Advice for LM19

Advice for LM19

Author
Discussion

Tyre Smoke

23,018 posts

262 months

Tuesday 30th April 2019
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Never done the Classic British Welcome, just doesn't appeal to me. Loads of people walking around looking at cars. Especially not this year if it's Morgan. Loads of tank tops smoking St Bruno discussing the merits of mineral versus semi synthetic diff oil. No thanks.

It's more suited to the Le Mans Classic than the 24hr I think, plus it's a right ballache to get to and from.

Genuine Barn Find

5,786 posts

216 months

Tuesday 30th April 2019
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Tyre Smoke said:
Never done the Classic British Welcome, just doesn't appeal to me. Loads of people walking around looking at cars. Especially not this year if it's Morgan. Loads of tank tops smoking St Bruno discussing the merits of mineral versus semi synthetic diff oil. No thanks.

It's more suited to the Le Mans Classic than the 24hr I think, plus it's a right ballache to get to and from.
If walking around looking at cars is not your thing then perhaps not for you. However, I’ve been going to the Classic British Welcome for the past 5 years and have never had any issues getting to, or leaving, SS. Maybe it’s timing, but for anyone who hasn’t been before and doesn’t mind looking at some lovely metal, my suggestion is to aim to be there for about 9/9.30 and away about 12/12.30. Most of the cars have arrived by then and it gives you time to get to where you need to be for the afternoon festivities. Get a PH smiley and you’ll get into the site as well.

Great Dane

2,725 posts

167 months

Tuesday 30th April 2019
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Genuine Barn Find said:
If walking around looking at cars is not your thing then perhaps not for you. However, I’ve been going to the Classic British Welcome for the past 5 years and have never had any issues getting to, or leaving, SS. Maybe it’s timing, but for anyone who hasn’t been before and doesn’t mind looking at some lovely metal, my suggestion is to aim to be there for about 9/9.30 and away about 12/12.30. Most of the cars have arrived by then and it gives you time to get to where you need to be for the afternoon festivities. Get a PH smiley and you’ll get into the site as well.
Was there in 17 (TVR) very hot after a brief stroll around lying in the shade my friend on the other hand took ages....

wsn03

1,923 posts

102 months

Tuesday 30th April 2019
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Been 4 times to Le Mans car race, last 2 I went to museum, excellent. Because im bringing my stepson im about to make it 3 yrs in a row - it is very good but once is enough ( though the aircon is great!)

First time to the St Saturnin British welcome this year. Cant get there until about 2:30, hopefully there will be some cars about by then. Not my thing but the lad wants to go.

David W.

1,912 posts

210 months

Tuesday 30th April 2019
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Been to the St Saturnin British Welcome a couple of times. It’s a pleasant way to spend a morning. There are a few things for sale and some interesting indoor displays too. Sometimes the PA system is a little overbearingly loud. We always seem to get fleeced for a glass of fizz by a pretty girl in a moment of weakness.
Got to sit in the new TVR last year too, what happened to that?
Don't knock it until you’ve tried it I’d say.


Edited by David W. on Tuesday 30th April 19:18

//j17

4,483 posts

224 months

Wednesday 1st May 2019
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Tyre Smoke said:
It's more suited to the Le Mans Classic than the 24hr I think
Oh god it's not that bad! Good collection of interesting cars from classics through modern performance cars - not a field full of identical Porsche 911s (with their identical owners dressed head to toe in identical Porsche branded clothing).

Tyre Smoke said:
plus it's a right ballache to get to and from.
Really? It's a ballache to get from the circuit on the south edge of the ring road to SS just off the north edge of the ring road? OK, actually getting to the site in a tiny village at peak times can mean a little queuing and before they introduced a one-way system used to jam up a bit.

Only issue I have these days is my satnavs obsession of trying to get me to drive down a road with some bollards across it.

