What happens Sunday night????
Discussion
I am staying till Monday as the only ferry home I could get on Sunday was at 8pm and I thought it was cutting it abit fine...
anyway..
now im on the 18.20 on Monday so am planning to relax Monday morning, but what goes on inside le mans on Sunday night? anything worth while? or is it just a good opportunity to get a good nights kip after a bbq at your tent???
shall I move the ferry time forward? (my first year so advice please)
how does the drive home compare to the drive there? or are we going to be the last ones home?
cheers
Lee
Edited by Rochester BMW on Monday 2nd April 12:49
Im half tempted to try and leave sunday.... ive heard that after the race all the le mans security ends and loads of pikeys try to nick anything thats not bolted down...
although ive read that there is a good atmosphere on sunday nights similar to friday nights....
where would this be?
although ive read that there is a good atmosphere on sunday nights similar to friday nights....
where would this be?
Lock everything away as the pykies / locals go through the camps lifting anything that they think has been dumped. I heard of some chaps arriving back last year to find everything gone, they caught up with a frog in a tatty van and found some of their stuff inside and he said he was salvaging dumped gear.
Aside from that, donut competitions seem to be the norm. Huge bonfires which security and pompiers seem to object too. Monster fire work displays. Etc
Last year we left at 10am ish on Monday morning and drove up to Caan area to look at the landing beaches etc.
I don’t think that hanging around the camp on Monday is that much fun
Aside from that, donut competitions seem to be the norm. Huge bonfires which security and pompiers seem to object too. Monster fire work displays. Etc
Last year we left at 10am ish on Monday morning and drove up to Caan area to look at the landing beaches etc.
I don’t think that hanging around the camp on Monday is that much fun
Le Pikeys are not (IMO) so bad as they are just a bunch of Madame Cholet's.
Just make sure that you're all packed up before 10ish.
Why grumble if people are going to re-use something you have no further use for. In the years I've been going they have not been a problem.
Still, keep your eyes open though.
Just make sure that you're all packed up before 10ish.
Why grumble if people are going to re-use something you have no further use for. In the years I've been going they have not been a problem.
Still, keep your eyes open though.
Last year when i went to Le Mans, we staying the Sunday night, had a BBQ etc.
Though i really enjoyed it, i went with some people, i've been friends with for ages but who don't have any interest in cars, the race or anything to do with the whole experience really! It spoilt it and we haven't spoken since, go with someone that you know will enjoy it and it'll be great! I'm not going this year but hoping to go next year with some people who'll enjoy the trip.
Also other tips, take a decent sized tent (i ended up sleeping in the car last year)! If you can try to get one of your group to go in something bigger than a coupe, label it the supply car!!! Most of all have a good time!
Though i really enjoyed it, i went with some people, i've been friends with for ages but who don't have any interest in cars, the race or anything to do with the whole experience really! It spoilt it and we haven't spoken since, go with someone that you know will enjoy it and it'll be great! I'm not going this year but hoping to go next year with some people who'll enjoy the trip.
Also other tips, take a decent sized tent (i ended up sleeping in the car last year)! If you can try to get one of your group to go in something bigger than a coupe, label it the supply car!!! Most of all have a good time!
Pikeys are Manouches in French, but don't believe they are a bunch of nancies. There are a vast number of them around the area. If you were at Le Mans last year you might have noticed the new gravelled enclosed parking area south of Maison Blanche on the left of the roundabout? That has been built by the council just for the Gippos. They are not a nice bunch so think twice about confronting them even if you catch them nicking your things. Fights outside certain bars are a well known thing here, as are people who end up in hospital with knife wounds. Be careful.
Most of them are just trying to scavenge things being left behind by campers. I think some are dodgy, but "most" are just trying to see what they can find for either their own purposes or perhaps to sell on. So, if it's obvious that they stuff there isn't abandoned (i.e. your car's parked next to it), I've always found it to be ok.
Sunday night on MB is usually quite fun with fireworks etc.
We've never had any trouble with the "pikeys" - personally I think the locals get bad publicity, they've never touched anything of ours when we are obviously still there. The only people who were observed in and around our camp on the quiet one afternoon appeared to be Brits so I wouldn't assume it's all the pikey french.
The drive up on Monday morning will be busy, it's better with the new road but it's always slow. Last year there were lots of queues at the tolls despite them opening up the gates and having lots of staff taking money in the queue. Leave plenty of time if you've got a cheap ferry that you have to get on. The ports will also be busy so if you arrive with 20 minutes to go it will then take you probably 30 minutes to get to the check in desk and your ferry will have departed, they will then charge you to put you on the next one (want to borrow my t-shirt?)
There aren't many fuel stations on the A28 - may be more this year but they will be full with those who can't get more than 100 miles on a tank - the queues were horrendous last year. If you can make sure you've got enough fuel to get yourself a good way, preferably all the way.
We've never had any trouble with the "pikeys" - personally I think the locals get bad publicity, they've never touched anything of ours when we are obviously still there. The only people who were observed in and around our camp on the quiet one afternoon appeared to be Brits so I wouldn't assume it's all the pikey french.
The drive up on Monday morning will be busy, it's better with the new road but it's always slow. Last year there were lots of queues at the tolls despite them opening up the gates and having lots of staff taking money in the queue. Leave plenty of time if you've got a cheap ferry that you have to get on. The ports will also be busy so if you arrive with 20 minutes to go it will then take you probably 30 minutes to get to the check in desk and your ferry will have departed, they will then charge you to put you on the next one (want to borrow my t-shirt?)
There aren't many fuel stations on the A28 - may be more this year but they will be full with those who can't get more than 100 miles on a tank - the queues were horrendous last year. If you can make sure you've got enough fuel to get yourself a good way, preferably all the way.
