First Le Mans - 2022
Discussion
We (my brother and myself) are planning our first Le Mans in 2022 hoping it's still in June!
Plan is to go over on the Wednesday before, Newhaven to Dieppe and carrying on into France for two weeks afterwards.
I've a few questions for now...
a) Been looking on the ticket agents sites and as the moho is over 7m (7.35m) looks like we'd need to book two spaces in most sites. Any recommendations on which sites? No desperate need for electric if the options are better.
b) The race finishes at 4pm on the Sunday, so the plan is to head an hour out of Le Mans towards Tours area to a campsite to service the motorhome, empty and fill water etc and have a rest after the weekend before heading off on Monday. What time would we expect to get out of the circuit and is there a mad rush of people doing the same?
c) Would everyone recommend a grandstand ticket?
Anybody any other advice? Thanks for now.
Plan is to go over on the Wednesday before, Newhaven to Dieppe and carrying on into France for two weeks afterwards.
I've a few questions for now...
a) Been looking on the ticket agents sites and as the moho is over 7m (7.35m) looks like we'd need to book two spaces in most sites. Any recommendations on which sites? No desperate need for electric if the options are better.
b) The race finishes at 4pm on the Sunday, so the plan is to head an hour out of Le Mans towards Tours area to a campsite to service the motorhome, empty and fill water etc and have a rest after the weekend before heading off on Monday. What time would we expect to get out of the circuit and is there a mad rush of people doing the same?
c) Would everyone recommend a grandstand ticket?
Anybody any other advice? Thanks for now.
Race is now 21st/22nd August
If you're not going far on the Sunday night I'd give it a couple of hours, although you'll be going the opposite way to most of the traffic.
Personally I've never had a grandstand seat, but even in the best case scenario we're not likely to be able to wander around much and it could be very hot so a seat in the shade could be a good idea (so not the pits grandstand).
Personally if I didn't have a rolled over booking I'd be waiting and seeing on this year's race though.
If you're not going far on the Sunday night I'd give it a couple of hours, although you'll be going the opposite way to most of the traffic.
Personally I've never had a grandstand seat, but even in the best case scenario we're not likely to be able to wander around much and it could be very hot so a seat in the shade could be a good idea (so not the pits grandstand).
Personally if I didn't have a rolled over booking I'd be waiting and seeing on this year's race though.
FredericRobinson said:
Race is now 21st/22nd August
If you're not going far on the Sunday night I'd give it a couple of hours, although you'll be going the opposite way to most of the traffic.
Personally I've never had a grandstand seat, but even in the best case scenario we're not likely to be able to wander around much and it could be very hot so a seat in the shade could be a good idea (so not the pits grandstand).
Personally if I didn't have a rolled over booking I'd be waiting and seeing on this year's race though.
Thanks, I'm planning next year (2022) assuming it's only moved to August this year.If you're not going far on the Sunday night I'd give it a couple of hours, although you'll be going the opposite way to most of the traffic.
Personally I've never had a grandstand seat, but even in the best case scenario we're not likely to be able to wander around much and it could be very hot so a seat in the shade could be a good idea (so not the pits grandstand).
Personally if I didn't have a rolled over booking I'd be waiting and seeing on this year's race though.
A. Tickets.
Give one of the ticket agents a call and ask them is probably your best bet as while motorhomes aren't in the majority you certainly aren't going to be the first to pass there way.
Just buying 2 camping passes can work - but can also fail. Not much use if you find your pitches are on opposite sides of an access road or have a tree between them for example.
There is/has been a dedicated, hard standing motorhome camping area...but that's also been one of the main stops for the free bus service out to Arnage/Mulsanne so contant streams of people but managing to be 'dead' at the same time.
But equally you see motorhomes on almost all the campsites, with some like Houx having concrete areas you'd never pitch a tent on but are in many way better for motorhomes/give somewhere for motorhomes with tree pitches.
One way or another they will get you in though!
B. The rush starts about an hour before the end of the race! Doesn't make sense to me, but there you go. Most people tend to pack up before going to watch the end of the race, then head back to camp, jump in their cars and...joing the queue with everyone else who's done exactly the same thing. What I do is watch the end of the race, head back to camp and THEN pack up. Usually by the time that's done the worst of the traffic's over and sometimes they will open up the side roads which can give you escape routes.
Of course your ticket covers you for camping on the Sunday night too, which come with some security worries (of the light fingered variety and only if you leave stuff out and unattended) but can be a good wind down too (as you sit there drinking beer, watching people go nowhere in their cars).
If you really want to get to Tours I'd chill out post-race/slowly pack up/hit the road a couple of hours post-finish. Will still give you plenty of time to get to Tours.
If it was me though I'd pack everything into the motorhome, lock the door, and catch the tram into town for a nice meal and some (cold and cheap) beers. Then stay over-night and head off in the morning.
C. This is very much up to individual choice and budget, with as many people swearing by them as at them. Personally I would, especially for the first year, going for a main straight one and make sure it has a roof. You can leave camp an hour before the start/end of the race and know you'll get a good view, you'll get the full force of the noise in the 'grand canyon', and have the chance of some shade if it's hot/shelter if it's wet.
