RE: PistonHeads Private Camping at Le Mans

[gt6]

W8PMC said:

Also booked with 1st Tickets (confirmation arrived this morning in the post).

Am also a Le Mans virgin so am very excited. Not decided on my crossing dates/times yet or whether to go for Grandstand seats, but hope to sort that within the next few weeks.

Do most attendees head off pretty much straight after the race on Sunday PM & try to cross the channel early/mid evening?

you will be doing well to get there for early evening if you leave after the race, you will be lucky if you get the other side of le mans before 5.00pm and the french fuz will be out in force so steady progress back

[samdale]

What does the program tend to consist of? When does it start? Qualifying etc?

The reason I ask is a few of us had the idea that we could spend Friday at Parc Asterix then arrive at Le Mans Friday night. Or are there some "Not to be missed" moments on the Friday?

[bicycleshorts]

samdale said:

What does the program tend to consist of? When does it start? Qualifying etc?

The reason I ask is a few of us had the idea that we could spend Friday at Parc Asterix then arrive at Le Mans Friday night. Or are there some "Not to be missed" moments on the Friday?

Pit walk and driver's parade in the town. Quali is on Thursday.

I've not done the pit walk, but the driver's parade is quite good. Nice to wander around the town. Can't remember exactly when it kicks off though.

[W8PMC]

gt6 said:

you will be doing well to get there for early evening if you leave after the race, you will be lucky if you get the other side of le mans before 5.00pm and the french fuz will be out in force so steady progress back

Thanks. What kind of time would be sensible to book the return Chunnel for then if traffic an issue post race. Got a 3-4hr drive UK side back home.

[RossP]

W8PMC said:

Thanks. What kind of time would be sensible to book the return Chunnel for then if traffic an issue post race. Got a 3-4hr drive UK side back home.

Also looking for an answer to exactly the same question!

[gt6]

If you are heading back for the tunnel on sunday then 9.o0 is realisticly the earliest, but that will mean no stops and no delays and best to get away from the track as close to 3.00 as possible

[burriana]

Friday is definitely not to be missed as there is also the Great British welcome art St Saturnin just outside of Le Mans on Friday morning then, the Pistonheads meet over lunchtime/early afternoon.

[chum racing]

Just a quick note to say thanks to all of you that registered for the PH Private Camping. We had a terrific response and struggled to get back to everyone in a reasonable timeframe, for which we apologise.

The final places for the campsite were snapped up really quickly and the site is now full. All of those that registered this time round and didn't manage to get a space are now on a waiting list in case any spaces become available via cancellations.

We have offered them alternative camping on the standard Bleu Nord campsite. Although this does not have the facilities of the private site you will be camped next to like minded PHers. There will be more news/info from PH about this option shortly.

[W8PMC]

gt6 said:

If you are heading back for the tunnel on sunday then 9.o0 is realisticly the earliest, but that will mean no stops and no delays and best to get away from the track as close to 3.00 as possible

Thanks, good info. Gonna be a very late arrival back home then

[FraMac]

W8PMC said:

Thanks, good info. Gonna be a very late arrival back home then

When we used to get the ferry from Calais or Dunkirk following Le Mans, we broke the trip up with an overnight stop in France somewhere like Rouen. Our journey in the UK home is 4 or 5 hours, and it makes it that much easier.

I appreciate you're chunneling, but the principle is the same.

[stemll]

W8PMC said:

gt6 said:

If you are heading back for the tunnel on sunday then 9.o0 is realisticly the earliest, but that will mean no stops and no delays and best to get away from the track as close to 3.00 as possible

Thanks, good info. Gonna be a very late arrival back home then

Appreciate it's not an option for everyone but this is exactly why we don't leave until Monday morning. Besides, with the included food being 3 breakfasts and 3 dinners, it's the only way we get all 3

[McSam]

I'm now looking at a slot in Bleu Nord, hopefully with the PH bunch - still places available? I'll be booking in the next few days if so!

Weighing up grandstand tickets too, I didn't get any in 2007 and didn't seem to miss them but tempted to do it this year. What are you regulars' thoughts or recommendations on that?

