2010 at Le Mans

[lowdrag]

Just so we can get off on the right foot - a Happy New Year to you all. Now let's get on with the advisories shall we?

2009 saw an increase in the number of deaths on the road in the Sarthe for the first time in several years and this year has already seen a couple of deaths, including a town councillor aged 44 killed yesterday by a drunk with no insurance or licence. In today's paper the police have announced that over 1,100 fines were inflicted over Xmas/New Year for speeding but, thankfully, only five people done for over the limit. The chief of police announced today that to combat the problem of speeding and the increase in deaths the number of roadside speed cameras - read BIB with their little guns - will be doubled this year. Be in no doubt whatsoever that this will be redoubled during Le Mans and Le Mans Classic week. I'm not going to bang on about this later on nearer the event but do as you will; speed, play the fool, burn outs, ignoring red lights, drink driving and generally act as though since you aren't in the UK it doesn't apply to you.

But please, please, don't post here later in the year and whine about the police and how they weren't reasonable, how they took your licence away and fined you a zillion euros, how they made you take train home and confiscated your car until the court hearing. I posted last year that on my way to the Silverstone Classic I saw no one, repeat no one, pass me at warp speed on the M40 nor the A43. I wonder why not, and why the very same think they can get away with it here?

You have been warned.

[Vette_1978]

It's the same message the week before when I'm at the TT. Most folk are sensible enough to abide by the unrestricted areas but there's always a few numpty's who cause chaos on the mountain. In 2008 I didn't even get over the mountain as it was always closed by the police.

[Tyre Smoke]

Tony, sound advice but you are wasting your time. Because of the increase in popularity of LM, there is going to be an increase in tossers turning up - Hunudieres (Friday) outside the Chinese in 2008 anyone? Also there are going to be usual knobs posting that they were only doing 140 mph for half a mile and have had their Japanese rocket with wood burning stove chimney confiscated and Les Flics were like the bleedin' Gestapo......

The vast majority of PHers that go to LM are sensible, know when to drink and where; and know when to leave the car in the campsite/have a nominated driver.

Fact is you will always get British yobs abroad, Union flag shorts in Aiya Napa to England/Scotland soccer fans wrecking a bar somewhere because their team got beaten by Johnny Foreigner.

Ideally what is needed is an IQ test before you are allowed to purchase tickets because low IQ and cheap stubbies from Carrefour is a bad mix

[davidd]

Could we set up a fake Le Mans website and ticket agency and set the event a week later, advertise it in the sun and mirror with a special money off coupon!

D

[turbo-ww]

I have an excellent speed retardation device - The OH in the passenger seat!

If I stray 2 mph over the limit there's screatching 'Slow Down'

Even when there's a spot of dampness in the air 'It's raining the speed limit's gone down'

And she can spot a speed gun at 3 miles (Don't care cos I'm only doing the speed limit anyway!)

A few years back I got randomly stopped and breathalised on the Mulsanne on the way back from attending the drivers parade. Those 3 glasses of coke suddenly started to taste very nice!

Bu**er me I seem to be getting sensible.....

[The Leaper]

Sensible is the word, no doubt about it. Anything else and you deserve what you may get. There's plenty of advance warning about the fuzz and their attitude to Les Rosbifs in June!

R.

[blueST]

I'm more worried about getting done for obstructing the flow of traffic. We've got an old Transit based camper and a VW transporter in our convoy this year!

[gt6]

We will all speed at sometime and after 22 years of pilgramage got nabed 4 years ago had kept to limit but dampness had occured earlier in the day so got a fine, it happens accept it pay the fine, and move on. Anyone that drives at above the local limit must accept the risks and know that those risks sre there not just to you but to other people that is why speed limits exist. Enjoy the drive down and back but think about the consequencies before suffering them.

[WhiteBaron]

Tyre Smoke said:

cheap stubbies from Carrefour

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm cheap stubbies

Not as cheap as they used to be or maybe i just drink more

I'll be getting on the ferry 5 months from today

[billy74]

Hello
This will be my second year goin to le'mans cant wait.I am taking my own car this year,driving down from calais.What is the speed limit on the motorways and 'A' roads in france(mph)?
Last year as a co-pilot i saw unmarked subaru imprezas and plenty of bmw solo's although did not see one brit car getting a tug!

[RemaL]

billy74 said:

Hello
This will be my second year goin to le'mans cant wait.I am taking my own car this year,driving down from calais.What is the speed limit on the motorways and 'A' roads in france(mph)?
Last year as a co-pilot i saw unmarked subaru imprezas and plenty of bmw solo's although did not see one brit car getting a tug!

motorways are 130KPH or 81MPH not sure about A roads

never taken much notice to tell you the truth

[DrainTheSpuds]

RemaL said:

motorways are 130KPH or 81MPH

Be aware that if it rains, as it did during last year's journey both there and back, this drops to 110kph / 68mph.

It's also worth reading this thread if you need a good reason to stick to the limits...

[chopper602]

Quick question,
I know the speed limit on the Autoroute goes down to 110 when it's raining, but for the law, what constitutes raining? Is it a bit of drizzle (that gets you wet through) or simply a wet road surface? If there is a dry line is that Ok . . . ?

[DrainTheSpuds]

chopper602 said:

Quick question,
I know the speed limit on the Autoroute goes down to 110 when it's raining, but for the law, what constitutes raining? Is it a bit of drizzle (that gets you wet through) or simply a wet road surface? If there is a dry line is that Ok . . . ?

I think it's defined by whether windscreen wipers are needed.

[billy74]

Thanks gents
Will be quite difficult sticking to 80mph,will give it a go.Maybe have a bit of a play on the 'A' roads south of Rouen.

[boolay]

billy74 said:

Thanks gents
Will be quite difficult sticking to 80mph,will give it a go.Maybe have a bit of a play on the 'A' roads south of Rouen.

Be careful if you're taking the old N138 south of rouen. Plenty of bibs with speed guns the closer you get to LM

[blueST]

It's worth noting that there a quite a few 110km/h sections on the motorways. There some over some the high bridges over valleys between Rouen and Le mans and also some stretches between Boulogne and Calais.

[billy74]

will take the A16 to Abbeville,then the A28 to Rouen and join the D438 and then finally the D338 to le mans.If we leave Calais at approx 9-9:30 am french time hopefully we can make le mans for 2-3pm.Will be stopping a couple of times for fuel and refreshments etc.

I CANT WAIT,BRING IT ON ASAP!!!

[timbo48]

There's a camera on at least one of those bridges on the Rouen to Alencon autoroute, they look like large waste bins at the side of the road.

[madbadger]

DrainTheSpuds said:

chopper602 said:

Quick question,
I know the speed limit on the Autoroute goes down to 110 when it's raining, but for the law, what constitutes raining? Is it a bit of drizzle (that gets you wet through) or simply a wet road surface? If there is a dry line is that Ok . . . ?

I think it's defined by whether windscreen wipers are needed.

If you are questioning if it is raining, then assume legally it is raining.