Le Mans 24 crowd level
Discussion
Just back from LM. Tricky year - The racing was great - I think the Hypercar class is a massive step up from the LMP1 class - at least currently with so many competitors. Thank God for the Americans showing up to the GT field to bring some noise.
It's difficult to separate the effect the weather had on the general experience. Wind, rain and cold temperatures made things difficult to enjoy that would probably have been fine otherwise. Crowd levels felt lower than 2 years ago, if not the same.
I think I may take a break from it for a while - been every year except COVID for the last 9.
It's difficult to separate the effect the weather had on the general experience. Wind, rain and cold temperatures made things difficult to enjoy that would probably have been fine otherwise. Crowd levels felt lower than 2 years ago, if not the same.
I think I may take a break from it for a while - been every year except COVID for the last 9.
Hasn't the general consensus (for a number of years now) been - if you can avoid leaving on the Sunday and can afford the extra day's holiday, then you're much better off doing so?
There always seems to be a crush trying to get out in the couple of hours before the race finishes, and many hours afterwards. It's been a while since my group last went but we always tried to stay for the Sunday night as well, and leave on the Monday. Just need to make sure all your gear is secure if you're doing that, as the local wombles start trying to walk off with it if you're not careful.
There always seems to be a crush trying to get out in the couple of hours before the race finishes, and many hours afterwards. It's been a while since my group last went but we always tried to stay for the Sunday night as well, and leave on the Monday. Just need to make sure all your gear is secure if you're doing that, as the local wombles start trying to walk off with it if you're not careful.
I thought this year was about as busy as last year.
The changes made to routing people around the site worked in some areas and not in others.
The bridge over from Blue Nord worked well. We only ever had to wait 1 min max to get scanned and bag checked.
Going over the Porsche bridge we thought we would easily get to the back of the main pit grandstand, but not having people walk on the road made that route very slow as we all had to go over the temp bridge back into the pit area. As others have said people standing on the Porsche bridge to take pictures slowed movement for everyone else.
Not letting anyone into the hospitality area behind the pits meant that other routes were busier. (it was open to the public on the Thursday night though).
We had T34 grandstand tickets for the start and that made the experience better. Not fighting to get and keep a view. The staff on the gate were being very strict about a access, so it was not overcrowded with people in there that should not be.
The main pinch point we found was the Family area. Hospitality moving golf carts through there did not help at all. I bet if would be horrible if you were a kid with all the crowd surges going on.
Moving behind the ACO grandstand was fine if you walked at the outer-most fence line.
Food selection was a lot better this year.
Mulsanne at 10pm was good. We drove around there and it was easy to park and walk in.
The Classic British Welcome show at SAINT-SATURNIN on Friday was amazing. So many people and great cars. Did anyone go to the Collecting Cars meet? Was it a good alternative?
The changes made to routing people around the site worked in some areas and not in others.
The bridge over from Blue Nord worked well. We only ever had to wait 1 min max to get scanned and bag checked.
Going over the Porsche bridge we thought we would easily get to the back of the main pit grandstand, but not having people walk on the road made that route very slow as we all had to go over the temp bridge back into the pit area. As others have said people standing on the Porsche bridge to take pictures slowed movement for everyone else.
Not letting anyone into the hospitality area behind the pits meant that other routes were busier. (it was open to the public on the Thursday night though).
We had T34 grandstand tickets for the start and that made the experience better. Not fighting to get and keep a view. The staff on the gate were being very strict about a access, so it was not overcrowded with people in there that should not be.
The main pinch point we found was the Family area. Hospitality moving golf carts through there did not help at all. I bet if would be horrible if you were a kid with all the crowd surges going on.
Moving behind the ACO grandstand was fine if you walked at the outer-most fence line.
Food selection was a lot better this year.
Mulsanne at 10pm was good. We drove around there and it was easy to park and walk in.