Can't wait.. I'll be getting a thoroughly demure E46 stickered to buggery too

[bicycleshorts]

McSam said:

I'm now looking at a slot in Bleu Nord, hopefully with the PH bunch - still places available? I'll be booking in the next few days if so!

Weighing up grandstand tickets too, I didn't get any in 2007 and didn't seem to miss them but tempted to do it this year. What are you regulars' thoughts or recommendations on that?

Can't wait.. I'll be getting a thoroughly demure E46 stickered to buggery too

I didn't even notice grandstands the 2 times I've been!

Would save money for bbq, beers and stickers.

[chum racing]

McSam said:

I'm now looking at a slot in Bleu Nord, hopefully with the PH bunch - still places available? I'll be booking in the next few days if so!

Yes, there are some slots left in the PH area of standard Bleu Nord, although not for much longer at the current rate.

[eps]

McSam said:

I'm now looking at a slot in Bleu Nord, hopefully with the PH bunch - still places available? I'll be booking in the next few days if so!

Weighing up grandstand tickets too, I didn't get any in 2007 and didn't seem to miss them but tempted to do it this year. What are you regulars' thoughts or recommendations on that?

Can't wait.. I'll be getting a thoroughly demure E46 stickered to buggery too

Wasn't 2007 the really wet year?? A grandstand, or seating in a bar was a must that year!

I guess it depends on what you do when you're there. At least with the ACO grandstand the toilets and showers are some of the best at the circuit, unless you've got access to hospitality areas.

[artherdaily]

can i just say
for anyone who bothers to read this

i stopped on the private area first year chum racing had it, help out a bit, and it made all the difference
the best bit , other than the facilities and security was going for a shower 9am saturday morning, being able to just walk straight into a clean shower, while those outside the fence were in ques 20 long for the limited showers and toilets which by now were over flowing into the campsite

on deciding to go again this year , camping on the pistonheads/1st tickets private campsite was our only choice
i gather with talking to chum racing, things are even more improved now so am looking forward to setting up camp and getting my fresh bread every morning

counting the days

[FraMac]

artherdaily said:

can i just say
for anyone who bothers to read this

i stopped on the private area first year chum racing had it, help out a bit, and it made all the difference
the best bit , other than the facilities and security was going for a shower 9am saturday morning, being able to just walk straight into a clean shower, while those outside the fence were in ques 20 long for the limited showers and toilets which by now were over flowing into the campsite

on deciding to go again this year , camping on the pistonheads/1st tickets private campsite was our only choice
i gather with talking to chum racing, things are even more improved now so am looking forward to setting up camp and getting my fresh bread every morning

counting the days

See you at the AGM Arther - it just hasn't been the same without you.

[McSam]

chum racing said:

McSam said:

I'm now looking at a slot in Bleu Nord, hopefully with the PH bunch - still places available? I'll be booking in the next few days if so!

Yes, there are some slots left in the PH area of standard Bleu Nord, although not for much longer at the current rate.

Thanks a lot - I'll get my arse into gear, then!


And yes, despite me managing to get sunburnt on the Friday, 2007 was ridiculously wet at times.. I really did start to doubt the sensibility of the umbrella/director's chair combo, but I was saved by having a an old battleaxe of a race truck to sleep in rather than a tent! No such "luxury" this year, canvas it is

[MrC986]

B16 DSS & l have just crawled off the reserve list onto the main campsite list. ...if you are well up the reserve list for the main site there is plenty of time to hopefully stand a chance of getting a cancellation space. Good luck

[artherdaily]

FraMac said:

artherdaily said:

can i just say
for anyone who bothers to read this

i stopped on the private area first year chum racing had it, help out a bit, and it made all the difference
the best bit , other than the facilities and security was going for a shower 9am saturday morning, being able to just walk straight into a clean shower, while those outside the fence were in ques 20 long for the limited showers and toilets which by now were over flowing into the campsite

on deciding to go again this year , camping on the pistonheads/1st tickets private campsite was our only choice
i gather with talking to chum racing, things are even more improved now so am looking forward to setting up camp and getting my fresh bread every morning

counting the days

See you at the AGM Arther - it just hasn't been the same without you.

go on tell the truth, its been better without me