Advice for Le Mans virgins

[jet fixer]

Havent been to LM for a few years but always used to camp in the parking opposite the track entrance.

Paid the entry fee for the car and just set up camp does that still go on or has that been stopped.

[ginaG]

Well we've been to Le Mans three years running except last year we went to an F1 instead.
Anyway a few pointers.....

Make sure you get parking tickets as well as entry tickets - very important otherwise you end up driving around for ages trying to stealth a space.

Its normally VERY VERY hot so take appropriate clothing AND footwear... toilets are more like sweat boxes v. nasty!!! French hygiene not so good!! You and the car get very dirty and dusty!!!

BBQ is normally very good idea if you bypass a hypermarche on the way.

Prepare for staying up late or not going to bed at all...get earplugs if you intend to sleep!!! There are lots to do like funfairs and watching the race over night. P.S.. you can get a good view of the circuit if you go in the big wheel!!

We have tended to go in the ACO building for seating but there is still no air con in there!!

Take tents (might be too hot though) and seating and a plug in fridge is always good!

The highlights are generally the road trip down (try not to get into any trouble), and checking out the other delicious cars that go to the event.

Lastly take lots of pictures and video footage and then compile your own crazy DVD at the end!!!

If your feeling a bit wild then team tops and plently of air horns is a must!!

[ginaG]

Oh, and I nearly forgot... don't park or pitch you tent near the bushes as they tend to be a better option than the toilets!!! Always take a loo roll as well!!!

[ART R6]

I've been 4 times so far and yes it usually is very hot, but I was there a few years ago when it rained for the entire weekend!
Just take some lightweight rainwear just in case.....

[Oversteer]

Last year it got quite chilly on a few nights so don't
rely on just T-shirts.

[cavebloke]

Is Beausejour really that bad?
All i read on the internet seems to be people saying its badly located etc. I bought my tickets ages ago through SpeedChills and they only had Beausejour tickets. I guess I should have sorted it all out myself but didn't have time.

Also, is sunday night the war-zone depicted on some sites with French white van pikeys nicking everything in sight?

And finally, how important are grandstand tickets to general enjoyment of the race?
I've only got general admission ones.

Any info most appreciated fellow pHers

[Mark B]

Caveblock, No I am quite sure Beausejour is not that bad, you can hear the cars going all night at most campsites, belive me it is not a noise that you won't want to be hearing

Re Sunday night, I have been for the past 13 years and the Pikeys are not that bad, if you are extremely naive and can't spot the pikey then you will be hit. Yes they do come along and try to nick stuff, but just be a little careful and keep anything valuable on your person.

All I would say is, don't take anything to Le Mans that is not insured or you are not prepared to loose.

You'll have a great time......

[ettore]

Beausejour is fine and the pikeys`s aren`t too bad - the only important thing for sunday night is ensuring that you have a party to go to or masses of booze on hand - it`s the only way to finish the "experience".

It`s my tenth trip this year and my advice to anyone is to not listen to advice - just take what you think you need, go with some decent chums and then take it from there - believe me, once you have been, you`re guaranteed to be going again so you can gradually refine your experiences until you achieve the perfect set-up for your own group.

[Raffles]

Would they break into a car, or are they just oppertunists (sp)??

[ART R6]

I've been to Le Mans 4 times at other camp sites, and so far have not had any theft problems.
All I found you can do is be sensible and lock your car when needed . Our group has left out Folding tables & chairs overnight without anyone nicking them.

[cavebloke]

Do any of you guys take bikes or have any reccomendations for getting around?
Whats the shuttle bus service like?

and thanks for the help on the other stuff!


>> Edited by cavebloke on Monday 23 May 14:19

[stigess]

Seems like I am one of only a few ladies going to Le Mans!
Have been a few times before but always arrived on the Saturday so never been around for the Friday fun, can anyone advise where the best place is to be for the driver's turn around town, how to get a drive on the circuit & what is the best time to get at look at the pits.
Thank you.

[vetteheadracer]

:Stigess said:

Seems like I am one of only a few ladies going to Le Mans! Have been a few times before but always arrived on the Saturday so never been around for the Friday fun, can anyone advise where the best place is to be for the driver's turn around town, how to get a drive on the circuit & what is the best time to get at look at the pits.

Shoebag and Nutz (both Corvette Pistonheads ladies) are going and there are at least 5 other ladies going with our group.

Look at the pits is a difficult one as the pit lane walkabout is usually late afternoon i.e. the same time as the parade in town
The parade starts and finishes at Place du Jacobins which is right in front of the cathedral. The parade starts around 5 p.m. I think and goes on for a couple of hours at least. If you go to watch you want to be there in plenty of time as they start shutting the roads around 3:30 and after that the town centre is a nightmare.
Getting a lap of the track is almost impossible. I did it a couple of years ago through the corvette owners club, but even this route is now blocked as they only allow laps as part of the GM corporate hospitality packages.

[Bobo W]

As @ 2/3 of the "track" is public road you can make do with that but you'll have to go early on Friday to have a clear run, alternatively stop off at Indianopolis / Arnage and join the PH meet (see separate posting) from 10-ish

[stigess]

Thank you very much for your advice. Really looking forward to it now. Glad to hear of some other ladies going! One of these days we might even get a female driver - I can hear the men groaning! But,some of us can drive -really.

[piglet]

stigess said:

Thank you very much for your advice. Really looking forward to it now. Glad to hear of some other ladies going! One of these days we might even get a female driver - I can hear the men groaning! But,some of us can drive -really.

You're not alone at all, believe it or not there are quite a lot of us girlies around here!

I'm puzzled by the female drivers comment - there are often female race drivers, Liz Haliday for one is lined up for this year and there will be others I'm sure if I could be bothered to look!

[ettore]

Vanina Ickx is in one of the prototypes this year.

[richardlw]

Depending on when you arrive, 7.00pm on Wednesday evening at Arnage is brilliant - full of locals just back from work with their families and kids and it kind of shows you what it must have been like years ago.

As for girlies, ma nd the missus will be celebrating 25 consecutive years this time around (26 if you count the first classic) and the first woman I saw driving there was Lyn St John (right spelling?) in a Corvette I think (but it might have been a Camaro and I could be wrong about the car altogether).

[jet fixer]

Is there much going on wed night at le mans???

In the past ive turned up on Thursday lunch time however this year i am on the tues overnighter and was thinking of stopping half way down and arrive le mans as per usual on thurs.

what would you guys recommend

[oversteer]

The bars don't stay open all that late in the village on Wed night (& poss. Thu? can't remember). For some reason EVERYWHERE in the village was selling this horrible lager that I think they said was Heineken but wasn't. It was dreadful. We're going to Arnage Wed night I reckon.