But certainly not a must-have.
Other.
In general you're timings are good. You have Wed. to travel, Thurs. to just chill/do a final shopping run/check out the village while it's empty and you can do all the good bits of the Toyota stand without huge queues/then (depending on schedule) watch night qualifying. Then Friday it's into town for the Drivers Parade in the afternoon - which it's up to you if you see as a chance to get up close to the drivers, or just for a nice meal and a load of beers with your fellow race fans. There's also the Classic British Welcome and Pisonheads meets on Friday morning/early afternoon, but both could be a bit of a pain in the motorhome.
Unless you REALLY have to don't drive anywhere on either Friday or Saturday. Friday's the big arrival day and, well you have the French controlling the traffic... We've had friends "pop to the supermarket" at 8am and nearly miss a coach into town (pre-tram days) at 3pm! It's not a fun way to spend your day.
Give one of the ticket agents a call and ask them is probably your best bet as while motorhomes aren't in the majority you certainly aren't going to be the first to pass there way.
Just buying 2 camping passes can work - but can also fail. Not much use if you find your pitches are on opposite sides of an access road or have a tree between them for example.
There is/has been a dedicated, hard standing motorhome camping area...but that's also been one of the main stops for the free bus service out to Arnage/Mulsanne so contant streams of people but managing to be 'dead' at the same time.
But equally you see motorhomes on almost all the campsites, with some like Houx having concrete areas you'd never pitch a tent on but are in many way better for motorhomes/give somewhere for motorhomes with tree pitches.
One way or another they will get you in though!
B. The rush starts about an hour before the end of the race! Doesn't make sense to me, but there you go. Most people tend to pack up before going to watch the end of the race, then head back to camp, jump in their cars and...joing the queue with everyone else who's done exactly the same thing. What I do is watch the end of the race, head back to camp and THEN pack up. Usually by the time that's done the worst of the traffic's over and sometimes they will open up the side roads which can give you escape routes.
Of course your ticket covers you for camping on the Sunday night too, which come with some security worries (of the light fingered variety and only if you leave stuff out and unattended) but can be a good wind down too (as you sit there drinking beer, watching people go nowhere in their cars).
If you really want to get to Tours I'd chill out post-race/slowly pack up/hit the road a couple of hours post-finish. Will still give you plenty of time to get to Tours.
If it was me though I'd pack everything into the motorhome, lock the door, and catch the tram into town for a nice meal and some (cold and cheap) beers. Then stay over-night and head off in the morning.
C. This is very much up to individual choice and budget, with as many people swearing by them as at them. Personally I would, especially for the first year, going for a main straight one and make sure it has a roof. You can leave camp an hour before the start/end of the race and know you'll get a good view, you'll get the full force of the noise in the 'grand canyon', and have the chance of some shade if it's hot/shelter if it's wet.
But certainly not a must-have.
Other.
In general you're timings are good. You have Wed. to travel, Thurs. to just chill/do a final shopping run/check out the village while it's empty and you can do all the good bits of the Toyota stand without huge queues/then (depending on schedule) watch night qualifying. Then Friday it's into town for the Drivers Parade in the afternoon - which it's up to you if you see as a chance to get up close to the drivers, or just for a nice meal and a load of beers with your fellow race fans. There's also the Classic British Welcome and Pisonheads meets on Friday morning/early afternoon, but both could be a bit of a pain in the motorhome.
Unless you REALLY have to don't drive anywhere on either Friday or Saturday. Friday's the big arrival day and, well you have the French controlling the traffic... We've had friends "pop to the supermarket" at 8am and nearly miss a coach into town (pre-tram days) at 3pm! It's not a fun way to spend your day.
Camping is part of the experience and for me I always go for a grandstand seat. Guarantees start/finish viewing and is a good meeting spot if people wander on their own for a bit. It can also help (with covered grandstands) with weather both sun or rain.
We usually do a trip to the carrefour on the way in for food and beers. They sell ice bricks as well if you need some for cool bags to store food for a couple of days. After that we are eating at the circuit/in town. Friday and Sunday are our town days (we stay to Monday). Just make sure whatever you do your last night is your wind down on the booze so you can get a good sleep for the long drive!
We usually do a trip to the carrefour on the way in for food and beers. They sell ice bricks as well if you need some for cool bags to store food for a couple of days. After that we are eating at the circuit/in town. Friday and Sunday are our town days (we stay to Monday). Just make sure whatever you do your last night is your wind down on the booze so you can get a good sleep for the long drive!
Edited by delta0 on Saturday 20th March 00:02
I’m not great on camping knowledge for the race.
However, I think ‘Expo’ site caters for large camper vans.
This leads into no.2 as Expo provides very easy access to routes south towards Tours direction. Traffic is always light heading south from the circuit.
I personally would always have a grandstand. It is nice to get around also, but the stand is good during the peak times to have a seat without being rammed on the terraces whilst able to go and come back to your spot. Also nice to have shelter if very hot or raining. Anywhere on pit straight and Dunlop is easy access should you camp in Expo.
However, I think ‘Expo’ site caters for large camper vans.
