Yank needs Tips on getting the most out of Lemans visit
Discussion
Hello, I will be coming to the 2017 24Hrs of Lemans and would appreciate any tips you can provide to help me make the most of the visit. Advice on lodging or camping, type of tickets I should get, prerace festivities, and possibly paddock access. I attend the 24Hrs of Daytona quite often, Petit LeMans at Road Atlanta, WEC at Circuit of the Americas, and many other tracks and venues in North America. I would be happy to offer assistance or advice if any of you are coming this way. I know a great way to see Indycar racing with full access for little money. Thank you, Jim
Almost everything you need is in here.
http://www.clubarnage.com/caguide/
It is the Le Mans bible.
( also download one that is a couple of years old too - is has all the supermarkets nearby etc )
General entry tickets get you access for the week.
Then if you want grandstand tickets - just chose the one you want.
(Grandstands are open to everyone for the practice/ qualifying on Wed & Thu )
http://www.clubarnage.com/caguide/
It is the Le Mans bible.
( also download one that is a couple of years old too - is has all the supermarkets nearby etc )
General entry tickets get you access for the week.
Then if you want grandstand tickets - just chose the one you want.
(Grandstands are open to everyone for the practice/ qualifying on Wed & Thu )
Edited by Troubleatmill on Friday 17th June 18:55
Edited by Troubleatmill on Friday 17th June 19:04
Start organising now, especially accommodation. Hotels and the best campsites get booked up very early and can easily be fully booked six months in advance. Camping at the circuit is the best way to soak up the atmosphere but facilities are basic.
Two must do events, both on Friday, are the Classic British Welcome in St Saturnin and the drivers parade in Le Mans town on Friday evening. The latter is more for the party atmosphere than the parade IMHO.
Two must do events, both on Friday, are the Classic British Welcome in St Saturnin and the drivers parade in Le Mans town on Friday evening. The latter is more for the party atmosphere than the parade IMHO.
First advice is to get your plans in place now whilst it is topical: day of arrival/departure, camping or hotel, do you need parking, do you want a grandstand seat. You will require a general entry ticket anyway to access the circuit. Then when the ACO booking website is open for non ACO members, usually in mid November, book what you need. If you want hotel accommodation, then book that direct asap.
Next, get a mini portable radio with FM plus good headphones so you can pick up Radio le Mans at the circuit and be able to follow exactly what's going on.
After that plan everything else at your leisure. Get a copy of the full circuit map from the ACO website and plan what you want to do and see when there.
R.
Next, get a mini portable radio with FM plus good headphones so you can pick up Radio le Mans at the circuit and be able to follow exactly what's going on.
After that plan everything else at your leisure. Get a copy of the full circuit map from the ACO website and plan what you want to do and see when there.
R.
In Reply to TheHoof about CotA,
My air travel was cheaper by flying into San Antonio rather than Austin. You might check that if you haven’t booked air yet. Travel time by car is a little over an hour, 75 miles on a great interstate highway. I stayed at the Comfort Inn & Suites Airport. Very clean and good price. Booked rental car From Alamo Rent a Car at the airport and got little one for $15 a day.
One thing you’re going to like is it is nowhere near as crowded as Le Mans. Attendance will be light. Grandstands are open seating. Sit for a while, get rested take pictures then go to another spot.
Also, my favorite, is access to the pits and paddock is included in your admission. Fans during each prerace can walk around all the cars staged on the grid.
It was very hot so wear loose fitting clothes, shorts good idea. Wear close toed shoes so pit entry not a problem. A big tip to view race and beat the heat is either the Main Grandstands across from pit road or my favorite is under the bridge at turn 16. It’s a grassy slope that nice and cool. If sitting in the main grandstands and you want to head for the pits, it’s quite a ways to get around to the pit entrance. I sat there after a long day in the pits and around the track. I went up to them after my pit walk for the WEC race at 5. Once I had enough I just exited and got a tram to the parking. If you sit in the main grandstands earlier in the day you can get back around to the main gate and easy access to pits, via tram. Just check with people at qate about reentry. I’m pretty sure you get a stamp.
San Antonio is a neat place to knock around. Make sure you go to the River Walk. http://www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com/ It’s an amazing public park, lined with restaurants and shops. The Alamo attraction is right in downtown San Antonio. http://www.thealamo.org/visit/index.html Not sure you need to go in and tour, but walk the ground and see the display in the gift shop. From the Alamo you just walk across the street to an entrance to River Walk.
My air travel was cheaper by flying into San Antonio rather than Austin. You might check that if you haven’t booked air yet. Travel time by car is a little over an hour, 75 miles on a great interstate highway. I stayed at the Comfort Inn & Suites Airport. Very clean and good price. Booked rental car From Alamo Rent a Car at the airport and got little one for $15 a day.
One thing you’re going to like is it is nowhere near as crowded as Le Mans. Attendance will be light. Grandstands are open seating. Sit for a while, get rested take pictures then go to another spot.
Also, my favorite, is access to the pits and paddock is included in your admission. Fans during each prerace can walk around all the cars staged on the grid.
It was very hot so wear loose fitting clothes, shorts good idea. Wear close toed shoes so pit entry not a problem. A big tip to view race and beat the heat is either the Main Grandstands across from pit road or my favorite is under the bridge at turn 16. It’s a grassy slope that nice and cool. If sitting in the main grandstands and you want to head for the pits, it’s quite a ways to get around to the pit entrance. I sat there after a long day in the pits and around the track. I went up to them after my pit walk for the WEC race at 5. Once I had enough I just exited and got a tram to the parking. If you sit in the main grandstands earlier in the day you can get back around to the main gate and easy access to pits, via tram. Just check with people at qate about reentry. I’m pretty sure you get a stamp.
San Antonio is a neat place to knock around. Make sure you go to the River Walk. http://www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com/ It’s an amazing public park, lined with restaurants and shops. The Alamo attraction is right in downtown San Antonio. http://www.thealamo.org/visit/index.html Not sure you need to go in and tour, but walk the ground and see the display in the gift shop. From the Alamo you just walk across the street to an entrance to River Walk.
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