Be prepared for delays at circuit
Discussion
I had a coffee with the head of security on Friday and while obviously he could not go into details it would seem that security is being stepped up considerably this year, bot for parking and at the entry to the circuit. We all understand why and while grateful at the same time it is only natural to grumble and be impatient. We remember the old carefree days. So allow yourselves more time going to the circuit this year please. Oh, and have a great time, all of you.
delta0 said:
We're coming in quite late on Thursday 7/8pm. Hopefully will be ok.
Oh dear...We arrived at the outskirts of Arnage at about 6pm last year. After a couple of hours and a quarter of a mile later, I left my two lads in the car on Arnage high street and walked to Porsche Curves to book us into the campsite. The lads turned up in the car at about 10:30pm - over four hours to do two miles
You'll be fine, as long as you didn't expect to see the night practice...
What time does it clear up? Are there more than 1 entrance into Beausejour or does everyone get filtered the same way? I'm coming in from the East side.
I was thinking of coming in from the Ruaudin entrance rather than Arnage.
I was thinking of coming in from the Ruaudin entrance rather than Arnage.
Edited by delta0 on Wednesday 31st May 18:26
Edited by delta0 on Wednesday 31st May 18:36
This will only be my third year, so I'm no expert, but I don't believe there's any route in to BSJ other than from the Arnage side. I've heard of UK traffic jams called "gridlock" but the traffic around the circuit on the Thursday evening is just that - nobody going anywhere.
Because it cheesed us off so much last year, we're travelling down on the Wednesday this year - as we crawled through Arnage, there were hundreds of people sat at roadside bars and cafés - they clearly got there much earlier, or the previous day and were having a much better time than we were (we left the Midlands at 5:30am and did it in one hit - 16 hour drive - never again....)
The traffic is part and parcel of the experience - you can choose to be in it, or to watch it from the comfort of a bar....
Because it cheesed us off so much last year, we're travelling down on the Wednesday this year - as we crawled through Arnage, there were hundreds of people sat at roadside bars and cafés - they clearly got there much earlier, or the previous day and were having a much better time than we were (we left the Midlands at 5:30am and did it in one hit - 16 hour drive - never again....)
The traffic is part and parcel of the experience - you can choose to be in it, or to watch it from the comfort of a bar....
Traffic around the circuit generally moves ok - until the BJS security backlog hits the roundabout. The whole area then slows to the pace of the security staff. There are some shortcuts available buy you need to think radical, and accept at some point you are going to hit traffic. I have in the past gone all the way past the circuit to come back up through Arnage. Sounds slow - but I was 2 hours behind my mates on the one side of Le Mans, and pulled into BJS at the same time as them....
Nigel_O said:
This will only be my third year, so I'm no expert, but I don't believe there's any route in to BSJ other than from the Arnage side. I've heard of UK traffic jams called "gridlock" but the traffic around the circuit on the Thursday evening is just that - nobody going anywhere.
Because it cheesed us off so much last year, we're travelling down on the Wednesday this year - as we crawled through Arnage, there were hundreds of people sat at roadside bars and cafés - they clearly got there much earlier, or the previous day and were having a much better time than we were (we left the Midlands at 5:30am and did it in one hit - 16 hour drive - never again....)
The traffic is part and parcel of the experience - you can choose to be in it, or to watch it from the comfort of a bar....
Looking at it there isn't access at Ruaudin because of Mulsanne. Is Arnage the best entrance to go for? Because it cheesed us off so much last year, we're travelling down on the Wednesday this year - as we crawled through Arnage, there were hundreds of people sat at roadside bars and cafés - they clearly got there much earlier, or the previous day and were having a much better time than we were (we left the Midlands at 5:30am and did it in one hit - 16 hour drive - never again....)
The traffic is part and parcel of the experience - you can choose to be in it, or to watch it from the comfort of a bar....
surveyor said:
Traffic around the circuit generally moves ok - until the BJS security backlog hits the roundabout. The whole area then slows to the pace of the security staff. There are some shortcuts available buy you need to think radical, and accept at some point you are going to hit traffic. I have in the past gone all the way past the circuit to come back up through Arnage. Sounds slow - but I was 2 hours behind my mates on the one side of Le Mans, and pulled into BJS at the same time as them....
As I will be approaching from north east I could easily go south and around without adding much. This could save some time!This route can sometimes work well also... I look at google maps traffic and decide when near the site... Don't clog up my route please!
https://goo.gl/maps/tRvno9YBdVx
https://goo.gl/maps/tRvno9YBdVx
surveyor said:
This route can sometimes work well also... I look at google maps traffic and decide when near the site... Don't clog up my route please!
https://goo.gl/maps/tRvno9YBdVx
A critical part of that route, turning right just after the D338 roundabout down to Chemin aux Beoufs behind the Stella bar can be closed when the circuits in use (it seems to vary each year). Not a show-stopper though, just get on to the D142 and get on to Chemin aux Beoufs where it crosses the ring road. Either an easy slip left heading North or the fun 330 degree, downhill right heading South.https://goo.gl/maps/tRvno9YBdVx
The down-side of this route is that, unless the ACO have been struck by common sense*, you're at the mercy of people queuing to get in to Houx/Houx Annex.
- Quite why they don't set it up so Houx/Houx Annex access is off the stadium roundabout and around the back of Houx Annex baffles me. Just needs a quick 'do you have a ticket' check there and then loads of space for vehicles to queue up NOT blocking the main road for proper pass checking at the current campsite entrances.
Unfortunately we are not getting there till Friday evening this year. BSJ roundabout will be full of people ranging from those keen to see some nice cars and a bit of good natured fun through to tw*ts unable to hold their ale. Consequently I am thinking coming this route from the east via McDonalds might be better than crawling from Arnage. Seem to recall though that this road is blocked off on a Friday even though nothing on circuit. Second option would be from arnage corner to join queue at the roundabout near the bridge under the track which could be even worse. Anyone know?
Nosynchro said:
Unfortunately we are not getting there till Friday evening this year. BSJ roundabout will be full of people ranging from those keen to see some nice cars and a bit of good natured fun through to tw*ts unable to hold their ale. Consequently I am thinking coming this route from the east via McDonalds might be better than crawling from Arnage. Seem to recall though that this road is blocked off on a Friday even though nothing on circuit. Second option would be from arnage corner to join queue at the roundabout near the bridge under the track which could be even worse. Anyone know?
Your screwed. 2 Years ago we collected our now fellow campers after they broke down near the underpass and towed one of them in on the Friday night. Some idiot actually jumped in between the cars to try and set fire to the tow rope...Gassing Station | Le Mans | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff