Le Mans advice
Discussion
Having never been to Le Man before I'd quite like to go this year. But don't really know where to start.
Is it cheaper to book a package or it all seperately and make it bespoke?
Is there a 'prefered' camp site? knowing my luck and recent skills of booking things, I'll end up booking a site about 20 miles away from where i need to be.
Is there anyone going from here?
Thanks in advance
Ollie
Is it cheaper to book a package or it all seperately and make it bespoke?
Is there a 'prefered' camp site? knowing my luck and recent skills of booking things, I'll end up booking a site about 20 miles away from where i need to be.
Is there anyone going from here?
Thanks in advance
Ollie
Been for the last 3 years and have just finished booking for 2007 (14 cars - eeek !), words can't describe how good this weekend really is but gauranteed you WILL absolutely love it 
We get the early morning eurotunnel on Thursday morning and get the late afternoon return on Monday. Bookings we go through Travel destinations who can be found at the following link( www.lemansrace.com/lemans.asp ) and do a package booking which includes the crossings, camping tickets and weekend race passes. For 2 people in a car it works out at about £200 per person. All you need on top of that then is petrol, food and more importantly beer
As for campsites we've done Houx Anex and Karting Nord and we'll be doing the latter again when we return next year. For more info on the different campsites and other interesting stuff check out this site www.beermountain.com/ . Word of advice though BOOK NOW as the campsites sell out very quickly....
Hope that helps
We get the early morning eurotunnel on Thursday morning and get the late afternoon return on Monday. Bookings we go through Travel destinations who can be found at the following link( www.lemansrace.com/lemans.asp ) and do a package booking which includes the crossings, camping tickets and weekend race passes. For 2 people in a car it works out at about £200 per person. All you need on top of that then is petrol, food and more importantly beer
As for campsites we've done Houx Anex and Karting Nord and we'll be doing the latter again when we return next year. For more info on the different campsites and other interesting stuff check out this site www.beermountain.com/ . Word of advice though BOOK NOW as the campsites sell out very quickly....
Hope that helps
Edited by NotNormal on Tuesday 2nd January 14:19
You can do it loads cheaper than the packages and you will get a deal just have to hold your nerve if you buy tickets late as you will have missed the allocation by now. Think we have missed the best sites and we booked while there last year!! www.beermountain.com is a great archive of info for all Le Mans stuff or www.clubarnage.com/forum/index.php
Cheapest crossing by far is Norfolk lines just a few miles further than Calais but a 1/4 of the cost and it gives ayou a really great drive down, which to me is half of the Le Mans fun.
My favorite campsite is Camping Houx (Marked pitches and hot showers) Maison Blance, Houxe Annexe, Camping Blu are all good you just need to get down Wed to get a spot thats semi decent.
Late deals can be got on ebay and if you hold your nerve you can get great tickets after the rush has died down a few days before departure!!
One camping ticket per car and as many you can get in the car.
Plus chaep ferry makes the package seem outragous we have paid on average £70 per person for the weekend (exluding beer!!) and that has included buying some expensive tickets in a panic (before the rush died down and silly prices) off ebay.
It has to be one of the best weekends you can have if you love cars and or beer
First Year in the Monaro so can't wait
Hope to see you there!
Cheapest crossing by far is Norfolk lines just a few miles further than Calais but a 1/4 of the cost and it gives ayou a really great drive down, which to me is half of the Le Mans fun.
My favorite campsite is Camping Houx (Marked pitches and hot showers) Maison Blance, Houxe Annexe, Camping Blu are all good you just need to get down Wed to get a spot thats semi decent.
Late deals can be got on ebay and if you hold your nerve you can get great tickets after the rush has died down a few days before departure!!
One camping ticket per car and as many you can get in the car.
Plus chaep ferry makes the package seem outragous we have paid on average £70 per person for the weekend (exluding beer!!) and that has included buying some expensive tickets in a panic (before the rush died down and silly prices) off ebay.
It has to be one of the best weekends you can have if you love cars and or beer
First Year in the Monaro so can't wait
Hope to see you there!
