Late Le Mans Decision

Late Le Mans Decision

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Discussion

Jarcy

Original Poster:

1,559 posts

274 months

Sunday 20th May 2018
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I've never been to Le Mans before. But my son and I have been tentatively considering going this year.
Booked the Friday and Monday off work. Happy to camp, but worried that we've left it a bit late to organise.

In truth, I'm a little bewildered by all the different offers and deals, places to camp etc, that it's put me off organising something before now.
Looked at the official PH trip, but that struck me as expensive compared to general camping.
We could travel down in either my son's Cobra (it has a boot, but a lack of weather protection) or my Noble (hard top, aircon, but no space). Not decided yet.

As a bonus, I see Jamiroquai are playing on the Friday. Is it really free?

Not on a tight budget, but don't want to spend the earth or over-pay.
So can you offer any advice as to where to book, where to camp, where to watch, how to get around, what to take, what it costs. What to eat. etc, etc.
I would anticipate getting an earlyish Friday crossing, arrive lunchtime to pitchup & get bearings, JK concert in the evening. Interested in the Aston Martin support race. Stay up through Saturday night until race finish on Sunday. Get some sleep then amble back home on the Monday.

Any groups to tag along with, that fit my schedule?

RobXjcoupe

3,151 posts

90 months

Sunday 20th May 2018
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Usually the good next to race track camp areas will be booked by now. Maison Blanche was my fave.
Thursday I found was a better day to travel as that gives you Friday morning to buy the beer and bbq stuff for the weekend.
Last time I went was 2011 so things have probably changed a bit since.
Friday afternoon the drivers parade through Leman town giving away flyers etc which is good for photos if you like that. Gets packed though so you need to be there early for a good spot.
Once racing starts the circuit is pedestrian access only so no driving out to buy things you have forgotten about.
The concerts were free all the times I’ve been. Just a walk round the circuit depending where you are camped. Jay K I’ve personally bumped into before, he likes his cars but he did say he flew in.
Driving to leman I enjoyed. My best was take the train going but the ferry home so as to have a rest before you get back to the U.K. Driving in convoy is good also but I used to supply a printed map to each driver in case the sat nav through a wobbly. It did once. My printed directions worked perfectly smile.
Make sure also you have breakdown cover on your insurance, again I did use it once.
It’s a good long weekend for petrol heads. smile

RL17

1,231 posts

92 months

Sunday 20th May 2018
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PH and other private camping sites do seem expensive but you get to see the race. Breakfasts and evening meals provided, secure campsite and hardly any queues for toilets and showers that are cleaned regularly. Can also get pre-erected tent and campbed options if don't have small packable tents etc

Add on marquee, with a cheaper bar, charging facilities and most importantly protection from rain or intense sun etc and it makes sense.

Bigger groups towing fridges and generators in trailors and larger vehicles might work on public sites etc.

BUT if not down for that long you might as well get too see race and not worry to much about other stuff. Organiser may also arrange stand/tribune tickets. Stands further up main straight can be very noisy in main race.

Seems very cheap compared to a room for a night in Kiev next week.

RL17

1,231 posts

92 months

Sunday 20th May 2018
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small battery pocket radio FM/MW etc and earphones for Radio Le Mans helpful too and as arriving late a dedicated marked out camp spot makes sense.

MrC986

3,481 posts

190 months

Monday 21st May 2018
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If you're considering staying on Sunday night, I'd recommend a camp site that is secure as done of the "old" antics still remain where we've heard of people setting fire to things they shouldn't, and of general "antics".

As has been said by others, you pays your money and makes your choice with where/who you decide to go with on camp sites though not having to sort your morning/evening meals by going with an operator who provides this & short queues for clean toilets might be something worth considering and if you're travelling on Friday, it's a late arrival so a booked/reserved pitch is definitely necessary. I know several of the larger travel agents/organisers have some last minute slots as its not unusual when the 24hrs is the same year as the Classic 24. An operator will also sort your entry tickets for ease.

