Camping questions from a previous veteran
Discussion
Having been to the main event for many years (20+) we took a break, for Classic and the Nurbergring 24 but next year we want to go back the main event. It seems that even in this short space of time loads of things have changed so I'm ending up with some virgin type questions so please humour me.
I can't get my head round the cost of the private enclosures being offered by the likes of TL. I've had some excellent reviews from those who stayed last year but to someone like myself who's used to roughing it Houx Annexe the extra cost buys a lot of beer / champagne.
For Classic we stay off-site in a hotel which is great when there's not much traffic around but I reckon this would be nightmare on main weekend although we have considered buying a parking permit with a view to kipping in the car on Saturday night. We hgad a look at Le Bounty a few years ago and it wasn't really for us but again I can see why others may rate it.
However with so much going on in and around the circuit and especially with the tram service, circuit camping is probably the preferred option. Gone are the days when we would travel down on the Wednesday, coral off an area for the rest of the gang to come down and so realistically it's probably going to be Thursday possibly Friday to come down.
We've eshewed the idea of big groups and now it tends to be 4-5 cars but previous experience suggests that we would have difficulty finding space should we come down on the Thursday / Friday on non numbered sites.
Questions:
Do you think we'd find space on the non-allocated sites coming down on the days suggested above ?
Aside from Houx, which of the other sites have allocated spaces ?
Do the allocated spaces stay free or if you arrive late will your space have been encroached upon ie how allocated are they ?
In previous years we've stayed Sunday night but holidays are of the essence so may contemplate going back on the Sunday so what's the traffic like going back to the Eurotunnel on that night ?
Can anyone give me a guide on camping and general entrance prices. I can't seem to find anything on the ACO website for 2011 prices so 2010 face value would a good indicative guide. We may end up going through an agency and paying marked up prices but equally as camping tickets are the only real hassle, may choose to leave it to the last and buy unwanted tickets closer to the event.
Many thanks
Steve
I can't get my head round the cost of the private enclosures being offered by the likes of TL. I've had some excellent reviews from those who stayed last year but to someone like myself who's used to roughing it Houx Annexe the extra cost buys a lot of beer / champagne.
For Classic we stay off-site in a hotel which is great when there's not much traffic around but I reckon this would be nightmare on main weekend although we have considered buying a parking permit with a view to kipping in the car on Saturday night. We hgad a look at Le Bounty a few years ago and it wasn't really for us but again I can see why others may rate it.
However with so much going on in and around the circuit and especially with the tram service, circuit camping is probably the preferred option. Gone are the days when we would travel down on the Wednesday, coral off an area for the rest of the gang to come down and so realistically it's probably going to be Thursday possibly Friday to come down.
We've eshewed the idea of big groups and now it tends to be 4-5 cars but previous experience suggests that we would have difficulty finding space should we come down on the Thursday / Friday on non numbered sites.
Questions:
Do you think we'd find space on the non-allocated sites coming down on the days suggested above ?
Aside from Houx, which of the other sites have allocated spaces ?
Do the allocated spaces stay free or if you arrive late will your space have been encroached upon ie how allocated are they ?
In previous years we've stayed Sunday night but holidays are of the essence so may contemplate going back on the Sunday so what's the traffic like going back to the Eurotunnel on that night ?
Can anyone give me a guide on camping and general entrance prices. I can't seem to find anything on the ACO website for 2011 prices so 2010 face value would a good indicative guide. We may end up going through an agency and paying marked up prices but equally as camping tickets are the only real hassle, may choose to leave it to the last and buy unwanted tickets closer to the event.
Many thanks
Steve
Regarding the price of private sites.
The ACO charge an outrageous fee for private areas. Proper ludicrous. So the private sites have to pass that on to their customers.
The advantage is that you get a secure area free from the chav element, private loos/showers, marquees, bar, food and entertainment. Some sites are also situated track side with track access, so much better locations than the public sites.
Some private operators work their business like a club so you tend to get a friendlier more familiar feel.
The ACO have not released 2011 prices yet, so you can only go on last years prices +5%. So expect to pay 60 eurosish for GE.
