Free stands accessible with GE tickets
Discussion
Hi all, the 2014 will be my first le mans 24 hours, togheter with my dad 
I have booked two general enclosue tickets and an access to the campsite area called BEAUSEJOUR.
My question is: should I buy also the grandstands tickets in order to watch at the race or are my tickets sufficient? Are there stands accessible just with the general enclosure tickets? Do you have any map of them?
Thanks, hope to meet you at the race
I have booked two general enclosue tickets and an access to the campsite area called BEAUSEJOUR.
My question is: should I buy also the grandstands tickets in order to watch at the race or are my tickets sufficient? Are there stands accessible just with the general enclosure tickets? Do you have any map of them?
Thanks, hope to meet you at the race
I may stand to be corrected, but I don't think GE get's you into any stands. If it's different let me know!
There was a viewing area behind some food stalls above the pits, but it's not really what I would call a stand. (Q why do you sit in a stand?)
Lot's of viewing areas on raised hills accessible with GE though.
There was a viewing area behind some food stalls above the pits, but it's not really what I would call a stand. (Q why do you sit in a stand?)
Lot's of viewing areas on raised hills accessible with GE though.
mruf87 said:
Thanks for your reply
Of course, it is not necessary to be in a stand. My points are:
1) Is it possible to watch at the race without being in the grandstands?
2) Does anybody have a map of the free viewing areas?
3) Do you suggest me to buy a grandstand ticket?
Thanks!!
1) Yes, absolutely.Of course, it is not necessary to be in a stand. My points are:
1) Is it possible to watch at the race without being in the grandstands?
2) Does anybody have a map of the free viewing areas?
3) Do you suggest me to buy a grandstand ticket?
Thanks!!
2) It's basically the entire track from porsche curves up to tetre rouge. (Other corners are available, but you have to leave the circuit and drive to them)
3) Depends if you want to watch the RACE from the grandstands. Reason being that the grandstands are only stewarded on RACE DAYS. This means that on the previous days, during qualification and testing, anyone can go in the grandstands without a grandstand ticket. So what I did was get all my photos etc from the grandstands during practice/qually and then just watch from the grass banks during the actual race. No grandstand ticket required to do that.
All the grandstands are set back a bit so you can stand in front of them with a general ticket. Other than some of the private areas and the main pits which are on the inside of the track you can view from just about anywhere between this end of the Porsche curves and tertre rouge. Just a bit busy for the 1st 2 hours so you need to pick a position 2 / 3 hours before the start if you want to watch opposite the pits and up to the Dunlop bridge or you can stand / sit on the higher banks towards tertre rouge that have plenty of space up to 30 mins before the start.
You can usually get in the grandstands above the pits for some of practice / qualifying sessions which is well worth a look.
You can usually get in the grandstands above the pits for some of practice / qualifying sessions which is well worth a look.
Several reasons to buy a grandstand seat.
1.The views opposite the pits in the stands are excellent. From the Ford chicane to the Dunlop curve and into the pits from an elevated position. You can get here and stand at the fencing, but it is a 2 hour bundle before the start and finish. Your seat in the stands are there unmolested and you can turn up 5 mins before the start if you want.
2.If it rains, you stay dry.
3.If the sun is out, then it is shade.
It is always one or the other in La Sarthe.
4.Beau is a 30 min walk back from the village and it is always good to have a base at the track and somewhere to sit and chill throughout the weekend.
5.If you buy from an agent, then it is Approx £100 for qualifying, build up and 24Hr race. Good value IMHO
1.The views opposite the pits in the stands are excellent. From the Ford chicane to the Dunlop curve and into the pits from an elevated position. You can get here and stand at the fencing, but it is a 2 hour bundle before the start and finish. Your seat in the stands are there unmolested and you can turn up 5 mins before the start if you want.
2.If it rains, you stay dry.
3.If the sun is out, then it is shade.
It is always one or the other in La Sarthe.
