Lessons learnt from a newbie (Before)
Discussion
First of all, sorry this is my third thread in as many days but le mans is on my mind...
Anyway.
When I started to look into organising a le mans trip I was getting advice (all be it good) from lots of people and places, wheres best to camp, wheres best to buy your tickets, best day to travel on etc etc etc....
I knew that after le mans that I was going to make a list of 'lessons learnt from a newbie' and what to do different for next year.
But, with just under 3 weeks to go I have already learnt some lessons... and here they are.
1. Next year I be absolutley SURE the people Im booking tickets for WILL come.
2. Next year I will be booking my tickets through White Rabbit Racing. this year I went through Team Langoustine but apart from paying (too much) for my tickets I havn't spoke to anyone from TL about the trip. Whereas the chaps from WRR have been very friendly and have given lots of usefull advice, and they have a forum...
3. Ill proberly be a little less OTT with stickers (maybe). Although they look very good and I cant complain, I think next year ill be 'sticking' with something simpler and save the money for beerage!
4. Next year i wont leave it til april to start organising the trip, if I hadn't this year I would be in the WRR enclosure and not worrying about camping space.
5. Next year I will be making a full week of it, I've spoke to more people who go for the full week than just a few days, and the experiences of it sound like my kind of thing.
6. Next year I wont be paying £130 to go with P&O!
Im sure that this list will grow as the weeks turn to days, and especially after the event.
Are there any other newbie's out there that have learnt a thing or two even before the holiday has started?
Anyway.
When I started to look into organising a le mans trip I was getting advice (all be it good) from lots of people and places, wheres best to camp, wheres best to buy your tickets, best day to travel on etc etc etc....
I knew that after le mans that I was going to make a list of 'lessons learnt from a newbie' and what to do different for next year.
But, with just under 3 weeks to go I have already learnt some lessons... and here they are.
1. Next year I be absolutley SURE the people Im booking tickets for WILL come.
2. Next year I will be booking my tickets through White Rabbit Racing. this year I went through Team Langoustine but apart from paying (too much) for my tickets I havn't spoke to anyone from TL about the trip. Whereas the chaps from WRR have been very friendly and have given lots of usefull advice, and they have a forum...
3. Ill proberly be a little less OTT with stickers (maybe). Although they look very good and I cant complain, I think next year ill be 'sticking' with something simpler and save the money for beerage!
4. Next year i wont leave it til april to start organising the trip, if I hadn't this year I would be in the WRR enclosure and not worrying about camping space.
5. Next year I will be making a full week of it, I've spoke to more people who go for the full week than just a few days, and the experiences of it sound like my kind of thing.
6. Next year I wont be paying £130 to go with P&O!
Im sure that this list will grow as the weeks turn to days, and especially after the event.
Are there any other newbie's out there that have learnt a thing or two even before the holiday has started?
The first trip was with my dad and we learnt to go down earlier,
not buy the Pit-Walk (although that was someone elses fault - £300 for a pit walk on the saturday when you can do it for free on the Firday
.),
and not to leave Sunday afternoon.
When I arranged it the next year for my mates I learnt we needed more cars, more people, more beer, more stickers, a gazebo, get to the Houx Annexe roundabout friday night, get to the drivers parade before it finishes (both houx annexe and drivers parade maybe hard to do though, do many people get to both?), don't leave on sunday (again).
And this year i've learnt to book camping tickets earlier, as i'm in Expo and wish I was somewhere better, and regretting not booking BSJ instead as it's big with a good atmosphere and soft grass. ah well, you live and learn.
not buy the Pit-Walk (although that was someone elses fault - £300 for a pit walk on the saturday when you can do it for free on the Firday
.),and not to leave Sunday afternoon.
When I arranged it the next year for my mates I learnt we needed more cars, more people, more beer, more stickers, a gazebo, get to the Houx Annexe roundabout friday night, get to the drivers parade before it finishes (both houx annexe and drivers parade maybe hard to do though, do many people get to both?), don't leave on sunday (again).
And this year i've learnt to book camping tickets earlier, as i'm in Expo and wish I was somewhere better, and regretting not booking BSJ instead as it's big with a good atmosphere and soft grass. ah well, you live and learn.
Rochester BMW said:
2. I went through Team Langoustine but apart from paying (too much) for my tickets I havn't spoke to anyone from TL about the trip. Whereas the chaps from WRR have been very friendly and have given lots of usefull advice, and they have a forum...
Interesting, as far as we (the group of us going) are concerned TL have been great the last two years. Good value (obviously it's cheaper if you can be bothered/have time to organise plots and tickets yourself) and the Guys have been really accomodating when we've needed to get more tickets and grandstand seats. Nowadays with e-mail the fact i haven't talked with them much makes no difference at all to me personally.Advice wise, I've posted questions here. And there is also the brilliant guide that comes out from the CA guys.
Edited to say:
Forgot to say, from 1st visit to the second visit I learnt:
- The BiB really do stop people 'en masse' for exceeding the speed limit,
- A Gazebo is a must,
- Camping Blue is only a last resort,
- Work out which "colour" your camp site is and follow the signs to that area on your entrance to Le Mans.
- The more people in your "gang", the merrier
And after last year:
- There is almost no inventory problem that can't be solved by a trip to Carrefour
Edited by ade_g on Thursday 24th May 10:44
Edited by ade_g on Thursday 24th May 10:49
Rochester BMW said:
oh yeah, and I've heard that they dont accept UK bank cards....?
Lots of cash needed then.
Yes and no.Lots of cash needed then.
French petrol stations tend to be open 24hrs, but only have someone in the kiosk 9-5.
In the kiosk you can pay cash or card no problem. If the kiosk is closed you have to pay at the pump with a card...but the machines only take French cards (they use a different chip and pin technology to us that they have been using for donkey's years).
Your random Frenchman stopping for petrol will often be happy to fill your car on their card in exchange for cash, just means waiting for one to turn up!
[quote=ade_g]Edited to say:
Forgot to say, from 1st visit to the second visit I learnt:
- The BiB really do stop people 'en masse' for exceeding the speed limit,
- A Gazebo is a must,
- Camping Blue is only a last resort,
- Work out which "colour" your camp site is and follow the signs to that area on your entrance to Le Mans.
- The more people in your "gang", the merrier
And after last year:
- There is almost no inventory problem that can't be solved by a trip to Carrefour
[quote]
Definatly taking a gazebo.. I get sun burnt in front of the microwave so ill be investing in every type of sun blocking device.
Forgot to say, from 1st visit to the second visit I learnt:
- The BiB really do stop people 'en masse' for exceeding the speed limit,
- A Gazebo is a must,
- Camping Blue is only a last resort,
- Work out which "colour" your camp site is and follow the signs to that area on your entrance to Le Mans.
- The more people in your "gang", the merrier
And after last year:
- There is almost no inventory problem that can't be solved by a trip to Carrefour
[quote]
Definatly taking a gazebo.. I get sun burnt in front of the microwave so ill be investing in every type of sun blocking device.
The CA guys are here
http://www.clubarnage.com/forum/index.php
Joining their forum is an absolute must for all newbies to LM and most people who've been before too, imho. The full guide will be available for download from June 6th. Have a look at it - it's an amazing piece of work.
http://www.clubarnage.com/forum/index.php
Joining their forum is an absolute must for all newbies to LM and most people who've been before too, imho. The full guide will be available for download from June 6th. Have a look at it - it's an amazing piece of work.
cooperlola said:
The CA guys are here
http://www.clubarnage.com/forum/index.php
Joining their forum is an absolute must for all newbies to LM and most people who've been before too, imho. The full guide will be available for download from June 6th. Have a look at it - it's an amazing piece of work.
Ive got alot to learn, Ive never heard of these guys. http://www.clubarnage.com/forum/index.php
Joining their forum is an absolute must for all newbies to LM and most people who've been before too, imho. The full guide will be available for download from June 6th. Have a look at it - it's an amazing piece of work.
Thanks
Im keeping my eye out for Autosports guide to le mans, apparently that is quite good aswell.
I think the Autosport guide is now a shadow of its former self, sadly. To give you an idea, here is the link to last year's version of CA's efforts.
http://www.clubarnage.com/caguide/caguide2007/cagu...
http://www.clubarnage.com/caguide/caguide2007/cagu...
cooperlola said:
I think the Autosport guide is now a shadow of its former self, sadly. To give you an idea, here is the link to last year's version of CA's efforts.
http://www.clubarnage.com/caguide/caguide2007/cagu...
72 pages! Im going to be glued to this from now on... I cant imagine it'll be too different from this years. (apart from car details and start times etc.)http://www.clubarnage.com/caguide/caguide2007/cagu...
I now hold you fully accountable for the reason I wont get any work done from now on today.
Here's my top tips for newbies based on my first time in 1996 (oh, such great memories!):
1. Take a pocket radio and 'phones so as to tune in to Radio Le Mans. It's the only way to keep up with race progress and what else is going on.
2. Take sun tan lotion
3. The food at the circuit is c**p. However, it is much improved now.
4. The toilets and showers are over-used with the obvious results. I now take the MRI package and their loos are very acceptable (This is an age thing, I'm sure!)
5. If you're not based at the circuit, stay put for at least two hours after the race to avoid local traffic congestion.
6. Don't travel back on Sunday after the race, Monday is leisurely and there's plenty of exotica doing the same thing.
7. Get a good local Le Mans street map and learn the best quick access routes to/from the circuit.
8. The nearst 24 hour manned petrol station is beside Le Mans aerodrome: essential to know if travelling overnight with a car gasping for fuel. They also sell good crepes.
9. Get the tee shirt early otherwise they won't have your size!
10. Sleeping in Parking Blanc on Saturday night is better than driving away from the circuit to your base and coming back Sunday morning; the traffic late a night is amazing!
11. Go to Pl. de la Republique in central Le Mans Friday evening for a good few beers, and watch the Brits misbehave maybe !
R
1. Take a pocket radio and 'phones so as to tune in to Radio Le Mans. It's the only way to keep up with race progress and what else is going on.
2. Take sun tan lotion
3. The food at the circuit is c**p. However, it is much improved now.
4. The toilets and showers are over-used with the obvious results. I now take the MRI package and their loos are very acceptable (This is an age thing, I'm sure!)
5. If you're not based at the circuit, stay put for at least two hours after the race to avoid local traffic congestion.
6. Don't travel back on Sunday after the race, Monday is leisurely and there's plenty of exotica doing the same thing.
7. Get a good local Le Mans street map and learn the best quick access routes to/from the circuit.
8. The nearst 24 hour manned petrol station is beside Le Mans aerodrome: essential to know if travelling overnight with a car gasping for fuel. They also sell good crepes.
9. Get the tee shirt early otherwise they won't have your size!
10. Sleeping in Parking Blanc on Saturday night is better than driving away from the circuit to your base and coming back Sunday morning; the traffic late a night is amazing!
11. Go to Pl. de la Republique in central Le Mans Friday evening for a good few beers, and watch the Brits misbehave maybe !
R
Rochester BMW said:
cooperlola said:
I think the Autosport guide is now a shadow of its former self, sadly. To give you an idea, here is the link to last year's version of CA's efforts.
http://www.clubarnage.com/caguide/caguide2007/cagu...
72 pages! Im going to be glued to this from now on... I cant imagine it'll be too different from this years. (apart from car details and start times etc.)http://www.clubarnage.com/caguide/caguide2007/cagu...
I now hold you fully accountable for the reason I wont get any work done from now on today.
Mr Leaper, I'd query your crap food statement - the food these days is pretty good. Not that you'd want to eat it for a week but a whole lot better than the food at British circuits.
I'd also add - "Drink water" to your list of do's and don'ts. Living on beer always sounds like a great idea until the day you wake up having passed out in the sun - dehydrated, sunburnt and with heatstroke! Kinda takes the edge of the rest of the trip!
The 2007 CA Guide will be available for download on 6th June. It will be bigger and better than last year. As last year it will be free, however CA has adopted 3 charities and those of us involved in the guide would be grateful if in exchange for the guide everyone donated a few quid. It's written by fans for fans and we can help out a few charities along the way then that would be fab
I'd also add - "Drink water" to your list of do's and don'ts. Living on beer always sounds like a great idea until the day you wake up having passed out in the sun - dehydrated, sunburnt and with heatstroke! Kinda takes the edge of the rest of the trip!
The 2007 CA Guide will be available for download on 6th June. It will be bigger and better than last year. As last year it will be free, however CA has adopted 3 charities and those of us involved in the guide would be grateful if in exchange for the guide everyone donated a few quid. It's written by fans for fans and we can help out a few charities along the way then that would be fab
Yes, Piglet, I agree that the food has improved substantially over the past 10 years or so. In fact, my son and I had a really decent sit down lunch on the Saturday in The Village last time. I agree your comments about "drink more water, drink less beer" but am I now too old to take the advice? The CA guide is unmissable and streets better than anything available from a UK carzine. R
cooperlola said:
If you've been living on just the baguettes and murguez for a few days, splash out on a meal in "Le Balcon" or the Welcome restaurant above the start/finish straight (if it's ready on time.) The food is expensive but superb, and probably balances the diet a bit!
that reminds me of a questions...during the race itself, say between 12.00am to 6.00am do restaurants, burger vans etc etc close? or is the whole place 100% open and alive?
in other words, 'if' you wanted could you go for something at about 3 in the morning while watching the race?
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