Le Mans Virgin
Discussion
Hi
I'm seriously considering popping along to Le Mans this June to see what all the song and dance is about.
It would be of great help if some old hands could give me a budget cost for a 3 night camping stay with [ I presume entrance tickets ] Some top tips would also be gratefully received.
Many thanks in anticipation.
V
I'm seriously considering popping along to Le Mans this June to see what all the song and dance is about.
It would be of great help if some old hands could give me a budget cost for a 3 night camping stay with [ I presume entrance tickets ] Some top tips would also be gratefully received.
Many thanks in anticipation.
V
Vee8 said:
Hi
I'm seriously considering popping along to Le Mans this June to see what all the song and dance is about.
It would be of great help if some old hands could give me a budget cost for a 3 night camping stay with [ I presume entrance tickets ] Some top tips would also be gratefully received.
Many thanks in anticipation.
V
If it's your first visit, you're probably best off going with a one-stop-shop company that can organise the whole package for you. They'll sort out your camping, ferry/tunnel tickets and admission tickets. You really only need general admission tickets which were €57 this year, and that gives you access to the whole site, except the tribunes.I'm seriously considering popping along to Le Mans this June to see what all the song and dance is about.
It would be of great help if some old hands could give me a budget cost for a 3 night camping stay with [ I presume entrance tickets ] Some top tips would also be gratefully received.
Many thanks in anticipation.
V
Depending on how many of you are going, you can expect to pay somewhere around £250 - £300 for an all-inclusive package. Then you need to add you food, petrol and most importantly beer money to this. Finally, get yourself over to www.beermountain.com, where you'll find some really good tips on what to take with you, and what to expect when you get there.
Based on 4 people, in 2 cars using 2 pitches at Beausejour + 4 general admission tickets + ferry + fuel = just over £150 each.
Factor in your food and drink consumption and that's about all you need to have a jolly good time at La Sarthé on a budget. If you were being really tight you could get 4 mates in one car and bring the overall spend down even further.
Factor in your food and drink consumption and that's about all you need to have a jolly good time at La Sarthé on a budget. If you were being really tight you could get 4 mates in one car and bring the overall spend down even further.
The advice above is all good.
A "one stop shop" certainly has plenty of up sides, for the first timer. It depends on your budget.
Organising it off your own back will work our cheaper.
Another very good source is Club Arnage. See the guide at http://www.clubarnage.com/yabbse/index.php?board=2...
This is updated each year.
Costing wise, you should be able to get your car across the water for £100 upwards, depending on preferred route and timings.
Camping tickets are anything from £70 upwards, depending on your site and source.
General admission will be about £60 per person (I think).
Then it's your fuel, toll and spending money. Also factor in camping gear purchases that you will require. You can get any camping gear that you might need at the supermarkets in town - quite reasonable prices too.
Do have a read of Beermountain and Club Arnage too. Any questions, try the Club Arnage forum.
A "one stop shop" certainly has plenty of up sides, for the first timer. It depends on your budget.
Organising it off your own back will work our cheaper.
Another very good source is Club Arnage. See the guide at http://www.clubarnage.com/yabbse/index.php?board=2...
This is updated each year.
Costing wise, you should be able to get your car across the water for £100 upwards, depending on preferred route and timings.
Camping tickets are anything from £70 upwards, depending on your site and source.
General admission will be about £60 per person (I think).
Then it's your fuel, toll and spending money. Also factor in camping gear purchases that you will require. You can get any camping gear that you might need at the supermarkets in town - quite reasonable prices too.
Do have a read of Beermountain and Club Arnage too. Any questions, try the Club Arnage forum.
If you are interested in getting seats in a tribune (French for grandstand) these MUST be prearranged as they are not available on the day. Also, most will already be sold or allocated to ticketing agencies. So, if you are thinking of a seat in a grandstand you really should fix something now rather than later. The ACO website has a fully detailed map of the circuit and all the grandstands, almost all of which are in the pits straight area. Seats are a fairly major expense, but essential for an an old bloke like me!
Prearranging is also necessary for camping.
General entrance tickets which give access to the public areas of the circuit are available at the gate during the event.
I agree with previous comments that for a first timer maybe a package is the best way to go. It's what I did in 1996. Having been and got the annual June bug, you'll then have a good idea of what you might want to fix up yourself.
R.
Prearranging is also necessary for camping.
General entrance tickets which give access to the public areas of the circuit are available at the gate during the event.
