PH camping at Le Mans Classic 2012 - What do you want?

[Garlick]

Here at PH we are already thinking about Le Mans, the 2012 Le Mans Classic to be specific. Unlike that other 2012 event you don't need to enter into a lottery to get your tickets, you just need to leave it all to us (well, 1st-Tickets anyway).

In a few days time, we'll ask Riggers to knock up some sandwiches so that us more important types can sit around the boardroom table (we wish) with the Marquis of Le Mans Camping, Brian from 1st-Tickets to arrange the ideal Classic experience for the seasoned PHer.

In a few weeks we'll ask the same about 2012 24, but for now it's all about the genteel, sociable and ruffian-free Classic

Many thanks

[Mark B]

Grandstands are free of charge with the tickets, first come first served, paddock is a tenner, so there seems little point offering anything without them. What I am sure PHers will be keen on is the track laps that are open to official clubs, why not try and get a PH parking area within multimarque parking? Admitedly, you'd need to police the select few cars allowed in but as Porsche, Ferrari, TVR and Lotus all models are allowed it should cover a large contingent.

[Garlick]

Good suggestions and comments. Noted.

[chum racing]

Mark B said:

Grandstands are free of charge with the tickets, first come first served, paddock is a tenner, so there seems little point offering anything without them. What I am sure PHers will be keen on is the track laps that are open to official clubs, why not try and get a PH parking area within multimarque parking? Admitedly, you'd need to police the select few cars allowed in but as Porsche, Ferrari, TVR and Lotus all models are allowed it should cover a large contingent.

Thanks for your comments Mark. We will certainly discuss the multimarque parking and track laps with the event organisers to see if we can make that happen.

With regards to the grandstands and paddock tickets. When the event first started, the grandstands were free of charge and roaming tickets. However, as the popularity of the event increased the policy changed and in 2010 there was a fee for Grandstand and paddock tickets. Our 2010 price for these was £17 for grandstand seats and £34 for Paddock tickets.

Our intention is to work with PistonHeads to put together package options that gives PHers flexibility and choice to enjoy the 2012 Le Mans Classic.

Brian Sheehan
www.1st-tickets.co.uk

[James P]

I've voted for general PH area in an ACO site as I do not think that ACO will give over a fenced off area of a decent site such as Maison Blanche. Perhaps 1st Tickets could obtain a "block" of MB passes and PH'ers could book their own smaller block within the main area. MB would be perfect and it also ticks the trackside box too. I think that the costs associated with a separate secure area with bar etc might be a bit off putting for some people too and MB is reasonably secure anyway.

Grandstand tickets and Paddock passes are obviously needed but also an option to allow ACO members to get them direct from ACO. I think that the ACO grandstand was €15 last year and the paddock was either free or something silly like €4. The discount on the Classic tickets is how I justify the ACO membership so need to use it.

Glad that PH are attending the Classic too

[Del 203]

What he said ^^^^^^^^^^^^


Well most of it anyway

[zeb]

safe parking, track laps,own bar, quiet location


oh

and absolutely no chav's

[The Leaper]

Here's the details of my "hard" costs for Le Classic 2010 for anyone wanting to do a comparison:

Note that I am an ACO member.

General Entry: €41
ACO grandstand: €15
Paddock: free to ACO members
Parking at the circuit: €15
Mailing tickets: €17

I have other of my cost details too if anyone is interested.

I suspect that the costs for Le Classic Le Mans 2012 are likely to be about the same.

R.

[Mark B]

chum racing said:

Thanks for your comments Mark. We will certainly discuss the multimarque parking and track laps with the event organisers to see if we can make that happen.

With regards to the grandstands and paddock tickets. When the event first started, the grandstands were free of charge and roaming tickets. However, as the popularity of the event increased the policy changed and in 2010 there was a fee for Grandstand and paddock tickets. Our 2010 price for these was £17 for grandstand seats and £34 for Paddock tickets.

Our intention is to work with PistonHeads to put together package options that gives PHers flexibility and choice to enjoy the 2012 Le Mans Classic.

