Any feedback on new Maison Blanche layout...?
Discussion
Hi all,
I missed Le Mans this year but intend to go again next year.
I understand that the Maison Blanche campsite has been split into sections rather than it being the usual free for all. Cos it's my preferred site while it was fresh in peoples minds I was wondering what anyone thought of it this year - did it work ok.........?
Cheers,
Longers
I missed Le Mans this year but intend to go again next year.
I understand that the Maison Blanche campsite has been split into sections rather than it being the usual free for all. Cos it's my preferred site while it was fresh in peoples minds I was wondering what anyone thought of it this year - did it work ok.........?
Cheers,
Longers
We got there c.5.30 pm on Thursday and zone B was already full. The zones were being fairly determinedly policed by ACO Camping official and private security (who were actually the more sensible). Every ticket allowed a small square, maybe 5 or 6 metres square
Zone B was a disaster because it is the zone closest to the track side and is where the bigger groups tend to send advanced parties to set up huge areas. How they managed this with the level of policing is unclear..maybe they simply had blocked booked 20 or so camping tickets. In any case, it was clear that there was not enough space to accommodate all issued Zone B tickets.
The 'Zone Police' (thankfully youngsters on bicycles) were determined to find space for us and came up with three tiny spaces in different places for our group with four camping passes. So we just ignored them and eventually found a space big enough for a tent and gazebo with parking nearby in a third space. The help of people already there was essential since some had to shift over a bit.
There were areas of MB not marked out and we were told that we couldn't camp there. For example, the area under the trees nearest the toilets was supposedly a no-go area due to camping regs not allowing people to camp under trees (due to lightening risk apparently???). By Friday night these areas where full up..the Zone Police must have given up at some point on Friday.
There seemed to be plenty of free space in other zones but we were not allowed to go there and apparently people had been asked to move if they were in the wrong zone.
Since we have no control over which zone we are given then we can't avoid such problems next year. My advise is to get there early....anything later than Thurs tea-time is risky.
Zone B was a disaster because it is the zone closest to the track side and is where the bigger groups tend to send advanced parties to set up huge areas. How they managed this with the level of policing is unclear..maybe they simply had blocked booked 20 or so camping tickets. In any case, it was clear that there was not enough space to accommodate all issued Zone B tickets.
The 'Zone Police' (thankfully youngsters on bicycles) were determined to find space for us and came up with three tiny spaces in different places for our group with four camping passes. So we just ignored them and eventually found a space big enough for a tent and gazebo with parking nearby in a third space. The help of people already there was essential since some had to shift over a bit.
There were areas of MB not marked out and we were told that we couldn't camp there. For example, the area under the trees nearest the toilets was supposedly a no-go area due to camping regs not allowing people to camp under trees (due to lightening risk apparently???). By Friday night these areas where full up..the Zone Police must have given up at some point on Friday.
There seemed to be plenty of free space in other zones but we were not allowed to go there and apparently people had been asked to move if they were in the wrong zone.
Since we have no control over which zone we are given then we can't avoid such problems next year. My advise is to get there early....anything later than Thurs tea-time is risky.
We got there about about Thursday evening only to be told there was no space for us. We found one where someone had selfishly taken up two capming pitches, one for his tent and another for his badly parked Audi. When he moved his Audi, we established our pitch on it. He spat his dummy out but what do these people expect?
I think if they're going to do it, they should ensure that eveyone sticks to it. Turning up early do not give anyone the right to steal more pitches than they are alotted.
I think if they're going to do it, they should ensure that eveyone sticks to it. Turning up early do not give anyone the right to steal more pitches than they are alotted.
We were in Zone D, much further down than our usual spot, just after where the tarmac roads stop and the grass/mud tracks begin. Where the bin wagon got stuck for those that came and laughed.
We arrived wednesday afternoon/evening and were directed to our zone by a combination of security guards and ACO folk on bikes. There was loads of space left at this time. Although it was full by the end of Friday it was nothing like as cramped as in the past, no problems with getting vehicles in and out (except for the mud). In the past I've seen people's camps completely boxed in by others, but not this year. Also, we didn't have any concerns over people camping where we'd parked whilst we were out.
Can't speak for the other zones but in my opinion it appears that the new system hasn't alleviated the need to arrive early at all, but does make it more comfortable once you've got your spot.
Next year may be better as the ACO have had this year to practise and discover the problems
We arrived wednesday afternoon/evening and were directed to our zone by a combination of security guards and ACO folk on bikes. There was loads of space left at this time. Although it was full by the end of Friday it was nothing like as cramped as in the past, no problems with getting vehicles in and out (except for the mud). In the past I've seen people's camps completely boxed in by others, but not this year. Also, we didn't have any concerns over people camping where we'd parked whilst we were out.
Can't speak for the other zones but in my opinion it appears that the new system hasn't alleviated the need to arrive early at all, but does make it more comfortable once you've got your spot.
Next year may be better as the ACO have had this year to practise and discover the problems
We arrived at 6pm on the Wednesday and had the pick of most of Zone C. I thought the new arrangments worked quite well even though we struggled with the 2 cars, 4 tents and 4 gazebos (A win with all the rain) to fit in to 2 pitches. Certainly no issues with scanning in / out - was pretty quick, even though the entrance to MB was very tight with pedestrians and those 2 great big articulated lorries.
I think next year the ACO plans to number all of the pitches in MB so you could turn up next year on Saturday if you wanted and theoritically your pitch will be waiting for you.
Next year we will be back up to the full contingent with up to 6 camping permits in the group which should be plenty of "living space" - we just need to ensure we get sequential camping permits or it could prove very difficult!
I think next year the ACO plans to number all of the pitches in MB so you could turn up next year on Saturday if you wanted and theoritically your pitch will be waiting for you.
Next year we will be back up to the full contingent with up to 6 camping permits in the group which should be plenty of "living space" - we just need to ensure we get sequential camping permits or it could prove very difficult!
We were the 'under the tree' pioneers.
We arrived mid afternoon on Friday, would have been soon if it were not for the Gendamarie
There was no room whatsoever, and no one enforcing spaces, so I took it upon myself to move the barriers and let our convoy under the trees, and what a lovely spot it was too !
Plenty of room for tents and parking, an ACO guy saw us and gave a gallic shrug, we were in and set up before he could do anything.
We arrived mid afternoon on Friday, would have been soon if it were not for the Gendamarie
There was no room whatsoever, and no one enforcing spaces, so I took it upon myself to move the barriers and let our convoy under the trees, and what a lovely spot it was too !
Plenty of room for tents and parking, an ACO guy saw us and gave a gallic shrug, we were in and set up before he could do anything.
Andy vtec, I had a word with the ladies in the booking office. If you want spaces together, you should put all your bookings on the same form, or clip the forms together and send them in together - otherwise you'll just get the spaces you're allocated as and when the bookings come in. That having been said, I doubt whether there are any MB spaces left now - whatever, get your backside in gear!
cooperlola said:
Andy vtec, I had a word with the ladies in the booking office. If you want spaces together, you should put all your bookings on the same form, or clip the forms together and send them in together - otherwise you'll just get the spaces you're allocated as and when the bookings come in. That having been said, I doubt whether there are any MB spaces left now - whatever, get your backside in gear!
LOL - Will do! - we have been in MB for the last 6 years and want to extend that run, so rather than go through the ACO ticket lottery we pay a little extra and go through MRI. Costs more, but no hassle. I'm sure we can sort something out with MRI when we book (normally Oct/Nov) to get our group pitches together. Cheers,
Andy.
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