Edited by Gibo993 on Tuesday 2nd January 14:41
I've been for the past few years with Airtrack. They do a VIP camping deal,quite safe and secure, very decent toilet and shower facilities and their recent site (last 3 years) has been Karting Nord. From there it is only about 200 yards to the track, but a fairly long hike if you want to go the the Le Mans race village and grandstands. I will be there again this year!
Camping pitch is £35 to £55ish dependent upon which of the ACO sites you can get.
Entrance ticket is something like £30-£35 a head.
Ferry Crossing is normally circa £40-£90 for the weekend.
Thats £130-£190 ish compared to £400 for a 'package'
Crossings from Portsmouth are best option but get booked up very early
bennno
Entrance ticket is something like £30-£35 a head.
Ferry Crossing is normally circa £40-£90 for the weekend.
Thats £130-£190 ish compared to £400 for a 'package'
Crossings from Portsmouth are best option but get booked up very early
bennno
Edited by bennno on Tuesday 2nd January 14:52
Hi,
I have been every year except two over the past 10 years. We normally book our own journey, not via a holiday company.
Britanny ferries, portsmouth to caen. Its about 5hrs but its a nicer drive to LeMans I think. Its shorter as well. You can get an overnighter or whatever time you like.
Book tickets and camp site via ticket@lemans.org. Email them and maybe you might want to join the ACO. You can get cheaper tickets. Campsites, I prefer the "houx" as there are marked pitches and power points. Doesnt matter what time you arrive as your pitch is for you. Other campsites are a problem as its first come first serve and you may get bugger all space if you arrive late thu/fri.
What I would say about camping is its a great atmosphere and everyone is friendly. I wouldnt worry about things getting stolen as it never really happens. Only problem in the heat and camping. The past few years have been scorchers.
We used to do camping but over the past few years we stay with a french family in LeMans. They look after us and have a superb house.
Need anymore info, let me know.
Mike
I have been every year except two over the past 10 years. We normally book our own journey, not via a holiday company.
Britanny ferries, portsmouth to caen. Its about 5hrs but its a nicer drive to LeMans I think. Its shorter as well. You can get an overnighter or whatever time you like.
Book tickets and camp site via ticket@lemans.org. Email them and maybe you might want to join the ACO. You can get cheaper tickets. Campsites, I prefer the "houx" as there are marked pitches and power points. Doesnt matter what time you arrive as your pitch is for you. Other campsites are a problem as its first come first serve and you may get bugger all space if you arrive late thu/fri.
What I would say about camping is its a great atmosphere and everyone is friendly. I wouldnt worry about things getting stolen as it never really happens. Only problem in the heat and camping. The past few years have been scorchers.
We used to do camping but over the past few years we stay with a french family in LeMans. They look after us and have a superb house.
Need anymore info, let me know.
Mike
Wow, thanks for all the info and rapid responses.
I've spent most the day here at work (its slow) researching this, I think Houx would probably be the best bet as i'd like to take as little time off work as possible due to other driving events already planned.
Looking at the official site gives lots more info on the matter. Using speed ferries seems to be the cheaper option for a thursday/monday crossing at present.
Now to persuade some people to be passengers
Thanks again
I've spent most the day here at work (its slow) researching this, I think Houx would probably be the best bet as i'd like to take as little time off work as possible due to other driving events already planned.
Looking at the official site gives lots more info on the matter. Using speed ferries seems to be the cheaper option for a thursday/monday crossing at present.
Now to persuade some people to be passengers
Thanks again
Ollie, I've been for the last 7 years, and 2007 will be my first trip down in the Monaro. I'm a member of the TVRCC and so these days always book my tickets at through them.
Don't know all the ticket prices yet, but you're looking at approx....
- Eurotunnel £95 per car(or £50 on the ferry)
- Camping £70 per car
- General admission £33 per person
- Grandstands seats £70 per person
(+ petrol, beer & food)
I'm looking at about £180 each this year, that's for 3up in the 'ro with Grandstand seats.
Eveyone has there own preferred campsite. My own faves are Houx (you get a numbered pitch but it's dusty) or Maison Blanch (grass, close to the pits, but you pitch where you can get!)
