Le Mans 2018 some questions from a complete novice

[Matt97]

My brother & I have decided to go to Le Mans for the first time, were really looking forward to it however are unsure on a few things. The only ACO campsite left was Beausejour so that's where we're staying. I understand it's the furthest campsite (correct me if I'm wrong) from the "village".

So a few questions I'm hoping people will be able to help us with;

How far time wise is the Beausejour campsite from the pit straight?
Is there a preferred area inside Beausejour you'd recommend pitching up?
Can you camp the Sunday night after the race has finished?

We'll be going for the week from Sunday to Sunday and we're hoping of going into Le Mans at the beginning of the week, how busy does it get & is it difficult to get parked in Le Mans? Are the road parts of the circuit open during race week? Also what is it like trying to get to the expo/rouge carparks during the race weekend?

Finally are there any major things/places to avoid but more importantly things to do/see?

Sorry for all the questions but we are complete novices looking to make the most of the week!

Regards,
Matt

[FredericRobinson]

[quote=Matt97]
How far time wise is the Beausejour campsite from the pit straight? 20-30 min walk
Can you camp the Sunday night after the race has finished? Yes

We'll be going for the week from Sunday to Sunday and we're hoping of going into Le Mans at the beginning of the week, how busy does it get & is it difficult to get parked in Le Mans? You might be better getting the tram
Are the road parts of the circuit open during race week? Yes, close about lunchtime Wed, re-open Friday, but not the Mulsanne - Arnage section, so if you're looking to drive the track do it early in the week
Also what is it like trying to get to the expo/rouge carparks during the race weekend? From Beasujour? Waste of time I'd have thought, walk or take bikes

[RickRob]

Beausejour is a huge campsite, but you should get a good spot if you arrive on the Sunday and that will get you closer to the pit straight. We were at the far end of the campsite this year and that made it a ~40 minute walk to the grandstands.

The good news with Beausejour is that you can easily get to Arnage village in the car. Vital if you want to eat properly during your stay.

A must do is the "Great British Welcome" at Ste. Saturnin on the Friday.

Also, seeing as though you'll have lots of time to fill, maybe a trip to the Hotel de France at LA CHARTRE SUR LE LOIR for some Le Mans history.

And finally, unless you have to don't spend a long time on the autoroutes. The N roads are great, but do take longer.

And really finally, have a great time!

[//j17]

Matt97 said:

How far time wise is the Beausejour campsite from the pit straight?

Other's have already answered this but a couple of notes:
1. There's a free 'little train' that takes you from the site to the main entrance. Don't bother with it though - it's quicker to walk!
2. Unless you specifically want to get to the pit straight there are other viewing points. The one in Beausejour is actually very good, giving you a view of the cars through the first pat of the Porsche curves.
3. The quickest route to the pit straight is probably up the road 'outside' the circuit but unless you're in a rush go up the road 'inside' the circuit and through the other campsites in to the bottom of the 'village'.

Matt97 said:

Is there a preferred area inside Beausejour you'd recommend pitching up?

While there isn't much in it - go for the high ground! Hopefully it will be a hot one again but if it's a wet one you don't want to be in one of the slight dips as that's where the water will pool.

Matt97 said:

Can you camp the Sunday night after the race has finished?

Yes, but you probably want to stay on your pitch all evening. The campsite security clock-off as soon as the flag drops and 2 things happen:
1. The local 'recyclers' descend.
2. Some of your fellow campers reveal themselves to be cock-wombles of the first order.

In all probability you will not have any issues. Some people complain about the recyclers pinching stuff by my experience is they only pick through clearly abandoned stuff people have left behind. Some people have issue with fellow campers getting drunk and playing with cars/fire but worst case you just do some initial packing then move your car and tent to another part of the site for the night, with just the overnight stuff left to pack.

Matt97 said:

We'll be going for the week from Sunday to Sunday and we're hoping of going into Le Mans at the beginning of the week, how busy does it get & is it difficult to get parked in Le Mans? Are the road parts of the circuit open during race week? Also what is it like trying to get to the expo/rouge carparks during the race weekend?