Tyre Smoke

23,018 posts

262 months

Wednesday 1st May 2019
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David W. said:
Been to the St Saturnin British Welcome a couple of times. It’s a pleasant way to spend a morning. There are a few things for sale and some interesting indoor displays too. Sometimes the PA system is a little overbearingly loud. We always seem to get fleeced for a glass of fizz by a pretty girl in a moment of weakness.
Got to sit in the new TVR last year too, what happened to that?
Don't knock it until you’ve tried it I’d say.


Edited by David W. on Tuesday 30th April 19:18
The bloke stood at the back of the TVR in the hat tells me all I need to know and confirms all I feared.

JT3K

314 posts

131 months

Wednesday 1st May 2019
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//j17 said:
Really? It's a ballache to get from the circuit on the south edge of the ring road to SS just off the north edge of the ring road? OK, actually getting to the site in a tiny village at peak times can mean a little queuing and before they introduced a one-way system used to jam up a bit.

Only issue I have these days is my satnavs obsession of trying to get me to drive down a road with some bollards across it.
Yeah, it's a ballache. If you're in the habit of enjoying a couple of Lemon Squashes the night before and not getting up and at it early, it's a real arse. I almost made it a couple of years back, getting within half a mile (within a queue) and a friend's TVR spat its dummy due to the heat and long queue. We turned round and came home. If you're willing to get on the road at 08:00 I expect it's a clear run but at 10:30 it's stupid. I've never been bothered enough to try to queue through that again or get an early start. There's plenty else to do.

David W.

1,912 posts

210 months

Wednesday 1st May 2019
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Tyre Smoke said:
The bloke stood at the back of the TVR in the hat tells me all I need to know and confirms all I feared.
Ha Ha, you mean my driver. We always go to GBW in his car as it helps get forward parking area, we were a little late this year however, he clearly needs more hp!

//j17

4,483 posts

224 months

Wednesday 1st May 2019
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David W. said:
We always go to GBW...
What's that, and does it clash timing-wise with the CBW (Classic British Welcome) in St Saturnin...?

David W.

1,912 posts

210 months

Wednesday 1st May 2019
quotequote all
//j17 said:
What's that, and does it clash timing-wise with the CBW (Classic British Welcome) in St Saturnin...?
Great British Welcome, Classic British Welcome, you know.......senior moment!

Edited by David W. on Wednesday 1st May 16:12

Blink982

767 posts

105 months

Thursday 2nd May 2019
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What's the best way to get out to Mulsanne and Arnage? Where do the buses leave from?

Tyre Smoke

23,018 posts

262 months

Thursday 2nd May 2019
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Depends on the time of day. You can drive to both, but there can be queues. Or it's a bit of a walk.

I think there's a free shuttle service that goes from various points from the main gate by the museum entrance.

Blink982

767 posts

105 months

Thursday 2nd May 2019
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Thanks. I won't have a car so it will be either a long walk, which I don't mind or catch the bus.

What time of day is best for a trip out there?

giveitfish

4,033 posts

215 months

Thursday 2nd May 2019
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https://www.lemans.org/en/news/shuttles-to-all-the...

It’s good at any time, but tradition demands you’re there to enjoy the sunrise.

Shuttle buses can be a bit erratic overnight.

DMN

2,983 posts

140 months

Thursday 2nd May 2019
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I would advise against the Bus during the race. Arnarge is walkable from the main grandstands, but being stood at Mulsanne with bus after bus arriving and leaving without letting people on at 2am isn't fun. Four hours it took to walk back....

//j17

4,483 posts

224 months

Thursday 2nd May 2019
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Buses were a lot better last year in my opinion - especially as you could track them on the Zenbus app, so know when to wander towards the bus stop.

Clearly they will be busy around the race start/end, and less frequent in the middle of the night, but wasn't too much hastle catching one from the motorhome hard standing by the roundabout just outside the circuit by the Porsche curves bridge at 4am last year. First bus on the app. never appeared but second was already on the move and arrived. Don't remember any trouble catching one back - but think fatigue had kicked in and don't actually remember catching one back smile