What to do at the Classic

[PeteSV]

Hi All, it's going to be our first time at the Classic this year following three years at the 24 Hour race. So, I feel we now know what's going on over the 24 Hour week, i.e. PH meets, Friday morning pit walk, Driver Parade later in the day. Band on Saturday etc.

But what about the Classic week. What's happening then, and what should me make sure we see?

Thanks, Pete

[The Leaper]

THE big difference is at Le Classic you can easily access the paddocks at any time, race time included. You need a paddock pass, free to members of ACO, otherwise apply to the organisers for them along with your application for tickets; I don't know the price. It may even be possible to just walk into the paddocks although I do think the security has tightened up over recent years. You may also see that there's a dress code for the paddock but I've never seen anyone follow it or be challenged about it.

The racing is organised into decades of 45 minutes each, and so the paddocks are also formed into decades: great to see half a dozen or so Ford GT 40s together, among other makes!

Otherwise, I don't think there's anything special to consider.

Note that there are a lot fewer catering facilities open for Le Classic: you may need to bring (more of)your own stuff!

R

[scotty_d]

Also interested on any pointers, this will be my first event at Least mans very much looking forward to it, I booked all my tickets, paddock entry , parade lap though our car club, paddock was £30pp iirc

[PeteSV]

Thanks Mr Leaper, we will be buying paddock passes and staying with Speedchills so should have access to some decent food.

We normally arrive on Thursday for the 24 but are considering arriving late afternoon Friday for the classic. I appreciate it's a more 'low key' event, but will we miss out on any pre race activity / events?

cheers all

[Andy Pandie]

You won't miss anything important arriving on the Friday, mainly practice and qualifying, racing doesn't start until Saturday. As mentioned above the dress code in the paddocks isn't enforced, however you will be turned away if you're wearing sandals or flip flops, trainers however seem acceptable You are able to get close to the cars though, and if the drivers/mechanics aren't busy they are happy to chat about their vehicles etc. Don't forget to visit the club areas, dotted around the inner Bugatti circuit, usually some interesting machinery on display

We too are staying at Speedchills with the Hants TVR group, hopefully see you in the bar for a after all Le Classic is a more chilled out event

[Bobo W]

What to see and do;

Possibly a generalisation but unlike Main where a lot of people seem to think the idea is to get down as quickly as possible so it's autoroute all the way, Classic is about the journey so take your time

The Club parking on the infield has the most fantastic variety of cars - think Goodwood pre-65 car park mixed with club display at Silverstone Historics with some interesting oddities

As previously mentioned All the various paddocks plus parc ferme. In previous years, after each race the cars are taken off the circuit after the Dunlop bridge and then they drive along the Bugatti circuit back to the paddock so they have to navigate all the public. A great chance to get properly up close.

Without all the traffic you can easily get to all the official tribunes around the circuit plus greater opportunity for black ops to all the unaccessible areas.

In the same vein you also get the chance to get out more and explore so you can sample life away from the campsite.

It's not an endurance event per se more a collection of different races over the 24 hours so you will inevitably spend more time watching the racing. The cars slide a lot more but those used to the speed of the main might be disappointed.