Going to Le Mans this year
Discussion
A bunch of us have decided to go to Le Mans this year .... well, you've got to at least once in your life, haven't you !
Current (loose) plan is to travel down on the Friday via the chunnel (missus is boat phobic), camp down there, come back on the Monday.
Have any of you Le Mans veterans got any hints, tips, thoughts, gotchas and good ideas they'd like to share ? Am I "safe" going in the 308 ? (no reliability digs TYVM !
)
Current (loose) plan is to travel down on the Friday via the chunnel (missus is boat phobic), camp down there, come back on the Monday.
Have any of you Le Mans veterans got any hints, tips, thoughts, gotchas and good ideas they'd like to share ? Am I "safe" going in the 308 ? (no reliability digs TYVM !
) You might have a problem getting your 308 onto the train because of ground clearance. I seem to remember a figure of 10cm from somewhere?
I know the old 308 has pretty good approach & departure angles, but I wouldn't want you to get 'beached' getting onto the train.
Has anybody with something low slung had problems on the chunnel?
I know the old 308 has pretty good approach & departure angles, but I wouldn't want you to get 'beached' getting onto the train.
Has anybody with something low slung had problems on the chunnel?
awaiting confirmation of booking. 
may be wrong.. but i'm sure someone said that the train was actually a better option than the ferry for low ground clearance cars?
I've had the esprit on the ferry several times, and although it is steep, no problems with grounding.
Le mans is a great trip. Doing it this year for the third time (esprit and 550m). Can't wait.
cheers
Rob
I've had the esprit on the ferry several times, and although it is steep, no problems with grounding.
Le mans is a great trip. Doing it this year for the third time (esprit and 550m). Can't wait.
cheers
Rob
Eurotunnel is fine wrt ground clearance, and probably better than the ferries as the trains are always the same height in relation to platform whereas ferries can have a different "angle of attack" depending on sea level / tides. On the Thursday, the train is littered with Lambos, Ferraris, TVR's etc. etc. and I've yet to see one have a problem.
You shouldn't have any problems with ground clearance, my Elise has been fine and I've seen AH 3000s get on with no difficulty - the E/T staff are pretty helpful too. Would say the E/T is a lot easier than the ferry, which I had to board sideways to avoid grounding, to be fair their staff are very helpful too though.
What time E/T are you on, as I will be going down in convoy with a Griff and my Elise and a couple of friends on a mid morning crossing, time to be confirmed....
What time E/T are you on, as I will be going down in convoy with a Griff and my Elise and a couple of friends on a mid morning crossing, time to be confirmed....
Wezo : Not booked anything yet as we're still on the planning stage (at one point we were going to set off Friday night and travel down overnight ! ulp). Are you going on the Friday then ?
Any tips about the camping ? Any not-obvious essentials (ear plugs ?
) Anyone see any problem with going Friday / returning Monday ? (i.e. does EVERYONE do that ?) How busy will the roads be on these days ?
Someone told me that the Police are going to be extra vigilant (for speeders) this year, though I've no proof of that (just rumour).
Any tips about the camping ? Any not-obvious essentials (ear plugs ?
) Anyone see any problem with going Friday / returning Monday ? (i.e. does EVERYONE do that ?) How busy will the roads be on these days ? Someone told me that the Police are going to be extra vigilant (for speeders) this year, though I've no proof of that (just rumour).
its a pretty long drive there and a lot of fun is to be had on the friday so you might want to book yourself a very early ferry
off the top of my head its about 250 miles, or much shorter if you take the portsmouth to Le havre service and then take the cross country blat instead.
Bennno
off the top of my head its about 250 miles, or much shorter if you take the portsmouth to Le havre service and then take the cross country blat instead.
Bennno
robp said: I too am a le-mans virgin. I was planning a trip down but am not really in a position where I can yet make any firm plans.
Am I OK to literally just turn up (i.e buy tickets on the gate and sort out camping when we get there) or would that not be advised?
