Essential camping gear for European 24 hour races
Discussion
Four to five days in a field for the purposes of observing a bit of endurance racing.
Anyone can rough it - but with so many people on this site with decades of experience of making this a comfortable affair, what are the killer bits of kit to raise the camping game over your neighbour?
Anyone can rough it - but with so many people on this site with decades of experience of making this a comfortable affair, what are the killer bits of kit to raise the camping game over your neighbour?
Despite having a Motor-Home,did a Boys' Camping Trip to Le Mans when the temperature hovered in the
mid 30s..No fridge/freezer,no shower,no comfort.A purist would say that we were there for the quality
of the cars,not the quality of the accommodation.
Fast forward to the following year's Goodwood FOS accompanied by Mrs V who insisted we use the Motor-Home.
We ended up doing the catering for the extended party but the van's facilities made that possible.
If there are a few of you going,look at the costs of hiring a M/H --it may not be silly per head.
Apart from needing lots of patience for the travelling,they are made for that type of event.
Having tried both---I firmly advocate the comfort alternative.
mid 30s..No fridge/freezer,no shower,no comfort.A purist would say that we were there for the quality
of the cars,not the quality of the accommodation.
Fast forward to the following year's Goodwood FOS accompanied by Mrs V who insisted we use the Motor-Home.
We ended up doing the catering for the extended party but the van's facilities made that possible.
If there are a few of you going,look at the costs of hiring a M/H --it may not be silly per head.
Apart from needing lots of patience for the travelling,they are made for that type of event.
Having tried both---I firmly advocate the comfort alternative.
If 'proper' camping take the biggest tent you can put up. Having room to just walk in and dump stuff or have it out rather than stashed away in bags whilst still having the room to wander about is a bigger luxury than you think. We've got a 6 man tent for the two of us. We only put one sleeping compartment in so we've got a 4x2m living room/kitchen.
Alcohol hand wash is well worth having, as are baby wipes. A decent sized water container with built in tap saves a lot of faff - fill once and you're sorted. And slippers for wearing in the tent.
Alcohol hand wash is well worth having, as are baby wipes. A decent sized water container with built in tap saves a lot of faff - fill once and you're sorted. And slippers for wearing in the tent.
Be the envy of LeMans (or where ever) WeirdNeville said:
A good camping chair that's light enough to carry around with you.
Disposable BBQ's
Cool box - load up with ice from a supermarket en route. Doubles as a low table. Holds beer.
Proper gas burner/stove for making tea
Kettle/mess pans for boiling water.
frying pan - for bacon n egg butties
Air bed is a must IMO, along with a 12V pump that runs off the ignition. Getting a good bit of sleep is a winner, roll mats don't cut it if you're car camping.
Sensible clothing it can be very hot or very cold + rainy at the 'ring, in he sapce of 24h hours.
Credit card!
Comfy walking shoes. You walk a lot getting from A-B.
If using disposable BBQs you need a stand / table to keep it off the ground and something to improvise as a wind shield.Disposable BBQ's
Cool box - load up with ice from a supermarket en route. Doubles as a low table. Holds beer.
Proper gas burner/stove for making tea
Kettle/mess pans for boiling water.
frying pan - for bacon n egg butties
Air bed is a must IMO, along with a 12V pump that runs off the ignition. Getting a good bit of sleep is a winner, roll mats don't cut it if you're car camping.
Sensible clothing it can be very hot or very cold + rainy at the 'ring, in he sapce of 24h hours.
Credit card!
Comfy walking shoes. You walk a lot getting from A-B.
I find the small quick assembly model from Wilkinsons and a supply of charcoal to be better. I use it in conjunction with the cheap tools and trays you can get in poundland.
If you haven't got a kettle to work off the ciggy lighter, get a proper camping style one, trying to boil water in an open saucepan takes forever when you want a quick cupppa.
Speaking of which if you are a milk in tea afficianado having fresh milk if you dont have a fridge is a problem. It will soon turn to cheese in 22deg + conditions. I use the all in one cappucinos from Aldi for my breakfast drinks, Instant hot choc for nights - saves the faffing.
Buy your non perishable basics in uk before travel then stop at a supermarket en route to get your fresh stuff for the first few days. Suss out if there are any local outlets as prices on site are always daylight robbery.
