Which stand to book?
Discussion
Along the pit straight is all much of a muchness.
Avoid the start/finnish chicane one - #22 from memory, as it's the only un-covered one. If it rains you get wet, more likely you melt!
Personally I like the Dunlop chicane grandstand, #5. Popular place for people to get things wrong and head for the gravel.
Avoid the start/finnish chicane one - #22 from memory, as it's the only un-covered one. If it rains you get wet, more likely you melt!
Personally I like the Dunlop chicane grandstand, #5. Popular place for people to get things wrong and head for the gravel.
//j17 said:Depends on how you intend to watch the race, I've found the pit exit stands good for keeping track, with the TV screens opposite and I'd certainly recommend them for first timers.
Along the pit straight is all much of a muchness.
Avoid the start/finnish chicane one - #22 from memory, as it's the only un-covered one. If it rains you get wet, more likely you melt!
Personally I like the Dunlop chicane grandstand, #5. Popular place for people to get things wrong and head for the gravel.
The Ford Chicane (Maison Blanch) grandstand gives you a good view all the way up the start finish/straight, and allows you to see the final few turns as well as cars limping to the pit entrance.
As has been mentioned, a covered grandstand is essential to avoid drowning or sunstroke, although watch out if at the back seats of them, as some have very high roofs and offer no protection.
Map of the grandstands... www.justtickets.co.uk/tracks/tr_lemans.htm
>> Edited by //j17 on Wednesday 14th December 14:36
>> Edited by //j17 on Wednesday 14th December 14:36
//j17 said:
Map of the grandstands... www.justtickets.co.uk/tracks/tr_lemans.htm
>> Edited by //j17 on Wednesday 14th December 14:36
So you know which is which:
The second name is the stands old name
1. Tetra Rouge or S De La Foret
3. Chapelle
5. Dunlop
11. Wimille or Nord 1
12. Benoist or Nord 1
13. Singher or Singher Durand
14. Barnato or Nord 2
15. Chinetti or Nord 2
16. Sommer or Nord 2
17. Durand or Georges Durand
18. Aco
19. Lagache (I chuckle all the time at this one, do i have a dirty mind?) or Michelin
20. Leonard or Total
21. Tavano or Ex Jaguar
22. Wolleck or Bugatti
23. Maison Blanche
34. Stands
The first time I went in 98 we were allowed into the stands about 2 or 3 in the morning.
We walked down to the bottom where they all hang over the pits. Great view of them and I couldnt believe my luck when it started raining!
But what was more unbelievable was the fact I was shouting down to one team trying to tell them they had put the front wets on the rear and the rear on the front lol.
They only just realised as he was about to pull out.
I bet someone got a right bollocking after that
We walked down to the bottom where they all hang over the pits. Great view of them and I couldnt believe my luck when it started raining!
But what was more unbelievable was the fact I was shouting down to one team trying to tell them they had put the front wets on the rear and the rear on the front lol.
They only just realised as he was about to pull out.
I bet someone got a right bollocking after that
Yep a good place to watch but there is also two very good places just before and after the dunlop bridge.
There was a low point in the barrier were you were no more than 10ft away from the cars while they brake. Fantastic, Disks glowing red hot, exhausts spitting flames and the noise........... Oh that noise!!
And if you keep walking down you reach the end of the spectating point (oposite side but in line with 28) Thats a great place to get comfy with beer wine and watch these monsters.
Two french guys this year were there on a inflatable double bed thing smoking something bloddy smelly, needless to say that they looked very relaxed! haha
There was a low point in the barrier were you were no more than 10ft away from the cars while they brake. Fantastic, Disks glowing red hot, exhausts spitting flames and the noise........... Oh that noise!!
And if you keep walking down you reach the end of the spectating point (oposite side but in line with 28) Thats a great place to get comfy with beer wine and watch these monsters.
Two french guys this year were there on a inflatable double bed thing smoking something bloddy smelly, needless to say that they looked very relaxed! haha
Been going to Maison Blanch for 9 years now. I think it is an excellent place to watch from - you get to see all the action on the entry/through Ford Chicanes as well the blast of sound up the start finish straight (amazing at the start) - only downside is you have to watch the video/leaderboard through binoculars!
I think all Le Mans virgins should be kept away from the track until last night qualifying, then forced to walk from Houx to the Dunlop bridge. Just gets louder and louder, then you see the track then... you find out that's the Bugatti circuit so walk on and it gets louder and...
Maison Blanche is a good spot, but take the night time walk out the main entrance and hop on the free shuttle bus. Mulsan corner isn't very good for spectating, but Arnage... in the dark... with a coffee... and a Grand Marnie crep. To quote American Chopper - awesome.
Maison Blanche is a good spot, but take the night time walk out the main entrance and hop on the free shuttle bus. Mulsan corner isn't very good for spectating, but Arnage... in the dark... with a coffee... and a Grand Marnie crep. To quote American Chopper - awesome.
combover said:
I've got Maison Blanche tickets as I was told this is the best place to watch the cars at night. Anyone verify if this was a wise choice?
Combover
Hope you enjoy it - my abiding memory of all le mans visits is watching an F40 on my first visit (I think) taking advantage of the cooling evening and getting noticably quicker between the chicanes & overtaking several cars tight in front of us - you could see exactly where he started breaking from the glow of his brake discs. Nail biting stuff waiting to see what he did next time 'round - think we stayed until about 3 am before almost falling asleep on the spot.
Good choice - likely to go to the Classic this year (but clashes with Goodwood!!!) so may miss.
And as J17 says - its a 24 hr race - make sure you travel around a bit!
>> Edited by sleepezy on Saturday 17th December 01:42
sleepezy said:
I've got Maison Blanche tickets as I was told this is the best place to watch the cars at night. Anyone verify if this was a wise choice?
Combover
Hope you enjoy it - my abiding memory of all le mans visits is watching an F40 on my first visit (I think) taking advantage of the cooling evening and getting noticably quicker between the chicanes & overtaking several cars tight in front of us - you could see exactly where he started breaking from the glow of his brake discs. Nail biting stuff waiting to see what he did next time 'round - think we stayed until about 3 am before almost falling asleep on the spot.
Good choice - likely to go to the Classic this year (but clashes with Goodwood!!!) so may miss.
And as J17 says - its a 24 hr race - make sure you travel around a bit!
>> Edited by sleepezy on Saturday 17th December 01:42
Will do guys, thanks for the info
Combover
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