Grandstand Opinions
Discussion
Always had a tribune seat. Excellent for getting out of the sun, rain as the case may be.
The pits tribune is, IMHO, not good because you cannot see into the pits unless you are at seated on the bottom row. Opposite the pits is much better. Actually, better still are the tribunes at Dunlop and also La Raccordiment. Son and I have always chosen the latter: great view of the Ford Chicane, entry to the pits, all the way up the pits straight, and there's a large TV screen opposite. Parking Blanc is nearby too.
R.
The pits tribune is, IMHO, not good because you cannot see into the pits unless you are at seated on the bottom row. Opposite the pits is much better. Actually, better still are the tribunes at Dunlop and also La Raccordiment. Son and I have always chosen the latter: great view of the Ford Chicane, entry to the pits, all the way up the pits straight, and there's a large TV screen opposite. Parking Blanc is nearby too.
R.
I nearly always try to get in Dunlop or Panorama which are both just before the Dunlop bridge. There's usually a lot of action because of the chicane just before the bridge which is approached via a long uphill curve at the end of the startline so there can be a lot of overtaking.
There is also straight a big TV screen directly opposite. And most importantly, there are loos just behind the grandstands. There is more shelter in Dunlop as it's an old conventional grandstand with a back to it. A lot of the new grandstands have a roof but no sides so if you are anywhere except the middle you can get wet or very sunburnt. And you need to get as high up as possible so you have clear view over the top of the safety fencing around the circuit rather than through it.
Some years we have been extravagant and bought tickets in the ACO grandstand as well - it can be worth it if you are keen on seeing everything going on in the pits but the cars just go by at high (and noisy) speed so you won't seem much in the way of overtaking except on the screens.
There is also straight a big TV screen directly opposite. And most importantly, there are loos just behind the grandstands. There is more shelter in Dunlop as it's an old conventional grandstand with a back to it. A lot of the new grandstands have a roof but no sides so if you are anywhere except the middle you can get wet or very sunburnt. And you need to get as high up as possible so you have clear view over the top of the safety fencing around the circuit rather than through it.
Some years we have been extravagant and bought tickets in the ACO grandstand as well - it can be worth it if you are keen on seeing everything going on in the pits but the cars just go by at high (and noisy) speed so you won't seem much in the way of overtaking except on the screens.
The Leaper said:
Always had a tribune seat. Excellent for getting out of the sun, rain as the case may be.
The pits tribune is, IMHO, not good because you cannot see into the pits unless you are at seated on the bottom row. Opposite the pits is much better. Actually, better still are the tribunes at Dunlop and also La Raccordiment. Son and I have always chosen the latter: great view of the Ford Chicane, entry to the pits, all the way up the pits straight, and there's a large TV screen opposite. Parking Blanc is nearby too.
R.
I agree entirely.The pits tribune is, IMHO, not good because you cannot see into the pits unless you are at seated on the bottom row. Opposite the pits is much better. Actually, better still are the tribunes at Dunlop and also La Raccordiment. Son and I have always chosen the latter: great view of the Ford Chicane, entry to the pits, all the way up the pits straight, and there's a large TV screen opposite. Parking Blanc is nearby too.
R.
We use the stand next to ACO, and you can see the track from the exit of the Porsche curves, up to Dunlop, and I visit Dunlop and Ford (Recordamint) during practice, as you get a damn good view of both corners - come rain or shine
We love the T23 stand as has been said already. Great view, big screen opposite, the only thing I’d fault is the seats are backless so after a few hours a little uncomfortable but a million times better than standing by a packed fence.
Here’s a little video I took to give you an idea of the view:
https://youtu.be/jE4-NrAcsYg
Brian at 1st Tickets still has seats in T23 and other stands. If you’re staying in the PistonHeads Bleu Nord site then it’s also very close to walk to.
Here’s a little video I took to give you an idea of the view:
https://youtu.be/jE4-NrAcsYg
Brian at 1st Tickets still has seats in T23 and other stands. If you’re staying in the PistonHeads Bleu Nord site then it’s also very close to walk to.
Edited by RobbyJ on Friday 24th January 19:48
Been going every year since 2005, apart from 2008 and never had a grandstand. Have been in a few on the Wednesday and Thursday as they're free for all then but never felt I was missing anything during the race. Best view of start between Dunlop bridge chicane and Tertre Rouge corner so not many choices of grandstands anyway as they closed the 2 towards Tertre Rouge last year. The angle of the banking means a good view from Dunlop bridge to Tertre Rouge anyway.
A grandstand will make it much easier to see the start and finish from the pit straight if that's on your priority list, and offer protection from the weather, I've never thought it was worth the extra expense personally.
If you want to see the ceremonials at the start and end of the race I'd go for something on the pit straight, but I find pit straights to be the least interesting part of any track to watch racing from, so for race action I'd go for Dunlop
If you want to see the ceremonials at the start and end of the race I'd go for something on the pit straight, but I find pit straights to be the least interesting part of any track to watch racing from, so for race action I'd go for Dunlop
Another vote for T23/Raccordement
Need to avoid the first few rows so you views are above the chainlink fences. Seats could be better. And lacks the restaurant/toilets of some by/in ACO stand. Good if camping in Bleu Nord area.
