Dad and lad's first Le Mans trip
Discussion
Hello all. Been reading through the forms for a while, but just officially joined up.
So my eldest boy turned 11 this weekend, and I have just been given an unofficial green light from the misses to take him to his first 24hr next year. Last time I was there was back in '06, so I'm guessing it's a completely different kettle of fish now to what it was back then.
What I could really do with is a few pointers please. I'm just starting my research on the best approach to heading down there if you're taking your kid, and I'm wondering what recommendations any experienced dads can give me on this.
Things that I'm mainly wondering about are best choices of campsite. I want us to be close to the action so he really gets the atmosphere of it all, but also want to avoid gangs of chavvy toerags doing doughnuts all night like we had in Beausejour last time I was there. Also, is it best to get a package that takes care of everything in one go and what are the most popular tour operators to go with, and do I need to be booking this right now or am I already too late to get into the most popular sites?
Ideally I'd like to get the tickets and the campsites sorted now so I don't have to worry about it next year, but I doubt I'll have the option to be too choosy as I know the best sites get booked up almost immediately.
We're in Poole, Dorset btw, so we'll obviously be taking the Poole-Cherbourg route down there to keep things simple.
Anyway, any tips in general gratefully received, as I don't really have a clue where to start with this at the moment
Cheers, Bob
So my eldest boy turned 11 this weekend, and I have just been given an unofficial green light from the misses to take him to his first 24hr next year. Last time I was there was back in '06, so I'm guessing it's a completely different kettle of fish now to what it was back then.
What I could really do with is a few pointers please. I'm just starting my research on the best approach to heading down there if you're taking your kid, and I'm wondering what recommendations any experienced dads can give me on this.
Things that I'm mainly wondering about are best choices of campsite. I want us to be close to the action so he really gets the atmosphere of it all, but also want to avoid gangs of chavvy toerags doing doughnuts all night like we had in Beausejour last time I was there. Also, is it best to get a package that takes care of everything in one go and what are the most popular tour operators to go with, and do I need to be booking this right now or am I already too late to get into the most popular sites?
Ideally I'd like to get the tickets and the campsites sorted now so I don't have to worry about it next year, but I doubt I'll have the option to be too choosy as I know the best sites get booked up almost immediately.
We're in Poole, Dorset btw, so we'll obviously be taking the Poole-Cherbourg route down there to keep things simple.
Anyway, any tips in general gratefully received, as I don't really have a clue where to start with this at the moment
Cheers, Bob
Beausejour has calmed down a lot since those days but can be a little crazy still. This year it was very tame the year before was a more crazy. I think the rain this year put a dampener on the havoc literally. I usually stay in Beausejour but in a private site. Others can chime in for other sites I’m sure.
They have sorted out the circuit transport system. I remember back then you could only go clockwise on the shuttle and now you can go both directions. Makes it easier to get out to Mulsanne and Arnage/Indianapolis. This year I did these on Saturday night rather than trying to do it on Sunday like I failed to do the year before (too busy on the shuttle). It was fantastic sitting down at Arnage with the sun setting drinking a bottle of wine.
With the short shuttle ride into Le Mans Town it is worth going there if you haven’t. Some great bars and restaurants especially when you escape into the old part with the cobbled roads. I went during the week and also on Sunday night. It was great to escape the usual campsite rush on Sunday as I normally leave on Monday morning.
In my view you should also get grandstand tickets. At least for the first visit. I always get them and go to different stands each year although this year I went back to Dunlop which I was last in I think 2006.
They have sorted out the circuit transport system. I remember back then you could only go clockwise on the shuttle and now you can go both directions. Makes it easier to get out to Mulsanne and Arnage/Indianapolis. This year I did these on Saturday night rather than trying to do it on Sunday like I failed to do the year before (too busy on the shuttle). It was fantastic sitting down at Arnage with the sun setting drinking a bottle of wine.
With the short shuttle ride into Le Mans Town it is worth going there if you haven’t. Some great bars and restaurants especially when you escape into the old part with the cobbled roads. I went during the week and also on Sunday night. It was great to escape the usual campsite rush on Sunday as I normally leave on Monday morning.
