Race Start and onwards

[mutley]

Simple questions really, do people go to certain spots for the start each year? and how do you intend to watch / follow events over the 24hours.

[keitht1]

Mostly from one of the beer tents

And overnight at Arnage.

[DustyC]

Watched the start from Arnage instead of the starting grid last year. Was a good way to see it and not half as much hassle either.
Depending on the weather I'll probably watch the start at the start this year though. (And the finish for the finish!).

Through out the 24hours I usually make sure I get to every part of the track possible.
Walk from Masion blanche round to tetre rouge is good during the day and the straight section after the mulsanne corner is excellent at night (hear the car go up through all 6/7 gears as they disappear into the dark).

Arnage/Indy is good at all times. Best memory was laying on the empty bank at 4:30AM whilst the sun came up. Saw some excellent racing at those times too.

[willdew]

We usually watch the start from the banking near the Ford Chicane, then move on to arnarge/indianapolis at about 7ish. We then normally head back to the camp site for food about 9-10 before heading out to the Mulsane Corner and then onto a spot on the Mulsane Straight we know how to get nearish to Hundaires (sp?) cafe. Then normally a trip to the fair to go on the big wheel (although it was no where near as good last year) at about 3am before hitting the sack for a few hours sleep.

Then much the same on the Sunday, finishing opposite the end of the pits, where they open the gate at the end of the race so we can get in the pits for the presentations.

We then normally wander down the track looking for interesting identifiable debris to add to my collection. I'm hoping to have enough for a whole car soon.

[shnozz]

watched the start of the race from about 10 yards from the tent in maison blanc last year. Then sort of got mixed up with the wrong sort and ended up not seeing much more of the race but plenty of the beer tents and games of "person most likely to..." and "lookilikeys".

[GCerbera]

Normally watch the start from the Dunlop bridge area and head around to Tertre Rouge for early evening.

Midnight normally sees us around Arnage and Indianapolis or out on the Mulsanne.

End of the race, around the Ford Chicane.

[shnozz]

GCerbera said:

End of the race, around the Ford Chicane.

which one is the Ford chicane?

[ian d]

support race, definetley watching that.
watch the start from the start finish straight, often meet up with the TWATS there.
early race watch a bit on the big screen and eat some crepes.
saturday evening head for the shampoooo bar.
sunday trip round to the mulsanne corner.
post race into le Mans for some eats then back to Houx Annex for the fireworks.
pack up kit and go home, how sad.

[GCerbera]

shnozz said:

GCerbera said: End of the race, around the Ford Chicane. which one is the Ford chicane?

Just before the start straight.

There is an excellent guide on the Club Arnage site:
www.clubarnage.com/watch.htm

[hunttheshunt]

Hi Wildew,

I keep meaning to try and get into/near the Hunadieres Cafe. Don't suppose you would share your info to a fellow PHer.

I guess the Cafe is booked years in advance. Anyone know? Isn't there a Chineese there as well??

[mutley]

GCerbera said:

There is an excellent guide on the Club Arnage site: www.clubarnage.com/watch.htm

Yes it is, but that is one persons view, I'm after a concensus of opinion.

I'm assuming the fences are busy for the race start and finish so getting a spot relativly early is a good idea, how long do people tend to stay in one place?

[GCerbera]

In the past, to get a good standing spot, 60 - 90 minutes before the start.

After the first hour, it looks like everyone has packed up and gone home as
everyone spreads out and you can get where you want after that until the same
thing happens at around 3pm Sunday!

[NeilChills]

For me, worth being on the start/finish straight opposite the pits - busy but at least you've got something to watch - Hawaiian Tropic girls anyone?

Also worth looking out for the French nutter with the Courage flag and Green skid lid on a 10' pole (homage to Pescarolo). He is always there...

Noise at start great too - echo up the straight.

Wander up to Dunlop Bridge, Esses, Terte Rouge early evening.

Get horridly drunk and make the yomp to Arnage/Indianapolis for night. Thumb a lift to Mulsanne for dawn (more chips).

Sleep it off (Ford Chicane?) Sunday morning. Welcome Area for last few hours...

[RichB]

Do they still run to get into their cars? Rich...

[DustyC]

RichB said:

Do they still run to get into their cars? Rich...

In the warm up classic race they did last year.
Now they are just too lazy