Le Mans 26 Advice (for a beginner)
Discussion
dredgey said:
In my opinion, if you're staying at Beauséjour head for the area marked in Red on my attached image. It's a slightly quieter end of the camp site but easier to get to:
A) Trackside viewing spot entering the Porsche Curves
B) Porsche Curves
C) Pedestrian Entrance/Exit
The chap/chapess will escort you to a vacant plot which may not be to your liking. There are a few ways around this . First if you can gable French tel,them you are meeting your friends . Two, put the camping sticker onto your windscreen immediately ( or stick it on a plastic bag and prop up ) this is the that the stewards use to make a decision if you have popped out to the shops or are entering for first time . Threee, wait for them to b@%%%r off and move yourself as soon as they have gone .
Don’t get too close to the WC block for obvious reasons
Not sure what system they are using in Beausjour ATM but certainly over in Hippodrome the last couple of years you've been given a big window sticker on first arrival and that's your primary re-entry pass.
Seems to work quite well, unlike some of the other systems we've had:
- Think it was a bit of paper stuck to the windscreen when I first started going - which those if us in convertibles just refused to do as it was asking for someone to break into your car.
- Barcode scanning camping passes only lasted 1 year as it was slow and causes gridlock.
- Scribbling your reg. number in the camping pass lasted a few years.
- Think we had Eurotunnel style "Must be hung from rear view mirror" style one year - which confused the gate staff when the first motorbikes/Ariel Atom/etc turned up.
Seems to work quite well, unlike some of the other systems we've had:
- Think it was a bit of paper stuck to the windscreen when I first started going - which those if us in convertibles just refused to do as it was asking for someone to break into your car.
- Barcode scanning camping passes only lasted 1 year as it was slow and causes gridlock.
- Scribbling your reg. number in the camping pass lasted a few years.
- Think we had Eurotunnel style "Must be hung from rear view mirror" style one year - which confused the gate staff when the first motorbikes/Ariel Atom/etc turned up.
//j17 said:
Not sure what system they are using in Beausjour ATM but certainly over in Hippodrome the last couple of years you've been given a big window sticker on first arrival and that's your primary re-entry pass.
Seems to work quite well, unlike some of the other systems we've had:
- Think it was a bit of paper stuck to the windscreen when I first started going - which those if us in convertibles just refused to do as it was asking for someone to break into your car.
- Barcode scanning camping passes only lasted 1 year as it was slow and causes gridlock.
- Scribbling your reg. number in the camping pass lasted a few years.
- Think we had Eurotunnel style "Must be hung from rear view mirror" style one year - which confused the gate staff when the first motorbikes/Ariel Atom/etc turned up.
My favourite was when they gave us window stickers that couldn’t be exposed to light as they faded to unreadable in 24 hours Seems to work quite well, unlike some of the other systems we've had:
- Think it was a bit of paper stuck to the windscreen when I first started going - which those if us in convertibles just refused to do as it was asking for someone to break into your car.
- Barcode scanning camping passes only lasted 1 year as it was slow and causes gridlock.
- Scribbling your reg. number in the camping pass lasted a few years.
- Think we had Eurotunnel style "Must be hung from rear view mirror" style one year - which confused the gate staff when the first motorbikes/Ariel Atom/etc turned up.
//j17 said:
richhead said:
been 15 times, this year will be 16, as a team member tho. Always wanted to go as a spectator just to see the other side of things.
While many of us would love to be a team member, not just a spectator (though lack the necessary skills and talent 
).even on a easy year race day is a 36hr day.
Op. Not sure if anyone has mentioned this.
If you are using the common channel crossings eg, Calais, Cherbourg, Caen, Dieppe, Dunkirk or the Chunnel, don’t get carried away in terms of speed.
The French police focus on the main routes from the ports to Le Mans and the punishments can be severe.
If possible ensure that there is a second insured driver for each car. If there isn’t and a driver is banned on the spot the car can be impounded.
If you are using the common channel crossings eg, Calais, Cherbourg, Caen, Dieppe, Dunkirk or the Chunnel, don’t get carried away in terms of speed.
The French police focus on the main routes from the ports to Le Mans and the punishments can be severe.
If possible ensure that there is a second insured driver for each car. If there isn’t and a driver is banned on the spot the car can be impounded.
In the 10+ yrs I've been to LM24 the trip down/back is just as much fun, especially if you go cross country and enjoy Northern France. As others say, don't speed excessively and if you are tempted, make sure you have plenty of Euros on you!
Be prepared for lots of walking and make sure you are equipped for all weathers as it can have an incredibly quick change of weather at times. Also, if you haven't grandstand seats, see if you can get some for tour first trip but make sure you have a clear view of the circuit (ideally opposite the pits or up by the Dunlop bridge) as the start is definitely worth watching from somewhere comfortable. If you can afford it, I recommend a helicopter ride late on Saturday afternoon as you get a much better impression of the scale of the event. Also try and go to the Classic British Welcome on the Friday morning and/or the parade in the city on Friday afternoon.
