Camping Bleu

[yeti]

We usually stay at Houx Annexe (once at MB) but this year all we could get (at the time) was Camping Bleu. I'm beginig to hear horror stories about this place such as there are zero facilities, can anyone verify that?

Bleu Nord is the same price as Houx Annexe so I figured same facilities - or do we all have to cross the road to Maison Blanche to use the showers??

Got women with us, this won't go down well!

[Piglet]

It might be worth asking the question over at Club Arnage but IIRC Bleu Nord is new for this year and is what was formerly the Parking Bleu unofficial camping area. When it was Parking Bleu there were I think no facilities as it wasn't really a campsite.

I was allocated Camping Bleu instead of MB but have managed to trade my way out of it but when I looked at the details I'm pretty sure it's scheduled to have the same facilities as the other temporary sites - some portable loo's and some partable showers. I wouldn't bother raiding MB for the facilities there are usually huge queues there anyway!!

[JBL930]

We're at Blue North as well, the last couple of years we have experimented with other sites but before that we always stayed at camping blue and had a great laugh, there were shower blocks (or maybe shower block) then but I couldn't say about this year, not sure what blue "north" means either, it just used to be camping blue, I hope it's not a case of having to pitch the tent in the parking blue area, have a look at this map, www.lemansrace.com/pdf/Lemansdetailed.pdf I can't see blue north anywhere, and the area we always got there early to secure is called blue south?????? I'm confused, anyone care to clear this up??

[JBL930]

Piglet said:

It might be worth asking the question over at Club Arnage but IIRC Bleu Nord is new for this year and is what was formerly the Parking Bleu unofficial camping area. When it was Parking Bleu there were I think no facilities as it wasn't really a campsite. I was allocated Camping Bleu instead of MB but have managed to trade my way out of it but when I looked at the details I'm pretty sure it's scheduled to have the same facilities as the other temporary sites - some portable loo's and some partable showers. I wouldn't bother raiding MB for the facilities there are usually huge queues there anyway!!

Looks like we got the crap deal!!!

[Truckosaurus]

Bleu Nord is definitely new for 2006, which is why it isn't on the 2005 map linked above. Our group is in BN this year too, and I think everyone is just going to have to wait and see what's there. Judging by the quality of facilities on the BSJ site over the past couple of years, I'm hopeful that the ACO will be laying on bogs and showers. The old Bleu Sud site perhaps has been under-facilitated because it is much smaller than the other sites.

The 2006 map that the ACO have posted out to members (which doesn't seem to be online) shows that Bleu Nord will be the rear half (airport end) of the Bleu Parking, so probably twice the size of Bleu Sud.

[neilchills]

Why not just give the ACO a call? I'd go through to someone like Emilie Jane in the Ticket Office and they'll find out for you. They speak very good English and (unlike most French people) do not bite...

IMHO the portable style facilities on sites like BSJ are better than the perm facilities as they are just there for the week rather than sitting there for 40-odd years.

[James_N]

whats karting nord like? (think thats what its called) thats where im staying for the first time this year. Never been to LM before and this is where we elected to stay.

[jbl930]

Have a look on www.beermountain.com/Campsite_Guide.htm I've not stayed on that campsite so couldn't tell you, if it's your first time your in for a treat

[Bike Ace]

James_N said:

whats karting nord like? (think thats what its called) thats where im staying for the first time this year. Never been to LM before and this is where we elected to stay.

James
Stayed in Karting Nord a few years back. It's basically OK running along the inside of the track between Porsche curves and the first chicane into the grandstand. There were two buildings with 1Euro hot showers and the other block had 'reasonably' clean toilets. We also had a local dude coming round selling blocks of ice for the coolers. COLD beer!! Quite a few trees in there for hangin out the washing (yeah right...) so get there early for a good slot. Last time friendly bunch of brits and dutch... oh and a rock band on the back of a truck(I kid you not!) It's *very* close to the track so take earplugs if you plan to sleep.

Bike Ace

[Bike Ace]

btw the way,, I'm in Blue Nord and I heard it should have facilities brought in (they're fed up with a stream of urine crossing the access road Ha!) I'm taking my three sons (19,17 & 11) for their first LM experience. If you see a crappy blue Mitzy spacewagon with two small igloo tents come say Hi to the kids and *try* to get a beer off the buggers.

To the start line...........

[m333 jdc]

Stayed in Parking Bleu last year and they did have toilets but that was it. Will be staying there this year too. Is it advisable to book tickets or just trun up? Will be 3 cars arriving Thursday morning/early afternoon.

Thanks

[James_N]

Bike Ace said:

James_N said: whats karting nord like? (think thats what its called) thats where im staying for the first time this year. Never been to LM before and this is where we elected to stay. James Stayed in Karting Nord a few years back. It's basically OK running along the inside of the track between Porsche curves and the first chicane into the grandstand. There were two buildings with 1Euro hot showers and the other block had 'reasonably' clean toilets. We also had a local dude coming round selling blocks of ice for the coolers. COLD beer!! Quite a few trees in there for hangin out the washing (yeah right...) so get there early for a good slot. Last time friendly bunch of brits and dutch... oh and a rock band on the back of a truck(I kid you not!) It's *very* close to the track so take earplugs if you plan to sleep. Bike Ace

great stuff. Im not worried about the noise - hell its what im going for sleep will be the last thing im going to get!

Sounds like we picked the best place. Getting there on thursday afternoon so hopefully will be a spot for me.

Thanks

[FLAT 6]

Have stayed in Karting Nord, Houx Annex, Camping Bleu and MB. MB definitely favourite with our group due to proximity to track but probably had more laughs in Bleu. Facilities were poor but not that far to the block at entrance to MB.

If you are staying in the new Bleu then presumably you'll only be across the road from the permanent toilet and shower block at the entrance to MB so no worries for the girls - never a queue for the female facilities....now the gents is diffferent.

Cold shower when pished at 3am is usually best bet but someone has to remind you that you wanted to do this or you'll forget and go to sleep at the side of the track. Only an issue if sharing a tent anyway!!