s2rrr Posted February 20, 2012 Posted February 20, 2012 I've tried to search for Le Mans as I know its been done before but can't for some reason find it, probably incompetence. The question is and will hopefully go on for some time whilst I suck all the info out of the brains of the gathered members on this forum, here goes. What is the most reasonable way of watching the race, what do we need to take apart from shed loads of beer, what do we need to watch out for, best places to watch, eat, general facilities for the camp sites, security for valuables etc etc etc. Basically anything I may find handy when going over to France for a weekend of "enjoyment" with a bunch of petrol heads on a stag weekend. Cheers in advance Bob ( its on my list of things to do before I croak ) :d Quote
Mark (smokey mow) Posted February 20, 2012 Posted February 20, 2012 Everyone does it differently but for us (me and Dad) we drive down Wednesday and stay at the Kyriad Hotel in Le Ferte Bernard which is about half hours drive outside leMans. Thursday morning is then a stroll around the museum and sideshows before heading out to Tete Rouge to watch the evening qualifying. A quick break for some dinner round the corner for an evening meal and then it's off to Mulsanne for the final qualifying and into the night. Friday it's back into the circuit for the pit lane walkabout and hopefully the Historics paddock if they let you in. Then the afternoon into LeMans town for atmosphere, carnival and drivers parade. Saturday arrive as early as possible at the Circuit to watch the historics race (I think we get Group C this year) and then to the start lane for the build up and start of the race. we always buy grandstand tickets as it gives us somewhere dry to go and watch the race if the inevitable happens and it rains, but there is plenty of standing right along the start finish line (although it does get very packed for obvious reasons). Stay up as late as possible, before we then head back to the hotel for some shut eye. More of the same on Sunday, then it's the dash back to the ferry at Calais on Monday. Quote
Mark Stanton Posted February 20, 2012 Posted February 20, 2012 and if only the cars were as loud and smelly as they used to be MAZZZZZZZZDAAAAAAAAAAAA McLaren F1 :d Panoz :d Quote
markcoopers Posted February 20, 2012 Posted February 20, 2012 You could do worst than book via speed chills or another similar organiser as they will help and do provide a fantastic experience. Ferry or tunnel, I prefer tunnel as it is quicker and more convenient, but ferries are the way for others. Also ferries are a lot closer if from the south cost into Normandy. Search internet for advice on the camp sites and you will get many opinions, so I'll let read those, but speed chills tend to use the beauseulie (spelling), quieter but was fine for me me + they had bars and food and showers etc. Worth doing the drivers parade in town, worth doing arrange for the atmosphere and also getting out to the Indianapolis arrange corners at night for the sights and sounds. Grandstands are worth it as it will be shelter in the rain and shady if sunny, we used the ones above the pits as they were cheaper and gave a great Ariel view of pit stops. But again others prefer Dunlop or on the outside so as to see into the pits. Beer is good, but water might also be an idea and the champagne tent is pretty good Quote
frag68 Posted February 20, 2012 Posted February 20, 2012 I have been a couple of times and have viewed it from different parts. I agree with Smokey about Thursday and Friday. Its awesome. On Thursday as well is the final practice session at night which is good. With regard to viewing points, I have watched at Arnage, Mulsanne, Porsche curves, The Essess and to be honest, I enjoyes Arnage and Mulsanne. There is camping there and its a little quieter, but its the opposite end of the track from Le mans town centre. The trams are the way to go out and into the town if necessary for replacement beersif you run out, as well as the Friday afternoon/night shenanigans. Mulsanne town has a couple of supermarkets. If my memory serves me there is an Intermarche and a SuperU, but good enough to get replacement supplies should you run out. As Smokey says the grandstand is the way to go, but I must not be as wealthy as him I travelled last year on the Wednesday from Glasgow in the Westy to Calais, the early morning tunnel all the way to Le Mans getting there mid afternoon. The drive down the A toll roads was fast and here is always lots of nice cars as well, however you can meander down the N roads and get a bit of rural France under your belt. Have a look at Select Motor Racing or others. The are reasonable to deal with an no hassle. I would also recommend looking at Beer Mountain website. Gives a different slant on the off piste action so to speak. I am jealous of you contemplating this journey, but finances this year dictate watching the race on Eurosport at home. Enjoy. Fraser PS, If taking the Westy, make sure you get someone to take a bigger car as well for the camping gear, beer etc. My friend and I went in the Westy and a Z4 with our sons, camping gear, clothes etc. It was snug to say the least as well as extremely primitive. Quote
Pistol Pete Posted February 20, 2012 Posted February 20, 2012 buy beer in france once you get to le mans - much cheaper and no need to transport it there or back . Quote
frag68 Posted February 20, 2012 Posted February 20, 2012 buy beer in france once you get to le mans - much cheaper and no need to transport it there or back . And you could see about building your own Beer mountain. Meant to say, security is OK to the best of my knowledge, but there again, we have always been primitive and had to take everything with us virtually everywhere we go. We did lock the passports in the Z4, but everythig else was left in the tents or in the cars. I did take the roof for the car for a bit of security. There is an issue with Pikeys on the Sunday/Monday, but we have always left on the Sunday night. Quote
markcoopers Posted February 20, 2012 Posted February 20, 2012 Yep I had my tent stole the pikey sods Quote
