rob iles Posted November 9, 2003 Posted November 9, 2003 After this years trek to Le Mans with the Warwickshire club (7 cars) and the 13 hour drive home,via eurostar. Were looking to cut the journey in half by using the ferry from P,mouth to Caen. As im waiting for MRI (motor racing international) to forward their new prices for next year, i was just curious to find out where you regulars are staying. And which companies your using for tickets,campsites,etc etc. cheers in advance rob. Quote
Mark Stanton Posted November 9, 2003 Posted November 9, 2003 If you use a company to organise things you will always have to pay that premium for a service they provide However if a small group of you get together you can do it yourself if you have the time and inclination Ferry companies accept direct bookings as do campsites and ACO for tickets Portsmouth - Caen is a good route pleasant drive and far less taxing than the Calais or Boulogne routes First time I went in 95 I used a company to sort it - thereafter I sorted it myself for 96 and 97. Last time there were 22 of us in 2004 it'll be Portsmouth - Caen and in a mobile tent rather than Westfield Quote
Buzz Billsberry Posted November 10, 2003 Posted November 10, 2003 Hi Chief so I guess you'll be doing Le-Mans then? Let me know where you'll be staying Buzz Quote
Mark Stanton Posted November 10, 2003 Posted November 10, 2003 In my mobile tent avec froid biere Quote
Camel_Landy Posted November 10, 2003 Posted November 10, 2003 Tickets - Contact ACO direct. Ferry - The Caen / Le Havre route makes for a shorter road trip but overall journey time may not be much shorter. Camping - I've always used one of the main sites or the carpark.... I've used MRI before and it is nice to have the option of the marquee with food, video screens, etc.... That said, when I went this year I just turned up at the front gates, bought my ticket and then dossed down in the car overnight (I was only there for race day). M Quote
Enterpryse Posted November 10, 2003 Posted November 10, 2003 The ferry this year was quite good, much better than before but be prepared to sleep pretty much anywhere in your maggot bag. I'm booking around Dec for 2004 Stuart Quote
DMS Posted November 11, 2003 Posted November 11, 2003 A bit of a roundabout suggestion, but you could make a longer break of it and stop off in Jersey. Ferry, Poole to Jersey is about 3.5 hrs then the ferry to St Malo is a further hour. St Malo to Le Mans is 220 km which took me 1h 15m this year (admittedly tanking it with a couple of AMOC guys). Great roads and always pretty clear. Quote
rob iles Posted November 12, 2003 Author Posted November 12, 2003 obviously not much interest in the midlands for Le Mans allright if you live up NORF you get a new post all to yourselves, Enterpryse, are you coming to our meets at BALSALL COMMON the next meet is Thurs 20th ,Ye olde saracens head. (back to the top) Quote
Muttleys V8 Posted November 12, 2003 Posted November 12, 2003 You had better book the ferries and campsites soon. It's getting worse every year. we booked our tickets ect back in August. If you leave it later than Novemeber, you may have trouble...... Steve Quote
Mark Stanton Posted November 12, 2003 Posted November 12, 2003 obviously not much interest in the midlands for Le Mans Betcha hear a few Brummie and Black Country accents once you get out there Quote
neilwillis Posted November 12, 2003 Posted November 12, 2003 Je suis moight be going this year maaate avec the better half Quote
Guest Posted November 13, 2003 Posted November 13, 2003 Can anyone recommend companies that do 'proper' accommodation - ie decent bed and shower etc. with solid walls and a roof (No I do not mean the WC block) I really can't be bothered with the camping stuff although I know it is meant to be part of the Le Mans experience. But to me the trip there is part of the fun too and strapping a load of kit on the car does not contribute much to the handling / fun and I am too old (soft) to enjoy sleeping on the ground. John Quote
MartT Posted November 13, 2003 Posted November 13, 2003 This year was my first Le Mans. Went with some mates who have been going for the last 10-15 years. Definitely going next year and if I find the right Westie, maybe that will be there too. The 4 of us were supposed to be going in a Lancia Delta Integrale and a Lotus Elise. Sadly the Lotus ended up under a skip lorry the day before departure. Upside though, we fitted a lot more beer in the Galaxy! This bunch have done the trip in various ways ... there for the day ( & night! ) as well as turning the whole thing into a holiday. The dust has settled and the general timetable's pretty much set in stone ... P'mouth to Caen on Wednesday night ( JDChrome will like this bit ... we have a cabin complete with shower, wake up call etc ), breakfast caffeine stop part way down ( 2003 was at Sees ), campsite by late morning ( not sure of the place .. about 10km north of Le Mans ), Thursday night practice session, Friday morning Mulsanne then lunch in the town waiting for the parade. Saturday seat in the Tribunes, late evening at Arnage ( watch those brakes glow ), sleep in the allotted carpark etc... Campsite Sunday night, ferry Monday night, so Monday is pick route and enjoy the open roads! Anyone come up with any ingenious ways of cramming more stuff than you need into a Westie?? Quote
MartT Posted November 13, 2003 Posted November 13, 2003 Forgot ot mention ... they book everything direct. The campsite is booked a year in advance, tickets from ACO etc We meet up others from around the country/world. In total there's normally around 10 in the group. Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.