I agree with previous comments that for a first timer maybe a package is the best way to go. It's what I did in 1996. Having been and got the annual June bug, you'll then have a good idea of what you might want to fix up yourself.
R.
I think we are al getting to organised these days,
If you want to do it cheap then book the cheapest ferry £38 return i think, with 4 in a car and beasjour camping £40 you should have plenty to spend on drink and BBQ food.
Take it from me you will love it and be back again in future years. Most people's first memories of Le mans are from last minute trips organised on the cheap with little knowledge and the fact that they are still going speaks for itself. They only thing you need is a few good mates and I guarantee you will enjoy it.
If you want to do it cheap then book the cheapest ferry £38 return i think, with 4 in a car and beasjour camping £40 you should have plenty to spend on drink and BBQ food.
Take it from me you will love it and be back again in future years. Most people's first memories of Le mans are from last minute trips organised on the cheap with little knowledge and the fact that they are still going speaks for itself. They only thing you need is a few good mates and I guarantee you will enjoy it.
Club Arnage seems OK today, no probs
to be honest the very best way to go involves basically researching as you are
then order tickets from anyone but the ACO (anyone will tell you why not!) and go on your own bat, no organised group stuff.
read the "my Le Mans stories" thread, most of us did it alone then evolved, with deep real reasons why you will never miss LM in June for the rest of your life
come and find me there I'll stand you a cold one!
I will be surrounded by hundreds of mates
So will you!
to be honest the very best way to go involves basically researching as you are
then order tickets from anyone but the ACO (anyone will tell you why not!) and go on your own bat, no organised group stuff.
read the "my Le Mans stories" thread, most of us did it alone then evolved, with deep real reasons why you will never miss LM in June for the rest of your life
come and find me there I'll stand you a cold one!
I will be surrounded by hundreds of mates
So will you!
I don't understand perdu's comment about not using ACO for tickets. Instead, join the ACO then no problems at all. For example, I am an ACO member going to Le Classic next year, I've booked my tickets, tribune, and parking, and I have received confirmation from ACO that my booking is done. Tickets will come along some time later in 2010.
R.
R.
I see a problem here
Buying tickets is easy with the ACO, no fear
but getting places for camping, where you want them is not so easy
I was an ACO member for a long time but it didnt help me get camping places where I wanted them to be.
After my first time I joined ACO and tried to book specific camping places for some mates and myself who wanted to come and enjoy the experience.
First time out asked for and got Houx Annexe (and very good deals for general tickets)
Second time, told no Houx Annexe go to Beausejour and the price for BSJ was comparable with the HA the year before. No chance of HA unless some got returned before the race, but buy BSJ NOW...
I found a friend with some spare HA tickets and have not had ACO camping tickets my self for a while, for a couple of years I did stay in ACO and get the good bulk member deals on GA tickets, but getting the camping I wanted became impossible with them.
Hence I now advise doing it your own way and finding out what suits the individual
I'm in Bleu Nord this year, with dozens of mates
ACO however does give the Le Mans membership packs long after the race, I have several of these...never seem to fing tim to troll through them though. And LM hospitality for members at the race is fair-ish but you do need to book Tribune passes long before you go
This does emphasise just how individual everyone's LM experiences are, doesnt it, for a first timer not knowing where he wants to BE during the pre race events the ACO could be a good idea I suppose
Buying tickets is easy with the ACO, no fear
but getting places for camping, where you want them is not so easy
I was an ACO member for a long time but it didnt help me get camping places where I wanted them to be.
After my first time I joined ACO and tried to book specific camping places for some mates and myself who wanted to come and enjoy the experience.
First time out asked for and got Houx Annexe (and very good deals for general tickets)
Second time, told no Houx Annexe go to Beausejour and the price for BSJ was comparable with the HA the year before. No chance of HA unless some got returned before the race, but buy BSJ NOW...
I found a friend with some spare HA tickets and have not had ACO camping tickets my self for a while, for a couple of years I did stay in ACO and get the good bulk member deals on GA tickets, but getting the camping I wanted became impossible with them.
Hence I now advise doing it your own way and finding out what suits the individual
I'm in Bleu Nord this year, with dozens of mates
ACO however does give the Le Mans membership packs long after the race, I have several of these...never seem to fing tim to troll through them though. And LM hospitality for members at the race is fair-ish but you do need to book Tribune passes long before you go
This does emphasise just how individual everyone's LM experiences are, doesnt it, for a first timer not knowing where he wants to BE during the pre race events the ACO could be a good idea I suppose
http://www.teamlangoustine.com/ - take a look here if you want a hassle free visit.