CL290005 Posted February 20, 2012 Posted February 20, 2012 S2rrr ok its a stag weekend, suggest you camp in Bleu you will get lots of entertainment here, as I suspect you are not intending to sleep much. The weekend is a time to be drinking with your mates having a laugh and guess what there is a motor race thrown in. Be careful with valuables as I have known about passports been taken and items as large as gopeds dissappearing. As has been said ensure you are back in your camp site not too long after the race has finished as the Pikies start making their appearance and anything goes, you will notice there is a picking order just be aware! In my opinion the circuit is great to see virtually from anywhere hopefully something will happen at the place you are at, there is a good bar at Arnage Buy you beer at Le Mans however it is getting more expensive, supermarkets are good but you will spend a fair bit there. There is so much to do remember you will not get chance to do it all,check out pistonheads site to see where they are meeting up on the Friday normally worth going. Remember to walk the camp sites people are so friendly Do not forget to check out the Hawian girls pit lane, drivers parade etc as remember you are on a stag weekend! Finally enjoy, as you may end up going more than once! Quote
V8grunt Posted February 21, 2012 Posted February 21, 2012 According to Pistonheads.com you will need a Breathalyser with you shortly! :( :A***: ??? Quote
s2rrr Posted February 21, 2012 Author Posted February 21, 2012 Thanks to everyone for the info, tips and advice, I will take note of all the comments so far in. Appreciate the effort to help. Cheers Bob Quote
Blatman Posted February 21, 2012 Posted February 21, 2012 Portsmouth to Caen Tuesday a'ernoon for an overnight on the Normandy coast. Drive down the N roads to Le Mans Wednesday. Buy tickets for the race at the entrance opposite Bleu Car Park, then roll up to Beausejoir camp site by the Porsche Curves where you will be able to buy a camping pass on the door. Camping Bleu is probably already sold out... There is a free bus from the gates of Beausejoir to the circuit, you can (and pretty much have to) walk in from Bleu. During quali and the race it is possible to drive to all the spectator areas but if you're in Bleu or Beausejoir or any of the camp sites inside the circuit walls (Houx/Houx Annexe, Karting Nord) then the main straight, Dunlop, Terte Rouge and the Porshce Curves are all walkable. Drive to Arnage and the Mulsanne / Indianapolis straights. As noted, get in to the circuit early on Saturday. This years pre Le Mans race is Aston Martins. Wednesday and Thursday quali is always good so stay in there 'til the end Same for the race. Once I'm in the circuit on Saturday (usually about 11.00am) I generally don't find my way back to the tent until 2 or 3am Sunday morning, and everyone will tell you there is something very special about the race cars as they drive through the fading light of early evening, brakes and exhausts aglow enough to see them (sometimes even through the paper thin carbon bodies! ) but the cars are still also visible, unlike night when the headlights defeat your eyes for a really good view head on. You'll understand when you see them... And going to sleep in a tent, with the sound of the race in full swing is possibly the most glorious sound I have ever heard. It's like nothing else... Take plenty of water regardless of the weather. Take comfortable shoes, you'll be doing a lot of walking. And of course (and I can't beleive no-one has mentioned them yet) as soon as you arrive, tune your car radio, phone's radio or your walkman or whatever to RADIO LE MANS. It's brilliant. You'll hear about all the extra events, the Brit Welcome, the drivers parade, what happened at scrutineering plus lots of chat about cars. Keep your passport and car keys on you at all times. If you assume that anything left behnd will get nicked, you'll be pleasantly surprised when it is all still there upon your return. Theft does happen but there will be ~250,000 people there. Your chances of being targetted for theft are less than the car park at the train station where you leave your car every day, but be sensible. Anything you absolutely cannot lose stays with you for the duration. A decent hiking bum bag and a ruck sack is what I use to carry supplies and important artifacts around the circuit with me. Pikeys are an issue after the race, and worse again on Monday morning if you stay Sunday night which I have done once. Never again... After the race it's a run back to Normandy waving to the assembled crowds who line the streets in the towns on the N roads. You don't get that on the Péage, and as my ferry isn't until Monday afternoon, I'm not in any rush. It is like wacky races though, there will be plenty of people rushing back to the coast to blag a ferry, and plenty of cops with radar guns to catch out the unwary. You'll need a hi-vis vest and a warning triangle (these are compulsory. Bulb kits and first aid kits are NOT compulsory) in the car, as well as driving licence and proof of insurance, and of course your passport! The car is also supposed to have a GB sticker but I don't bother! Driving advice for France is here: http://www.theaa.com...ance-monaco.pdf and make sure you tell your insurers. I've missed plenty out, but I hope others will fill in some blanks. I'm hoping to be there for my 10th Le Mans visit this year, every one of them in a Westfield :westy: :westy: :westy: 1 Quote
CL290005 Posted February 22, 2012 Posted February 22, 2012 Forgot to say if you go in a tin top and you can fit bikes onto car then this is great way to get around. Quote
dave_t Posted February 22, 2012 Posted February 22, 2012 You'll need a hi-vis vest and a warning triangle (these are compulsory. Bulb kits and first aid kits are NOT compulsory) in the car, as well as driving licence and proof of insurance, and of course your passport! The car is also supposed to have a GB sticker but I don't bother! Driving advice for France is here: http://www.theaa.com...ance-monaco.pdf and make sure you tell your insurers. I noticed yesterday, on PH, that from 1 July every car also needs to be equipped with a breathalyser ... http://www.pistonhea...paign=2012-2-21 Quote
tabs23 Posted February 22, 2012 Posted February 22, 2012 and if only the cars were as loud and smelly as they used to be MAZZZZZZZZDAAAAAAAAAAAA McLaren F1 :d Panoz :d Ah yes, 1991. Aston Martin AMR1 and Mazda 787 - the extreme opposite ends of the engine note spectrum. Quote
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