I'd recommend you get as early a crossing on the Tunnel as possible on the Friday and ask about the best route to get into the circuit to avoid the traffic jams. Jamiroqui is free to watch now

Call around the likes of 1st Tickets, Thomas Cook and Lycian Events etc and do a quick analysis on how much/what's included, though I suspect some will be full and others won't quite yet, though don't delay as it'll be a changing picture and the important thing is getting your crossings booked ASAP.

JT3K

314 posts

129 months

Monday 21st May 2018
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It's so worth it. The atmosphere is electric and the event is sensational. It's incredible to be able to be part of something that runs so long and you'll love it.

It's not too late. I'm sure you can find camping either by speaking to the official operators or by looking at "The Official Tickets for Sale, Swaps & Wanted thread" on Pistonheads or the similar on Beermountain. There's a lot said about camping with an operator but frankly although I'll be taking my 4yo (by then) daughter with 1st Tickets in 2020, I've never had an issue on the standard campsites. Just remember that Sunday, the campsite "security" goes by ~4pm (latest) so secure your valuables before the end of the race, although you'll probably want things semi-secured throughout.

Personally I'd advise getting in as early as possible. For me, night qualifying on Thursday night is one of the biggest things of the week. If you're there Friday morning, you can also do the pit walk and the drivers parade (great for first timers). Choose a campsite that's closest to the circuit as possible as you'll be walking everywhere - I'm a fan of the Bleu Nord/Bleu Sud/Maison Blanche side but all have their benefits - Beermountain tries to maintain a decent explanation of each.

Jamiroquai is indeed completely and utterly free, as is Texas (Saturday night). You need a camping ticket to allow the car in to the campsite and a GE ticket each. GE gives you full trackside access, access to gigs, the "village" and so forth.

There's a Carrefour not far that sells literally everything. Some (Yanks/Aussies) fly in, train to Carrefour and buy their camping gear, tram to the circuit and bin it all afterwards. It's huge. There is food trackside but it's a bit pricey, a bit samey and a bit st (at times).

I budget the following:
£240 fuel (1200ml rtn @25-30mpg)
£180 Eurotunnel
£80ea GE
£105/pitch Bleu Sud (others might be more or less - MB=£195)
€60.40 tolls both ways (others like the scenic route, I'd rather be there, both have merit)
€20/time go-karting
€8 beer IIRC & €1 beer cup
€10 dodgy trackside sandwich & frites
£the-soul-of-your-first-born for trackside purchases of merchandise

Packing? A cool box is a great addition if you've got space as Carrefour (usually) can scare up some ice and you can throw some (cans of) beer in there and a bit of bacon or something - coupled with a backpack makes for cheaper trips to the track. Flip flops help you shower without retching. Personal FM radio each is essential as FM coverage is perhaps the best in the world trackside. Pack clothes based on the cat...

davidd

6,443 posts

283 months

Monday 21st May 2018
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JT3K said:
Pack clothes based on the cat...
wink

ClockworkDog

116 posts

119 months

Monday 21st May 2018
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Trust the cat.

Jarcy

Original Poster:

1,559 posts

274 months

Monday 21st May 2018
quotequote all
Thanks for the great advice.
Leaning towards 1st Tickets / PH, as it's our first visit.
Don't want security to be an issue, and will probably thank ourselves if the facilities are that much better.
What's the cat then? Going to let that one out of the bag?

Jarcy

Original Poster:

1,559 posts

274 months

Monday 21st May 2018
quotequote all
Jarcy said:
Leaning towards 1st Tickets / PH, as it's our first visit.
Until I realised it's £1k for the two of us...just for camping?

davidd

6,443 posts

283 months

Monday 21st May 2018
quotequote all
Jarcy said:
Until I realised it's £1k for the two of us...just for camping?
well camping, crossing, entry ticket, meals, security, cleaned toilets and showers..


ellroy

7,000 posts

224 months

Monday 21st May 2018
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ClockworkDog said:
Trust the cat.
All hail the true and trusty cat.