Do it now though before it gets any more chavvy. Each year the behaviour seems to get a bit more loutish!
See everyone at Indianapolis on the the Friday
Don't know all the ticket prices yet, but you're looking at approx....
- Eurotunnel £95 per car(or £50 on the ferry)
- Camping £70 per car
- General admission £33 per person
- Grandstands seats £70 per person
(+ petrol, beer & food)
I'm looking at about £180 each this year, that's for 3up in the 'ro with Grandstand seats.
Eveyone has there own preferred campsite. My own faves are Houx (you get a numbered pitch but it's dusty) or Maison Blanch (grass, close to the pits, but you pitch where you can get!)
Do it now though before it gets any more chavvy. Each year the behaviour seems to get a bit more loutish!
See everyone at Indianapolis on the the Friday
rocket said:
Do it now though before it gets any more chavvy. Each year the behaviour seems to get a bit more loutish!
Ive been going for about 8 years and my old man about 25 years.
It used to be a bit of an adventure in France, a race, a bit too much beer and a generalwell behaved laugh (e.g. fairy liquid in the main square fountain).
I didnt go this year as the chavvy behaviour from the previous yr p'd me off. Pints of beer hurled through car windows, baying crowds and general england football shirt wearing low iq type 'fans' causing mayhem.
I think we may go to the Nurburgring 24 hour for a change this year.
bennno
benno said:
Pints of beer hurled through car windows, baying crowds and general england football shirt wearing low iq type 'fans' causing mayhem.
It used to be good to drive out to one of the villages on the Fri night, but it can be a bit of nightmare getting back to the campsites 'cos of this. I for one won't be taking the car out in the evening next year as a result. I suspect a lot of people will be thinking the same, which is a shame because those that are happy to sit, enjoy a few beers and just watch all the auto exotica driving by will miss out.
Planning ahead.....might do the Le Mans Classic instead in 2008!
The exotica was all part of the classy atmosphere, I remember watching a 250gt race in one of the warm up events and then drive through arnage later that evening!! Ditto Lambo's, Ferrari Daytonas, F40's etc
This seems to have been replaced with minibusses full of hilarously t-shirted 'gangs' all with their own unique style of humour....most of which involving supersoakers etc
bennno
This seems to have been replaced with minibusses full of hilarously t-shirted 'gangs' all with their own unique style of humour....most of which involving supersoakers etc
bennno
Edited by bennno on Tuesday 2nd January 20:40
bennno said:
The exotica was all part of the classy atmosphere, I remember watching a 250gt race in one of the warm up events and then drive through arnage later that evening!! Ditto Lambo's, Ferrari Daytonas, F40's etc
This seems to have been replaced with minibusses full of hilarously t-shirted 'gangs' all with their own unique style of humour....most of which involving supersoakers etc
Regards
Drew Peacock
sounds like Blackpool, used to be a classy night out for the turning on the lights, 30s style tram cars and not a single heshe in sight.
Edited by stigcv8 on Tuesday 2nd January 20:57
It's easy to say that things aren't as good as they used to be....but sadly that is the case with Le Mans.
I first went in 1996 and have been every year but one since then, but it wasn't a tough decision to give it a miss this year when new babies for all of our normal travelling party have intervened.
For the last few years we've stayed with a French family in the town centre and that's been really cool - in fact it was only the probability of losing them that came close to making me go, coz if we go back in future I doubt we'll get them again!
I would say that if anyone is uncomfortable with the lads on the piss/supersoakers antics of the campsites, going through the official reservations bureau and getting a French family to stay with is a great alternative.
I fancy a trip to the Classic, maybe in 2008.
I first went in 1996 and have been every year but one since then, but it wasn't a tough decision to give it a miss this year when new babies for all of our normal travelling party have intervened.
For the last few years we've stayed with a French family in the town centre and that's been really cool - in fact it was only the probability of losing them that came close to making me go, coz if we go back in future I doubt we'll get them again!
I would say that if anyone is uncomfortable with the lads on the piss/supersoakers antics of the campsites, going through the official reservations bureau and getting a French family to stay with is a great alternative.
I fancy a trip to the Classic, maybe in 2008.
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