The Classic British Welcome show at SAINT-SATURNIN on Friday was amazing. So many people and great cars. Did anyone go to the Collecting Cars meet? Was it a good alternative?
General access areas around TR/Forest Esses were packed, felt more so than last year but they decided to build grandstands nearer dunlop bridge which limits space. They need to think about some more viewing areas or limiting numbers more.
Facilities are still crap for that amount of people.
The entry turnstiles were crap and people scanning you in was faster.
I think the officials were a bit more friendly and helpful this year. Looks like the rules were explained to them properly and knew what the exceptions were i.e. bikes allowed if camping inside the circuit so it looks like they learn.
Will be back anyway.
Facilities are still crap for that amount of people.
The entry turnstiles were crap and people scanning you in was faster.
I think the officials were a bit more friendly and helpful this year. Looks like the rules were explained to them properly and knew what the exceptions were i.e. bikes allowed if camping inside the circuit so it looks like they learn.
Will be back anyway.
surveyor said:
I skipped this year, for the first time after ten years. We went to Spa Classic.
The latter was a revelation with amazing access, few crowds and reasonable prices.
Not rushing back to Le Mans after reading this thread.
This sounds like a great shout. Often wondered how much attending in person would be better than 24hr Eurosport cover and the access you would get. Forgot about the over inflated prices and crowding that you would also get stung for.The latter was a revelation with amazing access, few crowds and reasonable prices.
Not rushing back to Le Mans after reading this thread.
I'm 50/50 on going in 2025. I found the crowds were only just less than last year, and fully agree with the comments made by others about lack of authority in areas where people ought to know better.
I was in T16 this year (T15 in previous years) and at the start of the race found my view almost totally blocked by hordes of people from seats behind me, or (reading thier tags) Corporate badged staff like chauffer's etc flooding the stairs and railing in the stands. It wasn't until two gentlemen who looked very well acquainted with lifting heavy things in the gym, and wearing stab vests with "interventions" on the back turned up and started demanding to see tickets that these chancers either left or went back to thier actual seats.
Add to this an utterly despicable scene where the Gendarmerie had to turn up and have words with able bodied people about blocking the view in the Disabled allocated area, and I'm starting to wonder if the event is actually all that pleasant to be at now. Having had the start of the race ruined for me, I then spent the rest of the weekend standing everywhere (including the ACO clubhouse members only area) in a line for at least 30 minutes to do everything from pee to buy a beer.
If it wasn't for enjoying the build up in Arnage on Thursday and Friday, and the rain for discouraging all but the ardent fans from being at the circuit past 22:00, I think I'd be firmly swearing off going again for a few years. As it is, I'm undecided what I'm going to do.
I was in T16 this year (T15 in previous years) and at the start of the race found my view almost totally blocked by hordes of people from seats behind me, or (reading thier tags) Corporate badged staff like chauffer's etc flooding the stairs and railing in the stands. It wasn't until two gentlemen who looked very well acquainted with lifting heavy things in the gym, and wearing stab vests with "interventions" on the back turned up and started demanding to see tickets that these chancers either left or went back to thier actual seats.
Add to this an utterly despicable scene where the Gendarmerie had to turn up and have words with able bodied people about blocking the view in the Disabled allocated area, and I'm starting to wonder if the event is actually all that pleasant to be at now. Having had the start of the race ruined for me, I then spent the rest of the weekend standing everywhere (including the ACO clubhouse members only area) in a line for at least 30 minutes to do everything from pee to buy a beer.
If it wasn't for enjoying the build up in Arnage on Thursday and Friday, and the rain for discouraging all but the ardent fans from being at the circuit past 22:00, I think I'd be firmly swearing off going again for a few years. As it is, I'm undecided what I'm going to do.
Vsix and Vtec said:
If it wasn't for enjoying the build up in Arnage on Thursday and Friday, and the rain for discouraging all but the ardent fans from being at the circuit past 22:00, I think I'd be firmly swearing off going again for a few years. As it is, I'm undecided what I'm going to do.