The Leaper said:
I don't understand perdu's comment about not using ACO for tickets. Instead, join the ACO then no problems at all. For example, I am an ACO member going to Le Classic next year, I've booked my tickets, tribune, and parking, and I have received confirmation from ACO that my booking is done. Tickets will come along some time later in 2010.
I agree, this will be my 40th year and an ACO MemberYou need to book year on year though through the ACO to get what you want, no good booking now and expecting to take your pick.
The ACO have forms at the race to book for the next years event
Vee8,
Anything within 25 miles will probably be booked by now, or at least reserved by the block booking ticket agencies ready to make a fortune! You could try contacting Le Mans tourism and see what's available.
My son and I are going to Le Classic in July 2010, booked the hotel in July 2009 and we're still around 30 miles from Le Mans!
What we have typically done in previous years is book a hotel where we can and use it for, say, Friday and Sunday nights or more, and also a car space at the circuit for the whole time at the event, and then sleep in the car at the circuit overnight on the Saturday. Done this every year since '96 and it works well for us.
R.
Anything within 25 miles will probably be booked by now, or at least reserved by the block booking ticket agencies ready to make a fortune! You could try contacting Le Mans tourism and see what's available.
My son and I are going to Le Classic in July 2010, booked the hotel in July 2009 and we're still around 30 miles from Le Mans!
What we have typically done in previous years is book a hotel where we can and use it for, say, Friday and Sunday nights or more, and also a car space at the circuit for the whole time at the event, and then sleep in the car at the circuit overnight on the Saturday. Done this every year since '96 and it works well for us.
R.
Vee8,
You don't book a car space for the day but for the whole period. Look on the ACO website for a circuit map and it includes all car parks etc.
So, you may be in a hotel some way distant, drive in and out each day using your car park allocated spot (you get the same spot for the whole event), and as per my usual plan, sleep in the car park Saturday night. Getting a car park ticket in isloation is not usual because you would normally buy at least general entrance tickets and possibly grandstand seats too at the same time.
For a parking ticket only you can try going to ACO direct, or the various ticket agencies, maybe beermountain too. You could also try Motor Racing International, Page & Moy etc, both of whom will sell tickets only (they like to sell packages ideally) although at a good mark up.
Other PHers are likely to come on this thread with further advice.
R.
You don't book a car space for the day but for the whole period. Look on the ACO website for a circuit map and it includes all car parks etc.
So, you may be in a hotel some way distant, drive in and out each day using your car park allocated spot (you get the same spot for the whole event), and as per my usual plan, sleep in the car park Saturday night. Getting a car park ticket in isloation is not usual because you would normally buy at least general entrance tickets and possibly grandstand seats too at the same time.
For a parking ticket only you can try going to ACO direct, or the various ticket agencies, maybe beermountain too. You could also try Motor Racing International, Page & Moy etc, both of whom will sell tickets only (they like to sell packages ideally) although at a good mark up.
Other PHers are likely to come on this thread with further advice.
R.
The Leaper said:
perdu,
I have never needed to book camping via ACO as I prefer a hotel. I am sure you're right about the ACO being of little use for camping tickets.
NormanD is right...be a member of the ACO and book well ahead and usually you can get exacly what you want, camping apart maybe.
R.
for me (not everyone's cup of tea of course) the camping en masse with friends is part of the whole. And the ACO sadly didn't work any great miracles for camping, so I no longer keep my membership up. (I still have the member's badge on the grille of my Midget, cost me a fair number of Euros and I'm keeping it there)I have never needed to book camping via ACO as I prefer a hotel. I am sure you're right about the ACO being of little use for camping tickets.
NormanD is right...be a member of the ACO and book well ahead and usually you can get exacly what you want, camping apart maybe.
R.
The lower price for GA tickets was useful, but for me it isn't a major part of the 24 hrs "trip"
But we ALL have different ways of enjoying the same thing and I have had the "hotel on the way down and the way back, camp on a car-park during the race" version too.
Nowadays my friends and I leave the circuit after the race, drive north into Normandy and stay overnight at a hotel and dine in a very grand restaurant on Sunday night.
As I said we all have our own way of enjoying the weekend
What cannot be denied is that at least once, all devoted Petrolheads should get over there and enjoy "the difference"
Go once and most folks just have to go again
and again
and...
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