ACO Membership couple of questions

[G30001]

Hi All

Very much looking forward to my 04:30 start on Thursday for the first time in 3 years.

Usually there are 10+ of us but just 3 this year so looked at an ACO membership as we could then all get into the ACO members areas' but I have 2 questions.

Is the supplementary 20EUR charge to admit guests a 1 off for the weekend or a daily fee?

The Preferential rate on drinks does anyone know the difference in price as most beer is 8EUR a pint at the track, is this "discount" something silly like 50cents?

Thanks

[Output Flange]

It's 40 Euros to get guests into the member's areas isn't it?

Last year, beer was 6 Euros instead of 8.

[G30001]

looking at last 2021 page it said 20EUR entry fee so just wondered even if it has gone up again is it for the weekend or per day, also if it is for just the day can you get back in if you leave?

Thanks for the update on Beer Price 2EUR a pint 5 and your halfway to paying for it.

[Output Flange]

G30001 said:

looking at last 2021 page it said 20EUR entry fee so just wondered even if it has gone up again is it for the weekend or per day, also if it is for just the day can you get back in if you leave?

Thanks for the update on Beer Price 2EUR a pint 5 and your halfway to paying for it.

I was just trying (but failing) to add it to my account online, and it's 40 Euros per person. One of you needs to be an ACO member too. It's valid for the whole weekend, and you'll get wristbands so you can come and go.

[KFos]

Correct, in that if you are an ACO member you can add a guest to your membership account at 40 euros per person for the whole week. They then have access to the members areas.
In the past, you could only do this when on site.
Definitely more expensive than before, so more beer will therefore need to be consumed to recoup the initial outlay.

[G30001]

Nice one thanks all.

So all in would be 185EUR which would probably be worth it if we didn't already have Grandstand tickets.

Understand now the 40EUR is for a pre added person to have access all weekend.

There is mention on last years page of a 20EUR entry fee for up to 3 guests but given a added person to the membership is 40EUR I will assume that the 20EUR Fee is per day.

What are peoples experiences of the ACO areas, is the food better than everywhere else? Are they mobbed like the bars in the village?

[lookamidget]

Is there any updates I thought you could take one other person in with you?

[eps]

G30001 said:

Nice one thanks all.

So all in would be 185EUR which would probably be worth it if we didn't already have Grandstand tickets.

Understand now the 40EUR is for a pre added person to have access all weekend.

There is mention on last years page of a 20EUR entry fee for up to 3 guests but given a added person to the membership is 40EUR I will assume that the 20EUR Fee is per day.

What are peoples experiences of the ACO areas, is the food better than everywhere else? Are they mobbed like the bars in the village?

We're in the ACO grandstand anyway.. To be honest the food is okay - some of the quality has gone down over the years (the sandwiches for instance) but everything else is very good. They are a little haphazard and of course at peak times it can take a while to get served and sometimes there are 2 queues.. one for food and one for drinks, but you can order both at either queue <insert gallic shrug here> unless you can't, n'est ce pas? It's a little quieter than the general areas and there are tables and chairs aplenty, plus showers, plus clean toilets, plus free charging of phones, etc.. although you literally just plug your phone in and leave it on a table. There is another bar which can be accessed behind T17 which can sometimes be quieter... There are screens as well, so you get to see the action + timing etc.. All in all we like it and accept the idiosyncrasies. We used to have extra ACO stuff, but gave up when it felt like you were just given random allocation in terms of camping or grandstand or both. Of course T18 is busy as it has those sitting there and ACO members in the cafe area.. but it ebbs and flows as much as any and quite often we just do tactical queuing if necessary - basically if there is a fairly short queue don't dally!

[RL17]

I thought you had the option of 1, 2 or 3 guests with a member at 40,80 or 120 plus the members 40.

Have bought for 1+1 this year - assume you get wristbands after signing in with Membership card or is there a separate ticket?

[LM240]

I only get ACO membership for early ticket access / being able to get tickets for the ACO stand with the bar and clean toilets without having to leave stand.

The area next to Dunlop wasn’t anything that special. Bit of a different vantage point, but wouldn’t make a special trip.

[Output Flange]

G30001 said:

There is mention on last years page of a 20EUR entry fee for up to 3 guests but given a added person to the membership is 40EUR I will assume that the 20EUR Fee is per day.

What are peoples experiences of the ACO areas, is the food better than everywhere else? Are they mobbed like the bars in the village?

I'd ignore the 20EUR reference to last year - last year was capped at 50k spectators, it felt more like 20k and they didn't charge me entry to the member's areas anyway.