4.Beau is a 30 min walk back from the village and it is always good to have a base at the track and somewhere to sit and chill throughout the weekend.
5.If you buy from an agent, then it is Approx £100 for qualifying, build up and 24Hr race. Good value IMHO
allojon said:
'If you buy from an agent, then it is Approx £100 for qualifying, build up and 24Hr race. Good value IMHO'
Perhaps because you are an agent selling them?
Is this not blatant disregard of the forum rules?
BTW you are over priced.
Said agent has not advertised his company, he has just given OP information, so I don't see what your moaning about!Perhaps because you are an agent selling them?
Is this not blatant disregard of the forum rules?
BTW you are over priced.
Some years I book seats in a stand opposite the pits, other times I watch from the banking.
One thing I would say is the stands opposite the pits are better than the stand directly over the pits as you see much more of the track and also can see into the pit garages.
There's plenty of places to watch the race without a Grandstand ticket, just position yourself near one of the large screen monitors and tune into radio Le mans to listen to the commentary in English.
Tip, don't drive into Beausejour with your windows down, kids and other campers will get you with water pistols (the contence may not be water)
One thing I would say is the stands opposite the pits are better than the stand directly over the pits as you see much more of the track and also can see into the pit garages.
There's plenty of places to watch the race without a Grandstand ticket, just position yourself near one of the large screen monitors and tune into radio Le mans to listen to the commentary in English.
Tip, don't drive into Beausejour with your windows down, kids and other campers will get you with water pistols (the contence may not be water)
allojon said:
'If you buy from an agent, then it is Approx £100 for qualifying, build up and 24Hr race. Good value IMHO'
Perhaps because you are an agent selling them?
Is this not blatant disregard of the forum rules?
BTW you are over priced.
Allojon, read the post again. I offered advice. I wouldn't and don't need to plug anything and am well aware of the rules and don't flount them. I suggested going to an agent (any agent) as the grandstands opposite the pits are no longer available from the ACO.Perhaps because you are an agent selling them?
Is this not blatant disregard of the forum rules?
BTW you are over priced.
The OP wanted advice, not your pathetic comments!
I would suggest that for your first trip to the event, you will have so much to do and see that you will not need a grand stand seat, you can try them for free on qualy days and then decide if you want them in future, some people always get them others never, personally in 28 trips to the race i have never felt the need so far, the money is not the problem for mr but to some the extra cost is a factor
mruf87 said:
Thanks for your reply
Of course, it is not necessary to be in a stand. My points are:
1) Is it possible to watch at the race without being in the grandstands?
2) Does anybody have a map of the free viewing areas?
3) Do you suggest me to buy a grandstand ticket?
Thanks!!
1) Yes. There are many good spots to watch the race, a lot have a view of a big screen these days as well.Of course, it is not necessary to be in a stand. My points are:
1) Is it possible to watch at the race without being in the grandstands?
2) Does anybody have a map of the free viewing areas?
3) Do you suggest me to buy a grandstand ticket?
Thanks!!
3) Depends on what you want, and how old/unfit your Dad is. I've used them in the past and other than the start and finish not really spent that much time in them. We always went for the one across from the "row of woe" as there is a big screen to watch a lot of the action. Be warned though that the tribunes are exposed and can get chilly if theres a wind.
Rather important question, you're going with your dad, how old are we talking? Us young'uns (I'm 38 so still young) will happily stand on tip toes at 3am on a dirt bank while having a tab and a pint. Is your dad going to be ok with lots of walking and lots of standing? The years we've had grandstand seats they have been well worth it. We'd stand in a bar until 10 mins before the race, then go and move the people sat in our seats, crack open the wine and have a few hours there. Same the following day for the end, shift people no doubt sat there and then enjoy the end and celebrations.
Grandstands cost depends on how you value your time there. If you expect to spend 5 or 6 hours there then it's well worth it for the shade and cover especially if it rains or bakes. Could also get a parking ticket in Blanc or Rouge to save on the long walk.
