Le Mans Virgin - Trip Question

[chimhunter]

Mate of mine and I are going for the first time. Unfortunately I'm lacking in holiday so we are heading down Friday night, planning on the Eurotunnel thing to Calais at around 5 and heading back Sunday night. How long will it take to get to Le Mans? I've checked the RAC Routefinder thing and it's around 300 miles. 5 hours? Or is that pushing it?

Also, if we leave after the race on Sunday how long would it take to get back to Calais, asuming I manage to dodge Les Flics?

ta,

Rob

[DJFish]

Can't remember how long it took us, but you'll need to watch your fuel guage, we had a real problem finding open petrol stations close to Le Mans on Friday evening.

[chimhunter]

Thanks for the tip. I'll do some research.

Rob

[racegirl]

chimhunter said:

Also, if we leave after the race on Sunday how long would it take to get back to Calais, asuming I manage to dodge Les Flics? ta, Rob

you'll be lucky to get out the circuit before 8pm!! It is one big car park, hense we always leave monday morning.

[shnozz]

racegirl said:

chimhunter said: Also, if we leave after the race on Sunday how long would it take to get back to Calais, asuming I manage to dodge Les Flics? ta, Rob you'll be lucky to get out the circuit before 8pm!! It is one big car park, hense we always leave monday morning.

or an hour before the race ends

to be honest we only managed to fit in about 2 hours of spectating around the drinking last year.

[racegirl]

shnozz said:

or an hour before the race ends to be honest we only managed to fit in about 2 hours of spectating around the drinking last year.

2 hours, you did well, i spent most of the weekend in a paddling pool with my mate Stella, roll on le mans!!

[Mark B]

Chimhunter,

If all you can manage is down Friday back Sunday, have you investigated flying in with one of the tour operators, you will get a lot more time to get about and swallow a few luke warm beers?!?!

Only a suggestion........

[vetteheadracer]

Eurotunnel to Le Mans is about 300 miles, the first 100 miles to Rouen you can do in about 1 hour, the next 150 or so is on the N138 which is a good A road but depending on traffic can take up to 3 hours, the last 50 miles is autoroute from Alencon and takes no more than half an hour.

Most important thing is radar detector are illegal in France and the French police are getting very hot on speeding so be very careful. I never speed in towns or villages, but even on the own sections you need to be careful now. If you are taking a passenger they will be invaluable regarding overtaking.

I left at 3 p.m. on the Sunday year before last and was back at the Eurotunnel at Calais at 7.30 p.m. The drive back on the Sunday is great as a lot of the locals come out to look at all of the cars going back to England. This is especially true on the N138.

[chimhunter]

Thanks Nigel, pretty useful stuff.

Next year I'll have to make sure I've got a little more holiday set aside...

Rob

[dj_rog]

racegirl said:

2 hours, you did well, i spent most of the weekend in a paddling pool with my mate Stella, roll on le mans!!

Think I met her there last year too!