Mulsanne By Night
Discussion
This year we are taking our pushbikes, and wanted to try and get to the Mulsanne Straight during the night.
I have heard before that it is policed fairly tight, but has anyone every got there and if so could you possibly let me know, probably better to PM rather than posting instructions on the forum.
Many Thanks
Steve
I have heard before that it is policed fairly tight, but has anyone every got there and if so could you possibly let me know, probably better to PM rather than posting instructions on the forum.
Many Thanks
Steve
I've lost count of how many times this has been posted over the years. In the last few years, since I am with the marshals on the hump before the Mulsanne bend every year, I've watched the security increase incredibly. Now, not just the gendarmes but also two security officers on every post which allows the gendarmes to patrol the Mulsanne. In addition, if you are seen by a marshal they will immediately telephone the security to get you out of there. Security is now so tight you can hear a mouse squeak. This is very much a "must do" for so many who come to the 24 Hours but you'll have to watch where and how you do it. My advice would be on the inside of the circuit between Tertre Rouge and the first chicne which is less guarded, but even so you are likely to find yourselves picked up by the scruff of the collar just the same. No, the stories of being put in clink for the night are just that - stories, but you will be ejected and sometimes, if you protest, not to softly either. Still, like the SAS, "he who dares wins!" 
Like I said andyps, that was then and this is now. Then we didn't have security guards, two to each post, as well as the gendarmes. We didn't have three areas where I must show my passes beween the Chemin aux Boeufs (left after Beausejour where "mad Friday happens)) instead of one, including one at the entry of the road to the football stadium and one more at the entry to the golf club still 400 yds from the action. On the Thursday for example there is a big golf competition and the guests used to wander freely between Mulsanne and the Mulsanne hump, an area which is technically a "zone rouge" so out of bounds to anyone except the marshals. Now not one person is allowed there, no matter who, unless they are a marshal, me included even with press passes. People try and come on post during the Thursday evening like before, but the security guards throw them off before they even see a car. Incidentally, did you know the security cordon has now been increased to 50 metres either side of the track around the circuit? Life sure has changed, and sometimes not for the better. I'm not saying you can't do it now, just that as a local I've seen the security cordon severely tightened. I still hope people manage to get to see the cars there, especially at night since it is pure magic. Just don't expect a warm reception if you're caught this year.
I haven't tried since being successful - it took us a long time to get somewhere which wasn't that far from where we started and we had already avoided a couple of Gendarme. Shame if it is not very do-able now, definitely worth experiencing.
Lowdrag, just out of interest, do you know if security is as tight for the classic? We are going to that this year rather than the 24 hours.
Lowdrag, just out of interest, do you know if security is as tight for the classic? We are going to that this year rather than the 24 hours.
it was amazing. I was leaning over the armco just before the kink :thumbup;Andy, it will be far more relaxed for the Classic. For example (although personally I find this a scandal) there are less than 500 marshals for the Classic compared to 1,400 for the June event. So, far few people about and so easier to sneak around. Probably easier to get to Porsche Curves, but the Mulsanne shouldn't be as difficult as the 24-Hours.
As mentioned, you can go to Cafe Hunaudieres. We got there at 9.45pm when I took this terrible photo with a digital camera standing on a bench in the gargen. This is how close you can get. A couple of our group got closer via next door but as luck had it, we got within 2 metres of the track when we found an open gate which led right onto the circuit. We have some amazing footage of the cars just a few metres away at full pelt. Security thugs and police were in and out of the cafe on a regular basis though.
If I'm not mistaken, that photo was taken a few years back. Just look at the chicken wire this year in front of the restaurant to see how things have and are continuing to change. The Tertre Rouge bar (known to many as the Stella bar) at the top of the Muksanne was a wonderful point years back but now is completely hidden by chicken wire.
lowdrag said:
If I'm not mistaken, that photo was taken a few years back. Just look at the chicken wire this year in front of the restaurant to see how things have and are continuing to change. The Tertre Rouge bar (known to many as the Stella bar) at the top of the Muksanne was a wonderful point years back but now is completely hidden by chicken wire.
Taken in 2008. It did stretch along a little bit and the picture was zoomed slightly. Note to self - must get a better camera.......
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