Drink plenty of water is also important to stay hydrated and read this thread.... https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Also, if you are leaving on Monday morning not super early, take the opportunity to drive some of the circuit that is on the public roads and stop and get some pics (the one chicane on the Mulsanne Straight is a good spot).
To all those going, have a blast - I'm having a year off so will watch from the comfort of my home, but I will go again....
Be prepared for lots of walking and make sure you are equipped for all weathers as it can have an incredibly quick change of weather at times. Also, if you haven't grandstand seats, see if you can get some for tour first trip but make sure you have a clear view of the circuit (ideally opposite the pits or up by the Dunlop bridge) as the start is definitely worth watching from somewhere comfortable. If you can afford it, I recommend a helicopter ride late on Saturday afternoon as you get a much better impression of the scale of the event. Also try and go to the Classic British Welcome on the Friday morning and/or the parade in the city on Friday afternoon.
Drink plenty of water is also important to stay hydrated and read this thread.... https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Also, if you are leaving on Monday morning not super early, take the opportunity to drive some of the circuit that is on the public roads and stop and get some pics (the one chicane on the Mulsanne Straight is a good spot).
To all those going, have a blast - I'm having a year off so will watch from the comfort of my home, but I will go again....
blueg33 said:
If possible ensure that there is a second insured driver for each car. If there isn t and a driver is banned on the spot the car can be impounded.
Wise words, not sure the last bit is correct. We've had drivers in our group banned a couple of times (yes they are idiots), the police have never paid any attention to ongoing arrangements Just handed out the fine, taken the license and fecked off.Cars do get impounded but I thought that was just for massive speed.
davidd said:
blueg33 said:
If possible ensure that there is a second insured driver for each car. If there isn t and a driver is banned on the spot the car can be impounded.
Wise words, not sure the last bit is correct. We've had drivers in our group banned a couple of times (yes they are idiots), the police have never paid any attention to ongoing arrangements Just handed out the fine, taken the license and fecked off.Cars do get impounded but I thought that was just for massive speed.
The first 4 cars in the convoy were all booked, the lead was going the fastest, enough for an instant ban. The fact it meant that his wife then had to do all of the driving in France on their family holiday later in the year was even more painful than the fine....
blueg33 said:
One of our convoy - the lead car was stopped, he had to demonstrate that the alternate driver was insured otherwise the Ferrari would have been impounded. This required the insurance certificate and policy details.
The first 4 cars in the convoy were all booked, the lead was going the fastest, enough for an instant ban. The fact it meant that his wife then had to do all of the driving in France on their family holiday later in the year was even more painful than the fine....
I can imagine how many times she mentioned that ban during the holiday The first 4 cars in the convoy were all booked, the lead was going the fastest, enough for an instant ban. The fact it meant that his wife then had to do all of the driving in France on their family holiday later in the year was even more painful than the fine....
Bargetastic said:
We're also on the PH LM24 campsite, look forward to seeing some of you there.
What is the process for going into the Le Mans Porsche Centre, is this invite only or do they let public in?
If you turn up with a Porsche key, they let you in. Once you’ve been in once you have a wristband and can go straight in. Though it is numbers restricted. What is the process for going into the Le Mans Porsche Centre, is this invite only or do they let public in?
Downstairs is the public area with upstairs and the balcony for the VIP’s.
Big screen, different food trucks, couple of cars to look at and clean toilets. Some areas can offer a quieter spot to chill for a bit.
Too be honest, it doesn’t offer much. If you turn up and there isn’t a queue and you can go straight in, then great. If the queue means standing around for anything more than 20 mins, I personally wouldn’t bother.
If you have time on Thursday pm to walk into main track area via Karting and up to start finish area for late afternoon practice or evening for main race qualifying do so. Busy but not that bad and will help for Saturday. Look at guide etc for bridges and tunnels up that bit.
If only arriving later Porsche curves banking good for qualifying snd late practice Thursday
Nothing of note on track Friday am.
Allow plenty of time to get into track on Saturday
PS plan for food and beers after race on Sunday, supermarkets closed Sundays and most of track stuff shuts soon after race ( not sure about fan zones ?) A few years ago everything shut before race ended as they’d made enough on beers etc
If only arriving later Porsche curves banking good for qualifying snd late practice Thursday
Nothing of note on track Friday am.
Allow plenty of time to get into track on Saturday
PS plan for food and beers after race on Sunday, supermarkets closed Sundays and most of track stuff shuts soon after race ( not sure about fan zones ?) A few years ago everything shut before race ended as they’d made enough on beers etc
Edited by RL17 on Friday 24th April 09:18
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