You should be fine getting around up to Wed/Thurs. Even then you can get around, just expect queues to get on/off the site as it's amazing how slow the temp. staff can make the process of getting new arrivals in and shown to their pitches (on the third, if not second attempt). If you need to go out Friday do it early and aim to get back lunch time or you'll have to face drunken twunts with no respect for other people property or safety in addition to the Friday arrival queues.

More often than not you're better off just parking up other than supermarket trips. 20-30min walk up the road 'inside' the circuit will bring you to the tram stop and then it's only a couple of Euro in to the centre of town - where you can eat and drink without needing to worry about who's driving back.

On the Friday I'd say to the Classic British Welcome in the morning, then head in to town in the afternoon for the driver's parade.

[gt6]

Agree with most things said already, but if you arrive early sunday head to town for scrutineering, or if not do it on Monday, you will get close to the cars and the drivers. Get a tram pass and make full us eof it to get around and stock up on supplies. Keep anything valuable locked in the car, and get to know people camped around you for extra security. If one of you stays sober use the car on wednesday or thursday evening to see the cars at Mulsanne/indianapolis and at arnarge, as going there during the race will be a waste of your time, but ensure you are at arnarge when it is getting dark, take it from everyone who as been it is worth it.

On you way home sort out who will book next year as by then you will be hooked, that way you will get a better campsite for 2019

[Kev_Mk3]

If you do go out in the car make sure you know when practise etc is as the roads close and its chaos trying to get back. Get what you can while your out to limit your "car trips" also.

Alcohol especially glass bottles are not allowed into the circuit.

Use the tram to go in to the town to see the parade worth doing at least once on the Friday.

[Matt97]

Thank you for all the great replies, much appreciated

[Poynter87]

I will echo what my brother has said by saying thanks for the replies, we are certainly looking forward to it.

Edited by Poynter87 on Friday 29th December 20:36

[Cass63]

It can take 15 mins to get out of bsj dependent on where you are camped, it’s massive. The parade gets packed but you have to do it for the Buzz.

[NickNJ]

we take old bicycles and find BSJ no probs.

[NickNJ]

we take old bicycles and find BSJ no probs.

[Matt97]

Thanks for the further replies, the tickets turned up today

Edited by Matt97 on Saturday 6th January 20:26

[gt6]

Well no turning back now, remember to keep an eye on this and other sites for infomation.
Loads of good info on beermountain and tentenths.com (go to sportscar section for le mans sub forum) and loads of ideas on what to do to make your trip even more enjoyable and info on meet ups of like minded people both at the circuit and the events you might like to attend in the days running up to the race.

[Great Dane]

Matt97 said:

Thanks for the further replies, these turned up today

blank out the barcodes.... some people have been known to have their tickets lifted from various sites and when they came up to the entry they were already scanned in...

Edited by andy.mod on Saturday 6th January 20:35

[FredericRobinson]

If you're getting there on the Sunday you've got plenty of time, have a good look around, see what you can of other campsites, not saying Beausejour is bad, but have a gander at the other campsites, see what else is available, also head into the old town early in the week for a nice lunch or dinner before it gets busy.

[Poynter87]

FredericRobinson said:

If you're getting there on the Sunday you've got plenty of time, have a good look around, see what you can of other campsites, not saying Beausejour is bad, but have a gander at the other campsites, see what else is available, also head into the old town early in the week for a nice lunch or dinner before it gets busy.

Thanks for the reply, that was mine and Matt's thinking behind arriving on the Sunday so we can do a few things before it gets too busy especially seeing as we have never been before.

[FredericRobinson]

Then again I arrive on the Sunday each year and spend 95% of my time outside of the race sat on the campsite drinking beer and talking rubbish, enjoy the event in the way that suits you, I think this year will be my 15th and I've still never seen the start or finish of the race from the main drag for example, but I'll still watch 20 hours of racing, and my year revolves around June. I reckon it took us 3 or 4 years to figure things out, since then it's been the same routine with a few refinements, which is how I like it.

[DoubleD]

Are you not curious to see what the start and finish is like from there?

[FredericRobinson]

Aye, keep meaning to give it a go, never quite happens though, much like going to the museum, I'm on site for 8 days so there should be plenty of time, but it's only been done once in 15 years.

[99dndd]

Another 1st timer here.

Is there a good time to see the museum? Thinking of going on the Thursday morning but it might be a little less busy when cars are on track.