Le Mans 2002

Author
Discussion

woody

2,187 posts

283 months

Monday 3rd December 2001
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Thinking of driving down next year (will be my first time!!) are there any potential probs with the local law? - i've heard that they'll pull you over for no reason and demand on the spot fines. Any truth in it - and what are peoples experinces.

Woody

thom

2,745 posts

272 months

Monday 3rd December 2001
quotequote all
quote:

Thinking of driving down next year (will be my first time!!) are there any potential probs with the local law? - i've heard that they'll pull you over for no reason and demand on the spot fines. Any truth in it - and what are peoples experinces.

Woody



however you drive they can really annoy you if they feel like it; it is the same anywhere: just keep discreet.
When a French bobby has decided to get on one's nerves he always succeeds no matter the law.


Edited by thom on Monday 3rd December 21:05

rct

237 posts

271 months

Monday 3rd December 2001
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Andy - you can fax the ACO in English, no problem. The price is for a car + tent, so no need to worry about the number of bodies involved. Houx Camping is a good spot - lots of TVR's and decent bogs and showers.

nubbin

6,809 posts

277 months

Wednesday 5th December 2001
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The latest ciopy of Sprint has full details of camping etc. which they have reserved at Houx/Maison Blanche - it's a package, with pitch,stand tickets etc. Probably the best way to do it, especially for a novice!

olly

2,174 posts

283 months

Wednesday 5th December 2001
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The First Le Mans I went to was 1991, and the sound of the Mazda (rotary engine) at full chat will stick with me forever (even though I was only 13 !).

My wife can't understand the attraction of it (even though she has been for the last 5 years in a row with me), but she still comes along just for the drive down there !

This year will be the first in the Cerbera, and as long as the weather isn't as bad as last year, should be a fantastic drive.

I'll be catching the Eurotunnel on Friday night/Saturday morning, driving down over night, sleeping in the car (blocks out more noise/is more comfy than a tent) & staying in the "Red" carpark.

My trick for beating traffic out of Le Mans, is to leave 15 mins before the end of the race. Radio Le Mans (run by Autosport) works for about 45 mins outside Le Mans, so you hear the finish even if you don't actually see it (I set the video to record the finish on Eurosport, so I see it on Sunday evening).

Catch a 21:00ish train back on Sunday evening (having filled the boot up with beer/wine), and home in time for bed...

Anyone wanting to drive down/back in convoy is more than welcome... (I live in East SUssex)

Sorry, that was a bit longer than planned !

andymadmak

14,489 posts

269 months

Wednesday 5th December 2001
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Just bought my Le Mans tickets!
I am sooooooooo excited!
Camping Le Houx here we come!
Andy, 400se roof down no nonsense V8 boogie!

A10UKT

2 posts

267 months

Wednesday 5th December 2001
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andymadmak

Where did you get your tickets from??

andymadmak

14,489 posts

269 months

Wednesday 5th December 2001
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Foned "Just Tickets" on 01304 228866
Web address is mentioned earlier in this thread.
The man said that Le Houx was filling up rapidly so buy quick to avoid disapointment!
Andy

A10UKT

2 posts

267 months

Wednesday 5th December 2001
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Andy

How much were they? I think they charge about £48.00 for an entry ticket alone, I think it only costs about £35.00 to get them from the aco?

andymadmak

14,489 posts

269 months

Wednesday 5th December 2001
quotequote all
I paid 48 pounds per ticket + 75 for the camping.
I think they can be sourced more cheaply elsewhere but I wanted to make sure I got them! (plus I got a bit overexcited and had me credit card out before you could say Speed 12!)
Andy

darrenlens

2,526 posts

282 months

Wednesday 5th December 2001
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quote:

Six Speed - Houx Camping is the place to be. Fax the ACO direct on 00 33 243 84 47 13 and tell them how many places you want and they will fax confirmation back to you by the end of this month/early Jan. They'll request payment around March time. Price is 500ff per car(or was this year). Next year will be my 22nd consecutive year, which makes me the same age as you on my first visit! The difference next year is the first trip to the race in my Chim 450 - can't wait! See you all there...



Do you just order what tickets you want and wait for confirmation at the end of Dec start of Jan. You don't actually know you have got the tickets until then?

bennno

11,516 posts

268 months

Wednesday 5th December 2001
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Join the tvr car club, then you get the best tickets at face value.

I tried booking directly with the ACO the other year, but you hear nothing for ages and then just as you eventually think your are going to get nothing you end up with some shyte tickets.

Car Club started bookings today , best campsite by far is Houx!

We have the first 3 plots for 2002!

Ben

jamer

1,329 posts

290 months

Wednesday 5th December 2001
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Who will get there first you or Mr D?

bennno

11,516 posts

268 months

Thursday 6th December 2001
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i would wager me as his car will be fitted with the infamous tvr six pot powerplant.....

i hope it is better than the Tuscan engine, as if he ends up in his Carina estate i will disown him...

benno

flasher

9,238 posts

283 months

Thursday 6th December 2001
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quote:

i would wager me as his car will be fitted with the infamous tvr six pot powerplant.....

i hope it is better than the Tuscan engine, as if he ends up in his Carina estate i will disown him...
quote:




You cheeky twat!!! You won't beat me anywhere in that German beetle thing of yours!! Just like last year I will get all the attention in my new Tamora while you are targetted by the super-soaker brigade for driving a german car!!! The TVR car club should ban you from going in a Porker you traitor!!

I will miss our Cerbera's though mate. Driving either side of that Boxster in Le Harve last year and lighting up the tyres will live with me for years !!
I can't wait for next year!!

bennno

11,516 posts

268 months

Thursday 6th December 2001
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was good, i can just remember the Elise driving saying ' i am not even going to try', before he did and got shown not to mess with Blackpools finest.

Ben

darrenlens

2,526 posts

282 months

Friday 7th December 2001
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Anyody got any info on how to get a cheap ferry? I have just been quoted £341.00 for the Portsmouth-Le Harve on Thursday night (one way) What is going on??

bennno

11,516 posts

268 months

Friday 7th December 2001
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just got our ferries reserved for 2002, already they are pretty booked up..

Portsmouth to Le-havre was £520 rtn (2 passengers & cabin both ways, out Thursday night / ret sunday night - P&O)

Portsmouth to Caen £440 rtn (2 passengers & cabin both ways, out Thursday night / ret sunday night - Brittany Ferries)

Portsmouth to St Malo £309 rtn (as above Brittany ferries, out Thursday night with cabin, return monday daytime.)

All of the ferries are similar only crappy one is the Caen ferry which is tiny in comparison to the other 2!!

Ben

.mark

11,104 posts

275 months

Friday 7th December 2001
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And if your not French you will be last to be served at the bar on a Brittany ferry. Had a terrible experience with them and would never travel with them again.
The ship was late loading by about an hour, it was something like 2330 by the time we boarded and about 2345 by the time we were out of the car and in the cabin. Went up to the restaurant and was told it shut at 2300!!! I tried to explain to the staff that there was actually no-one onboard at that time and all I got was the Gallic shrug and told to buy sandwiches at the bar. Took me 40 mins to get served there!
P&O for me everytime, and we travel to France 4 or 5 times a year, so Brittany loose out!

Which reminds me has anyone thought of the consequences if Brittany Spears was to marry Bryan Ferry???

darrenlens

2,526 posts

282 months

Friday 7th December 2001
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Just got a price from Dover to Calais of £95.00 return I think I'll do that and have to drive further in the griff (hardship).