In my view you should also get grandstand tickets. At least for the first visit. I always get them and go to different stands each year although this year I went back to Dunlop which I was last in I think 2006.
Good shout.
I am thinking of taking my lad too - currently 13. But I think I'll opt for the Classic Le Mans in two years time instead as it's considerably more sedate and has a great variety of cars he'd enjoy. We both had fun watching this year's CLM on YouTube.
I don't "do" tents so it's either a nice b&b or a caravan. I know a few b&bs within commutable distances but what about caravan sites around the circuit? Any recommendations?
I am thinking of taking my lad too - currently 13. But I think I'll opt for the Classic Le Mans in two years time instead as it's considerably more sedate and has a great variety of cars he'd enjoy. We both had fun watching this year's CLM on YouTube.
I don't "do" tents so it's either a nice b&b or a caravan. I know a few b&bs within commutable distances but what about caravan sites around the circuit? Any recommendations?
Im taking my 12 yr old, have a campsite near Tetre Rouge. Pm me if you want information. Its a little tucked near away near Tetre Rouge, 10 mins walk to the circuit. Quiet and basic but we like it.
There are 15 of us this year but it always has space
The owner only speaks French so in April I'll show him pictures of our numbers when i go for the Moto 24
There are 15 of us this year but it always has space
The owner only speaks French so in April I'll show him pictures of our numbers when i go for the Moto 24
Edited by wsn03 on Sunday 25th November 10:42
Edited by wsn03 on Sunday 25th November 10:44
If I were you I'd snap up the tertre rouge tickets tickets in the for sale thread above, well behaved campsite in the heart of the action, we've taken lads of that age before, they've had a belting time, I think you're missing out on a lot if you go off site, especially if it's his first time
FredericRobinson said:
If I were you I'd snap up the tertre rouge tickets tickets in the for sale thread above, well behaved campsite in the heart of the action, we've taken lads of that age before, they've had a belting time, I think you're missing out on a lot if you go off site, especially if it's his first time
When I stayed there people were playing seriously loud music til about 3am. Never againgt6 said:
The advantage of TR campsite is you have no allocated pitches, yes there are a fee noisy people but the rest of the campsite is very well behaved, so get there early and pick a quiet spot, get there late and the choice is more limited
We did just that. Then one of the quiet campers started their own disco right next to us. There is no way of knowing what will be quietEvening all. Thanks for the responses, I like the sound of Tertre Rouge but as far music being blasted out to 3am, I suppose it's pretty much down to whoever rocks up next to you and could pretty much happen anywhere. I remember Beausejour was just the same, the majority of it was fine but there were pockets of lads going mental most of the night.
Basic plan at the moment is to see if I can get something booked and paid for over the next few weeks. Other than TR, does anyone have any other recommendations? How about the Houx sites? And I remember a site with lots of trees on the inside of the Arnage corner that looked quite good, anyone stayed there?
Cheers, Bob
Basic plan at the moment is to see if I can get something booked and paid for over the next few weeks. Other than TR, does anyone have any other recommendations? How about the Houx sites? And I remember a site with lots of trees on the inside of the Arnage corner that looked quite good, anyone stayed there?
Cheers, Bob
Edited by Wheresme917 on Monday 26th November 20:14
I reckon Tertre Rouge is as civilised as you'll get on the public sites, I've been there since 2003 and have only ever had one night where noise was a problem and that was well over 10 years ago, obviously nothing's guaranteed though, there are various private sites if you don't mind paying the extra, for me I'd probably go for the Travel Destinations one at Porche Curves for the access to their private banking (outside of the track, at the entrance to the curves, was still a public access area in 2006 so you might have been?). The Team Langoustine one on the inside of Tertre Rouge has good access to the banking there too.
The Arnage (and Mulsanne) sites are both also convenient in that you can wander from your tent to trackside in a couple of minutes, they're a long way from everywhere else though and you don't want to be driving around too much during the race, I reckon the boy'd be missing out a bit if you stayed down there, my mates lads who we took at the same age were blown away by the whole atmosphere and experience, full immersion is required IMO.