Sorry to say that you've missed the boat with regards to camping, although there may be a few cancellations going about. Personally, because I am the only person in the car 9although part of a convoy) I will just buy a general admission tciket (like you would at Brands) and sleep in the car. It will still be fun.
(Mind you: the night before and after I sleep in a hotel because I HATE camping, anyhow...)
Just call me a soft southern b*stard!
Hi Neville
Here is our usual plan of action when it comes to Le Mans.
Being northeners, we tend to drive down to Dover on Wednesday and stay overnight in the Travel Inn in order to catch the 9.00AM Thursday Seacat (ground clearance just OK in an Esprit)
At a fairly spirited pace and allowing for petrol and food, we usually get to Le Mans for around 4PM. We take the 'boring route' and head through Paris and then cut across to Le Mans - it's autoroute all the way and easy going.
The other and by far the most popular route is to head directly south through Rouen and Alencon but there is a stretch of single carriageway for about 90 miles - no problems if you're not in convoy but if there's a few of you of varied means, you can easily get split up - however, they are currently building a new autoroute alongside the single road but it's not scheduled for completion for another few years
See here for a map
http://lemans24h.free.fr/Guide/Venir.htm
Unfortunately, you cannot buy camping tickets on the spot - allocation is bad and all tickets were sold out months ago. However, have a look on the Club Arnage sell and swap forum nearer the time and you'll generally be able to get one - especially if it's only one ticket you're after (one ticket per car and tent officially)
http://club-arnage.web-solutions.dk/forum/bbs.cgi
The only thing to be aware of on the camping front is that the facilities range from very basic to non existent - allow for not having a shower for the whole time you are there!
Ear plugs are not necessary as you'll be so knackered and full of beer that you'll sleep through anything.
You will also need to buy track tickets when you get there for about £35 each, which you can get at any main track entrance.
For the weekend, there are plenty of places to get a drink - Portes Du Circuits opposite Camping Bleu and Tertre Rouge spring to mind and there is also a small village inside the circuit offering plenty of food and booze etc. at not too unreasonable prices.
Once the race is over, we head to a cheapo hotel outside Paris for Sunday night and then sail back Monday lunchtime.
The only other thing to add is that you will have a fantastic time and return year after year!
John
Here is our usual plan of action when it comes to Le Mans.
Being northeners, we tend to drive down to Dover on Wednesday and stay overnight in the Travel Inn in order to catch the 9.00AM Thursday Seacat (ground clearance just OK in an Esprit)
At a fairly spirited pace and allowing for petrol and food, we usually get to Le Mans for around 4PM. We take the 'boring route' and head through Paris and then cut across to Le Mans - it's autoroute all the way and easy going.
The other and by far the most popular route is to head directly south through Rouen and Alencon but there is a stretch of single carriageway for about 90 miles - no problems if you're not in convoy but if there's a few of you of varied means, you can easily get split up - however, they are currently building a new autoroute alongside the single road but it's not scheduled for completion for another few years
See here for a map
http://lemans24h.free.fr/Guide/Venir.htm
Unfortunately, you cannot buy camping tickets on the spot - allocation is bad and all tickets were sold out months ago. However, have a look on the Club Arnage sell and swap forum nearer the time and you'll generally be able to get one - especially if it's only one ticket you're after (one ticket per car and tent officially)
http://club-arnage.web-solutions.dk/forum/bbs.cgi
The only thing to be aware of on the camping front is that the facilities range from very basic to non existent - allow for not having a shower for the whole time you are there!
Ear plugs are not necessary as you'll be so knackered and full of beer that you'll sleep through anything.
You will also need to buy track tickets when you get there for about £35 each, which you can get at any main track entrance.
For the weekend, there are plenty of places to get a drink - Portes Du Circuits opposite Camping Bleu and Tertre Rouge spring to mind and there is also a small village inside the circuit offering plenty of food and booze etc. at not too unreasonable prices.
Once the race is over, we head to a cheapo hotel outside Paris for Sunday night and then sail back Monday lunchtime.