ClockworkDog

116 posts

119 months

Monday 21st May 2018
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If you want secure camping then you gotta pay for it! I’m a staunch defender of BSJ as a general camping area - it’s honestly not like the Mad Max scenes people make it out to be, particularly in recent years. You can turn up last minute and find a decent place for a tent - there’s been lots of space to move around recently if you don’t like the look of your neighbours! I’ve had 8 years there and I’ve never had any issues with security, but I’m aware that theft can and does happen, so touch wood. Shower queues aren’t too bad, toilets are ok. Well worth the price imo. Anyway - that’s the other side of the coin. Keep it basic (and take a bit of a risk) or spend a fair bit of money but get a secure area, TV, cold beers (not a free bar), food and better infrastructure if the weather is pants.
One thing’s for sure - you’ll have a memorable time laugh

HTH

RL17

1,231 posts

92 months

Monday 21st May 2018
quotequote all
Jarcy said:
Thanks for the great advice.
Leaning towards 1st Tickets / PH, as it's our first visit.
Don't want security to be an issue, and will probably thank ourselves if the facilities are that much better.
What's the cat then? Going to let that one out of the bag?
Did PH last year and great and won a Aston pit trip at 3.30am Sunday.

Trying Lycian this year - don't have fixed meal slots like PH/Ist tickets so will be a bit more flexible, and have some bus transfers as trackside but further away at start of Porcshe curves

Recordement stand close to PH and can see pit entrance and big screeen from there as well as seeing cars in Ford chicanes and seeing up start/finish straight

JT3K

314 posts

129 months

Monday 21st May 2018
quotequote all
Jarcy said:
Thanks for the great advice.
Leaning towards 1st Tickets / PH, as it's our first visit.
Don't want security to be an issue, and will probably thank ourselves if the facilities are that much better.
What's the cat then? Going to let that one out of the bag?
You'll have to ask Kiters42 if he keeps it in a bag or if it's free-range. The cat has been accurately predicting the weather far more accurately than Accuweather/BBC for a number of years on "The Le Mans weather thread" and his forecast comes next weekend. Usually bank holiday weekend, Kiters42 puts his tent up to test that everything is there. The cat then enters the tent whilst it's up. If the cat enters by the front it'll be hot, if the cat enters by the back it'll be wet. Think of it like an accurate Groundhog Day that actually matters. I think we're at 5+ years accurate now?

As a side note, they do clean the showers/toilets every day at least 2-3 times a day on the standard campsites and if you're there at the right time, you only have to queue a couple of people for a 6-cubicle shower block.

rjpreston

21 posts

142 months

Monday 21st May 2018
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@Jarcy

Other agency options that might still have tickets. i have used all with no problems in previous years:-

Tickets 2 U http://www.tickets-2-u.com/page4628/home.aspx
Travel Destinations https://traveldestinations.co.uk/

Or if you want to DIY, then try the "For Sale" thread on this very forum - which i used only a few weeks ago to get 2 Tertre Rouge camping tickets bought "at cost"
Even ebay sometimes has last minute camping tickets.

Race tickets ("Enciente Generale") are on sale at the gate every day

Slomo_uk

150 posts

224 months

Monday 21st May 2018
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I believe these guys may have 1 or 2 camp sites left. Great location. been using them for years..

http://www.teamlangoustine.com/


RobbyJ

1,564 posts

221 months

Wednesday 23rd May 2018
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I wasn’t sure I could go this year, but now thankfully I can. Just booked 2 standard pitches in the 1st tickets private site. Been with them many times before and the benefits have already been called out, you get what you pay for IMHO.

Book quickly though, only a couple of spaces left.

Jarcy

Original Poster:

1,559 posts

274 months

Wednesday 23rd May 2018
quotequote all
RobbyJ said:
I wasn’t sure I could go this year, but now thankfully I can. Just booked 2 standard pitches in the 1st tickets private site. Been with them many times before and the benefits have already been called out, you get what you pay for IMHO.

Book quickly though, only a couple of spaces left.
OK, I took the plunge and also booked a small pitch with 1st Tickets.
3:30am crossing on the Friday, so hope to arrive mid-morning.
Let's hope the Cobra makes it!

Thanks for all the suggestions.

Edited by Jarcy on Wednesday 23 May 19:43

Potatoes

3,572 posts

169 months

Wednesday 23rd May 2018
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Nice!! You will not regret it smile