Although you miss a close view the pre-start cars and pit walk stuff you can watch most of the race from there. Think some of stands further up pit straight where cars streak by at very high speed are far too noisy once race underway.
Great view of what's going on as see entrance to pit lane and big screen opposite.
Need to avoid the first few rows so you views are above the chainlink fences. Seats could be better. And lacks the restaurant/toilets of some by/in ACO stand. Good if camping in Bleu Nord area.
Although you miss a close view the pre-start cars and pit walk stuff you can watch most of the race from there. Think some of stands further up pit straight where cars streak by at very high speed are far too noisy once race underway.
Great view of what's going on as see entrance to pit lane and big screen opposite.
RL17 said:
Another vote for T23/Raccordement
Need to avoid the first few rows so you views are above the chainlink fences. Seats could be better. And lacks the restaurant/toilets of some by/in ACO stand. Good if camping in Bleu Nord area.
Although you miss a close view the pre-start cars and pit walk stuff you can watch most of the race from there. Think some of stands further up pit straight where cars streak by at very high speed are far too noisy once race underway.
Great view of what's going on as see entrance to pit lane and big screen opposite.
Sat there the last few years (got engaged nearby as well!) great view, seats don’t have backs and it is very cramped but view makes up for it. I always use the loos at the maison Blanche entrance. It’s a bit of a walk but there’s usually no queue unlike the ones nearer the pit straight. Need to avoid the first few rows so you views are above the chainlink fences. Seats could be better. And lacks the restaurant/toilets of some by/in ACO stand. Good if camping in Bleu Nord area.
Although you miss a close view the pre-start cars and pit walk stuff you can watch most of the race from there. Think some of stands further up pit straight where cars streak by at very high speed are far too noisy once race underway.
Great view of what's going on as see entrance to pit lane and big screen opposite.
Decided to try Dunlop this year though. I sat there in 2008 I think and as I remember it’s also a good spot.
I usually switch between Dunlop and Lagache. Great corner and great view of the screen at Dunlop. Lagache has a good view of the start/finish, pits and podium. Get to see all the events before the start of the race that happen there. There really isn’t a best grandstand. Just go for one and try a different one next time. Each give a slightly different experience but aside from the start and finish of the race you can easily view the race from anywhere (and should do so!)
Didn't book a grandstand for my first Le Mans - but it was sunny all the way through.
Booked one the following year, and was so glad I did.
Apart from being rained on, which is bad enough - sitting on a muddy bank and having to keep wearing those clothes, would have been horrible.
Booked one again the following year. Last year - I monitored the weather forecast 7-14 days beforehand. There was still rain forecast, so I booked one again.
Honestly, if there's money to spare - I'd always book one. It's not about best viewing areas (there's always plenty of those to be found), but being comfortable and dry.
In the past I've booked Tertre Rouge and Dunlop (changing this year - don't know who the tyre sponsor is) - and they're great.
But - it's the only time I wish I stayed before the pits instead of after. People watching from there get to see every broken car limp back to the pits following any breakdown/crash.
Apart from a few spins - we only ever see cars in perfect condition leaving the pits!
Booked one the following year, and was so glad I did.
Apart from being rained on, which is bad enough - sitting on a muddy bank and having to keep wearing those clothes, would have been horrible.
Booked one again the following year. Last year - I monitored the weather forecast 7-14 days beforehand. There was still rain forecast, so I booked one again.
Honestly, if there's money to spare - I'd always book one. It's not about best viewing areas (there's always plenty of those to be found), but being comfortable and dry.
In the past I've booked Tertre Rouge and Dunlop (changing this year - don't know who the tyre sponsor is) - and they're great.
But - it's the only time I wish I stayed before the pits instead of after. People watching from there get to see every broken car limp back to the pits following any breakdown/crash.
Apart from a few spins - we only ever see cars in perfect condition leaving the pits!
I have used ACO Tribune for many years. Great for the build up before the start and great view of the pits (look great at night)
If you get a seat in the first few rows at the front , they are not covered by the roof so be prepared if it looks like rain. Equally no shade if it’s sunny. Food is good, beer cold, toilets clean and charging points for your mobile. TV screens inside too.
Have fun
If you get a seat in the first few rows at the front , they are not covered by the roof so be prepared if it looks like rain. Equally no shade if it’s sunny. Food is good, beer cold, toilets clean and charging points for your mobile. TV screens inside too.
Have fun
IMHO I would purchase grandstand seats. Great for the start of the race and if the weather turns bad. I’ve used the Ford chicane and Dunlop grandstands both have large TV screens so you can follow the race. Both are great for walking to the pits after the race so I would highly recommend either of those.
The seats over the pits are not as good, you can’t really see much apart from the grandstand opposite I would avoid these unless you have hospitality in the pit area. The only plus is the noise of the cars going up the straight.
The seats over the pits are not as good, you can’t really see much apart from the grandstand opposite I would avoid these unless you have hospitality in the pit area. The only plus is the noise of the cars going up the straight.
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