This leads into no.2 as Expo provides very easy access to routes south towards Tours direction. Traffic is always light heading south from the circuit.
I personally would always have a grandstand. It is nice to get around also, but the stand is good during the peak times to have a seat without being rammed on the terraces whilst able to go and come back to your spot. Also nice to have shelter if very hot or raining. Anywhere on pit straight and Dunlop is easy access should you camp in Expo.
size13 said:
We (my brother and myself) are planning our first Le Mans in 2022 hoping it's still in June!
Plan is to go over on the Wednesday before, Newhaven to Dieppe and carrying on into France for two weeks afterwards.
I've a few questions for now...
a) Been looking on the ticket agents sites and as the moho is over 7m (7.35m) looks like we'd need to book two spaces in most sites. Any recommendations on which sites? No desperate need for electric if the options are better.
b) The race finishes at 4pm on the Sunday, so the plan is to head an hour out of Le Mans towards Tours area to a campsite to service the motorhome, empty and fill water etc and have a rest after the weekend before heading off on Monday. What time would we expect to get out of the circuit and is there a mad rush of people doing the same?
c) Would everyone recommend a grandstand ticket?
Anybody any other advice? Thanks for now.
I hope for the both of you it’ll just be the first visit.Plan is to go over on the Wednesday before, Newhaven to Dieppe and carrying on into France for two weeks afterwards.
I've a few questions for now...
a) Been looking on the ticket agents sites and as the moho is over 7m (7.35m) looks like we'd need to book two spaces in most sites. Any recommendations on which sites? No desperate need for electric if the options are better.
b) The race finishes at 4pm on the Sunday, so the plan is to head an hour out of Le Mans towards Tours area to a campsite to service the motorhome, empty and fill water etc and have a rest after the weekend before heading off on Monday. What time would we expect to get out of the circuit and is there a mad rush of people doing the same?
c) Would everyone recommend a grandstand ticket?
Anybody any other advice? Thanks for now.
Garage Vert camp has no restriction, I’ve used it for many years now and it’s a good place. Wednesday is a good day to get there as mid Thursday onwards you start getting squeezed out. There is also hook up, water and close to the circuit
Hope to see you there
The thing with campsites is that they all have people who'll recommend them, the link below hasn't been updated for a few years, but should be some use for a general outline of the options
http://www.beermountain.com/p/campsites.html
http://www.beermountain.com/p/campsites.html
If you are staying in France for a few days after the race I wouldn't rush to escape. Have a few beers on Sunday night, and a decent nights sleep then head off on Monday morning.
Then you can watch the race without much sleep if that's your thing, and still be refreshed for the following week.
Then you can watch the race without much sleep if that's your thing, and still be refreshed for the following week.
mike80 said:
If you are staying in France for a few days after the race I wouldn't rush to escape. Have a few beers on Sunday night, and a decent nights sleep then head off on Monday morning.
Then you can watch the race without much sleep if that's your thing, and still be refreshed for the following week.
and also watch the lunatic Dutch blow the bins to pieces whilst the scavangers pick through the remains 🙂Then you can watch the race without much sleep if that's your thing, and still be refreshed for the following week.
I've never witnessed anyone getting a tape measure out. If it's only 35cm I'd buy 1 camping ticket for any site that's not numbered so you can choose a pitch that suits your motorhome. Saying that Wednesday might give you less pitches to choose from (get there as early as possible). You can always 'lose' 35cm in a bush or by overhanging the edge of a roadway 
Just don't nick any of your neighbours pitch 
Just don't nick any of your neighbours pitch FredericRobinson said:
...if you're looking to buy 2 pitches for the motorhome agencies might insist on you buying 4 entry tickets
I've done a few solo trips through ticket agents and not had that issue. They do tend to list their packages in those terms on their websites but when you phone them up both SpeedChills in the past/Tickets2U last/this year have been happy to sell me a pitch with just a single GA ticket for just the cost of the camping space and 1 GA ticket.//j17 said:
I've done a few solo trips through ticket agents and not had that issue. They do tend to list their packages in those terms on their websites but when you phone them up both SpeedChills in the past/Tickets2U last/this year have been happy to sell me a pitch with just a single GA ticket for just the cost of the camping space and 1 GA ticket.
The buggers! One of them has always insisted on 2 GAs with me, and I've been booking with them for the best part of 20 yearsFredericRobinson said:
//j17 said:
I've done a few solo trips through ticket agents and not had that issue. They do tend to list their packages in those terms on their websites but when you phone them up both SpeedChills in the past/Tickets2U last/this year have been happy to sell me a pitch with just a single GA ticket for just the cost of the camping space and 1 GA ticket.
The buggers! One of them has always insisted on 2 GAs with me, and I've been booking with them for the best part of 20 yearsWe have motorhomes on the PH campsite with our partner 1st Tickets on Bleu Nord. Bit more information on what we offer here: https://www.pistonheads.com/news/general-pistonhea...
Worth having a chat with Brian at 1st Tickets to see how he can tailor a package for you.
Worth having a chat with Brian at 1st Tickets to see how he can tailor a package for you.
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