Doing it in a hurry ...
Discussion
Just booked tickets and entered our crossing in the wiki place to see that we're currently last out. After years of 6 day motorhome trips work circumstances mean that we're leaving late Friday and coming back straight after the race.
Will be a very different experience - anyone else doing the trip like this?
Will be a very different experience - anyone else doing the trip like this?
A mate and I tried to do it like that a few years ago. I left South wales on Friday afternoon (Abbott Racing Saab 900) and picked my m ate up in Gloucester on the way (!) to Dover. Left on the late night crossing. Got to France in the early hours and then made 'very good progress' to Le Mans through the night. We got to Le Mans at about 5- 6 am. We slept for an hour then watched the early practice, historic race etc and kept going until the early hours of Sunday. After about two hours sleep we got up watched the race until the end and set off. On the way back we got as far as Rouen when we had to throw in the towel - phone various people to cancel meetings on the Monday - and spend the night. It was memorable but we've never tried to do it like that again... Perhaps if you live nearer the ports or get a ferry that lands nearer Le Mans ... good luck
On the three occasions I've gone solo I've left home near the M25 in Surrey at around 9 pm Friday, got the Eurotunnel at about 10:30 pm, and got parked up at the circuit at around 4:00 am French time. Had a kip in the car for maybe 4 hours, spent the day/evening watching the racing etc, slept in the car from around 1:00am to 6:00am Sunday, left sharp at the end of the race, driven to Calais, got the Eurotunnel at about 10:00 pm and arrived home at 11:00 pm UK time. Had a really good kip and off to work the next day...phew, but well worth it, always felt OK but I do think a kip on arrival and overnight is essential for survival!
R.
R.
Last time I went was 2006, took the eurotunnel over at about 4am saturday morning, nice leisurely drive down to LM, stopped for supplies enroute. Watched the race then left straight after, think we got to Calais intime to get a 9pm train then was back home a few hours later 
not sure I'd do it again but now I know it's doable, who knows
not sure I'd do it again but now I know it's doable, who knows Edited by knight on Sunday 4th April 22:44
Truckosaurus raises a vital point: getting fuel overnight. As I recall, there are no manned petrol stations between Calais and Le Mans. Most petrol stops will be open but only credit cards as they are not staffed overnight. Hence I always take a jerry can when doing the trip overnight. For reference, there is a 24 hours petrol station on the main road alongside the airport at Le Mans.
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R.
Thanks all - looks like it's doable then as long as we kip occasionaly. Will take spare petrol as well but I think getting UK cards to work at French petrol stations is much better than it used to be.
Hopefully this is a one off and it will back to doing it properly next year. We were going to not bother but as it got closer we just had to get there somehow.
Hopefully this is a one off and it will back to doing it properly next year. We were going to not bother but as it got closer we just had to get there somehow.
Mark-C said:
Thanks all - looks like it's doable then as long as we kip occasionaly. Will take spare petrol as well but I think getting UK cards to work at French petrol stations is much better than it used to be.
Hopefully this is a one off and it will back to doing it properly next year. We were going to not bother but as it got closer we just had to get there somehow.
Well done Sir!Hopefully this is a one off and it will back to doing it properly next year. We were going to not bother but as it got closer we just had to get there somehow.
Better to make the effort and do the race than not at all and regret it......
I'm doing this this year on the bike. I have booked the grandstand (the ACO one) so that I can have a nice seat and have use of the facilities and enclosure. After the race is over I have to head back.
For the Friday crossing I depart from Portsmouth to Caen on the slow night ferry and Sunday come back on the fast ferry. I just hope th eFrench do not get a pain with their proposed filtering law.
What time and from where are you departing to?
For the Friday crossing I depart from Portsmouth to Caen on the slow night ferry and Sunday come back on the fast ferry. I just hope th eFrench do not get a pain with their proposed filtering law.
What time and from where are you departing to?
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