Le Mans 24 crowd level
Discussion
On site with some friends. We have been before a good number of times, but not last year (did classic instead).
It seems ridiculously, uncomfortably busy as a general admission “pleb” without any VIP anything. Got stuck in several people-jams at pinch points (one of them pretty nasty up near Tet-rouge just after the start) and generally everything seems so overwhelming that we couldn’t wait to get back to the camp site.
Seen a bit of racing but it’s hard won. Feel like this might just be my last visit.
Anyone else comment? Is it just me?
It seems ridiculously, uncomfortably busy as a general admission “pleb” without any VIP anything. Got stuck in several people-jams at pinch points (one of them pretty nasty up near Tet-rouge just after the start) and generally everything seems so overwhelming that we couldn’t wait to get back to the camp site.
Seen a bit of racing but it’s hard won. Feel like this might just be my last visit.
Anyone else comment? Is it just me?
I feel the same. The bridges over the street they built from karting to the village are ridiculous. No space for all the people, so it jams. The row in front of the toilets and the food in the ACO Area was somehow worse than last year. But there they have Grimbergen which is actually nice. I was at the 24h and the classic last year and it didn't felt that bad.
It's very, very busy. But, I feel, slightly quieter than last year.
Loads of space at the Maison Blanche end of the main straight concrete bleachers.
Porsche curves banking v busy.
Family fan zone a nice place to hang out.
Forget anything between Dunlop bridge and Tertre Rouge.
I'm hearing off to Arnage in a bit for some glowing discs, will two report back.
Loads of space at the Maison Blanche end of the main straight concrete bleachers.
Porsche curves banking v busy.
Family fan zone a nice place to hang out.
Forget anything between Dunlop bridge and Tertre Rouge.
I'm hearing off to Arnage in a bit for some glowing discs, will two report back.
Pit walk was heavily over subscribed. Not worth paying the extra now. Much worse than last year. Seems a lot of corporate everywhere.
Doubt I'll be back. 20 years and out. Over priced everywhere. Heard a guy saying he spent €150 yesterday on food (presume he was in town). But even not spending anything, bringing all our food and drink, it isn't pleasant any more.
Watched first two hours from our overfilled grandstand (21) and retired to the caravan on Houx and watching on Discovery+ because of the safety car. Might as well be at home.
Doubt I'll be back. 20 years and out. Over priced everywhere. Heard a guy saying he spent €150 yesterday on food (presume he was in town). But even not spending anything, bringing all our food and drink, it isn't pleasant any more.
Watched first two hours from our overfilled grandstand (21) and retired to the caravan on Houx and watching on Discovery+ because of the safety car. Might as well be at home.
I don’t think it is as busy as last year but is certainly close.
There’s a circulation issue behind the Panorama stand where the big screen and fan zone is. Problem is people stand and sitting adjacent to the roadway means it’s very difficult to get through. Huge queues many times for the loo.
The tunnel under the track at the main entrance they had closed off one vehicle lane to allow more pedestrians through earlier.
Enhanced food options good but still huge queues. Panorama grandstand also had an issue with ticketless people getting in it at the start,
There’s a circulation issue behind the Panorama stand where the big screen and fan zone is. Problem is people stand and sitting adjacent to the roadway means it’s very difficult to get through. Huge queues many times for the loo.
The tunnel under the track at the main entrance they had closed off one vehicle lane to allow more pedestrians through earlier.
Enhanced food options good but still huge queues. Panorama grandstand also had an issue with ticketless people getting in it at the start,
Julian Thompson said:
Got stuck in several people-jams at pinch points (one of them pretty nasty up near Tet-rouge just after the start) and generally everything seems so overwhelming that we couldn’t wait to get back to the camp site.
We were sat in TR camping earlier and all of a sudden there was a flood of people walking through and using the loo.It looked like they’d just opened the gates to the general public for whatever reason.
Our hosts were not happy having paid through the nose for the privilege & security of staying there.
