tent as i'm not normally one for the great outdoors. I ONLY camp for Le Mans!

CampingGaz

189 posts

166 months

Tuesday 2nd June 2015
quotequote all
I suggest two reasons now to go to Basingstoke laugh - here's the second : http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/camping

Troubleatmill

10,210 posts

182 months

Tuesday 2nd June 2015
quotequote all
JamieBurford said:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Best place to find camping and tickets at this late stage.
Uh Hu.... Computer says no.
Try
www.clubarnage.com

It is Le Mans Mecca


Seriously - Try here, Club Arnage, Beermountain.com

Gmund

Original Poster:

77 posts

167 months

Tuesday 2nd June 2015
quotequote all
Thank you all very much. If the LM crowd are like you lot, I'm in for a good time. Doh, you are the LM crowd!

gt6

1,473 posts

208 months

Wednesday 3rd June 2015
quotequote all
There are quite a few camping tickets around, you will need either a camping ticket or a car parking ticket, not both.
Have a look at the various maps for where the camping sites are, TR is at the highest part of the circuit overlooking the section From the dunlop Bridge the forest esses and the run to tertre rouge corner. All campsites have their own advantages and disadvantages and as most people on here and other forums will tell you, everyone has a preference and often like me will have camped in several before they settle on one, during the last 30 years i have tried most but the last 15 have been on TR as it best suits me. All you need is a crossing, a car, a few euro's for food/beer/fuel, a camping ticket, race ticket (General enterance purchase at gate), a tent, a chair, a bog roll, a small radio. However be warned Le Mans is highly addictive, go once and the next thing you remember is 30 years later you have been 29 times, plus 5 Classic's and a few test days. I could give it up at any time but just need one more fix honestly.