Le Mans 24hrs virgins

[markiep1]

So this will be our first time at Le Mans (50th birthday treat)we will be there from the Wednesday through to the Monday. We have our accommodation sorted which is just outside Le Mans, so all we need now is tickets.Where would be the best viewing point to head for ? this is where all you experienced guys can help us choose lol, i know there are so many great places to view from but your advice would be really appreciated.
Have to admit we are really excited about this trip,we have decided to extend it into a bit of a road trip, having a few days in Brittany before the 24hrs, then heading to Reims for a few days then home. We will be traveling with our friends, (also his 50th)we will heading there in our P1s so should be fun.

Thanks
Mark

[gt6]

Firstly get your tickets when you arrive they will be at cost price with no mark up or delivery, there is no limit on tickets so they will not sell out.
Plenty of places to view and if you are arriving wednesday you will find you own best place by saturday.
You do however have a problem if you are staying away from the circuit getting to and from it is easy when the roads are open but you will have fun on practice days and on saturday/sunday, best suggestion is buy a camping ticket and forget the hotel

[GlennC]

There is free viewing pretty much all along the top of the circuit from Maison Blanche to Terte Rouge. Just walk around on Wednesday & Thursday practice & pick your spot that you prefer.
There are also viewing areas at the Porsche Curves (inside Beausejour campsite), Mulsanne & Arnage which are worth a visit but can be a pain to get to.

Tribunes are another option (at around 100 euros), provide shelter from the weather (in general), great views of the start & finish & views of the big screens. Every year I've been, I got tribune tickets (Panorama & Willeme) & I think they are the best thing for the week. But that's just like, my opinion.......

[allojon]

Or, do some research via google and official websites which will give you all the info you need and then buy your preferred choice of tickets in advance so you are prepared for your first Le Mans.

[indyxe]

If you decide you need a grandstand seat you need to book now, you can book through the ACO site and collect them when you arrive, saves on postage. General entry you can just buy on the gate when you arrive.

[OvalOwl]

Yes, there are plenty of places to view without a Grandstand ticket, but if you want to see the start you need to get there early to claim your place and keep it. There are wide stepped and banked areas in front of all the Grandstands along the outside of the pit straight and in front of Dunlop.

The Grandstands are free for the qualifying sessions so you can try them out on Wednesday and Thursday to see which you like best for next year

[996tom]

gt6 said:

Firstly get your tickets when you arrive they will be at cost price with no mark up or delivery, there is no limit on tickets so they will not sell out.
Plenty of places to view and if you are arriving wednesday you will find you own best place by saturday.
You do however have a problem if you are staying away from the circuit getting to and from it is easy when the roads are open but you will have fun on practice days and on saturday/sunday, best suggestion is buy a camping ticket and forget the hotel

Sorry but this is not strictly true concerning getting in & out of the circuit . In fact compared to Grand Prix in this country its very easy . Just follow the sigs of your chose carpark . I have travelled from Alencon (30+kms) to Lemans for the last 10+ years . Getting in and out of the circuit is not that bad . More importantly buy your self a car park ticket , Blanc or Expo are quite good ones especially if you have a grandstand on the Pit Straight. Just enjoy yourself its a great experience .

[SEE YA]

I am at Bounty campsite free mini bus there and back.

[romee2000]

If your staying outside the track, might be worth getting a couple of mountain bikes. I would say cheap halfords jobs will do and a half decent lock. That way if they get nicked, its not the end of the world.
First time we went, we were shocked at just how far you have to walk and soon enough it gets tiring.
A decent camping chair will come in handy.
I would avoid using your car on friday afternoon, saturday and sunday.
We too get our tickets when we arrive as they work out cheaper and like been said before, will not sell out.
Get a good head torch for the bike and camp site
A decent camera with good zoom will be great especially for dusk / dawn shots
I take a camelback backpack full of water whenever i head out too.

Wednesday is best day to head down IMO as there is no mad rush for camping spots and all is pretty civilised. By thursday you get a rush of people desperately trying to get a spot and you can sit back and relax.

Friday afternoon / night is mad friday..... unless you know already, I will let you find that one out for yourself (hint, do not take your car out)

[markiep1]

Thank you for all your replys guys very much appreciated, apparently the tram is very handy to the hotel so hope to leave the cars parked up. Will have a chat with our friends re the tickets and make a decision in the very near future. Looking forward to mad Friday whatever it may involve lol.

Thanks
Mark

[vincegail]

If your hotel is near a tramstop, don't bother using the car, as the tramway is excellent!

[FraMac]

vincegail said:

If your hotel is near a tramstop, don't bother using the car, as the tramway is excellent!

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
This is great advice. We try not to use the car after lunchtime Friday - it just becomes a chore.

[markiep1]

vincegail said:

If your hotel is near a tramstop, don't bother using the car, as the tramway is excellent!

Tram is only a short walk from the hotel so happy days, thank you for the info.

[surveyor]

I'm not sure about the advice of not using the car. We usually end up heading out to one of the further corners by car. The bus service is impossible, queues that become continental in style as soon as the bus arrives, and getting back unpredictable....we've never been caught in stupid traffic nor had a problem with mad Thursday style crowds.

[romee2000]

surveyor said:

I'm not sure about the advice of not using the car. We usually end up heading out to one of the further corners by car. The bus service is impossible, queues that become continental in style as soon as the bus arrives, and getting back unpredictable....we've never been caught in stupid traffic nor had a problem with mad Thursday style crowds.

I headed out on saturday morning to get some snacks before the race started. The return journey took us 2 hours and we almost missed the start. You can head out in the car early hours sunday to various parts of the track but come 2 hours before race finish, and its gridlock

[richardgcs]

We always pay to park in Parking Blanc, well worth it, never have too much trouble getting in and out,and it couldnt be closer to the circuit.Would recomend binoculars and an fm radio with headphones, Radio le mans is excellent.

[surveyor]

romee2000 said:

surveyor said:

I'm not sure about the advice of not using the car. We usually end up heading out to one of the further corners by car. The bus service is impossible, queues that become continental in style as soon as the bus arrives, and getting back unpredictable....we've never been caught in stupid traffic nor had a problem with mad Thursday style crowds.

I headed out on saturday morning to get some snacks before the race started. The return journey took us 2 hours and we almost missed the start. You can head out in the car early hours sunday to various parts of the track but come 2 hours before race finish, and its gridlock

There's probably a good time and a bad time, but we've never struggled. Someone usually does a supermarket run first thing each day to top up supplies and ice. Would not try within 2 hours of either start or finish.

It's also down to route. I was two hours behind the rest of the crew arriving on the Thursday evening during practice. We pulled into BJ at the same time, simply because I did some very successful backroading around the queues.