Anyone taking a bus next year?

[84smm]

Was thinking of taking a double decker bus next year for le mans run and after reading up on the whole speeding scenario we are buying it tomorrow! ( But putting our Bikes inside!!! )

[G T 3]

Good luck on the ferry!!!

[Spydaman]

Took a bus the last couple of years

and even met another one

[barrettabolt]

Yes, in fact we have just acquired a half open top leyland olympian for this very purpose. We normally (without bus) stay in Chappelle which involves going under the bridge at the top of the mulsane, next to the Tertre Rouge bar, and through the tunnel inside the circuit. Does anyone have any idea how high the various bridges / tunnels are approaching and in the circuit?

[936ADL]

How do you get them over to France? Something i've always wondered.

We saw one on the way down a couple of years ago, and it looked like quite good fun.

[//j17]

Simple - you go in with the commercial vehicles, not the cars.

[84smm]

Barrettabolt - We were looking for a leyland but bought a Bristol VR in the end - Gonna cut the roof off/ Paint her/ Sticker her up!
What colour/ year etc?

[barrettabolt]

We're getting ours from these chaps: ensign They have a large variety to suit and aren't too expensive, no more than a couple of grand it would seem. Currently planning to kit out the inside as a country pub (although struggling as to where to put the fireplace)

Oh and ours is an old V Reg in the only real colour a double decker should be - red

Edited by barrettabolt on Monday 24th November 22:11

Edited by barrettabolt on Monday 24th November 22:51

[//j17]

Of course if you were REAL men you would get one of these:


...and three Minis.

[Marvindodgers]

//j17 said:

Of course if you were REAL men you would get one of these:


...and three Minis.

Hats off to anybody that can find a Harrington Legionnaire to take down to Le Mans!

[boycieboy]

barrettabolt said:

Yes, in fact we have just acquired a half open top leyland olympian for this very purpose. We normally (without bus) stay in Chappelle which involves going under the bridge at the top of the mulsane, next to the Tertre Rouge bar, and through the tunnel inside the circuit. Does anyone have any idea how high the various bridges / tunnels are approaching and in the circuit?

Not sure about in the circuit however, we saw the 'Team Dredd Gulf' boys with this;



And the 'Dredd' (Below) on the back;



Going under the bridge by the Tertre Rouge bar!
I know it's not a bus but, It looked bl**dy high so may not be far off! (It's not exactly a low loader!)

Edited by boycieboy on Tuesday 25th November 21:21

[lowdrag]

barrettabolt said:

Yes, in fact we have just acquired a half open top leyland olympian for this very purpose. We normally (without bus) stay in Chappelle which involves going under the bridge at the top of the mulsane, next to the Tertre Rouge bar, and through the tunnel inside the circuit. Does anyone have any idea how high the various bridges / tunnels are approaching and in the circuit?

I'll drop by and look at the height restrictions today for you. However, you can come in via the Porsche curves and up the Chemin aux Boeufs anyway. That bridge is designed for trucks.

[84smm]

Anyone know the best ferry company to cross with, when taking a big vehicle?

[E36GUY]

Any of the major ferry companies should be able to cross you but it will be much more expensive that a car. Norfolk Line are mainly a freight company and therefore most likely to be the cheapest. They gave me a good quote for a 7.5t truck last year I just can't remember what it was now.

[lowdrag]

Out of curiosity Guy, has anyone worked out the differential including the diesel cost between Portsmouth/Caen and for example Norfolk's Dunkerque route? There's a hell of of a lot of time and mileage involved if you are running a bus. Just a thought.

[Marvindodgers]

boycieboy said:

barrettabolt said:

Going under the bridge by the Tertre Rouge bar!
I know it's not a bus but, It looked bl**dy high so may not be far off! (It's not exactly a low loader!)

Edited by boycieboy on Tuesday 25th November 21:21

The lads in that Caterham are being a bit brave following the Dredd mobile in an open top car, with the water firepower onboard that thing!

[barrettabolt]

lowdrag said:

barrettabolt said:

Yes, in fact we have just acquired a half open top leyland olympian for this very purpose. We normally (without bus) stay in Chappelle which involves going under the bridge at the top of the mulsane, next to the Tertre Rouge bar, and through the tunnel inside the circuit. Does anyone have any idea how high the various bridges / tunnels are approaching and in the circuit?

I'll drop by and look at the height restrictions today for you. However, you can come in via the Porsche curves and up the Chemin aux Boeufs anyway. That bridge is designed for trucks.

Thanks lowdrag, would really appreciate that. I suppose the alternative would be to find a different campsite. Does anyone have any ideas as to which would be a good choice (and would accomodate said bus) whilst still being close to the relevant action (race village / circuit / bars)?

The bus appears to be a smidge over 4.41m. So if it's tight I'm sure I can find a lowering kit for a Leyland Olympian in Max Power HGV or something....

[barrettabolt]

84smm said:

Barrettabolt - We were looking for a leyland but bought a Bristol VR in the end - Gonna cut the roof off/ Paint her/ Sticker her up!
What colour/ year etc?

By the way, where did you end up getting insurance from or have you not got that far yet?

[84smm]

barrettabolt - insurance - HHHmmmm we have a big fleet policy for our company so am trying to negotiate with them on a price for the bus. If you find anything your end please let me know - think i'm looking at about £150 for the month - after buying it we soon realised its not going to be cheap to run this thing! When do you travel down?

[Graham]

a couple of years ago we hired a bus and driver from trathens ( the rock band tour bus people) and I arranged the parking in the coach area at expo. the parking / camping was dirt cheap and expo is handy for the main circuit entrance and walking into town.

I booked direct with the aco... ( always fun) bus tickets were much much easier to get than normal camping
G