Gotta love Lidl in Germany - 5% weissbier for 35c per 500ml can!!
So, as a Le Mans veteran of a few years now, started off in a £20 Argos tent in the back of the TVR.
Now we take a Supercharged Range Rover, Twin axle caravan, three fridges, Sky+HD and have a full fry up each morning, proper evening meal (Spag Bol, Pie and chips,etc) and even do a full roast dinner after the race on Sunday.
And there's only three of us!
Comfort is the key.
Now we take a Supercharged Range Rover, Twin axle caravan, three fridges, Sky+HD and have a full fry up each morning, proper evening meal (Spag Bol, Pie and chips,etc) and even do a full roast dinner after the race on Sunday.
And there's only three of us!
Comfort is the key.
V8mate said:
Tyre Smoke said:
Comfort is the key.
This is my starting position. Anyone can rough it.Air mattress, clever cooking on a single gas burner/over a BBQ, that's all the creature comforts I need (for 3 days or so).
Camping in the MR2 was always a challenge of packing and omitting frivolous items. Tent, Mattress, camping chairs behind the seats, sleeping bags, BBQ and some clothes food and beer could all be shoehorned in with practice.
I do agree with you Neville, in that it takes skill. I'm just at the age now where, after trekking half way around the track, I can come 'home' and get out of the rain - and stand up. Be able to stick the central heating on, thrown the Spag Bol on the cooker (so to speak) and have a cold beer whilst watching the BBC news.
I have seen a chap make himself a very decent plate of steak and chips, tomato, onions all with a single burner and a frying pan sat cross legged in Maison Blanche. A very clever and resourceful person. So yes, certainly skill. I've just got to the Indiana Jones bit where he pulls the pistol.
I have seen a chap make himself a very decent plate of steak and chips, tomato, onions all with a single burner and a frying pan sat cross legged in Maison Blanche. A very clever and resourceful person. So yes, certainly skill. I've just got to the Indiana Jones bit where he pulls the pistol.
WeirdNeville said:
A good camping chair that's light enough to carry around with you.
Disposable BBQ's
Cool box - load up with ice from a supermarket en route. Doubles as a low table. Holds beer.
Proper gas burner/stove for making tea
Kettle/mess pans for boiling water.
frying pan - for bacon n egg butties
Air bed is a must IMO, along with a 12V pump that runs off the ignition. Getting a good bit of sleep is a winner, roll mats don't cut it if you're car camping.
Sensible clothing it can be very hot or very cold + rainy at the 'ring, in he sapce of 24h hours.
Credit card!
Comfy walking shoes. You walk a lot getting from A-B.
I agree with a lot of this, camping chair, cool box, air bed, walking shoes/boots, etc. A decent hand pump will inflate an air bed in under 30 seconds. Disposable BBQ's
Cool box - load up with ice from a supermarket en route. Doubles as a low table. Holds beer.
Proper gas burner/stove for making tea
Kettle/mess pans for boiling water.
frying pan - for bacon n egg butties
Air bed is a must IMO, along with a 12V pump that runs off the ignition. Getting a good bit of sleep is a winner, roll mats don't cut it if you're car camping.
Sensible clothing it can be very hot or very cold + rainy at the 'ring, in he sapce of 24h hours.
Credit card!
Comfy walking shoes. You walk a lot getting from A-B.
I would suggest a proper BBQ, Webber make a small one for traveling called the Smoky Joe. This was my set up for Britcar
Decent sleep is key. Camp bed or air bed and a duvet and pillow rather than a sleeping bag. A decent chair, high-backed enough to rest your head on. Bug candles or a cheapo 12v bug zapper for the tent. And a foil blanket placed between outer and inner skins keeps the tent nice and cool in the mornings.
tenohfive said:
OpulentBob said:
And a foil blanket placed between outer and inner skins keeps the tent nice and cool in the mornings.
Is that noisy in a breeze? Because if not that's a brilliant idea.WeirdNeville said:
tenohfive said:
OpulentBob said:
And a foil blanket placed between outer and inner skins keeps the tent nice and cool in the mornings.
Is that noisy in a breeze? Because if not that's a brilliant idea.Gassing Station | Tents, Caravans & Motorhomes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff