Le Mans 24 crowd level
Discussion
WhyTwo said:
mickyfix said:
Jordie Barretts sock said:
One thing I'm seriously impressed with, is the mobile and data signal.
By far the best I've ever experienced.
Beg to differ. By far the worst I’ve experienced. Average speeds of 1~2mps. By far the best I've ever experienced.
Dunlop Bridge 6-12mbps (2~7pm Saturday)
Field somewhere near gravel racecourse bit 0.5 ~2.5 mbps (7~12pm Saturday)
iPhone 11 Pro LTE esim Data only
Dunlop Bridge 6-12mbps (2~7pm Saturday)
Field somewhere near gravel racecourse bit 0.5-2.5 mbps (7~12pm Saturday)
To get any data meant airplane mode/hard reset of phone.
No chance of streaming football/Eurosport’s from our campsite with such demand and maybe not enough masts
The 4g vs 5g thing made no difference in speed as we compared notes between phones
The hoards of folding chairs were really annoying. Groups guarding empty chairs and no way to move through to spectate, even during quiet times. Needs stopping - their ticket is the same as mine and it does not include owning a patch of ground on the banking for the duration.
Re the toilets, complete lack of facilities behind the stands led to a lot of anti-social wall pissing which I’m ashamed to say I had to partake in. If you were in the village there were two sets of loos with no queues a few mins walk away, far better than standing waiting. The set at the bottom the the village and the set by the path on the walk up from the lower entrance.
Re the toilets, complete lack of facilities behind the stands led to a lot of anti-social wall pissing which I’m ashamed to say I had to partake in. If you were in the village there were two sets of loos with no queues a few mins walk away, far better than standing waiting. The set at the bottom the the village and the set by the path on the walk up from the lower entrance.
I did notice a few unisex toilets, which I suspect only the bravest / most desperate women would have used. Tbf, the ones on Houx were pretty good, apart from the one morning when it appeared someone had backed into the cubicle and just opened fire where they stood. I was in an adjoining stall when the cleaner came in and I heard a loud sigh and a few muttered French expletives. Pretty gross behaviour though. Do want you want in your own home, but when some probably poorly paid worker has to literally clean up your s
t, it`s not really on.
t, it`s not really on. It was my first time in 10 years in going to the race, so I was more than excited to see through the issues most comments have mentioned, so here is my slightly skewed view of it all considering I was working at the race this year.
Positives:
The race and the competition is just incredible. Like I said 2014 was when I last went and I saw Mark Webber crying as the Porsche breaking down (I was on the Porsche curves), Hypercars are just so so quick in the flesh. Even more so when I was stood against the tracks walls on some of the marshal posts and that was next level of experience.
Food. Great, yes had to wait for some things, but that is the same for most events nowadays. One time I had to stand for 20 minutes for an ice cream and one time I walked straight into the Brasserie in the village and sat straight down for a steak.
Members area. Great viewing, friendly people, food OK (quick, but average).
Negatives:
I can fully support the comments on numbers. When working I was driving round in a support van between the marshal posts and some times we just had to give up and walk the circuit inside the fence and abandon the van.
Traffic areas, the bridge over the road behind the pits needs to be double the size for the number of people.
Also the members area. I was forced onto my arse a couple of times people pushing me down the slope on the grass looking at the Dunlop / Chapelle area. My bad French didn't help, but it was overcrowded.
I was quite lucky as i had the option of a container on C11 (marshals area) or a flat in a village, so had the opportunity to split my time. It was quicker for me sometimes to walk back to the camping area for the toilet than to queue.
I was very lucky that I didn't have to queue / fight for viewing as when I was working I got a few minutes here and there to see from the inside in places that no one is allowed to go.
I am hoping to go back for the Classic Days, Porsche sprint cup and the 24 hours of trucks as we will also be needed for support. So may well see some of you there then too.
I think I spoke to quite a few members on here during my rounds. I wasn't allowed to put a PH sticker on the van, so I wore some lovely TF Sport #14 Spike the Dragon purple sunnies and that got a few comments from punters. I also helped tow some people out with our telehandlers off the camp sites, so hello if that was you too. Also a personal favourite was collecting two British guys walking from the roundabout to Arnage with Champagne bottles in hand. I gave them a lift to the village to watch the footie, so again if you are on here hello again and was a great laugh for 5 mins.
Positives:
The race and the competition is just incredible. Like I said 2014 was when I last went and I saw Mark Webber crying as the Porsche breaking down (I was on the Porsche curves), Hypercars are just so so quick in the flesh. Even more so when I was stood against the tracks walls on some of the marshal posts and that was next level of experience.
