Home from Le Mans by 9am Monday - possible?
Discussion
Help, I have something of a problem!
Me and a few mates are planning a trip to Le Mans, and I've just noticed that at 9am on Monday 16th I have to be at a training course for work. It's one of those where the only excuse for missing it is my own death - no way out of it!!
Sooo... I'm gonna have to leave on the Sun afternoon/evening. Question is, how long does it take to get from circuit to Calais in Le Mans traffic, and how long do the crossings take? I'm assuming about 5 hours to get from Dover to work (near Mansfield). Also, how do the ferry tickets work - are you allotted a certain time or departure or can you choose a time that suits?
Any info/advice appreciated!
Me and a few mates are planning a trip to Le Mans, and I've just noticed that at 9am on Monday 16th I have to be at a training course for work. It's one of those where the only excuse for missing it is my own death - no way out of it!!
Sooo... I'm gonna have to leave on the Sun afternoon/evening. Question is, how long does it take to get from circuit to Calais in Le Mans traffic, and how long do the crossings take? I'm assuming about 5 hours to get from Dover to work (near Mansfield). Also, how do the ferry tickets work - are you allotted a certain time or departure or can you choose a time that suits?
Any info/advice appreciated!
Jonny_ said:
Help, I have something of a problem!
That's not a problem, thats what we do every year. Bail about 2 hours before the end - and I know there'll be people say why go all that way, stay Sunday night blah blah blah, but it's what we do. Get to Dover for a crossing about 5pm, tunnel gets you back 30 mins before you leave, then hit the M20. Last year I bailed in Bromsgrove due to rain and my inability to drive safe, got up 6am and finished it off.As said its certainly doable, but you will miss the last couple of hours of the race, and dont get absolutely plastered saturady night either as if you get breath tested sun lunchtime theres a good chance you will fail.
If you have a co driver its easily doable, if on your own, then you will be there in body but probably not in mind !!!!!!
Good luck.
If you have a co driver its easily doable, if on your own, then you will be there in body but probably not in mind !!!!!!
Good luck.
Johnny,
In 1996 I needed to get from Le Mans to Slaley Hall near Teeside by mid Monday morning for a presentation at a comnpany conference. My son and I left Le Mans after the race, drove to Caen, got the night ferry to Portsmouth as booked, then drove to Gatwick, my son drove the car to my home, I flew to Teeside and then got a cab to Slaley Hall. I arrived around 10:30, smelly and dishevelled (as you do after a great weekend at Le Mans!) plunged into a bath, changed clothes, and got to the conference without anyone noticing I was late! Even I can say my presentation to my colleagues was excellent! So, if I can do it so can you!
On a couple of occasions since then I've also left on the Sunday 30 minutes before the end of the race so as to get out of the Le Mans vacinity quickly (listenting to Radio Le Mans as much as possible to get the race finish) and I've gone home via Le Shuttle at Calais. 4 hours Le Mans to Calais is easily doable (especially now with the new A28), with one eye watching for the boys in blue on their BMWs of course.
I have to say travelling back to Calais on the Monday is always by far the best way to go.
R.
In 1996 I needed to get from Le Mans to Slaley Hall near Teeside by mid Monday morning for a presentation at a comnpany conference. My son and I left Le Mans after the race, drove to Caen, got the night ferry to Portsmouth as booked, then drove to Gatwick, my son drove the car to my home, I flew to Teeside and then got a cab to Slaley Hall. I arrived around 10:30, smelly and dishevelled (as you do after a great weekend at Le Mans!) plunged into a bath, changed clothes, and got to the conference without anyone noticing I was late! Even I can say my presentation to my colleagues was excellent! So, if I can do it so can you!
On a couple of occasions since then I've also left on the Sunday 30 minutes before the end of the race so as to get out of the Le Mans vacinity quickly (listenting to Radio Le Mans as much as possible to get the race finish) and I've gone home via Le Shuttle at Calais. 4 hours Le Mans to Calais is easily doable (especially now with the new A28), with one eye watching for the boys in blue on their BMWs of course.
I have to say travelling back to Calais on the Monday is always by far the best way to go.
R.
We did it last year. Left on sunday just after the race. Took us 2 hours to get out of Houx.
We had a caravan on the back too. Plan was to get as far up as possible, then stop overnight in a services, then catch a ferry mid morning on Monday, but on the way back up, 3 of us decided (against my advice) to carry on and do it in one go. So each taking turns at the wheel, we carried on, Caught an earlier ferry and just kept going.
Left Houx at 3pm Sunday.
Pulled into Stafford 9am Monday morning.
We stopped only for fuel, driver changes, and the ferry
Christ we were knackered though!
This year, we are taking it much more leisurely
We had a caravan on the back too. Plan was to get as far up as possible, then stop overnight in a services, then catch a ferry mid morning on Monday, but on the way back up, 3 of us decided (against my advice) to carry on and do it in one go. So each taking turns at the wheel, we carried on, Caught an earlier ferry and just kept going.
Left Houx at 3pm Sunday.