Piglet said:
Sunday night on MB is usually quite fun with fireworks etc.
We've never had any trouble with the "pikeys" - personally I think the locals get bad publicity, they've never touched anything of ours when we are obviously still there. The only people who were observed in and around our camp on the quiet one afternoon appeared to be Brits so I wouldn't assume it's all the pikey french.
The drive up on Monday morning will be busy, it's better with the new road but it's always slow. Last year there were lots of queues at the tolls despite them opening up the gates and having lots of staff taking money in the queue. Leave plenty of time if you've got a cheap ferry that you have to get on. The ports will also be busy so if you arrive with 20 minutes to go it will then take you probably 30 minutes to get to the check in desk and your ferry will have departed, they will then charge you to put you on the next one (want to borrow my t-shirt?)
There aren't many fuel stations on the A28 - may be more this year but they will be full with those who can't get more than 100 miles on a tank - the queues were horrendous last year. If you can make sure you've got enough fuel to get yourself a good way, preferably all the way.
We've never had any trouble with the "pikeys" - personally I think the locals get bad publicity, they've never touched anything of ours when we are obviously still there. The only people who were observed in and around our camp on the quiet one afternoon appeared to be Brits so I wouldn't assume it's all the pikey french.
The drive up on Monday morning will be busy, it's better with the new road but it's always slow. Last year there were lots of queues at the tolls despite them opening up the gates and having lots of staff taking money in the queue. Leave plenty of time if you've got a cheap ferry that you have to get on. The ports will also be busy so if you arrive with 20 minutes to go it will then take you probably 30 minutes to get to the check in desk and your ferry will have departed, they will then charge you to put you on the next one (want to borrow my t-shirt?)
There aren't many fuel stations on the A28 - may be more this year but they will be full with those who can't get more than 100 miles on a tank - the queues were horrendous last year. If you can make sure you've got enough fuel to get yourself a good way, preferably all the way.
i'll second that about the fuel situation! Oh, and in reply to car.chic's comment about a tent, buy one here - they are half the price. The best place to buy though is half way down the main Mulsanne straight at a place called Decathlon. They specialise in sports gear. Tents from big frame five bedroom ones to small mountain ones, plus all ancillary gear such as sleeping bags and cooking gear. And if any fishermen read this their prices for rods and equipment are simply stunning compared to the UK. Getting to Carrefour is difficult with the ongoing roadworks even now and will be ten times worse during racing week. I'd relax and go to Decathlon if I was you. Easy to get to and a big car park.
Thanks for the info guys.
one question re: fireworks... what does MB stand for?
I guess my car (3 series) will be the support car, but it looks like we're going to be following around E36guy on monday as White Rabit Racing are staying the sunday night, and getting a similar ferry home.
Im planning on not having to go to Carrefore (is that how to spell it?) we'll be stocking up on food / beer in the UK so we dont have to stop for anything except petrol.
thanks for the advice about the oiks! i think we'll just make sure that anything valuable is kept in the car at all times....
has anyone experienced their car being broken into or even stolen at Le Mans?
one question re: fireworks... what does MB stand for?
I guess my car (3 series) will be the support car, but it looks like we're going to be following around E36guy on monday as White Rabit Racing are staying the sunday night, and getting a similar ferry home.
Im planning on not having to go to Carrefore (is that how to spell it?) we'll be stocking up on food / beer in the UK so we dont have to stop for anything except petrol.
thanks for the advice about the oiks! i think we'll just make sure that anything valuable is kept in the car at all times....
has anyone experienced their car being broken into or even stolen at Le Mans?
What I have done before is to book a Campanile room for the Sunday night, an hour or two away from the circuit. Allows a decent nights sleep, nice shower or bath and an opportunity for a nice meal out. And a nice continental breakfast before going to find a decent restaurant for lunch.
This year I am booked on a ferry out of Le Havre at 8pm, so will have to hope the queues at the Tolls aren't too bad! Escpecially as whilst I might be able to be at the head of them leaving the circuit by diesel 4x4 will have been passed by all the fast cars on route! Mind you I won't need to worry about refuelling!
This year I am booked on a ferry out of Le Havre at 8pm, so will have to hope the queues at the Tolls aren't too bad! Escpecially as whilst I might be able to be at the head of them leaving the circuit by diesel 4x4 will have been passed by all the fast cars on route! Mind you I won't need to worry about refuelling!
Just chill on Sunday night. Finish off whatever beers you can't fit into your car, watch the fireworks and the last few doughnutters. Finding a restaurant thats open is usually a challenge ! The pikies turn up on Monday morning. They are there for freebies and pick over the stuff we dump. Anything outside tents seems to be fair game for 'em. So I wouldn't recommend having a lie-in ! Just keep an eye on your stuff as you're packing it down. Just yelling at em, a simple "No ! F*** off !!!", when they go near your stuff is usually enough to get em to go hunting elsewhere. If you have stuff you're gonna leave(BBQ's,Paddling pools,food etc) just chuck it 20yds away. They'll head to it like flies round sh*t first before heading towards you. Never heard of em damaging cars.
Just have fun whatever you do. Play it by ear and be flexible with your plans, keep your sense of humour at all times and you'll have a great time.
Buying beer in the UK ? Are you mad ? Buy in France. You can buy 24 stubbies for around £5 or so ! Save the space and weight in the car !!
Just have fun whatever you do. Play it by ear and be flexible with your plans, keep your sense of humour at all times and you'll have a great time.
Buying beer in the UK ? Are you mad ? Buy in France. You can buy 24 stubbies for around £5 or so ! Save the space and weight in the car !!
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