Le Mans Classic Parade Laps

[RGG]

Good morning everyone. This is my first post, so I've probably done several things wrong already! Please sort me out and face me in the best direction if needed.

I will be attending the Classic this year. My one and and only previous visit was in 1980 when I had my Suzuki GS1000.
This year I will be going with my GT40 and will staying on the Blue Nord Pistonheads Private Campsite.
I've booked Parade Laps on the Friday and this is my question for anyone that has previously done them.

Could you give me an "idiots step by step guide" from leaving the campsite to returning to the campsite?
Thanks very much. Looking forwards to the replies.

Edited by RGG on Monday 6th March 09:17

[fatboy18]

You will need to leave pistonheads camping and turn left going in the direction of the circuit main entrance past the museum go under the flyover and hopfully you will be able to turn right which will take you past Parking Rouge and a harley davidson dealers You will then come up to the N138 where you need to turn right, go around the roundabout and under the flyover and turn left round the second roundabout (You will be on the outside of Tetre Rouge corner) then turn right down the hill past tetre rouge bar and right again taking you past the M&M stadium and head onto the Bugatti circuit entrance. once on the Bugatti circuit you may be in a car club area? If not then make your way down the Bugatti circuit towards where marshals will line you up ready to head out on track. I would recommend helmets, If you get a good gap between cars you can really put your foot down, but there will likley be bunching in areas, keep looking in your mirrors and as long as you dont overtake a pace car you can go as fast as you like. I have seen overtaking on both sides so don't presume people will overtake on one side only.

Another way to get to the Bugatti circuit is to turn right out of pistonheads campsite, go down to the roundabout by the Porsche curves, turn Left and head under the circuit past the entrance to Beasuejour camping, then swing left and head past the karting track and Houx campsites towards the M&M stadium, the circuit noddy Trams will be running this way, head up to M&M stadium. Bugatti entrance on left. Hope that helps

[//j17]

I believe helmets are mandatory now.

[RGG]

Thanks very much Fatboy for the comprehensive directions. It couldn't be clearer.
Much appreciated.

[RGG]

Thank you //j17 for the additional info on helmets. I can see that full face is mandatory only for open top cars. I'll be planning on open face for the laps.

[MrC986]

I did the Classic for the first time in 2022 with a parade lap session - we were part of a group of PHers from the private campsite. Helmets are mandatory and given you may reach a fair speed if the space allows, it's worth a thorough visual check of your car beforehand (we were fortunate to find quite a bit of clear track so made some "proper progress" although I had made my mind up if the opportunity arose I'd give it the full beans )

As others will advise, the parade laps are normally early in the day so an early start is required & I suggest if you are using the PH catering that you book a late brekkie slot.

I will be back for this year's Classic (we will arrive on the Thursday) and I've booked parade laps for the Saturday session as it's a bit addictive If you have the chance get some kind of on board camera to capture the event - I may even try & get up early on the Friday & stand on the banking at Porsche Curves to capture the cars coming through if you are lucky!!

[RGG]

Thanks for that MrC986,
It sounds like will be the highlight of the weekend.
It's clearly not a trackday experience as such but none the less, to be on the track for the centenary will be epic.
From looking at the YouTube videos it looks like it would be an idea not get caught in the rush but hold back, let some through to create some space and enjoy?

[LM240]

RGG said:

Thank you //j17 for the additional info on helmets. I can see that full face is mandatory only for open top cars. I'll be planning on open face for the laps.

We had open face last year in a soft top. Unless rules have changed… Or we slipped through net. Though I can’t remember seeing any stipulation when I researched.

[RGG]

LM240 said:

We had open face last year in a soft top. Unless rules have changed… Or we slipped through net. Though I can’t remember seeing any stipulation when I researched.

You are on it more than me, I think.
I've just scanned through the AOC stuff and can only find "helmets".
Must be mixing that up with most UK trackdays.

Edited by RGG on Monday 6th March 12:58

[RL17]

Get in early and if necessary park up in PH car club parking (or other club?- had free infield parking (pre-booked) last year at Classic) or just drive slow up and down Bugatti and have a look at whats were. Should get a colour coded infield parking badge so that may determine access. Allow lots of time as can be queues to get in and they've also changed some of the entires for the centenary and the names of parking areas etc. Infield parking great anyway especially Saturday and Sunday when a lot more cars go in. Parage laps feed in from Bugatti before start and finish straight (probably past Astons, Lotus, and huge Porsche field) - ( if you're going up hill on Bugatti it's the wrong way)

[RGG]

RL17 said:

Get in early and if necessary park up in PH car club parking (or other club?- had free infield parking (pre-booked) last year at Classic) or just drive slow up and down Bugatti and have a look at whats were. Should get a colour coded infield parking badge so that may determine access. Allow lots of time as can be queues to get in and they've also changed some of the entires for the centenary and the names of parking areas etc. Infield parking great anyway especially Saturday and Sunday when a lot more cars go in. Parage laps feed in from Bugatti before start and finish straight (probably past Astons, Lotus, and huge Porsche field) - ( if you're going up hill on Bugatti it's the wrong way)

Thanks very much for that. Very helpful indeed. So glad I posted after all these years of lurking.

[MrC986]

If you are partaking in the parade laps you'll be there really early (our meeting time was 07.30) & although the organisers would like you to leave your car there all day once you've completed the session, you can simply take your crash helmet off, take a moment to compose yourself (like I did ) & then head back to the campsite if you wish.

[RGG]

MrC986 said:

If you are partaking in the parade laps you'll be there really early (our meeting time was 07.30) & although the organisers would like you to leave your car there all day once you've completed the session, you can simply take your crash helmet off, take a moment to compose yourself (like I did ) & then head back to the campsite if you wish.

Thanks for that. I should have room for a mini Kleenex pack somewhere in the car. I imagine that I'll need it.

In 1970 at the age of 14 I sat in the 68/69 winning car and wanted one ever since. It only took me 53 years but I got there.

All The best.

[RGG]

RGG said:

Thanks for that. I should have room for a mini Kleenex pack somewhere in the car. I imagine that I'll need it.

In 1970 at the age of 14 I sat in the 68/69 winning car and wanted one ever since. It only took me 53 years but I got there.

All The best.

And it's ULEZ compliant!

[giveitfish]

RGG said:

Thanks for that. I should have room for a mini Kleenex pack somewhere in the car. I imagine that I'll need it.

In 1970 at the age of 14 I sat in the 68/69 winning car and wanted one ever since. It only took me 53 years but I got there.

All The best.

That's awesome. Look forward to seeing it there

This thread has been very useful to me too, my first ever LM track lap is booked for the Saturday.

[RGG]

giveitfish said:

That's awesome. Look forward to seeing it there

This thread has been very useful to me too, my first ever LM track lap is booked for the Saturday.

I'm on track Friday and Saturday so might bump into you at some point!