Bleu Nord has allocated pitches if you want a reasonable campsite. If you buy together, then you should get adjacent pitches. Don't bother trying to book these through the ACO as you will end up in Beausejour.
The ACO charge an outrageous fee for private areas. Proper ludicrous. So the private sites have to pass that on to their customers.
The advantage is that you get a secure area free from the chav element, private loos/showers, marquees, bar, food and entertainment. Some sites are also situated track side with track access, so much better locations than the public sites.
Some private operators work their business like a club so you tend to get a friendlier more familiar feel.
The ACO have not released 2011 prices yet, so you can only go on last years prices +5%. So expect to pay 60 eurosish for GE.
Bleu Nord has allocated pitches if you want a reasonable campsite. If you buy together, then you should get adjacent pitches. Don't bother trying to book these through the ACO as you will end up in Beausejour.
Thanks for that.
Not to bothered about GE prices from last year, more interested in camping prices to be honest.
Well aware of the perceived benefits of the private sites but and it's quite a big but especially these days when it becomes more important to identify real value, you could be paying the best part of £150 extra for the priviledge. That's a small speeding fine and a few cases of beers worth
Not to bothered about GE prices from last year, more interested in camping prices to be honest.
Well aware of the perceived benefits of the private sites but and it's quite a big but especially these days when it becomes more important to identify real value, you could be paying the best part of £150 extra for the priviledge. That's a small speeding fine and a few cases of beers worth
Campsite was about 56 Euros this year, that was Wednesday through till Monday, I guess you pay the same however long you stay so the longer you stay the better value. Campsite allocations...pitches this year and last year were allocated on BSJ, Blu Nord and Blu Sud, probably on others too, I think Maison Blanc was allocated pitches. We used to go early (get there Wednesday lunchtime) just to get a decent pitch but in theory you wouldn't need to do that now. You might find somebodys car on your bit but I would imagine that they'd move it. Disadvantage of marked pitches is lack of space. Once you've got the tent and car on, there's not much room for anything else (the sizes are fixed, take a tape measure to be sure you've got the right size, French and UK tapes seem to be different!!!). Not sure what you do if more than one car, there seemed to be a bit of space this year where we were on Blu Nord.
Yes, there is a premium for private enclosures (As Andy from TL has highlighted) this is due to the costs of renting the land and hiring facilities from local suppliers. However, they do provide secure camping with excellent facilities and a friendly & relaxed atmosphere. PistonHeads have again partnered with 1st Tickets to offer a private camping area to PH members ( www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyId=22614).
The campsites that with allocated pitches are:
The allocated pitches are strictly 7m x 5m pitches. On this pitch you must accomodate your car, tent and camping equipment. They will remain free until whatever time you arrive, but sometimes the pitches are not marked out correctly which means they may be in the wrong place or moved around (the local marshalls do resolve these and there is usually an overflow area for any problems).
Face value of the tickets (in Euros) can be found on the 1st tickets Event Pricing web page
Hope this helps.
The campsites that with allocated pitches are:
- Houx
- Houx Annexe
- Maison Blanche
- Karting Nord
- Bleu Nord
- Bleu Sud
The allocated pitches are strictly 7m x 5m pitches. On this pitch you must accomodate your car, tent and camping equipment. They will remain free until whatever time you arrive, but sometimes the pitches are not marked out correctly which means they may be in the wrong place or moved around (the local marshalls do resolve these and there is usually an overflow area for any problems).
Face value of the tickets (in Euros) can be found on the 1st tickets Event Pricing web page
Hope this helps.
James_N said:
tickets do some up on ebay nearer the time (april / may time) at hugely inflated prices (£200 odd for a Houx ticket anyone?!)
I don't mind a bit of inflation, after all that's what the trip organisers are doing, at least it makes doing it your own way possible.I'll probably wait until the new year and find something on the bay
Work it out!
The pitch is 5m x 7m and must fit your vehicle as well. If you're lucky you might get away with sticking your car outside your pitch in the area thats supposed to be a firebreak.
