Couple of questions re Classic Le Mans

[porkanut]

Hi Folks

Seeking any feedback on what it's like as a spectacle (sp?) vs regular 24hr from those who have been to both.
I went to the Silverstone Classic last summer which I enjoyed, so bodes well.

Are the tribunes still ticket only?

Finally is it the same format i.e. shakedown on Thursday evening, pit walk on Friday etc?

Looking more appealing to our group than the "regular" 24hr as its less busy & attended by "enthusiasts" rather than increasing numbers of stag do's, max power merchants & pi$$heads at the regular 24hr race

Thanks
PN

[CB911]

As a spectacle it is fantastic. Some of the races are very competitive as old rivalries are reignited. Walking round the paddock is great as you can get right up to the cars. Nearly every legendary Le Mans cars is represented, some times by 3 or 4 examples! Qualifying starts at 3 on Friday and runs till 2am (there is a break for a couple of hours, enough time for a BBQ ). Racing runs from 4pm till 4pm Sat/Sun. Generally very relaxed and a whole lot of fun. We are booked up already, getting the Thu night Brittany Ferries crossing to arrive on Maison Blanche about 10.30 on Friday.

[f@tboy]

I booked up yesterday. The tribunes did appear to be ticket only, and one of them was full - at least it wasn't possible to buy a ticket for it (not the ACO-only one either!)
I'm camping at Karting, and I got tribune seats and a paddock pass.

I've not been to the Classic before, only to the 24-hour race a couple of times a long time ago.

[E36GUY]

The classic is wonderful. End of story.

[CB911]

ACO tribune (and Lagache and Leonard??) are ticket only. For the others you need a roaming grandstand seat. Much better value as you can sample them all. The view from the ACO grandstand is a bit boring to be honest but you do get the use of the ACO bar with their discounted baguettes, wohoo!

[M3CHA-MONK3Y]

I've done 'Proper' Le Mans bout 10 times and classic twice. To be completely honest i prefered classic, this is really because it's a lot less crazy in terms of crowd size and prices. Classic hasn't quite exploded into the massive thing that 'proper' Le Man is yet so its alot more chilled. There is certainly still plenty of opportunity for some mischief tho .

[f@tboy]

CB911 said:

...For the others you need a roaming grandstand seat. Much better value as you can sample them all. ...

Sounds good - but I didn't see that option on the website. Here's where I booked

Where do i get the roaming ticket?

[CB911]

For the roaming seats you need to contact the ACO directly (or use a ticket agent). They are only selling the numbered seats online. If you click the 'by mail' option here http://www.lemans.org/sport/sport/calendrier/index... then you will be presented with a form that mentions 'grandstand pass' as opposed to the reserved grandstands.

[porkanut]

thanks all for the info, really helpful & roll on July !
PN

[burriana]

porkanut said:

Are the tribunes still ticket only?

May be a daft question but as this will be my first time at the Classic, what is "Tribune"?

[Piglet]

burriana said:

porkanut said:

Are the tribunes still ticket only?

May be a daft question but as this will be my first time at the Classic, what is "Tribune"?

A grandstand

[burriana]

Thought so, but is it a special one or in a cracking position?

[porkanut]

Burriana

Think its just the french term for seated stand so all stands are called tribunes, led to beleive the pricing is same for any stand at the Classic, e.g main stright or porsche curves etc all 8 euro ?
Should be on the ACO website.

O/T As qualifying is on the Friday will there still be a PH meet at Indy / Arnage on Friday morning?

PN

[E36GUY]

There isn't an Arnage/Indy meet at the Classic as far as I know but that doesn't mean we can't organise one.

[porkanut]

E36

I've posted on Classic PH group thread, would be good to have a meet of some sort.

PN

[Vette_1978]

porkanut said:

O/T As qualifying is on the Friday will there still be a PH meet at Indy / Arnage on Friday morning?

What time will the roads close though? Practice is from 3pm so guess it might be possible.

[Mark B]

Vette_1978 said:

porkanut said:

O/T As qualifying is on the Friday will there still be a PH meet at Indy / Arnage on Friday morning?

What time will the roads close though? Practice is from 3pm so guess it might be possible.

I am not 100% sure, but the road is likely to be closed all day Friday. They are running club related track laps on Friday and Saturday this year, which is likely to start before practice starts...

[Vette_1978]

Mark B said:

Vette_1978 said:

porkanut said:

O/T As qualifying is on the Friday will there still be a PH meet at Indy / Arnage on Friday morning?

What time will the roads close though? Practice is from 3pm so guess it might be possible.

I am not 100% sure, but the road is likely to be closed all day Friday. They are running club related track laps on Friday and Saturday this year, which is likely to start before practice starts...

The Classic website has "Ouverture du circuit au public " from 9am which I'm assuming means the roads are closed. Whats close by and convenient with parking for a meet up then? Porsche Curves?

[Mark B]

Karting is usually a big open area, pretty boring place to stand around looking at cars though...

[Bobo W]

The Karting car park is an excellent idea and the view from the top of workshops is a great spot for taking pictures.