Le Mans Test Day - my first visit to LeMans

[DavidCane]

I've never been to LeMans and unless some of my friends suddenly take a liking to motorsport I can't see me getting a group together for the race anytime soon. So, this year I'm going to head to the test day on the 5th June instead.

I've booked my train, hire car and AirBNB for the weekend and now need to find out a couple of details.

1) How much of the circuit is open to spectators on the Test Day?
2) What's the best way to get around the circuit? Would I be able to drive from one end to the other so that I can spectate around Indianapolis and the Porsche Curves?
3) Is the paddock open on the test weekend?
4) Any other advice?

Cheers,

DC

[Truckosaurus]

The main circuit areas will be open for the practice as at the 24hrs, so just look at any of the spectating guides for details.

You can drive down to the Arnage corner and watch from there.

You'll need a pass to get into the main paddock, but there's several areas that overlook the paddock and the grandstand above the pits should be open.

There's normally a good crowd of locals so plenty of atmosphere.

[Nosynchro]

Assuming that whets your appetite book the friday/Monday off work for the race. Drive down with small tenant via tunnel or ferry, Beausejour camping pass. Job done. Your weekend entry ticket gives you access for the practice. Many will be on their own but welcomed by other groups including our own. Should be 14 of us this year with a few first timers

[sirtyro]

I went to the test day last year and found it very similar to the race day in terms of what was available to fans. Defiantly drive out to Arnage!!

I imagine you'll get hooked and end up at the main event

[drybeer]

sirtyro said:

I went to the test day last year and found it very similar to the race day in terms of what was available to fans. Defiantly drive out to Arnage!!

I imagine you'll get hooked and end up at the main event

What he said!

[DavidCane]

You may all be right, but I don't think I'll be able to wangle the last minute trip to the 24h somehow. SWMBO will kill me!

The Eurotunnel is only £125 return though. €57 for camping and €78 for a race ticket.

I guess that's £200 + food & fuel all in ---- still not gonna happen this year.

Edited by DavidCane on Tuesday 24th May 10:15

[sirtyro]

DavidCane said:

You may all be right, but I don't think I'll be able to wangle the last minute trip to the 24h somehow. SWMBO will kill me!

The Eurotunnel is only £125 return though. €57 for camping and €78 for a race ticket.

I guess that's £200 + food & fuel all in ---- still not gonna happen this year.

Edited by DavidCane on Tuesday 24th May 10:15

This year I'm going from the Sunday before so I can do the scrutineering parade and I think for the week with food, fuel & spending money its going to be around £300....or 1 day at the British GP with a seat. When it comes to value for money in motorsport, Le Mans is still amazing value for money.

[DavidCane]

A quick final question. Do I have to pay for parking? I've just found the section on the official website where I can buy my Test Day ticket and they're selling car park tickets ranging from €15 to €27. Is that really necessary? I saw a post from a PHer who went to the test last year and had free parking.

Should I bother buying parking in advance, or just assume it should be free on the test day?

[simonhole]

as far as i can remember parking is free for practice,just park in any of the car parks ,or leave it on the verge behind the main grandstand,if they dont barrier it off!!!

[DavidCane]

Great, I have a feeling the prices that I was seeing on the site was for camping over the Test weekend.

[Great Dane]

sirtyro said:

This year I'm going from the Sunday before so I can do the scrutineering parade and I think for the week with food, fuel & spending money its going to be around £300....or 1 day at the British GP with a seat. When it comes to value for money in motorsport, Le Mans is still amazing value for money.

same plan for me... three pitches at Epinettes plus four general admission tickets... €510 via ACO Club

[DavidCane]

Thanks for all the advice. Today was excellent. I spend most of the time at the north end of the circuit but did make a point to get in the car and drive down to Arnage for the last 90 mins.

I walked the whole section from the exit of the Porsche Curves up to Tetre Rouge, on both sides of the track where possible. I don't think any other sections were open to the public today, expect possible Mulsanne corner, so for a first visit I'm pretty happy with what I got covered.

The photos I took are looking good so all in all it was a good (but tiring) day.

[sirtyro]

Well done! Would you want to go to the full race?

[DavidCane]

I desperately want to go, but it won't be this year. Possibly 2017 as I may have found a group to go with.

For those who are going, it looks like you're in for a great race this year. It's tight at the top of the LMP1 group and Audi has problems on Sunday. The #7 was in the garage for hours having a damper changed. If the LMP1 teams haven't sorted those reliability problems you could be in for a surprising result.

[gt6]

There are always group you can join, either before or on arrival, just get a camping pass and then findout who is on that site, helps if you can camp next to people but in general people are very happy to let you join them.

[DavidCane]

What can I say.....my wife will kill me if I do this at the last minute

I will go next year, I've had my first 'fix' this weekend. Now I have a year to work on getting a week-pass for LM'17. I've already started