Pulled into Stafford 9am Monday morning.
We stopped only for fuel, driver changes, and the ferry
Christ we were knackered though!
This year, we are taking it much more leisurely
You could always go for the Eurotunnel.
Race ends at 15:00, so 16:00 by the time you've got back to the campsite, faffed a bit and hit the road (well queue of cars to get off the campsite and out of Le Mans).
Free of Le Mans say 18:00, get to Calais around 22:00.
Catch a train (22:20/22:50/23:50), back to UK around the same time (due to time difference), home around 3AM.
Or
Watch race, wander back to camp site and chill for a bit (laughing at the people going no-where in their cars for 2 hours).
18:00/19:00 head in to Le Mans old town and have some food.
Leave Le Mans at 23:00 and drive to Calais.
Catch 03:25 train from Calais.
Leave Folkstone around same time.
Get home around 7AM, shower/s
t/shave and off to work.
Race ends at 15:00, so 16:00 by the time you've got back to the campsite, faffed a bit and hit the road (well queue of cars to get off the campsite and out of Le Mans).
Free of Le Mans say 18:00, get to Calais around 22:00.
Catch a train (22:20/22:50/23:50), back to UK around the same time (due to time difference), home around 3AM.
Or
Watch race, wander back to camp site and chill for a bit (laughing at the people going no-where in their cars for 2 hours).
18:00/19:00 head in to Le Mans old town and have some food.
Leave Le Mans at 23:00 and drive to Calais.
Catch 03:25 train from Calais.
Leave Folkstone around same time.
Get home around 7AM, shower/s
t/shave and off to work.//j17 said:
Watch race, wander back to camp site and chill for a bit (laughing at the people going no-where in their cars for 2 hours).
18:00/19:00 head in to Le Mans old town and have some food.
Leave Le Mans at 23:00 and drive to Calais.
Catch 03:25 train from Calais.
Leave Folkstone around same time.
Get home around 7AM, shower/st/shave and off to work.
Just one thing missing.......any form of sleep. Well maybe a cat nap on the tunnel but I'd not fancy a day at work on 15 mins kip.18:00/19:00 head in to Le Mans old town and have some food.
Leave Le Mans at 23:00 and drive to Calais.
Catch 03:25 train from Calais.
Leave Folkstone around same time.
Get home around 7AM, shower/s
t/shave and off to work.It's do-able, I'd go for the "leaving two hours before the end" approach as getting out of the campsites in the last hour and after the race can be a nightmare (well so it appears from the comfort of our gazebo drinking beer )
Just don't over-estimate how tired you might be, we normally struggle to get back on the Monday with two drivers as a week of too much beer and limited sleep tends to catch up with you after a couple of hours on the road (especially after a couple of hours on the A28!).
) Just don't over-estimate how tired you might be, we normally struggle to get back on the Monday with two drivers as a week of too much beer and limited sleep tends to catch up with you after a couple of hours on the road (especially after a couple of hours on the A28!).
We are planning on staying put on the Sunday night this year but before now have always left the track at about 7-8ish (used to be after the end of the Canadian GP usually)
We would then drive to an hour outside of Calais (aire du Somme (sp) ) and park the motorhome up for the night at about 1:30-2am.
Based on that I doubt it would be a problem.
As for Eurofunnel times I would spend the extra and book an open ticket.
We would then drive to an hour outside of Calais (aire du Somme (sp) ) and park the motorhome up for the night at about 1:30-2am.
Based on that I doubt it would be a problem.
As for Eurofunnel times I would spend the extra and book an open ticket.
Cheers for your responses all
So it appears feasible, if a bit of a ball-ache... I should have at least one accomplice and possibly 2, which ought to take the sting out of the driving a little. Although mucho red bull may be useful...
Shame to miss the end of the race but at least I'll get to see the night stage.
Bloody work, they have a nasty habit of scheduling training around Le Mans weekend... last 2 years they've scuppered my plans for popping me LM cherry!
So it appears feasible, if a bit of a ball-ache... I should have at least one accomplice and possibly 2, which ought to take the sting out of the driving a little. Although mucho red bull may be useful...
Shame to miss the end of the race but at least I'll get to see the night stage.
Bloody work, they have a nasty habit of scheduling training around Le Mans weekend... last 2 years they've scuppered my plans for popping me LM cherry!
Jonny, Maybe take a laptop and listen to Radio Le Mans on it via internet radio on the way home after leaving the circuit early? You'll need a wirelesss connection of course. Some comfort perhaps.
I think it was 1999 when I left Le Mans on the Sunday 30 minutes before the end of the race (I got away from the circuit very well) but the leading Toyota GT1 then crashed with 25 minutes to go. I think I had only just got back to my car and heard this on Radio Le Mans. As I would have liked to see the GT1 win, I was disappointed to hear its fate, but at least I did not miss a Toyota winning ceremony! R.