Grandstands cost depends on how you value your time there. If you expect to spend 5 or 6 hours there then it's well worth it for the shade and cover especially if it rains or bakes. Could also get a parking ticket in Blanc or Rouge to save on the long walk.
If you want a seat - you need to pay for a grandstand seat.
If you're happy to stand, you can do it for free with your GA ticket.
The advantages of a grandstand seat are:
- You can turn up 15 minutes before the start and be sure of your spot and view.
- Most grandstand seats are under cover so you stay dry if it rains and out of the sun if it's hot.
There's spectator banking/viewing areas at:
- Mulsanne and Arnage corners but you either need to drive, get a taxi or the 'regular' free bus.
- On the entry to the Porsche curves - one inside Beasjour campsite on the inside of the circuit and one opposite, inside Porsche campsite.
- More or less the whole way along the outside of the circuit from the South end of Maison Blanche campsite through to the entry to Tetre Rouge.
- Off and on on the inside of the circuit from the Karting centre to the entry to Tetre Rouge (though they keep messing about with this side).
There are also a few other semi-official viewing areas:
- The Tetre Rouge 'Stella' bar (more a hearing than viewing point).
- The chinese restaurant on Les Hunaudieres (again more heading than seeing and you need to tell any official that stop you that you are going to the restaurant).
- The Hotel Arbor on Les Hunaudieres.
While the Tetre Rouge bar is walkable the other 2 are again more a drive than a walk.
If you're happy to stand, you can do it for free with your GA ticket.
The advantages of a grandstand seat are:
- You can turn up 15 minutes before the start and be sure of your spot and view.
- Most grandstand seats are under cover so you stay dry if it rains and out of the sun if it's hot.
There's spectator banking/viewing areas at:
- Mulsanne and Arnage corners but you either need to drive, get a taxi or the 'regular' free bus.
- On the entry to the Porsche curves - one inside Beasjour campsite on the inside of the circuit and one opposite, inside Porsche campsite.
- More or less the whole way along the outside of the circuit from the South end of Maison Blanche campsite through to the entry to Tetre Rouge.
- Off and on on the inside of the circuit from the Karting centre to the entry to Tetre Rouge (though they keep messing about with this side).
There are also a few other semi-official viewing areas:
- The Tetre Rouge 'Stella' bar (more a hearing than viewing point).
- The chinese restaurant on Les Hunaudieres (again more heading than seeing and you need to tell any official that stop you that you are going to the restaurant).
- The Hotel Arbor on Les Hunaudieres.
While the Tetre Rouge bar is walkable the other 2 are again more a drive than a walk.
My dad's 75 now and hasn't had a grandstand seat since I've been going with him from 2005 onwards (not sure if he had prior to that). He just carries around a fold out chair and generally views on the grass banks from Dunlop bridge to Tertre Rouge.
Since 2007 we have however made sure we get camping in green or red as the walk back to beausejour at 4am nearly finished him off in 2006!
Since 2007 we have however made sure we get camping in green or red as the walk back to beausejour at 4am nearly finished him off in 2006!
I've been going since 1996 and always had a grandstand seat. I'm 70 and getting creaky now! I find a seat is great because I really do go for the racing and spend a considerable time watching from both the seat and also from the numerous banking areas from Tetre Rouge to down past Maison Blanche. A seat means I do not have to be crushed at the start/finish and I can get protection from the weather if it's hot or wet. I also try get into a stand near a TV: that plus Radio Le Mans plus a seat, beers in the ruck sack, perfect! I also park in Parking Blanc as it's really convenient to a circuit entrance, the tunnel to The Village, and the seat I usually get, and also to the British pop up café in Parking Bleu...great for breakfasts!
There's no doubt that LM can be done with a GE ticket as there are so many great places to watch from the banking etc. I just like comfort and a preferred viewing point.
R.
There's no doubt that LM can be done with a GE ticket as there are so many great places to watch from the banking etc. I just like comfort and a preferred viewing point.
R.
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