The only other thing to add is that you will have a fantastic time and return year after year!
John
robp said: I too am a le-mans virgin. I was planning a trip down but am not really in a position where I can yet make any firm plans.
Am I OK to literally just turn up (i.e buy tickets on the gate and sort out camping when we get there) or would that not be advised?
Nope, it's no problem. I've done just this for the last 5 years. Last year we had nothing at all booked (including the ferry ticket), but just set off. You can camp in the car park between the track and the airfield, near the entrance near the ford chicane. Don't care what other's say - YOU CAN DEFINITELY DO THIS. And it only costs you 100 euros to park and camp for the whole weekend. And you can get good road access to the village of Arnarge to go to the supermarket/bars/restaurants at any point over the weekend without too much traffic.
The parking assistants don't stop you, just ask you don't take to "too much" space. Mail me if you want more info.
Will
>> Edited by willdew on Tuesday 28th January 17:59
Nev,
Good choice to go to Le Mans, even with the news of a knackered Westie in the garage!
The 308 will be safe as houses down at LM. The place is absolutely full of all types of exotica and very rarely do you hear of problems.
Words of advice, get yourself down there by Friday morning, Friday is great fun out on the track. Lots of people congregate at certain places, it is a huge show of exotica and like minded people.
Other key points - Friday eveing, drivers parade in the town centre.
Friday day - Look around the pits, can get some great shots and talk to race engineers, etc.
Saturday morning from about 6.30am, the track is open to lots of car clubs (Tiv's last year, Jag's the year before)
Another point, you don't only do Le Mans once in your life, be prepared to go every year from here on in!!!!!!!
Also, IMHO - Houx Annexe is the best campsite for fun and games.
Have fun -
Good choice to go to Le Mans, even with the news of a knackered Westie in the garage!
The 308 will be safe as houses down at LM. The place is absolutely full of all types of exotica and very rarely do you hear of problems.
Words of advice, get yourself down there by Friday morning, Friday is great fun out on the track. Lots of people congregate at certain places, it is a huge show of exotica and like minded people.
Other key points - Friday eveing, drivers parade in the town centre.
Friday day - Look around the pits, can get some great shots and talk to race engineers, etc.
Saturday morning from about 6.30am, the track is open to lots of car clubs (Tiv's last year, Jag's the year before)
Another point, you don't only do Le Mans once in your life, be prepared to go every year from here on in!!!!!!!
Also, IMHO - Houx Annexe is the best campsite for fun and games.
Have fun -
Hi,
Would agree with all the above really. One thing worth bearing in mind is that if you just turn up and pay at Blue PARKING, you can actually camp there as well - it isn't ideal, no allocated spaces (so a free for all) and no real facilities, but as a last ditch option its OK - I've used it 4 of the 6 times I've been and whilst I would prefer to camp in Houx my organisational abilities fail me to arrange it in time.
Would recomend getting there by late afternoon if you can, mad friday is a sight to behold and going into town for the drivers parade is great fun.
I will be driving down on Friday, hopefully am but possibly pm - flights back to the UK are a bit of a problem, so won't be booking Eurotunnel till March - they seem to have plenty of capacity on the Friday trains usually anyway. What train are you likely to be on, your 308 looks gorgeous....
Traffic is pretty heavy coming out of LM just after the race, but dies down quite quickly, however if you want to make to Honfleur or Deauville for dinner (and some of the restaurants in both places are excellent) you will need to leave LM pretty promptly...
Best of luck and don't panic would be my advice, also if your travelling down and no-one knows where they are gpoing, the track is to the south of LM, keep following the signs for parking - sounds obvious, but the amount of time we have spent lost in LM town is unbeleivable as there are a distinct lack of road signs....
Would agree with all the above really. One thing worth bearing in mind is that if you just turn up and pay at Blue PARKING, you can actually camp there as well - it isn't ideal, no allocated spaces (so a free for all) and no real facilities, but as a last ditch option its OK - I've used it 4 of the 6 times I've been and whilst I would prefer to camp in Houx my organisational abilities fail me to arrange it in time.
