24hr Le Mans 2025 - road trip NON kit car :-(

[Kenner]

Hello All, I am off to 24hr LE Mans 2025 race event for the 1st time . I am off with my dad for his 60th birthday. Just wondered if anyone else had been to previous events. If got any tips or info etc, also what weather was like. We are in Porsche cayenne so have plenty of space with only x2 us going. 

 

We camping over at Beausejour next to Virage Porsche for the whole event. Not sure what it is like, dad booked it all so not sure what we get etc. He lives on Isle of man and bring car over this weekend so hopefully I get more details lol.  

 

We set off on Tuesday 10th June to set off from near Leeds, doing little road trip down. Pencilled in a visit café n machine, Clarkson farm and maybe his pub. Then getting over night ferry from Portsmouth to Le mans as campsite opens up Wednesday morning. The we leave Le mans on Monday 23rd June and return via Calais on ferry. Sort doing mini tour of North of France.    

 

Cheers Andy 

[Ian Kinder (Bagpuss) - Joint Peak District AO]

Yep. Been twice in a Westie in 2017 & 2018. I'll drop you a PM. Let's have a chat.

 

Some info here- 

 

 

 

[Stuart]

Perhaps contact Martin Letts, Hampshire and IOW AO too. He's been loads of times 

[Blatman]

Been plenty of times, stayed in Beaujesoir two or three times. It's huge...

Disclaimer. Haven't been for quite a while so some of this may have changed.

 

For the drive down and back, try and avoid the peage if you're not in a hurry. The N138 (as was) which I think is now the E402 is a terrrific drive down with plenty of towns and villages to drive through (respectfully) and to stop for coffe, snacks and a slash...

There used to be a free shuttle bus to the main entrance from the gate at Beaujesoir but never used it.

On arrival the fiirst thing to do is tune in to Radio Le Mans. It's all British and an absolute MUST for entertainment, interviews, information and all sorts, and the race commentary is second to none. Paul Trusswell is amazing and an absolute legend. You'll see why. But all the Radio Le Mans team are fantastic. I have them on here in the UK for the whole week thanks to the Internet, but they broadcast locally in Le Mans on FM to, so take a "normal" radio if you have one. They used to sell small "walkman style" radios in the village. Mine still works and it's about 22 years old...

Then, with the tent pitched, head in to Le Mans supermarché to stock up on water, disposable BBQ's, beer and meat!

Expect long queues for the showers in the morning. We used to forego that and shower at night, OR use wet wipes for a "squaddie bath".

Plenty to see in "the villlage" in the centre of the circuit, and plenty to eat and drink but do also go to Arnage town (or further afield if you fancy a run out) as there are good restraunts, bars, boulangerie and butchers for a morning meat filled baguette and an espresso.

Wednesday night and Thursday night is quali so you can rehearse your race day viewing spots. There's not much on during the day so maybe a walk/drive to the Le Mans Museum if it's open.

Can't remember if it's Thursday or Friday but there is (or was) "The British Welcome" in Le Mans town and the drivers parade, but the parade is heaving and I never made it there.

Friday is "Mad friday". Do the pit lane walkabout (very crowded) and then drive about enjoying the atmosphere. You WILL get stopped and asked to do wheelspins/burnouts. A refusal is often met with a supersoaker... Be careful. If the gendarmes see you wheelspinning etc they can be quick to issue tickets.

The public road section of the track is open, but it's two way traffic and there WILL be radar traps on the Mulsanne at various points. That was taken at Indianapolis about 10 seconds after I dumped the clutch. And that's Friday day time...

 

Friday night is fireworks, bbq's and drinking. Plenty of times that has been with whoever was camped nearby and there have been some great nights with French, German, Dutch, Danes and all sorts around the camp fire sharing beers and telling tall tales. From Friday night, sleep can be at a premium. Ear plugs can be a god send.

 

Get a spot for the race start (if you haven't got grandstand tickets) early, a MINIMUM of 2 hours in advance of the start. During the race once the first hour or so is over with you'll be able to drive around reasonably freely to most areas of the track to spectate. Late evening/night viewing for me was at Dunlop and the approach to Terte Rouge. Glowing exhausts visible though thin carbon bodywork and of course brake discs glowing are great to see and can make for brilliant pictures. Terte Rouge can be a bit of a walk, and it's crowded for long periods. But 11pm to 1am was when we found ourselves there and it wasn't too bad. For the rest, well you have 24 hours so you can easily get round just about everywhere and have time to go back if you find a spot you really like. Do go to Arnage/Indianapolis, Porsche Curves, Terte Rouge/Dunlop Chicane, the main straight and Mulsanne Corner. Also if there are seats in grandstands, after the first hour or so it used to be ok to use them. Reserved seats are always taken up at the start and end of the race but for the most part they are not used, so if you can, help yourselvees.

 

If the weather is even half decent you WILL need hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, a brolly for both wet and dry, and ear plugs, not for the race (well, maybe) but for sleep. And if it's hot, then it's HOT so keep up the fluids and keep the brolly up even if you have hats on.

 

If you're staying over until Monday, the two times I did that the camp sites had groups of pikeys wandering around trying to steal anything unattended. If that still happens keep a close look out. Both times for me they would send their kids in to lift stuff that was unattended.

 

Then you'll have the bug and you'll want to go every year. I still want to go every year but haven't made it for a while. But every year I hope...

 

 

 

[Kenner]

Thanks everyone that great info, getting excited now. All passes and info has arrived yesterday, so got go though all of that.

My dad dropped car off last weekend so got it ready now and slowly pack up everything. He had bring car over due to Isle of man TT being on and couldn't guarantee him a spot of ferry during race week.  👍