Viewing at Mulsanne by foot
Discussion
2015 was my first year at LeMans with my youngest son and we really weren't well prepared - we had a great time, but we didn't see enough or do enough
This year, I'm going back with both of my sons and we're going to try to fit a bit more in
We'll be camping at Porsche Curves and because there's three of us, I don't think we're going to have room to take three pushbikes
I'd really love to see the cars at speed going down the Mulsanne - is it possible / feasible to walk from the roundabout at Beausejours all the way across to the Mulsanne at Hunaudieres? - I reckon its about 1.4 miles each way - is there a shuttle tram / train thingy and more to the point, is there anything to see when you get there?
Any other suggestions welcome
This year, I'm going back with both of my sons and we're going to try to fit a bit more in
We'll be camping at Porsche Curves and because there's three of us, I don't think we're going to have room to take three pushbikes
I'd really love to see the cars at speed going down the Mulsanne - is it possible / feasible to walk from the roundabout at Beausejours all the way across to the Mulsanne at Hunaudieres? - I reckon its about 1.4 miles each way - is there a shuttle tram / train thingy and more to the point, is there anything to see when you get there?
Any other suggestions welcome
Sadly you will not be allowed up to the Mulsanne straight, the fast sections of the track are closed off to the public.
The outer side of that spot is where the chinese resturant is, even from that side they put up large green screens so its very hard to see over them. Further down the mulsanne straight is the Hotel Arbour (as one exits the 2nd chicane).
I have heard of people booking a evening meal there and viewing the cars, but being as they are exiting a chicane they will not be in top gear at full speed. There are tracks and dirt roads south of Beausejour but the whole area is for Marshals and is heavily policed. Also the mosquitos in the woods are the size of pterodactyls and you will get bitten to death....How do I know this? Tried it and not had much success.
You could walk down to Mulsanne corner, its a long walk so make sure you take a torch if you intend to do this at night, the road/ lane south of arnage corner gets very dark. Its all an adventure, im sure the Boys would love it
Tet rouge corner infield at the very end of the spectator section is a good spot, you see the cars sweep out of the corner then hear the exhaust note as the cars go through the gears down the mulsanne.
The outer side of that spot is where the chinese resturant is, even from that side they put up large green screens so its very hard to see over them. Further down the mulsanne straight is the Hotel Arbour (as one exits the 2nd chicane).
I have heard of people booking a evening meal there and viewing the cars, but being as they are exiting a chicane they will not be in top gear at full speed. There are tracks and dirt roads south of Beausejour but the whole area is for Marshals and is heavily policed. Also the mosquitos in the woods are the size of pterodactyls and you will get bitten to death....How do I know this? Tried it and not had much success.
You could walk down to Mulsanne corner, its a long walk so make sure you take a torch if you intend to do this at night, the road/ lane south of arnage corner gets very dark. Its all an adventure, im sure the Boys would love it
Tet rouge corner infield at the very end of the spectator section is a good spot, you see the cars sweep out of the corner then hear the exhaust note as the cars go through the gears down the mulsanne.
I second all that has been said on this thread already but wanted to add that if you use the bus shuttle service, at peak times it is busy and the queue to return can be quite long. We took the shuttle bus a few years ago and watched the race till about 10ish then waiting to catch the return bus took about 2 hrs as it's peak time i guess.
There's no official access to the Mulsanne (straight) and unless you have a reason (i.e. going to the restaurant or hotel) you'll be passing no entry signs and risk at best being escorted back to the road by the fuzz.
You can get a similar, legal experience at the official Mulsanne (corner) viewing area though. There's a long section of track-side spectating as you walk from the car park/bus stop to the corner where it's more or less track/fence/you. Obviously the closer to the car part/further from the corner the faster the cars will be going.
You can get a similar, legal experience at the official Mulsanne (corner) viewing area though. There's a long section of track-side spectating as you walk from the car park/bus stop to the corner where it's more or less track/fence/you. Obviously the closer to the car part/further from the corner the faster the cars will be going.
i think it really depends how old the boys are ... you don't want to get stuck miles from anywhere with young'uns getting tired/hungry ... or get into any 'official' bother either ... and the distances involved are quite large ... not trying to tell you how to parent of course but it's a pretty tricky undertaking you are thinking of.
If you've only been once so far there must be more stuff you can do closer to home ... you obviously have viewing at porsche curves which is quite good ... and you should plan a trip to arnage if you did not do that last year ... it's much more walkable.
arnage viewing will be all changed for 2016 due to road works but it is great watching there ... especially in the dark or at dawn ... despite being the slowest corner on the circuit. the new viewing area there may well also open up a better view of indianapolis which would be amazing. no reason to believe it will be any worse an experience due to the road changes ... just different.
you can also view from the kart track area on your way into the village from PC ... and it's well worth going right round to tetre rouge, crossing to the infield via the tunnel and watching the cars head off down the mulsanne straight from the northern end.
i'm not holding myself up as an any kind of expert of course, but perhaps 'black ops' to the straight in dead of night on your second visit with kids in tow might be brave.
si
If you've only been once so far there must be more stuff you can do closer to home ... you obviously have viewing at porsche curves which is quite good ... and you should plan a trip to arnage if you did not do that last year ... it's much more walkable.
arnage viewing will be all changed for 2016 due to road works but it is great watching there ... especially in the dark or at dawn ... despite being the slowest corner on the circuit. the new viewing area there may well also open up a better view of indianapolis which would be amazing. no reason to believe it will be any worse an experience due to the road changes ... just different.
you can also view from the kart track area on your way into the village from PC ... and it's well worth going right round to tetre rouge, crossing to the infield via the tunnel and watching the cars head off down the mulsanne straight from the northern end.
i'm not holding myself up as an any kind of expert of course, but perhaps 'black ops' to the straight in dead of night on your second visit with kids in tow might be brave.
si
Sorry - should have made it clear - its FAR more likely that I'll be holding the lads back - I'm 54 and they are 28 and 25....
I think we've decided not to worry about the fuel consumption and strap three cheap mountain bikes to the back of the car, so we should be able to cycle down to Mulsanne corner, lock the bikes up then walk as far up the straight as they will allow us to go
I think we've decided not to worry about the fuel consumption and strap three cheap mountain bikes to the back of the car, so we should be able to cycle down to Mulsanne corner, lock the bikes up then walk as far up the straight as they will allow us to go
Walking seems like a faff and the queues for the bus put me off so for the sake of abstaining from the beer for a few hours, why not drive and get to all the places you want to go.
You can go to the Chinese at Hunadieres but the original bar next door has re-opened and is a great place to head to. Seeing them at night is special but if the amount of traffic / navigating in the dark puts you off, breakfast at Hunadieres is highly recommended
You can go to the Chinese at Hunadieres but the original bar next door has re-opened and is a great place to head to. Seeing them at night is special but if the amount of traffic / navigating in the dark puts you off, breakfast at Hunadieres is highly recommended
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