What's it like

[Boney2728]

It's the land of milk and honey...

[wsn03]

thegoose said:

I only took a few pictures a few short videos. Here's nearly all of them


The start from the open to all bar overlooking the pits:



Full pit wall just before the finish (again from the bar)

Is that bar open to anyone?
Btw i recognise the boutique...didn't use it though!

Edited by wsn03 on Wednesday 21st June 18:49

[sahajesh]

wsn03 said:

Is that bar open to anyone?

Open to anyone yes, but the restaurant underneath is stupidly expensive. Bar prices are the same as elsewhere or just bring your own. You need to get there early though as others appear to have camped out for the gridwalk and start.

[sahajesh]

wsn03 said:

sahajesh said:

wsn03 said:

Is that bar open to anyone?

Open to anyone yes, but the restaurant underneath is stupidly expensive. Bar prices are the same as elsewhere or just bring your own. You need to get there early though as others appear to have camped out for the gridwalk and start.

Thanks for the info, much appreciated

[wsn03]

sahajesh said:

Fantastic picture / view

[giveitfish]

What's it like? Head over to the pictures thread for a great overview: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[Eth2312]

thegoose said:

I only took a few pictures a few short videos. Here's nearly all of them (except videos and ones of ourselves which will be of no interest to you!):

Appreciate the uploads, exactly what I was looking for and sets the scene nicely!

[cja]

We've done the camping and non-camping versions.

Overall, I'd go with the non-camping, as it can be a real PITA to get about (in and out of the circuit). Also, decent showers & a better bed, for the sleeping times.

For a non-camping option, you will need to a) be prepared to travel or, b) pay, for something close by. Whichever you go for, it will need to be done early.
(we have 2018 & 2019 booked)

[RL17]

Great race and experience.

Pleased with stand ticket as base for start and finish and shelter from sun and heat - could also see a big screen

Radio and headphones brilliant - although RadioLM going on about result being close with Porsche gaining 10-11 seconds a lap a bit out as No2 took lead with and hour to go

Small tent and car fine on small private camping plot and great neighbours suggested two L shaped plots to maximise space

Ear plugs for nearby public camping parties or next door generator til 1am

pleased got down by noon Thursday as made practice (maybe Wednesday travel next year)

Friday trip to Chartes/Hotel de France great and 304 great road route back via central Le Mans OK

Private camping marquee/meals/TV and chargers and showers great (and cheaper beer than circuit) - 4 mins walk to circuit and beats 1.5 hour drive and parking miles away

Did a couple of hours of non-motorway on way back which was great too.

Sanef toll chip expensive but brilliant

Circuit should have more toilets as long queues for stupidly small modern toilets and secure bike parks

[//j17]

RL17 said:

Pleased with stand ticket as base for start and finish and shelter from sun and heat - could also see a big screen

You just have to stop yourself watching TV rather than the track sometimes. Always a little embarrassing to be sat in the Dunlop grandstand watching the TV picking up someone spinning...only for it to dawn on that they are spinning at the Dunlop chicane right in front of you

[ONtheROCS]

Bookmarking for next year. Looks epic. Cheers!

[David W.]

2018 dates are out, 24h June 16-17, July 7-8 Classic.

[FredericRobinson]

Those who go keep going back year after year, that's what it's like.

[James72911]

Some great advice already, but will add my suggestions... having now been 12 or so times, it really gets under your skin!

Every year we try and do something new/different. There is so much to see and do - and also make sure you relax - having few pints and catching up with friends is the most important bit for me! and watch a few hours racing!!

This year we wandered round the museum for the first time - some amazing cars in there. Also managed to win a tour of the Aston pit garage which was awesome - even if it was at 3am! Previous years we have gone to the Great British Welcome, into Le Mans town, helicopter flight during the race, down to Arnage & Mulsanne.

