Le Mans Classic - 4 day event?
Discussion
After many years attending the Le Mans 24 we felt that this year was a less attractive proposition given the field drop in GT and what appears to be a hiatus before the hyper-cars and rule amalgamations land in 2021. Always fancied the Classic, so this is the year.
We will arrive on Thursday and leave on the Monday, but I’ve noticed that the Classic event appears to run for 4 days? Can any Classic regulars shine some light on this, as well as suggest what might be worth attending etc.?
I’m an old hand at Le Mans, but this is the first Classic, so want to ensure that I get the most out of it, and importantly, do not miss anything important.
Many thanks in advance.
We will arrive on Thursday and leave on the Monday, but I’ve noticed that the Classic event appears to run for 4 days? Can any Classic regulars shine some light on this, as well as suggest what might be worth attending etc.?
I’m an old hand at Le Mans, but this is the first Classic, so want to ensure that I get the most out of it, and importantly, do not miss anything important.
Many thanks in advance.
As someone who did normal Le Mans for 10+ years to then do my first Classic a few years ago, the biggest thing you'll notice (in a good way) is the difference in attendance numbers, the level of access to various areas of the track and cars, and the general relaxed feeling that the event has.
Car wise, if you've been to Silverstone or Spa Classic, the format is similar in that the racing is split between classes 1 to 6 which cycle throughout the weekend but the grids of cars appears bigger at LM.
As for a 4 day event, it can be, but in no way is it the 4 day event that the normal Le Mans is. We arrive Thursday and pitch up, but there is nothing track wise going on and its just a very chilled day. One of the highlights though is going for a wander round the completely empty pits and the ability to look at all the cars, chat to the mechanics and owners that are tinkering etc. It is magical as the light is fading and makes you feel like you've crept in somewhere you really shouldn't, after the strict access you get accustomed to at other large events. Activities on track are Friday through to Sunday and you can sit in any of the stands, wander around the campsites, club displays, pits, garages etc. to your hearts content. Although it's certainly busy with a good attendance, it never feels like your utterly swamped and can't do what you want to do or have to fight your way around the circuit. You can even drive around the access roads quite easily without fear for your car as you would at the normal 24hr event as everyone is respectful and traffic is dare I say "normal". In all honesty, it is only since attending the Classic that I have viewed the circuit from so many different vantage points because, as you're probably aware, trying to navigate yourself around the access roads during the normal 24hr is just logistically a nightmare.
We leave early on the Monday morning and head back to blighty, but be warned, after the racing stops on Sunday afternoon the place literally shuts down and everything is getting packed up. To the point that if you are thinking (like we did the first time} that you can pop into the circuit for something to eat Sunday evening, there is literally nothing! So with regards to Sunday eve, just make sure you either BBQ at the campsite with your own supplies or head off into town to a restaurant etc.
It really is a stunning event and the last couple of times I've been the weather has been utterly amazing, so fingers crossed for more sun to grace the circuit this July as it really does add the finishing touch to a top petrol head weekend
Car wise, if you've been to Silverstone or Spa Classic, the format is similar in that the racing is split between classes 1 to 6 which cycle throughout the weekend but the grids of cars appears bigger at LM.
As for a 4 day event, it can be, but in no way is it the 4 day event that the normal Le Mans is. We arrive Thursday and pitch up, but there is nothing track wise going on and its just a very chilled day. One of the highlights though is going for a wander round the completely empty pits and the ability to look at all the cars, chat to the mechanics and owners that are tinkering etc. It is magical as the light is fading and makes you feel like you've crept in somewhere you really shouldn't, after the strict access you get accustomed to at other large events. Activities on track are Friday through to Sunday and you can sit in any of the stands, wander around the campsites, club displays, pits, garages etc. to your hearts content. Although it's certainly busy with a good attendance, it never feels like your utterly swamped and can't do what you want to do or have to fight your way around the circuit. You can even drive around the access roads quite easily without fear for your car as you would at the normal 24hr event as everyone is respectful and traffic is dare I say "normal". In all honesty, it is only since attending the Classic that I have viewed the circuit from so many different vantage points because, as you're probably aware, trying to navigate yourself around the access roads during the normal 24hr is just logistically a nightmare.
We leave early on the Monday morning and head back to blighty, but be warned, after the racing stops on Sunday afternoon the place literally shuts down and everything is getting packed up. To the point that if you are thinking (like we did the first time} that you can pop into the circuit for something to eat Sunday evening, there is literally nothing! So with regards to Sunday eve, just make sure you either BBQ at the campsite with your own supplies or head off into town to a restaurant etc.
It really is a stunning event and the last couple of times I've been the weather has been utterly amazing, so fingers crossed for more sun to grace the circuit this July as it really does add the finishing touch to a top petrol head weekend
3 1/2 days this year maybe, unlike the many days of the main race
https://www.lemansclassic.com/language/en/timetabl...
order of grids also messed around this year as starting with Grid 4 - so late Saturday night racing with grids 4 & 5 now replaced with earlier stuff and have to wait til 1am til 3am for 4 & 5
and worst of all the wretched Little Big Mans now goes on past well past 4pm! on Saturday
https://www.lemansclassic.com/language/en/timetabl...
order of grids also messed around this year as starting with Grid 4 - so late Saturday night racing with grids 4 & 5 now replaced with earlier stuff and have to wait til 1am til 3am for 4 & 5
and worst of all the wretched Little Big Mans now goes on past well past 4pm! on Saturday
NotNormal said:
the biggest thing you'll notice (in a good way) is the difference in attendance numbers
The difference is getting smaller every time, Classic:
2018 - 195,000
2016 - 123,000
2014 - 110,000
24Hr
2019 - 252,000
First time I did the classic it was relatively easy to turn up at the circuit late Saturday morning, 2018 it was barely noticeably different from the 24hr
ukcerb said:
Does anyone know of any good campsites away from track? Don’t mind 15 mile drive max. Thanks
Try https://www.chateau-de-chanteloup.com/en/Been camping here for a dozen years or so and would now hate to have to look for anywhere else.
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