Le Mans 26 Advice (for a beginner)
Discussion
24lemons said:
I'd recommend trying the shuttle buses. They are much improved over the last few years and can be a real leg saver!
Yep, when I first started going to Le Mans you were never quite sure if you were waiting in the correct place and if, after an hour of waiting, a bus did happen to turn up where it was going - or if the driver was just going to get out and have a fag.These days they run frequently right throught he night from clearly marked stops with metal fence snakes so it's not just a scrum when the bus arrives. Not sure what we'll have this year but sometimes there's even an app so you can see where the next bus is.
The only 'problem' with the new bus services is that rather than a single bus that runs main entrance/Arnage/Mulsanne/main entrance it's a series of busses, the main ones being Beausjour->Arnage and Antares (just down from tram)->Mulsanne.
Personally I'd say Arnage is a better experience - but I'm in Hipodrome and usually get a couple of hours kip before heading out at 3AM to watch night turn back to day and Antares is a lot closer than Beausjour so go to Mulsanne.
One tip - take a fold-up camp chair out with you, especially if you're 'of an age'. Never mind being nicer to sit rather than stand when watching from the viewing area, it's nicer to sit while just waiting for a bus to appear!
blueg33 said:
Fold up chairs are annoying for other spectators. They take up more space than a human and people use them to reserve good spots near the fence, blocking other spectators from having a turn in a good spot. Especially an issue at Tetre Rouge and Arnage.
Oh, I don't agree with them being used like towels on Costa sun loungers - if you move, your chair goes with you. And I'd also agree where a viewing area's busy the chair stays slung over my shoulder - but when people have thinned out a bit no only does it give my dicky hip a bit of a rest but also means someone can stand behind me and get a good view of the track, not the back of my head.//j17 said:
blueg33 said:
Fold up chairs are annoying for other spectators. They take up more space than a human and people use them to reserve good spots near the fence, blocking other spectators from having a turn in a good spot. Especially an issue at Tetre Rouge and Arnage.
Oh, I don't agree with them being used like towels on Costa sun loungers - if you move, your chair goes with you. And I'd also agree where a viewing area's busy the chair stays slung over my shoulder - but when people have thinned out a bit no only does it give my dicky hip a bit of a rest but also means someone can stand behind me and get a good view of the track, not the back of my head.
davidd said:
I was thinking about these seems I'll have to get one nowBargetastic said:
Can anyone advise how to get from BSJ (PH camping) across to Aranage or Indianapolis. Looks like there is a bus/shuttle route from outside of track near Karting, west car park shuttle. Is this most direct, is it possible to walk, if so how far?
If youre taking bikes Arnage is quite a nice cycle from BSJ in the daytime. Not so sure what the roads are like at night though amd something we're thinking about for getting down and back to mulsanne etc in the evening as the busses do get crazy busyConsider a lightweight chair as well, I have one of these:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/TREKOLOGY-YIZI-Camping-Ch...
Not taken it to LM yet but the pack size is much smaller/lighter than your average chair so it will fit in a small size backpack to carry around the track with you and not be bulky/heavy/annoying.
For reference, I'm 6' 2", and weigh 17 stone something, and this supports me fine - so although they look quite flimsy, they're not.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/TREKOLOGY-YIZI-Camping-Ch...
Not taken it to LM yet but the pack size is much smaller/lighter than your average chair so it will fit in a small size backpack to carry around the track with you and not be bulky/heavy/annoying.
For reference, I'm 6' 2", and weigh 17 stone something, and this supports me fine - so although they look quite flimsy, they're not.
Bargetastic said:
Can anyone advise how to get from BSJ (PH camping) across to Aranage or Indianapolis. Looks like there is a bus/shuttle route from outside of track near Karting, west car park shuttle. Is this most direct, is it possible to walk, if so how far?
There’s usually a shuttle bus which runs from the area around Porsche Curves roundabout. Use this where possible. It’s a long walk along unlit country roads otherwise. You can cycle to Arnage quite easily from there too. Bargetastic said:
Can anyone advise how to get from BSJ (PH camping) across to Aranage or Indianapolis. Looks like there is a bus/shuttle route from outside of track near Karting, west car park shuttle. Is this most direct, is it possible to walk, if so how far?
Assuming the ACO use the same plan as last year (which is never guaranteed!) there will be a set of linked bus routes:1. Main entrance <-> 'Beausjour'
2. 'Beausjour' <-> Arnage
3. Arnage <-> Mulsanne
4. Mulsanne <->Antares
As a result it's straight forward to get to Arnage to/from Beausjour but a little more pain to get to/from Mulsanne.