Brian Sheehan
www.1st-tickets.co.uk

Sounds good Brian, I am fortunate to have a registered club with the organisers since the 2nd running and as a result have the opportunity to get multimarque parking, paddocks, grandstand and track laps at the best prices. Ultimately you're a business though, so need to charge more.

[TonyHetherington]

Great stuff I've voted - I like secure areas with good toilets/showers and bar as we'll be bringing the girls to the classic next year

[TuxMan]

we always stay off site so it would be great to have a secure parking area with a bar ect along with trackside veiwing to visit over the weekened ....oh and no bloody chavs !!!

you could also insist on no shorts , shirt and trouser only .......lift the quality a bit !!!

[zippyprorider]

TuxMan said:

you could also insist on no shorts , shirt and trouser only .......lift the quality a bit !!!

massive down vote, if its hot weather that will be s*it not my idea of a holiday!

[CaptainSlow]

TuxMan said:

we always stay off site so it would be great to have a secure parking area with a bar ect along with trackside veiwing to visit over the weekened ....oh and no bloody chavs !!!

you could also insist on no shorts , shirt and trouser only .......lift the quality a bit !!!

Yup, maybe have a PH club tie and blazer. Plus some groomed facial hair (ladies excused, actually, are ladies allowed?).

[Davey S2]

zeb said:

safe parking, quiet location and absolutely no chav's

I take it you havent been before?

There are no chavs, only genuine enthusiasts. Its nothing like the 24hr event. Parking is safe pretty much everywhere.

Most of the camping is organised via clubs so you have cars of the same marque all together.

I always stay with the triumph club who have the whole of Tetre Rouge. They operate their own bar which was very welcome last year as it was absolutely boiling.

[Garlick]

zippyprorider said:

TuxMan said:

you could also insist on no shorts , shirt and trouser only .......lift the quality a bit !!!

massive down vote, if its hot weather that will be s*it not my idea of a holiday!

But don't forget that a collar is needed for the paddock anyway, and trousers or smart shorts.

I love Classic as even in the baking heat of last year I wore a shirt and some smart jeans. It added to the event for me.

[RVIANT]

In my humble opinion all one neads are:

Clean Toilets(cleaned regurlarly) and Hot showers
Be near the village, hopefully less then 10 minute walk to champagne bar
Secure area so s dont get in Sunday and steel stuff
BAR and TV on site always good
Somewhere that sells food (curry or something not bread based)
Lots of friendly PHers

what else do you need really?

Doing a track lap would be an added bonus

[Mark B]

Garlick said:

But don't forget that a collar is needed for the paddock anyway, and trousers or smart shorts.

I love Classic as even in the baking heat of last year I wore a shirt and some smart jeans. It added to the event for me.

The organisers state they will turn people away for not having trousers or collared shirts, but it has never been enforced in my experience. I think they have the ruling to allow them to turn people away who, maybe, are not respecting the event and the types of cars they will be getting up close to.

I wouldn't want to be in jeans or trousers at the event, particularly when very warm so i generally wear smarter shorts/short sleeve tops. Never had an issue with entering grandstands, classic parking areas or paddocks.

[Garlick]

Indeed, that did seem to be the case.

I do enjoy that aspect though, even if I am sweating cobs!

[PaulHogan]

My version of the perfect package would be:

Secure area with 24 hour gate security
Flat site
Hot showers and clean loos
Option to have pre-erected tent
Option to have your tent/luggage taken to/from LM for you
Butty wagon and bar
Paddock access and Grandstand included in tkt price
Deal price on channel crossing included
Breakdown/recovery cover included
‘Team’ polo shirt
Use of the military jeeps/vintage bus transport system

The only other thing to offer is track laps but having done these before behind the absurdly slow pace car I wouldn’t bother again.

[Mark B]

PaulHogan said:

My version of the perfect package would be:
The only other thing to offer is track laps but having done these before behind the absurdly slow pace car I wouldn’t bother again.

I have done them every year and never been unfortunate enough to be stuck with a slow one..... Must have been pretty boring!