Classic Le Mans 2016 - What else is there

[Storer]

I have been a 24 Hour Of Le Mans attendee for a few years but this year will be my first Classic. Plenty of things going on around the June 24 Hour event, but what is there around the Classic?

Not just inside the circuit but outside?

Are there any small car shows along the lines of a mini version of the Great British Welcome? And town centre parade or gathering?
Any other local village gatherings?

I know there is a lot less happening around the Classic but I suspect it will gradually grow and would like to be in at the start (if it hasn't already started!).

Anybody know of anything or where to find out?



Paul

[leyorkie]

In the years since it started I have not come across any events for the Classic.
The supermarket at Chateau du Loir had a display of classics on year but there's no co ordinated events.
The difference being that the circuit is open on Friday so there's dead day to fill.

[Ross Parker]

Its my first time this year too. We are going with retro rides and they hold a caqr meet during the weekend

https://www.facebook.com/events/1489699784662871/

[rdjohn]

Lots of sober spectators, watching the races and admiring the cars close-up.

[Longers]

Storer said:

I know there is a lot less happening around the Classic ...

I have to disagree with you.

There might be a few more things happening outside of the circuit at the June event (some of them less desirable...) but there is a huge amount more to see and do at the Classic.

June is all about the race, July is all about the cars - 8000 of them parked up in the Clubs Enclosure with close up access to the Paddocks and the "pre-grid".

Well over 100,000 people so a good atmosphere but you're still able to drive in & out with relative ease to get food, etc.

[eastlmark]

Lots more stalls within the circuit selling books, motorbillia etc. Guessing their pitches are cheaper so attract smaller merchants.

[gt6]

The classic is very different to the main event, people start arriving on the thursday and not a week before, on the friday there is plenty to do around the circuit, the paddocks are one of the big attractions and over the 3 days you will visit each of the 6 paddocks at least once and you can spend hours in each, the stalls in and around the village are also well worth looking around, and the club area's are also a great place to spend time looking at cars. Therefore we you will spend all of your time there rather than leaving the circuit. Will be 6th time for me this year and never had the desire to leave apart from quick trips to replenish supplies

[fot0]

Pretty laid back without techno or birdie song at full tilt. Plenty to do over the weekend with car clubs; possibly the largest gathering of Porsches in one place I've seen, lots of Alpina's etc. The grandstands were free to mooch around during night racing. Impressive to see GT40s at full pelt and usual great cars of that era. We spent Sunday afternoon watching the GP at bar/restaurant near MMArena with the glorious background noise of cars opening up from Tertre Rouge! Will go again sometime.

[Storer]

Thank you for the replies. Most of what has been said about the Classic is what I was expecting.

We are staying in a private home in the old town and have planned on using the tram as we do for the 24 Hours. Camping is not for us. Roughing it in my language would be a Novotel room!

Neither of our cars are classics. My Ultima GTR is only 15 years old and the 911 C4S Cab is only 10 so we don't qualify for any clubs, therefore not much point driving to the circuit. We are in Le Mans for 4 nights before travelling further south for a couple of days. A detour to Mulhouse on my (long) way home is on the cards too.

Paul

[Bobo W]

Storer said:

Neither of our cars are classics. My Ultima GTR is only 15 years old and the 911 C4S Cab is only 10 so we don't qualify for any clubs,

Paul

You'd have no problem with the multi-marque clubs - classic is a relative term - age is unimportant.

[Storer]

What/who are the multi-marque clubs?


Paul