PistonHeads at Le Mans 2020 | Update
For the first time in over a decade, PH will not be at Le Mans
After careful consideration, we have taken the decision with our travel partner 1st Tickets to not offer a private campsite at the 24 hours of Le Mans in 2020.
This was an incredibly difficult decision for us to make and will be the first time in over a decade that we haven't had a presence at the circuit. The health and safety of our community is extremely important to us and ultimately, we do not yet feel it is safe or appropriate for us to gather hundreds of people in a confined space.
Moreover, with so much uncertainty ahead of the race in September and the additional restrictions announced today by the ACO, we do not feel that we can offer the quality of service people deserve.
Customers with existing bookings are being contacted by 1st Tickets over the next 10 days to discuss their options.
We're looking ahead to 2021 and focusing on improving the already fantastic facilities that our customers have come to expect, and we look forward to seeing many of you next year.
If you'd like to register your interest to be one of the first to hear when our packages launch for 2021, click here.
ORIGINAL STORY - 15.01.20
The 24 Hours of Le Mans is a special event. It is the oldest active endurance car racing event in history, and 2020 will see it returning for its 97th year as one of the biggest motorsport events in any racing fans calendar. The part closed public road, part dedicated track is fabled for its high-speed straights, its enormous lap length (nearly 8.5 miles) and the incredible spectacle that is the intense racing during the night. It's a super-exciting weekend, and guess what? PH Le Mans 2020 is now on sale, taking place 19-20 September.
This year we are, of course, returning with our event partner, 1st Tickets. We'll be back at our ever-popular campsites, Bleu Nord and Premier Vert. The larger Bleu Nord site has capacity for 450 PHers, with packages starting from £420 per person. Our more exclusive campsite in the heart of the circuit has space for 180 PHers, starting from £540 per person and boasting a secluded secure location inside the circuit, away from other campsites. It's just a stone's throw from the Chappelle Curve and the circuit tram stop is a brief walk away, allowing easy access into town for the evening.
We have regulars that return to the PH camp site year in year out, and below are some of the fantastic perks which keep on pleasing our returning members:
- General admission to the race
- Up to five-day return Channel crossings available
- Pre-allocated camping pitches, allowing you to have a leisurely drive over and not worry about finding space.
- Cooked meals during your stay (three full English breakfasts and three evening meals)
- Large marquee with cash bar with live TV coverage of the race
- Private toilets and warm showers, no long queues like there are in the public camp sites
- Fenced perimeter for your peace of mind
- On-site security, including night patrols at the weekend
- Free Wi-Fi access and charging points
Away from the private sites, there are public pitches available at Bleu Nord, as well as ticket- or travel-only options, if you'd rather make your own arrangements. All information on these can be found here.
The 2020 Le Mans will be the last year of the LMP1 class - the end of a technological masterclass - so it's not going to be a year to miss. We imagine the teams will be battling hard to finish in the top spot in the last ever year of their class, so expect some fantastic racing over the weekend.
king laugh?
I've quickly put one together (below) with no supplements, large pitch (4 people), 2 vehicles and 2x channel crossings and it works out as £780 per person.
Got to remember that includes all meals except for your lunches (food from nearby vendors is very expensive!), general admission, nice big marquee with TVs & bar, WiFi, security etc.
Let me know what yours looks like and I'll look into pricing.
Thank you!
I've quickly put one together (below) with no supplements, large pitch (4 people), 2 vehicles and 2x channel crossings and it works out as £780 per person.
Got to remember that includes all meals except for your lunches (food from nearby vendors is very expensive!), general admission, nice big marquee with TVs & bar, WiFi, security etc.
Let me know what yours looks like and I'll look into pricing.
Thank you!
This one includes all meals INCLUDING lunch, entertainment, about 20 themed bars, 3 swimming pools, a movable observation tower, a go kart track, a surf simulator, room service and someone who is paid to make little animal sculpture out of the hand towels.
Sorry guys, but there is no way that £780 per person stacks up for Le Mans. It's a weekend away in a tent, not a family holiday.
We will be going back to a couple of foam mattress in the back of the Discovery and parked in the Rouge parking near the circuit entrance.
PS. I've just checked and in 2016 we paid £1100 for three of us at PH/1st tickets including GE and the more expensive Poole-Cherbourg crossing. OK no meals, but £366 per person and I remember thinking that was expensive.
This is Brian from 1st Tickets. I thought it best to post a general reply.
Unfortunately, our prices had to go up again this year by just over 4% compared to our 2018 Package prices. This is mainly due to increases costs and fees from the circuit for being an official agent and ticket price rises. The budget rate we secured against the Euro is similar to last year (and significantly lower than 2016), but we have to commit much earlier in the year, so are not benefitting from the current high rates. We do our best to keep increases to a minimum and look to make our package prices as competitive as possible.
The infrastructure and running costs for the private campsite are expensive and have steadily increased over the years. We have to rent the land from the circuit and use designated suppliers for toilets, showers, generator, marquee, tables, chairs, lighting, audio equipment, fencing, security agents, recruit event staff, etc. This is the same for all the official agents and approved retailers that provide on circuit private camping packages. Therefore, private camping is, unfortunately, not cheap.
We recognise that private camping is not for everyone and it is possible to stay at Le Mans for a much lower price by staying on the public campsites. However, you do not have the same level of facilities provided. As an official agent for the circuit we have access to the full range of public campsites at the circuit and have a good number of customers that prefer to stay on these sites and fend for themselves.
Hopefully, this helps clarify the situation, but do feel free to PM me directly if you require any additional information.
Total costs was £715 each. This included absolutely everything:
Eurotunnel
All car fuel
All tolls
Travel insurance for both of us
Car insurance for son to drive my car
Hotel :1 room each
ACO annual membership
Parking at the circuit (Parking Blanc)
General entrance tickets
Grandstand seats (La Raccordiment)
All meals, all drinks, ie on the way there and back and also while at Le Mans, lunches, dinners out etc.
All other incidentals
This compared very favourably at the time with organisations that will arrange the entire thing for you. I reckon that had I used one of them the cost would have been about double.
R.
£490 per person for the Classic this year on the PH/First Tickets site - I personally consider the extra money worth it to ensure a great weekend, but as you say others may not.
A couple of Qs if anyone could help ?
we are around 2 hrs from the channel tunnel in the UK and were going to travel down either late Thursday night and travel through the night or quite early Friday morn say leave at 5 am . what would you say was the best option ?
I believe the race finishes at 3 pm on Sunday , with sorting ourselves out etc , what would you say was a reasonable time to catch/ book the euro star on the Sunday night , I was thinking around 22,30 / 23,00 ?
Allow about 5 hours for the drive - probably nearer 4 on the toll motorways, and hour to get to the car, an hour to get out of town, plus a spare hour, and you're looking at midnight. Any other views?
I'm horrified at the amount I pay for tickets, but its less than the figures mentioned earlier. Add the ferry, fuel, food and drink and you're in the same ball park. The hidden cost is substantial and is the owning and keeping of a caravan, but I do get a comfy bed, a fridge etc and a smart bucket. When I started, you got change out of £120, and that included a grandstand seat and access to the pit balcony.
There will be no pitlane walkabout, drivers parade, car shows - these are a big part of the experience/ event
There will be no pitlane walkabout, drivers parade, car shows - these are a big part of the experience/ event
Can you sell a couple of tickets then, or are you transfering until 2021....
There will be no pitlane walkabout, drivers parade, car shows - these are a big part of the experience/ event
Can you sell a couple of tickets then, or are you transfering until 2021....
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