I'm Going (1st Time)
Discussion
I've been to the 6hrs Silverstone the last 2 years but the date change for next year doesn't suit one of "the lads" so we decided to go for the big one!
Booked the Thomas Cook package, Wed-Mon. Campsite looks good and secure with toilets/showers/phone chargers. Booked a 1am coach tour to Arnage and Mulsanne corners as well.
We're looking at flying to Paris and getting the TGV as ferry options from Ireland don't quite work out and I don't quite fancy doing Belfast-Cairnryan-South Coast route.
The race at the front shouldn't be too hard to follow with basically 1 LMP-H but looking forward to the event.
Couple of questions:
Is a lack of car going to greatly hinder things? Tram looks decent enough and people have been suggesting bus routes to the Classic British Welcome.
What time should we aim to be in Le Mans for the Driver Parade?
I'll probably have a million more but just really looking forward to it!
Booked the Thomas Cook package, Wed-Mon. Campsite looks good and secure with toilets/showers/phone chargers. Booked a 1am coach tour to Arnage and Mulsanne corners as well.
We're looking at flying to Paris and getting the TGV as ferry options from Ireland don't quite work out and I don't quite fancy doing Belfast-Cairnryan-South Coast route.
The race at the front shouldn't be too hard to follow with basically 1 LMP-H but looking forward to the event.
Couple of questions:
Is a lack of car going to greatly hinder things? Tram looks decent enough and people have been suggesting bus routes to the Classic British Welcome.
What time should we aim to be in Le Mans for the Driver Parade?
I'll probably have a million more but just really looking forward to it!
The tram is very good, crowded on a Friday and a bit of a trek from where I think you are camping but you will be fine.
I've never been without a car as it is the easiest way for me, I'm sure you'll be fine.
Drivers parade, we try and get there every year and usually fail so all I can say is get there well before 5pm.
D
I've never been without a car as it is the easiest way for me, I'm sure you'll be fine.
Drivers parade, we try and get there every year and usually fail so all I can say is get there well before 5pm.
D
Hi, well you certainly won’t be needing a car if your staying with Thomas Cook Sport, I doubt very much if you leave the campsite. I’ve been a number of times the facilities and staff are just superb, if you speak nicely to them I’m sure they will pick you and your luggage up at the tram terminus if you give them a call.
Seriously there’s always a danger to try and do everything on your first visit to the 24 hrs, Yes the Great British Welcome is a fantastic event but getting there by bus and tram could be a bit of a trek.
Perhaps consider the pit walk Friday morning, a great opportunity to get close up to the drivers and cars, loads of freebies and autographs.
Again the Parade of drivers is superb, but very popular I would recommend getting there early say 1oclock with over 100,000 attending, you can spend a long time standing 10 deep at the barriers.
Any way look out for a couple of Jags parked up at the campsite and come and say hello.
Seriously there’s always a danger to try and do everything on your first visit to the 24 hrs, Yes the Great British Welcome is a fantastic event but getting there by bus and tram could be a bit of a trek.
Perhaps consider the pit walk Friday morning, a great opportunity to get close up to the drivers and cars, loads of freebies and autographs.
Again the Parade of drivers is superb, but very popular I would recommend getting there early say 1oclock with over 100,000 attending, you can spend a long time standing 10 deep at the barriers.
Any way look out for a couple of Jags parked up at the campsite and come and say hello.
leyorkie said:
Have you looked at Ryanair Dublin to Tours it’s not so far away with train service
Just did thanks, although looks like it's only Monday and Friday.FARP - Thanks for all the advice and I'll keep an eye out for the Jags!
Think I'll skip the Classic British Welcome, do the pit walk on Friday morning, into Le Mans for lunch and get a good spot for the parade.
Check out this video on YouTube amazing, remember your life will never be the same after your first visit to Le Mans !
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8zUFfMg1dHg
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8zUFfMg1dHg
Check out this video on YouTube amazing, remember your life will never be the same after your first visit to Le Mans !
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8zUFfMg1dHg
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8zUFfMg1dHg
The pre-erected tent option that some operators offer is something we've always had with 1stTickets/PH on Bleu Nord. From personal experience, we've had no issues & the peace of mind you have in the unlikely event of a problem is that they'd fix it there & then. I'm not a regular camper (only once a year) & know that tent occupation is down to how you occupy it. If you come into contact with the inner lining on the tent & the outer gets wet, it'll transfer onto whatever touches it. We've seen some heavy storms a few years ago & our tents more than stood up to the weather as we were sat inside the "lobby" having a few "stubbies".
I did briefly contemplate buying a couple of tents for the annual trip, though the consensus was that the phaff in the event of wet weather & also the fact we normally travel in cars that are fairly restricted on luggage/interior space, made it an easy decision to stay with the pre-erected option as there's nothing better than chucking your bag in the car when you come to leave with the tent still left up & the camping chairs/table behind!
I did briefly contemplate buying a couple of tents for the annual trip, though the consensus was that the phaff in the event of wet weather & also the fact we normally travel in cars that are fairly restricted on luggage/interior space, made it an easy decision to stay with the pre-erected option as there's nothing better than chucking your bag in the car when you come to leave with the tent still left up & the camping chairs/table behind!
The main reason for the pre-erected tent is that we’re flying to Paris and getting the TGV to Le Mans. Any ferries from Ireland-France are overnight and £££. I’ve got the boat over to Scotland and driven down to Silverstone twice before and I wouldn’t fancy driving any further.
I’ve always been a bit of a train geek and the TGV’s always been something I’d like to experience.
I did a lot of camping when I was younger and I think I missed the only dry Le Mans in history last year so I’ll be well prepared for rain.
I’ve always been a bit of a train geek and the TGV’s always been something I’d like to experience.
I did a lot of camping when I was younger and I think I missed the only dry Le Mans in history last year so I’ll be well prepared for rain.
I wasn't saying they are all bad! I have just heard of some bad experiences. There is a Decathlon right by the tram stop if you if you wanted to get your own. Not sure if they reserve for collection at that time of year though. There are three guys on Thomas Cook that fly in and bring their own tents. Its not uncommon to see them going round on baggage belts.
joema said:
No need for a car once you're there. .
I used mine every day this year, mainly to get ice, cold drinks, yoghurt and fags from a nearby gas station. I did though travel sort of early in the morning each time. Saturday was a little bit iffy as I bumped into a line of traffic queuing for the race.Anyone know if you can get fags at the circuit? I couldn't find any.
Edited by wsn03 on Tuesday 21st November 16:50
wsn03 said:
joema said:
No need for a car once you're there. .
I used mine every day this year, mainly to get ice, cold drinks, yoghurt and fags from a nearby gas station. I did though travel sort of early in the morning each time. Saturday was a little bit iffy as I bumped into a line of traffic queuing for the race.Anyone know if you can get fags at the circuit? I couldn't find any.
Edited by wsn03 on Tuesday 21st November 16:50
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