Le Mans with PCGB - anyone done it?

[A911DOM]

Hi,

I havent managed to make it to Le Mans yet but have promised myself that this year is the year!

I was hunting round on the PCGB site but all I can find is event information about stuff thats already been and gone...handy!?

So:
Where do I find the info?
Is it of benefit to book with PCGB? - in particular re: camping area / cost etc?
When is it available to book?

Your experience and advice would be appreciated.
Ta
Dom

[rich claridge]

If you're not already, you'll need to be a member of Porsche Club Great Britain to book and enjoy the benefits of Le Mans with the club (dedicated secure camping area, toilets, showers, bbq, fireworks, pit tour and talks by drivers, etc). All information is contained within the monthly club publication and not generally on the website - if you're a member you'll be familiar with Porsche Post. Unfortunately, I think all of this years space was sold out before Christmas. Join the club if you haven't already and get your foot in the door early next year.

[andy tims]

As Rich says, pretty sure this year is sold out.

You can do it cheaper, but it is good going with the club if only to be able to get a hot shower without queuing for yonks.

[maximu5]

I believe that "Le Mans" is actually only a short part of THE Le Mans track. Does anybody know if THE long Le Mans track is ever available for track days ?

[Truckosaurus]

maximu5 said:

Does anybody know if THE long Le Mans track is ever available for track days ?

The only time you'll get to drive a private car on the circuit de la sarthe is for one of the pre-race parades of classic cars.

The ACO have enough trouble getting the city to agree to shut down the roads for one weekend every two years for the Le Mans Classic event.

[warmfuzzies]

Tickets for the PCGB camp site were sold out months ago, literally.

IIRC half the pre booked tickets were reserved before the end of July...

You may be lcuky for the PCGB campsite, if you enquire as to whether any of the pre booked guys have had to cancel, but even these get taken very quickly.

Bit of a hoot though, I'll be there from Wednesday through Monday.

kevin

[markmullen]

I went last last year with PCGB, my first time to Le Mans and I loved it, to the extent that I spoke to the agents (Travel Destinations on 01707 329988) the day after I got back to talk about this year.

The toilets and showers are very civilised, I'd heard some fairly horrendous reports of other sites' facilities.

The guys who go are a great bunch, very friendly, and there are some amazing cars that go. The Friday BBQ was fantastic and there was fresh food available every day at reasonable prices.

Have a word with the agents, last time IIRC there were some last minute drop outs. The bills have to be paid before the end of March so I would guess by the beginning of April there might be some to go.

Give me a shout if there is anything else I can tell you.

[A911DOM]

ALREADY SOLD OUT...

If anyone knows of any spares etc please give me a yell...
I'll go and slum it in a 'public' camp site, i dont really mind - but kind of assumed there would be much more availability for the PCGB (I am already a member) much further into the year.

I dont remember the last time I had a chance to sit and read the Porsche Post . I let my 911 and Porsche mag subscription lapse too as I wasnt getting any proper use out of it.

Is it just me, or does the PCGB website seem a little...limited / out of date / uninspiring??? I havent really gone into the forum side of things but the main site seems a little 'flat'. Just IMO obviously.

[c2look]

I'm looking at going this year for the first time with some TIPEC members who go regularly. They have befriended a local who has land next to the track and have stayed there on numerous trouble free ocasions. Cost of staying on his land and pitching up is next to nothing cost wise. I will be finding out more info in due course and you're welcome to tag along if you have no luck down the PCGB route.

BTW, have you got your car back since the 'Whole Hog' experience?

[A911DOM]

I received the call to say that its all done on Thursday, due to shift work and not having my garage clear I decided to leave it in the safety of autowerkes workshop until after the weekend. (Plus I was under the impression snow was meant to hit us again here in the east...)

Anyway, its basically undergone a complete engine rebuild with new valves and pistons, I look forward to reading the receipt
All components have been measured to be within manufacturer tolerances as part of the exercise (i think its normally referred to as blueprint). I will report more when I get her back.

I look forward to carrying round the porker keys instead of having to wear my disguise whilst driving the purple nexia

Dom

[A911DOM]

c2look said:

I'm looking at going this year for the first time with some TIPEC members who go regularly. They have befriended a local who has land next to the track and have stayed there on numerous trouble free ocasions. Cost of staying on his land and pitching up is next to nothing cost wise. I will be finding out more info in due course and you're welcome to tag along if you have no luck down the PCGB route.

Thats a great offer, and very kind - can you let me know some more details.

I have also started a general thread under 'Pie and Piston' to see if there is a PH crowd likely to gather.

[c2look]

A911DOM said:

Anyway, its basically undergone a complete engine rebuild with new valves and pistons All components have been measured to be within manufacturer tolerances as part of the exercise

Sounds like you're gonna have a pukka porker after all that

I will hopefully be catching up with 'em early next month to discuss Le Mans so will let you know what I find out.

[A911DOM]

c2look said:

A911DOM said: Anyway, its basically undergone a complete engine rebuild with new valves and pistons All components have been measured to be within manufacturer tolerances as part of the exercise Sounds like you're gonna have a pukka porker after all that I will hopefully be catching up with 'em early next month to discuss Le Mans so will let you know what I find out.

Please do, I have promised myself this trip for a couple of years now, and with a completed engine rebuild it is a MUST!!!
Cheers
Dom

[c2look]

A911DOM said:

I will report more when I get her back.

Have you got her back yet Dom? Just wondering what first impressions you have.

Leigh.

[gfreeman]

A911DOM said:

Anyway, its basically undergone a complete engine rebuild with new valves and pistons, I look forward to reading the receipt All components have been measured to be within manufacturer tolerances as part of the exercise (i think its normally referred to as blueprint). I will report more when I get her back. Dom

Sorry, that's not blueprinting, which is selecting components to be at the 'good' end of manufacturers tolerances to ensure the peak output is obtained. All engines will be within manufacturers tolerances to start with, that's what tolerances are for.

And BTW the PCGB Forum is the only bit of the PCGB web experience which is any good IMHO.

Hope you get to Le Mans ok. I think the ACO negotiated a parcel of land for PCGB use which barely matched the need. Hence you need to get in so quick or miss out. There are usually masses of PH's but don't appear to be in one place only. The TIPEC option seems a good shout.

>> Edited by gfreeman on Thursday 12th January 10:08

[A911DOM]

c2look said:

A911DOM said: I will report more when I get her back. Have you got her back yet Dom? Just wondering what first impressions you have. Leigh.

SHES BACK!!!

I am having to go through the running in period, but its like a breath of fresh air!

Matt at Autowerke is really pleased following the completion of he work. He tested for cylinder leakage and got no more than 2% from any cylinder (apparently thats very good).

Im taking things easy with her (under 4000 rpm for about 1500 miles, as recommended by Matt) then I'll be going out to have a real blast.

The bill was the scariest part of the procedure (obviously) but I mean its 3 pages long for starters!!!

You forget how slippy the roads are when youve got all that power going out the back end dont ya Brilliant.

[c2look]

You sound well happy to have her back Dom.

Keep us posted on how it goes wiil you. Interesting to see if you benefit from better mpg after its run in or feels any quicker/more responsive etc.

Enjoy and watch them slippy roads