You say that but we walked the (damp) tribunes at 1-2am on Saturday night as the safety car was finishing and it was still packed. The queuing was very tiresome, if you’re going to sell 329,000 tickets then you might need to increase the capacity of facilities.
According to the ACO, there were 329,000 there.
Certainly felt like it. Houx campsite less than half the size it was - going the same way as Maison Blanche. Organisation a total shambles as usual, but made worse by so many people there. It was impossible to move in the pinch points. I don't mind crowds, but hate being hemmed in and unable to move in any direction. Which is what happened trying to get to my grandstand seat (T21 Taverno) an hour before the start. And also on the open pits Tuesday night. It was horrible, not to mention dangerous.
Certainly felt like it. Houx campsite less than half the size it was - going the same way as Maison Blanche. Organisation a total shambles as usual, but made worse by so many people there. It was impossible to move in the pinch points. I don't mind crowds, but hate being hemmed in and unable to move in any direction. Which is what happened trying to get to my grandstand seat (T21 Taverno) an hour before the start. And also on the open pits Tuesday night. It was horrible, not to mention dangerous.
surveyor said:
I skipped this year, for the first time after ten years. We went to Spa Classic.
The latter was a revelation with amazing access, few crowds and reasonable prices.
Not rushing back to Le Mans after reading this thread.
Last time I did normal Le Mans was 2019 - did the classic last year and would have been doing the classic again in 2025 but Spa Classic this year has resulted in a plan change - Spa Classic again for 2025 (everything I enjoyed about the classic without feeling like I’m being squeezed for every last Euro and I should be grateful to be there)The latter was a revelation with amazing access, few crowds and reasonable prices.
Not rushing back to Le Mans after reading this thread.
Jordie Barretts sock said:
According to the ACO, there were 329,000 there.
Certainly felt like it. Houx campsite less than half the size it was - going the same way as Maison Blanche. Organisation a total shambles as usual, but made worse by so many people there. It was impossible to move in the pinch points. I don't mind crowds, but hate being hemmed in and unable to move in any direction. Which is what happened trying to get to my grandstand seat (T21 Taverno) an hour before the start. And also on the open pits Tuesday night. It was horrible, not to mention dangerous.
We were down the end of Houx by where it is now blocked off. Lots of people walking down there thinking there must be a way through to find there wasn't. The old toilet block was accessible if you walked around the glamping area, but it wasn't very practical. People walking over the new bridge got a good view down into the men's showers too. From what we could see, most of the glamping caravan things weren't occupied, which if correct, was a massive waste of space.Certainly felt like it. Houx campsite less than half the size it was - going the same way as Maison Blanche. Organisation a total shambles as usual, but made worse by so many people there. It was impossible to move in the pinch points. I don't mind crowds, but hate being hemmed in and unable to move in any direction. Which is what happened trying to get to my grandstand seat (T21 Taverno) an hour before the start. And also on the open pits Tuesday night. It was horrible, not to mention dangerous.
I used to be at that end where all the trailers now park. I agree, unless they failed to sell the space - where was it advertised? Or was it for pit crew/drivers? There didn't seem to be much going in at all around there. Total waste of space that they could make far more money from as camping pitches for the public.
We were at the other end of Houx by the entrance gate. An extra block of five showers were welcome over last year, but only 4 toilets plus a disabled access one, was very poor. And they absolutely stank by Tuesday.
We were at the other end of Houx by the entrance gate. An extra block of five showers were welcome over last year, but only 4 toilets plus a disabled access one, was very poor. And they absolutely stank by Tuesday.
Julian Thompson said:
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?
100% agree, I popped out to an Aldi 7km away, easy getting there but one and a half hours to get back. I also got stuck walking to the circuit in the over crowded footbridge by the big wheel later in the evening. I think I’ll definitely stick with the classic from now on.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?
Edited by andysv on Monday 17th June 19:59
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