Food. Great, yes had to wait for some things, but that is the same for most events nowadays. One time I had to stand for 20 minutes for an ice cream and one time I walked straight into the Brasserie in the village and sat straight down for a steak.
Members area. Great viewing, friendly people, food OK (quick, but average).
Negatives:
I can fully support the comments on numbers. When working I was driving round in a support van between the marshal posts and some times we just had to give up and walk the circuit inside the fence and abandon the van.
Traffic areas, the bridge over the road behind the pits needs to be double the size for the number of people.
Also the members area. I was forced onto my arse a couple of times people pushing me down the slope on the grass looking at the Dunlop / Chapelle area. My bad French didn't help, but it was overcrowded.
I was quite lucky as i had the option of a container on C11 (marshals area) or a flat in a village, so had the opportunity to split my time. It was quicker for me sometimes to walk back to the camping area for the toilet than to queue.
I was very lucky that I didn't have to queue / fight for viewing as when I was working I got a few minutes here and there to see from the inside in places that no one is allowed to go.
I am hoping to go back for the Classic Days, Porsche sprint cup and the 24 hours of trucks as we will also be needed for support. So may well see some of you there then too.
I think I spoke to quite a few members on here during my rounds. I wasn't allowed to put a PH sticker on the van, so I wore some lovely TF Sport #14 Spike the Dragon purple sunnies and that got a few comments from punters. I also helped tow some people out with our telehandlers off the camp sites, so hello if that was you too. Also a personal favourite was collecting two British guys walking from the roundabout to Arnage with Champagne bottles in hand. I gave them a lift to the village to watch the footie, so again if you are on here hello again and was a great laugh for 5 mins.
I took my 19 year old this year for a bit of Dad and Lad bonding and had a great time!
Camped on Hippodrome, pretty busy by Saturday but nothing unexpected and much nicer than Glastonbury! Toilets a bit minimal though, cant see why they couldn't put a second block next to every block there.
Got to the infield at Tetre Rouge for the race and found a space easy enough, sat there till 8pm, had a break at the tent for an hour and then made for the pit straight. Had a burger in the Fan Zone by Dunlop Bridge. Very busy but I was expecting it. Then made our way to the Pit Straight for about 9.30 and sat there unitl 2pm before retiring to bed.
Went back there on Sunday pm but it was very, very busy and a bit of a scrum but again we expected it. Left early as it started to p*ss down again. Thought we were being smart, but got locked in the campsite until 5pm! Lol. Once out onto the lane outside though we took about 40mins to join the motorway by Tetre Rouge.
In all it was as I expected and my son really enjoyed it, we'll hopefully be back next year!
Camped on Hippodrome, pretty busy by Saturday but nothing unexpected and much nicer than Glastonbury! Toilets a bit minimal though, cant see why they couldn't put a second block next to every block there.
Got to the infield at Tetre Rouge for the race and found a space easy enough, sat there till 8pm, had a break at the tent for an hour and then made for the pit straight. Had a burger in the Fan Zone by Dunlop Bridge. Very busy but I was expecting it. Then made our way to the Pit Straight for about 9.30 and sat there unitl 2pm before retiring to bed.
Went back there on Sunday pm but it was very, very busy and a bit of a scrum but again we expected it. Left early as it started to p*ss down again. Thought we were being smart, but got locked in the campsite until 5pm! Lol. Once out onto the lane outside though we took about 40mins to join the motorway by Tetre Rouge.
In all it was as I expected and my son really enjoyed it, we'll hopefully be back next year!
I understand that "VIP" and corporate hospitality are normal for such an event but this year it seemed excessive in my opinion.
My biggest gripe was the lack of welfare. No matter how you sugarcoat it it was under-resourced for welfare. There were definite laws broken about the lack of welfare for men and women.
The ACO (again in my opinion) does have a lot of work to do to bring it up to an acceptable standard.
My biggest gripe was the lack of welfare. No matter how you sugarcoat it it was under-resourced for welfare. There were definite laws broken about the lack of welfare for men and women.
The ACO (again in my opinion) does have a lot of work to do to bring it up to an acceptable standard.
I did expect it to be busy, but we shaped our time at the circuit around it.
Had a look around the village area on the Friday and found it quiet enough not to be stressful. Most annoying thing was trying to get to the pit lane when the track opened at 1500. For some reason there was no access from the paddock area like any previous time. Had to walk up to Dunlop to get in and walk back down the track. Couldn’t be arsed by this time.