Would recomend getting there by late afternoon if you can, mad friday is a sight to behold and going into town for the drivers parade is great fun.
I will be driving down on Friday, hopefully am but possibly pm - flights back to the UK are a bit of a problem, so won't be booking Eurotunnel till March - they seem to have plenty of capacity on the Friday trains usually anyway. What train are you likely to be on, your 308 looks gorgeous....
Traffic is pretty heavy coming out of LM just after the race, but dies down quite quickly, however if you want to make to Honfleur or Deauville for dinner (and some of the restaurants in both places are excellent) you will need to leave LM pretty promptly...
Best of luck and don't panic would be my advice, also if your travelling down and no-one knows where they are gpoing, the track is to the south of LM, keep following the signs for parking - sounds obvious, but the amount of time we have spent lost in LM town is unbeleivable as there are a distinct lack of road signs....
wezo said: Hi,
Would agree with all the above really. One thing worth bearing in mind is that if you just turn up and pay at Blue PARKING, you can actually camp there as well - it isn't ideal, no allocated spaces (so a free for all) and no real facilities, but as a last ditch option its OK - I've used it 4 of the 6 times I've been and whilst I would prefer to camp in Houx my organisational abilities fail me to arrange it in time.
Cheers for that, it sounds perfect for what I need. Approx how much is the 'blue parking'?
Also, any idea how much the toll charges on the autoroute are between calais and le mans?
That's how the French do it. They just turn up, pay and get a ticket for the parking area... and then once they find a vacant slot they get out their equipment, which can be quite a lot. We adapted this strategy for the last two years and it turned out to be quick and cheap. You always find a free space in the infield. No camping passes, no reservations... just turn up and find your place. It's not as cosy as getting there in a largre motor home but it's ok for two days. Ah, and don't forget to bring your own water supply (you will need water and beer) and have fun.
The general entry ticket was 25 Euros last year, beat me to death but it was that much wasn't it ? I can't remember. Once you're there, money donesn't play such a big part. I think we came to less than 100 Euros per head including car, fuel, entry, parking and food. That was from Germany, check for ferry prices. I'm already looking forward to that sausage stand at Terte Rouge. These are delicious, especially at night if the cars are sweaping round with the brakes and exhausts on fire. Another tip, bring your own beer and save fuzz and money. I hope it helps. You'll have your fun.
Robp, that's the the way to go and I will do the same this year again. Turn up, pay and have fun for 24 hours. Then, driving back home and having at least one a great day for another 356 days. Last year I came back from Frankfurt to Aachen (260 KMs) plus Aachen to LeMans (750 KMs), then on sunday LeMans to Aachen (750 Kms) and on early Monday morning 260 KMs to Frankfurt. That's half the distance they do at LM and twice the distance they do by driver. Whooohoo... I love the sausage.
>> Edited by hansgerd on Tuesday 28th January 20:52
The general entry ticket was 25 Euros last year, beat me to death but it was that much wasn't it ? I can't remember. Once you're there, money donesn't play such a big part. I think we came to less than 100 Euros per head including car, fuel, entry, parking and food. That was from Germany, check for ferry prices. I'm already looking forward to that sausage stand at Terte Rouge. These are delicious, especially at night if the cars are sweaping round with the brakes and exhausts on fire. Another tip, bring your own beer and save fuzz and money. I hope it helps. You'll have your fun.
Robp, that's the the way to go and I will do the same this year again. Turn up, pay and have fun for 24 hours. Then, driving back home and having at least one a great day for another 356 days. Last year I came back from Frankfurt to Aachen (260 KMs) plus Aachen to LeMans (750 KMs), then on sunday LeMans to Aachen (750 Kms) and on early Monday morning 260 KMs to Frankfurt. That's half the distance they do at LM and twice the distance they do by driver. Whooohoo... I love the sausage.
>> Edited by hansgerd on Tuesday 28th January 20:52
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