As for non-bus routes you can walk/cycle/drive but walking will take a very long time/driving can be a parking issue (I think parking is in theory ticketed but I've only been at night and never seen anyone checking them in the early hours). Cycling isn't too bad and makes it easier to stop for fresh pan aux chocs on the way. And if you're thinking "Google doesn't think it's a long walk?" that's because it doesn't know about all the road closures and one-way systems that will be in place for race week meaning you go very much the long way around.
And I'd deffinetly avoid walking if you're going out at night time. As someone else said it's unlick country roads with ditches each side - and drivers who have probably had a beer or two during the day so few who would pass a (very low) French breathaliser test.
Edited by //j17 on Tuesday 5th May 14:19
blueg33 said:
Fold up chairs are annoying for other spectators. They take up more space than a human and people use them to reserve good spots near the fence, blocking other spectators from having a turn in a good spot. Especially an issue at Tetre Rouge and Arnage.
The tribunes and the outside of the Forest curves were appalling for this the last couple of years. 3 or 4 deep of people in chairs, often empty. My advice is prepared for an almighty crush of people where ever you go on the circuit. Returning after nearly decade away the size of the crowds was the biggest shock of all, the pinch points like Dunlop are bordering on dangerous now and it was enough to pretty much put us off returning. A grandstand seat would be a absolute necessity these days.
Been to LM24 11 times before, yearly from 2009-2019 incl.
This year will be my 1st time back post-Covid.
Used to have great pitches on Camping Bleu, but this year we're down on BSJ with many others. I've never stayed that far away from the pits/track village before!
Not taking bikes this time. Did it 2 years, never really used them apart from going to Mulsanne late night from Bleu.
Looking forward to going back!
This year will be my 1st time back post-Covid.
Used to have great pitches on Camping Bleu, but this year we're down on BSJ with many others. I've never stayed that far away from the pits/track village before!
Not taking bikes this time. Did it 2 years, never really used them apart from going to Mulsanne late night from Bleu.
Looking forward to going back!
RC1807 said:
Been to LM24 11 times before, yearly from 2009-2019 incl.
This year will be my 1st time back post-Covid.
Used to have great pitches on Camping Bleu, but this year we're down on BSJ with many others. I've never stayed that far away from the pits/track village before!
Not taking bikes this time. Did it 2 years, never really used them apart from going to Mulsanne late night from Bleu.
Looking forward to going back!
You can hire bikes at the BSJ Fan Zone, if you fancy riding the circuit on Friday it might be worth itThis year will be my 1st time back post-Covid.
Used to have great pitches on Camping Bleu, but this year we're down on BSJ with many others. I've never stayed that far away from the pits/track village before!
Not taking bikes this time. Did it 2 years, never really used them apart from going to Mulsanne late night from Bleu.
Looking forward to going back!
RC1807 said:
Been to LM24 11 times before, yearly from 2009-2019 incl.
This year will be my 1st time back post-Covid.
Used to have great pitches on Camping Bleu, but this year we're down on BSJ with many others. I've never stayed that far away from the pits/track village before!
Not taking bikes this time. Did it 2 years, never really used them apart from going to Mulsanne late night from Bleu.
Looking forward to going back!
We were in bsj last year with seats in the dunlop stand,. The quickest way to get between the two was to walk around the outside of the circuit and in the main gate. This year will be my 1st time back post-Covid.
Used to have great pitches on Camping Bleu, but this year we're down on BSJ with many others. I've never stayed that far away from the pits/track village before!
Not taking bikes this time. Did it 2 years, never really used them apart from going to Mulsanne late night from Bleu.
Looking forward to going back!
Went for the first time in 1992 when Peugeot won, camping at a site with a windmill outside of Le Mans. Started again in 2006 with both my sons, camped at the same place. Following year we got a lovely cottage about 30 mins drive from the track, and went every year until 2019, when Covid stopped us. Haven't been back since, due to the way ticketing and the like have changed, along with family growing and grandkids arriving on the scene. Miss it like hell, but always put race day aside and get the coverage sorted so I can watch it at home. Always used to rain anyway 🤣 Some awesome memories for me and my lads to look back on.
Kev_Mk3 said:
davidd said:
I was thinking about these seems I'll have to get one nowThey do have a handy secondary function too...
Our bags were inspected many times last year, never rumbled.
Other beers are available.
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