Access to parking on Sat and Sun (around 1200 both days) was very easy. The access into Expo was much improved with the ticket/sticker process being within the car park rather than the entrance. This was such a good idea. Leaving on Sunday was a little slow but to be expected with the volume leaving, but taking that into account was alright.
Getting into circuit was also quick and easy Fri-Sun in terms of the access gates. Foot bridge over the road was also a good idea.
We take lunch in from a boulangerie and some booze so cut out queuing for that. Later dinner in ACO area was okay. Bit of a queue but alright.
Toilet access in ACO area of main grandstand was also alright.
Had grandstand seats. Was pleased security came around and threw people out who’d managed to get in without tickets. I would have hated trying to get a spot on the terraces and not done so for many years.
Going to different areas was limited this year. It was very busy up until we left the track at around 2300. But we could move around okay. There was a definite pinch point inside the circuit heading towards Dunlop bridge. The golf cart movement needs limiting or make further moves to separate pedestrians and vehicles.
The infrastructure getting around is so much better and unrecognizable from my first trip in 2003. Opening up more of the main tunnel to village was a good idea also.
It is hard to accommodate so many people with food and toilets. I still think more can be done to reduce movement of vehicles around. The area at the back of the stands on start finish should be improved.
I love that Le Mans 24 / WEC is so healthy at the moment, but unfortunately this does mean more people.
I thought about getting pit walk, but that looks a nightmare with the crowds on the grid!
Accomodation in La Flèche was also good. Enjoyed shops and the restaurants and bars. Staying off circuit is still our favoured choice.
Had a look around the village area on the Friday and found it quiet enough not to be stressful. Most annoying thing was trying to get to the pit lane when the track opened at 1500. For some reason there was no access from the paddock area like any previous time. Had to walk up to Dunlop to get in and walk back down the track. Couldn’t be arsed by this time.
Access to parking on Sat and Sun (around 1200 both days) was very easy. The access into Expo was much improved with the ticket/sticker process being within the car park rather than the entrance. This was such a good idea. Leaving on Sunday was a little slow but to be expected with the volume leaving, but taking that into account was alright.
Getting into circuit was also quick and easy Fri-Sun in terms of the access gates. Foot bridge over the road was also a good idea.
We take lunch in from a boulangerie and some booze so cut out queuing for that. Later dinner in ACO area was okay. Bit of a queue but alright.
Toilet access in ACO area of main grandstand was also alright.
Had grandstand seats. Was pleased security came around and threw people out who’d managed to get in without tickets. I would have hated trying to get a spot on the terraces and not done so for many years.
Going to different areas was limited this year. It was very busy up until we left the track at around 2300. But we could move around okay. There was a definite pinch point inside the circuit heading towards Dunlop bridge. The golf cart movement needs limiting or make further moves to separate pedestrians and vehicles.
The infrastructure getting around is so much better and unrecognizable from my first trip in 2003. Opening up more of the main tunnel to village was a good idea also.
It is hard to accommodate so many people with food and toilets. I still think more can be done to reduce movement of vehicles around. The area at the back of the stands on start finish should be improved.
I love that Le Mans 24 / WEC is so healthy at the moment, but unfortunately this does mean more people.
I thought about getting pit walk, but that looks a nightmare with the crowds on the grid!
Accomodation in La Flèche was also good. Enjoyed shops and the restaurants and bars. Staying off circuit is still our favoured choice.
ollie2007uk said:
I understand that "VIP" and corporate hospitality are normal for such an event but this year it seemed excessive in my opinion.
My biggest gripe was the lack of welfare. No matter how you sugarcoat it it was under-resourced for welfare. There were definite laws broken about the lack of welfare for men and women.
The ACO (again in my opinion) does have a lot of work to do to bring it up to an acceptable standard.
What do you mean by welfare?My biggest gripe was the lack of welfare. No matter how you sugarcoat it it was under-resourced for welfare. There were definite laws broken about the lack of welfare for men and women.
The ACO (again in my opinion) does have a lot of work to do to bring it up to an acceptable standard.
Went for the 3rd year in a row.
After appallingly big crowds last year, got a grandstand for this year. The overall experience was much more comfortable-this also may be due to familiarity.
Grandstand not covered from the rear was a bd as the rain was coming horizontally from that side, falling across the entire grandstand T14. Propelled by nasty wind for all 24 hrs. If I get a grandstand again, it will be one of the metal old school ones.
Grandstand access was limited well, at a low point there was even an event when a gentleman, old head, got dragged out by a lady from the entrance. How she figured him out I have no idea. People acting nicely in the grandstand and throughout, really. Considering the crowds and rivers of alcohol, well behaved bunch.
Parking was a dandy, quick to enter Expo at presumably peak hours- 2pm Saturday. Quick to exit half an hour after the race. Reparked in the middle of the morning to a better spot, which was unnecessary.
I see people commenting on issues leaving/arriving and I find that surprising, but I get it. When we came back to the car park for a few z's at 2.30 am there was almost no cars left on a 100x100m stretch we were at near the stables. Congrats to the gentleman in the 996 turbo parked across, the only car left in the field with us, who packed an entire family of 4 tall people into that thing. Impressive.
Contrast that to a poorly visited 2022 and 2 hours leaving Beasejour, add some rain and cold, and the only way I am camping there again is in a hovercraft or helicopter.
The toilet situation is a tragedy. Just add more along the pit straight. Or take the (literal) piss on the walls. Salute to people pissing on the walls. I couldn't do it. But good on them. Should've been on some official cars.
The exclusivity is getting to be annoying. If one thing about racing annoys me it's playing the celebrity game. Unfortunately, this is much worse in that regard than it was 2 years ago.
Ate a burger, first in line. Not less than 10 people in that row before or since. Better to be lucky than smart I guess. 18 euros for burger and fries. They were alright.
Would gladly shop a little if the prices didn't all accidentally have an extra 0 attached to them. T-shirts, caps, photos, paintings, all of it. Did find one bargain though, a used slick tire for 25 euros, but couldn't take that on the plane.
The cell phone situation was way better for me than usual. I didn't stream video though, just live timing and social media. But comparing that to those things simply NOT working, it was way better.
All in all, great experience, the biggest problem was the weather.
My usual gripe is with the live timing/video technology. It is unacceptable in 2024 for us not to have easy access to a comprehensive, well designed app that gives us info on tyre compounds and age, energy level(especially now it is virtual and we literally have the data), pit stop times...you could sprinkle in some innovation too, like expected strategy, expected pit lane times and such. An expected yellow zone loss would be nice. I could go on and on.
For starters, reliable gaps/lap times would be a step forward.
After appallingly big crowds last year, got a grandstand for this year. The overall experience was much more comfortable-this also may be due to familiarity.
Grandstand not covered from the rear was a b
d as the rain was coming horizontally from that side, falling across the entire grandstand T14. Propelled by nasty wind for all 24 hrs. If I get a grandstand again, it will be one of the metal old school ones. Grandstand access was limited well, at a low point there was even an event when a gentleman, old head, got dragged out by a lady from the entrance. How she figured him out I have no idea. People acting nicely in the grandstand and throughout, really. Considering the crowds and rivers of alcohol, well behaved bunch.
Parking was a dandy, quick to enter Expo at presumably peak hours- 2pm Saturday. Quick to exit half an hour after the race. Reparked in the middle of the morning to a better spot, which was unnecessary.
I see people commenting on issues leaving/arriving and I find that surprising, but I get it. When we came back to the car park for a few z's at 2.30 am there was almost no cars left on a 100x100m stretch we were at near the stables. Congrats to the gentleman in the 996 turbo parked across, the only car left in the field with us, who packed an entire family of 4 tall people into that thing. Impressive.
Contrast that to a poorly visited 2022 and 2 hours leaving Beasejour, add some rain and cold, and the only way I am camping there again is in a hovercraft or helicopter.
The toilet situation is a tragedy. Just add more along the pit straight. Or take the (literal) piss on the walls. Salute to people pissing on the walls. I couldn't do it. But good on them. Should've been on some official cars.
The exclusivity is getting to be annoying. If one thing about racing annoys me it's playing the celebrity game. Unfortunately, this is much worse in that regard than it was 2 years ago.
Ate a burger, first in line. Not less than 10 people in that row before or since. Better to be lucky than smart I guess. 18 euros for burger and fries. They were alright.
Would gladly shop a little if the prices didn't all accidentally have an extra 0 attached to them. T-shirts, caps, photos, paintings, all of it. Did find one bargain though, a used slick tire for 25 euros, but couldn't take that on the plane.
The cell phone situation was way better for me than usual. I didn't stream video though, just live timing and social media. But comparing that to those things simply NOT working, it was way better.
All in all, great experience, the biggest problem was the weather.
My usual gripe is with the live timing/video technology. It is unacceptable in 2024 for us not to have easy access to a comprehensive, well designed app that gives us info on tyre compounds and age, energy level(especially now it is virtual and we literally have the data), pit stop times...you could sprinkle in some innovation too, like expected strategy, expected pit lane times and such. An expected yellow zone loss would be nice. I could go on and on.
For starters, reliable gaps/lap times would be a step forward.
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