There's no problem with a 2-4 man tent on a single pitch, or a couple of 2 man tents, but if you're expecting to get a 10 man tent after sqeezing in as many people as you can into a car to get the best value then you won't be so comfortable!
We usually have about a dozen camping passes between us and all have room for our tents, all the vehicles a couple of gazeebos and plenty of room to barbeque.
Buck
The pitch is 5m x 7m and must fit your vehicle as well. If you're lucky you might get away with sticking your car outside your pitch in the area thats supposed to be a firebreak.
There's no problem with a 2-4 man tent on a single pitch, or a couple of 2 man tents, but if you're expecting to get a 10 man tent after sqeezing in as many people as you can into a car to get the best value then you won't be so comfortable!
We usually have about a dozen camping passes between us and all have room for our tents, all the vehicles a couple of gazeebos and plenty of room to barbeque.
Buck
Hi Bobo W, my replies in CAPS below....
Bobo W said:
Questions:
Do you think we'd find space on the non-allocated sites coming down on the days suggested above ? UNLIKELY FOR 4-5 CARS WANTING TO CAMP TOGETHER
Aside from Houx, which of the other sites have allocated spaces ? PLENTY - SEE OTHER REPLIES
Do the allocated spaces stay free or if you arrive late will your space have been encroached upon ie how allocated are they ? NUMBERED PITCHES STAY VACANT UNTIL THE GENUINE 'OWNER' ARRIVES (AT LEAST UNTIL SATURDAY)
In previous years we've stayed Sunday night but holidays are of the essence so may contemplate going back on the Sunday so what's the traffic like going back to the Eurotunnel on that night ? WAIT FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS AND AIM FOR A MIDNIGHT CROSSING OR LEAVE AN HOUR BEFORE THE END OF THE RACE
Can anyone give me a guide on camping and general entrance prices. I can't seem to find anything on the ACO website for 2011 prices so 2010 face value would a good indicative guide. We may end up going through an agency and paying marked up prices but equally as camping tickets are the only real hassle, may choose to leave it to the last and buy unwanted tickets closer to the event.
I WENT THE DIY OPTION LAST YEAR VIA EBAY BUT ONLY TWO PEOPLE SO VERY FLEXIBLE. I WOULD STRONGLY RECOMMEND "TRAVEL DESTINATIONS". THEY OFFER CAMPING AND TRAVEL PACKAGES WITH / WITHOUT "PRIVATE" CAMPSITES AND WILL ARRANGE FOR YOU TO HAVE CONSECUTIVELY NUMBERED PITCHES.
Do you think we'd find space on the non-allocated sites coming down on the days suggested above ? UNLIKELY FOR 4-5 CARS WANTING TO CAMP TOGETHER
Aside from Houx, which of the other sites have allocated spaces ? PLENTY - SEE OTHER REPLIES
Do the allocated spaces stay free or if you arrive late will your space have been encroached upon ie how allocated are they ? NUMBERED PITCHES STAY VACANT UNTIL THE GENUINE 'OWNER' ARRIVES (AT LEAST UNTIL SATURDAY)
In previous years we've stayed Sunday night but holidays are of the essence so may contemplate going back on the Sunday so what's the traffic like going back to the Eurotunnel on that night ? WAIT FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS AND AIM FOR A MIDNIGHT CROSSING OR LEAVE AN HOUR BEFORE THE END OF THE RACE
Can anyone give me a guide on camping and general entrance prices. I can't seem to find anything on the ACO website for 2011 prices so 2010 face value would a good indicative guide. We may end up going through an agency and paying marked up prices but equally as camping tickets are the only real hassle, may choose to leave it to the last and buy unwanted tickets closer to the event.
I WENT THE DIY OPTION LAST YEAR VIA EBAY BUT ONLY TWO PEOPLE SO VERY FLEXIBLE. I WOULD STRONGLY RECOMMEND "TRAVEL DESTINATIONS". THEY OFFER CAMPING AND TRAVEL PACKAGES WITH / WITHOUT "PRIVATE" CAMPSITES AND WILL ARRANGE FOR YOU TO HAVE CONSECUTIVELY NUMBERED PITCHES.
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