Was it just sheer weight of foot traffic?
If so the ACO need to Start limiting the amount of people they let in the TR gates, or the amount of tickets they sell in general.
We tried to watch the start from TR & it was heaving, busier than I’ve ever seen it and not particularly enjoyable.
DJFish said:
Julian Thompson said:
Got stuck in several people-jams at pinch points (one of them pretty nasty up near Tet-rouge just after the start) and generally everything seems so overwhelming that we couldn’t wait to get back to the camp site.
We were sat in TR camping earlier and all of a sudden there was a flood of people walking through and using the loo.It looked like they’d just opened the gates to the general public for whatever reason.
Our hosts were not happy having paid through the nose for the privilege & security of staying there.
Was it just sheer weight of foot traffic?
If so the ACO need to Start limiting the amount of people they let in the TR gates, or the amount of tickets they sell in general.
We tried to watch the start from TR & it was heaving, busier than I’ve ever seen it and not particularly enjoyable.
Jordie Barretts sock said:
Definitely the ACO selling too many tickets. They're trying to play off corporate requirements (All the Hypercar teams) against normal fans.
They were just talking about it on Discovery+ about how many more French are actually going to LM compared to previous years and it spilled over to Spa and packed that too. Looks like rain till around 10am on the radar.
Jordie Barretts sock said:
Definitely the ACO selling too many tickets. They're trying to play off corporate requirements (All the Hypercar teams) against normal fans.
Hmm, not sure - looks more like tonnes of normal punters like us to me, rather than anything corporate.It’s fantastic that it’s popular but in the end there is a limit if they don’t want to open up more of the circuit and put in infrastructure.
If they don’t want to do that then it’s either a) ballot for tickets, b) increase the price to dull the demand or c) let the numbers keep growing until it’s horrible and it self regulates downwards, hoping that nobody gets hurt in the mean time.
There are very few officials around to control crowds. Lots of them are young girls. We couldn't access Dunlop (Goodyear) stand as there were so many people set up with chairs etc around the access area. Punters walking in for free and not being tackled, sitting on the stairs. Same goes for campsites, supervised by 18 year olds presumably on minimum wage.
People stand on the Porsche bridge to watch the cars, blocking the flow of pedestrians. The stupidly small bridge I think the concert area, again blocked by people watching the concert. No officials around to move people on.
Cycles/scooters banned and yet a considerable number of scooters and motorbikes speeding through crowds.
Didn't see what the toilets were like as we went back to the campsite but plenty of men openly urinating anywhere. Never seen so many mens cocks!
Yes, too many people and badly planned.
People stand on the Porsche bridge to watch the cars, blocking the flow of pedestrians. The stupidly small bridge I think the concert area, again blocked by people watching the concert. No officials around to move people on.
Cycles/scooters banned and yet a considerable number of scooters and motorbikes speeding through crowds.
Didn't see what the toilets were like as we went back to the campsite but plenty of men openly urinating anywhere. Never seen so many mens cocks!
Yes, too many people and badly planned.
All of the above, out of our group of 12 the general consensus is ,we if we come next year we'll go to a private viewing area we know (paid entry) and forget paying for parking,. entrance and grand stands .some of the group have been visiting le mans for 30 plus years and frankly have had it with the ACO.
butaclor said:
All of the above, out of our group of 12 the general consensus is ,we if we come next year we'll go to a private viewing area we know (paid entry) and forget paying for parking,. entrance and grand stands .some of the group have been visiting le mans for 30 plus years and frankly have had it with the ACO.
You can tell us which one it is 
Julian Thompson said:
Seems fine today though - back to normal levels of crowd - maybe less even. Can’t understand it!!
Won’t be for long. There are vast vast amounts of people walking in from parking. That seems to be the major difference for me from my last visit, they’re a simply enormous amounts of day-only visitors in the car park and the campers don’t really see them. We’re on a work enforced flying visit this year and really seeing a different side to it.
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