The Arnage (and Mulsanne) sites are both also convenient in that you can wander from your tent to trackside in a couple of minutes, they're a long way from everywhere else though and you don't want to be driving around too much during the race, I reckon the boy'd be missing out a bit if you stayed down there, my mates lads who we took at the same age were blown away by the whole atmosphere and experience, full immersion is required IMO.
We stay on Houx and while you can get the louder element, it is down to luck who pitches up next to you. I normally just put my headphones on with a podcast or two. Travel Destinations at Porsche Curves is good, but we still had noisy neighbours when we stayed there one year. Also, being close to the track the cars are even noisier there.
I had Houx non numbered last year and met a great group that allowed me to pitch up in their usual patch after seeing us flooded in. The site has its noise but is my favourite by far.
Close to the paddock and not far to live circuit action. Easier access in and out of circuit . Close to trams for town for scrutineering and driver parade.
Close to the paddock and not far to live circuit action. Easier access in and out of circuit . Close to trams for town for scrutineering and driver parade.
Wheresme917 said:
Hello all. Been reading through the forms for a while, but just officially joined up.
So my eldest boy turned 11 this weekend, and I have just been given an unofficial green light from the misses to take him to his first 24hr next year. Last time I was there was back in '06, so I'm guessing it's a completely different kettle of fish now to what it was back then.
What I could really do with is a few pointers please. I'm just starting my research on the best approach to heading down there if you're taking your kid, and I'm wondering what recommendations any experienced dads can give me on this.
Things that I'm mainly wondering about are best choices of campsite. I want us to be close to the action so he really gets the atmosphere of it all, but also want to avoid gangs of chavvy toerags doing doughnuts all night like we had in Beausejour last time I was there. Also, is it best to get a package that takes care of everything in one go and what are the most popular tour operators to go with, and do I need to be booking this right now or am I already too late to get into the most popular sites?
Ideally I'd like to get the tickets and the campsites sorted now so I don't have to worry about it next year, but I doubt I'll have the option to be too choosy as I know the best sites get booked up almost immediately.
We're in Poole, Dorset btw, so we'll obviously be taking the Poole-Cherbourg route down there to keep things simple.
Anyway, any tips in general gratefully received, as I don't really have a clue where to start with this at the moment
Cheers, Bob
Hi Bob So my eldest boy turned 11 this weekend, and I have just been given an unofficial green light from the misses to take him to his first 24hr next year. Last time I was there was back in '06, so I'm guessing it's a completely different kettle of fish now to what it was back then.
What I could really do with is a few pointers please. I'm just starting my research on the best approach to heading down there if you're taking your kid, and I'm wondering what recommendations any experienced dads can give me on this.
Things that I'm mainly wondering about are best choices of campsite. I want us to be close to the action so he really gets the atmosphere of it all, but also want to avoid gangs of chavvy toerags doing doughnuts all night like we had in Beausejour last time I was there. Also, is it best to get a package that takes care of everything in one go and what are the most popular tour operators to go with, and do I need to be booking this right now or am I already too late to get into the most popular sites?
Ideally I'd like to get the tickets and the campsites sorted now so I don't have to worry about it next year, but I doubt I'll have the option to be too choosy as I know the best sites get booked up almost immediately.
We're in Poole, Dorset btw, so we'll obviously be taking the Poole-Cherbourg route down there to keep things simple.
Anyway, any tips in general gratefully received, as I don't really have a clue where to start with this at the moment
Cheers, Bob
Great to hear of your proposed trip, did the same with my son 20 years ago, we've been going ever since. Originally from Poole, now living in Alberta Canada.
Terry
Big Robbo said:
Give 1st tickets a shout. Their secure site on blue nord will be perfect for you. Secure, cos they have security on duty all week, a range of catering packages and their own private loos and showers plus Brian and his crew are jolly nice people
^ we've always used 1st Tickets though done the "glamping" option including using their tents, though others do a mix and match I.e. They bring their tents and using the catering for some/all of the time and others just using the secure camping facility and do their own catering whilst having access to the showers and bar etc. 1st Tickets can also book you pitches for the race weekend on the general campsites.I've taken my two sons (10 and 12 years old) to Le Mans for the last couple of years, and stayed at the "Porsche on the curves" private campsites organised by Lycian Events. We found it excellent - fantastic atmosphere as right next to the track, great showers/toilets, massive marquee with full catering and screens to watch the race. A civilised crowd with 24/7 security and no hooligans. Bring ear defenders to allow you to sleep given the noise from the track! Last year we booked grandstands and wish we had done it the year before - much easier to get a great view of the start/finish rather than having to get a good spot hours beforehand.
Excellent!
I've taken my son quite a few times to Le Mans Classic and then took him to LM24 this year. He's 13.
Of course Le Mans can be quite 'feisty' at times and alternative here and there but once they're at secondary school they've invariably seen and heard lots more than you know about anyway!
He really enjoyed Le Mans but the late nights and early starts did start to take their toll on him - we watched all the qualifying sessions - so you don't really get to your campsite until 0:30 or 1am...
We were in Epinettes which seems to be quite quiet - but there have been years where someone decides to crank up their 'music' until the early hours...
They usually do this on the Wednesday and then it quietens down... but you never really know until it happens or doesn't!! Most of the Epinettes campers have been going for a few years now and we know quite a few of them.
Houx and Houx Annexe still seem lively these days. Other campsites are better for what you want imho.
I'm not sure about availability though... You will need to check on here, on beermountain and tentenths for ticket availability.
I've taken my son quite a few times to Le Mans Classic and then took him to LM24 this year. He's 13.
Of course Le Mans can be quite 'feisty' at times and alternative here and there but once they're at secondary school they've invariably seen and heard lots more than you know about anyway!
He really enjoyed Le Mans but the late nights and early starts did start to take their toll on him - we watched all the qualifying sessions - so you don't really get to your campsite until 0:30 or 1am...
We were in Epinettes which seems to be quite quiet - but there have been years where someone decides to crank up their 'music' until the early hours...
They usually do this on the Wednesday and then it quietens down... but you never really know until it happens or doesn't!! Most of the Epinettes campers have been going for a few years now and we know quite a few of them.
Houx and Houx Annexe still seem lively these days. Other campsites are better for what you want imho.
I'm not sure about availability though... You will need to check on here, on beermountain and tentenths for ticket availability.
G-996 said:
I've taken my two sons (10 and 12 years old) to Le Mans for the last couple of years, and stayed at the "Porsche on the curves" private campsites organised by Lycian Events. We found it excellent - fantastic atmosphere as right next to the track, great showers/toilets, massive marquee with full catering and screens to watch the race. A civilised crowd with 24/7 security and no hooligans. Bring ear defenders to allow you to sleep given the noise from the track! Last year we booked grandstands and wish we had done it the year before - much easier to get a great view of the start/finish rather than having to get a good spot hours beforehand.
Lycian are good, used them last year. Civilised and excellent facilities and secure. Just the wrong side of the circuit for me...bit far from everything If you have the space, squeeze in a couple of bikes (pedal type!). The one thing that you can't really gauge until you get there is the sheer scale of the place. I think you could fit something like two Silverstones in the LeMans infield. There's plenty of shuttles and 'trains' that move you around but can be rammed at times and you can wait ages to get on.
Plan to be gone by Sunday evening. It's odd. At 2.30pm on Sunday you wouldn't want to be anywhere else. At 6.00pm you'll want to be anywhere but LeMans. The whole place just switches off.
Get your car stickered up! All part of the fun.
Enjoy!
Plan to be gone by Sunday evening. It's odd. At 2.30pm on Sunday you wouldn't want to be anywhere else. At 6.00pm you'll want to be anywhere but LeMans. The whole place just switches off.
Get your car stickered up! All part of the fun.
Enjoy!
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