I think it was 1999 when I left Le Mans on the Sunday 30 minutes before the end of the race (I got away from the circuit very well) but the leading Toyota GT1 then crashed with 25 minutes to go. I think I had only just got back to my car and heard this on Radio Le Mans. As I would have liked to see the GT1 win, I was disappointed to hear its fate, but at least I did not miss a Toyota winning ceremony! R.
Vette_1978 said:
//j17 said:
Watch race, wander back to camp site and chill for a bit (laughing at the people going no-where in their cars for 2 hours).
18:00/19:00 head in to Le Mans old town and have some food.
Leave Le Mans at 23:00 and drive to Calais.
Catch 03:25 train from Calais.
Leave Folkstone around same time.
Get home around 7AM, shower/st/shave and off to work.
Just one thing missing.......any form of sleep. Well maybe a cat nap on the tunnel but I'd not fancy a day at work on 15 mins kip.18:00/19:00 head in to Le Mans old town and have some food.
Leave Le Mans at 23:00 and drive to Calais.
Catch 03:25 train from Calais.
Leave Folkstone around same time.
Get home around 7AM, shower/s
t/shave and off to work.Vette_1978 said:
//j17 said:
Watch race, wander back to camp site and chill for a bit (laughing at the people going no-where in their cars for 2 hours).
18:00/19:00 head in to Le Mans old town and have some food.
Leave Le Mans at 23:00 and drive to Calais.
Catch 03:25 train from Calais.
Leave Folkstone around same time.
Get home around 7AM, shower/st/shave and off to work.
Just one thing missing.......any form of sleep. Well maybe a cat nap on the tunnel but I'd not fancy a day at work on 15 mins kip.18:00/19:00 head in to Le Mans old town and have some food.
Leave Le Mans at 23:00 and drive to Calais.
Catch 03:25 train from Calais.
Leave Folkstone around same time.
Get home around 7AM, shower/s
t/shave and off to work.
I am coming back on the Le Havre to Newhaven ferry. Not sure if it is a better option or not?
Race finishes at 3 this year. Should be able to see the finsih and get up to Le Havre for the 7.30 pm ferry. Gets into Newhaven for 11.30pm, then its a 4 hour drive to Mansfield. You'd have had a fairly long ferry journey to sleep on as well.
Race finishes at 3 this year. Should be able to see the finsih and get up to Le Havre for the 7.30 pm ferry. Gets into Newhaven for 11.30pm, then its a 4 hour drive to Mansfield. You'd have had a fairly long ferry journey to sleep on as well.
I'd say do able, Id put soem fresh clothes in the car with some bits to wash up, (the rain would have worked as a shower this year) head for Calais,
However I would consider a night crossing if possible to get some kip and freshen up poss the Le Harve Portsmouth Soton crossing then go straight to the course.
Google shows good travelling time's leave Soton area at 5 am gets you easily to Mansfield for 8-8.30
The choice is yours but certainly see the end of the race freshen up and go for it !
However I would consider a night crossing if possible to get some kip and freshen up poss the Le Harve Portsmouth Soton crossing then go straight to the course.
Google shows good travelling time's leave Soton area at 5 am gets you easily to Mansfield for 8-8.30
The choice is yours but certainly see the end of the race freshen up and go for it !
If it's your first year I would recommend staying to see the finish. It's not life changing or anything and unless you're quick on your toes you'll be miles from the presentation, and more importantly the Hawaiian Tropic girls, but it's definately part of the spectacle. I have been the last four years and am now definately in the camp of leaving before the race has finished but I'm pleased I stayed till the end the first year, though point to note it wasn't p1ssing with rain that year.
There's no doubt the traffic is then a pain in the a*se, it could be upto two hours after the race has finished before you are on the A23 leaving Le Mans depending on where you are parked, but with a co-pilot you could then be in Calais in 5 hours with a short stop.
I would recommend the Chunnel, book an appropriate time based on the above and if you get there early they will offer you a space if they have it. My guess is that if you get on your toes after the presentation you could be on the 22.30pm crossing local, in the UK by 22.30, and I'm guessing that would see you home about 2.30am, again making use of co-pilots.
Upshot, its definately do-able.
There's no doubt the traffic is then a pain in the a*se, it could be upto two hours after the race has finished before you are on the A23 leaving Le Mans depending on where you are parked, but with a co-pilot you could then be in Calais in 5 hours with a short stop.
I would recommend the Chunnel, book an appropriate time based on the above and if you get there early they will offer you a space if they have it. My guess is that if you get on your toes after the presentation you could be on the 22.30pm crossing local, in the UK by 22.30, and I'm guessing that would see you home about 2.30am, again making use of co-pilots.
Upshot, its definately do-able.
I usually try to get away straight from the race. It is easily done especially if you move your car out of the campsite and onto the right side of the circuit on Sunday morning. That way you can make a swift exit from the circuit and town and be on your way before the traffic stacks up (and also before a lot of the speed traps are in position). I do Speed Ferries but in '06 ended up driving up to Calias; I was a few hours early for the speed ferries crossing and just jumped on the next P&O crossing. Fine if there are 2 of you to share the driving - a long trip for one.
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