I would recommend the 1st Tickets site - good food, secure, clean toilets and showers, and a big marquee to shelter in if it rains... which it usually does! this year was the opposite - hot and sunny, so the shade was and cold draft beer was great!

Just get down there - and then refine/adjust in future trips!

[B.J.W]

I have been going a good few years..... as mentioned, Le Mans can be as chilled or as hectic as you want it to be - we always try and do something new each year, combined with the regular stuff that we always look forward to.

We always go down in an interesting car - road trip is part of the whole experience. Our site is 10 minutes from the main track entrance - the free bus goes from where we camp 24/7 over the weekend. We are also only a 15 minute walk from Arnage town centre - which is where we spent a great afternoon after the GBW. A cab from Arange to Le Mans centre is around 25 euros.

for a first visit I would tick the following boxes:

Interesting car to drive down in
enjoy some down time at the camp site for some beers and banter
Visit the track on Thursday to savour the electric atmosphere pre-race
Great British Welcome on the Friday Morning
Drive Walk the public part of the track Friday PM
Visit Arnage later on to have some beers and watch the variety of cars......
Or head to Le Mans square for the drivers parade and enjoy the party.
Dunlop curves for the start of the race/move to Dunlop chicane
Arnage corner at night (I love the atmosphere here on the night shift)
spend some time in the village area during the early hours
pit walk after the race has finished
finish up at Arnage for a chilled Sunday and some steak and chips at one of the restaurants

The year after you will add new stuff to do (and there is always something to add)
Next year we will probably do the helicopter ride over the circuit

Le Mans 24 is a pilgrimage.

[WhyTwo]

Agreed, we try and do something different each year (becomes harder when you've been 20 times!). This year we got grandstand seats opposite the pits. That was amazing. And the shade from the sun was very welcome. Also did the ferris wheel at night, that was superb as well

[thegoose]

I hadn't thought about going in a helicopter during the race - can you still hear commentary at the time (e.g. earpieces inside the chopper headsets)?

Also, does anyone know if I can self-fly hire an R22 or R44 from somewhere at Le Mans airport?

[Adam91_]

went for the 2nd time this year, blue sud camping was nice and cheap (Went Thomas Cook first time which was good but expensive).

Good trip though went to Arnage for last few laps for a quick getaway, worked a treat!

[MrC986]

thegoose said:

I hadn't thought about going in a helicopter during the race - can you still hear commentary at the time (e.g. earpieces inside the chopper headsets)?

Also, does anyone know if I can self-fly hire an R22 or R44 from somewhere at Le Mans airport?

We went in a helicopter for 2 circuits of the track - very impressive form the air although with the TV copters flying around plus the 6 "taxis" buzzing around, it was pretty busy. It was well worth the cost though & we had 4 of us plus the pilot in ours (& I was told to sit in the co-pilots seat )

[Storer]

Your budget is a factor.

I/we have driven down for the last 5 years. We take cars the French don't see every day and make an effort to let them enjoy said cars also. Good PR for the UK IMO.
Stayed in bed and breakfast private homes in Le Mans each year and used the tram into the circuit. Quick, cheap and efficient.
Our beds have been crisp and clean, the noise low and showers/toilets en suit. Breakfast is typically French and when we want it.
Grandstand seats (in the shade for the start and finish!) great with big TV screen and pits opposite.
Dinner is in a lovely restaurant in Le Mans, and at least 4 courses with wine each night.
Parking is in a secure garden and our hosts become friends.
We enjoy local hospitality and bring only clothes from the UK. We frequent local bars, cafe's, and restaurants so the town benefits from our custom (not UK supermarkets).
St Saturnin is a regular trip to help a local charity. The driver's parade is fun too.
Making it back to a bar in town 45 mins after the end of the race to 'people watch' now a ritual.
Chartre's Hotel de France a regular stop off after the race and a bit of sight seeing/history on the way home has become standard practice with something different every year.

Le Mans can be way more than a race. It can become an addiction.

24 hours becomes at least a week!!!!