I've seen nothing in any of the ACO comms for this year about a 20EUR offer, only 40EUR, and the 40EUR is valid for the duration of the booking member's ACO membership, not just the weekend.

The food has a bit more variety than out on the circuit, and the areas can be a good place to chill out. I quite like the viewing area on the inside of the Dunlop bridge, although it looks as though they might have moved it this year.

[Chrisgr31]

Must admit I am not sure the new cheaper ACO membership works for me. The exclusive areas were nice, but not as nice as the cost of them.

[Rick101]

Well it's 65+40 so 105 euros which is what it was before anyway. Just allows you to separate the lounge access if you don't want it.


Sadly their are more negatives
The discounted entries have reduced from 6 to 2.
2 camping discounts, not sure what it was previously??
Guest access for the lounges was 15pp a few years back, then 20, now 40pp

Not really aware of any increase in service or benefits for the extra costs.


One question, there is an ACO suite further South, circuit inner, almost opposite the Porsche centre.
I visited once at Classic (without paying) and found a great view, beer and food laid on.
Has anybody been during the main event? Price?

Thanks.

[G30001]

First off thanks for all the replies it has been really useful.

I spoke to the other 2 that are coming this year and we decided to go for it see what we think.

Main thought train is as there is one car and 3 people we are not bringing any cooking equipment outside a small gas burner and kettle, No TV and general extras we can bring when there is a load of us and a van so wanted somewhere nicer to possibly have breakfast rather than the vans, WiFi, Cheaper Beer (18EUR a round is easier to swallow than 24EUR) and TV to properly catch up on the race.

Rick101 said:

Not really aware of any increase in service or benefits for the extra costs.

Think the ACO have been pulling our pants further down year on year, I first went in 2006 and beer was 3-4EUR then it went to 5 for a few years then pretty much jumped 2 EUR the year they stopped you bringing beer in then to 8EUR.

I have pictures of the bars in the village when it was 5EUR and they were heaving with all ages and full of atmosphere now they are half full of middle aged men (me being one of them).

It is sad that the ACO are pricing the younger fans out of this event, over 17 years I have met loads of people and always ping them to see if they are coming but loads have stopped coming back as they can't justify the money a weekend at Le Mans cost when they can have a week holiday with their mates/family for the same price.

Anyways enough of the downer I have a pent up 3 years of no Le Mans to get out of my system so hold onto your hats people .........

thanks again all for the responses.

[furtive]

Reading on the ACO website, it looks like ACO members need to pay €40 to get into the members area, and they can invite up to 3 guests each of which also has to pay €40:

24 HOURS OF LE MANS 2022: MEMBERS AREA (ACCESS FOR THE MEMBER)
Access to the club reception for the member (during the days of trials and races)
Relaxation areas, covered terrace, racing TV, giant screen, Wi-Fi access
Panoramic view of the track
Drinks & catering at preferential rates
Official 24-hour pack (including the programme, poster and entry list) delivered on site during the race
Possibility of being accompanied by 3 guests (each guest must pay the entrance fee of 40€)
Does not include event entry ticket
40 €
Valid on the same dates as your ACO membership

and

24 HOURS OF LE MANS 2022: MEMBERS AREA (ACCESS FOR 1 GUEST)
If the inviting member already has Members' Area access for themselves
Access to the club reception for 1 guest
40 €
Valid on the same dates as your ACO membership


So if I'm an ACO member (and have 2 grandstand seats in the ACO stand) I still need to pay €80 to get both of us into the members area?

[Output Flange]

furtive said:

So if I'm an ACO member (and have 2 grandstand seats in the ACO stand) I still need to pay €80 to get both of us into the members area?

Yes. Although I can't see how they'd stop T18 ticket holders using the deckchairs at the back of the Tribune.

[NightBlueGTI]

KFos said:

Correct, in that if you are an ACO member you can add a guest to your membership account at 40 euros per person for the whole week. They then have access to the members areas.
In the past, you could only do this when on site.
Definitely more expensive than before, so more beer will therefore need to be consumed to recoup the initial outlay.

Hey quick question on the guest passes. Does the member have to be there to gain access or can you go as a guest only? The specific language mentions that guests can “accompany” the member, but it seems like everyone gets the same wristband? Thanks!

[RL17]

They just wave you in with a wristband.

Food a bit cheaper too - programme in bay too. Chappell area good - best to get discounts on other days as queues long on Saturday pm

[RL17]

Programme in bag too - so collect early if you can

[greatal]

RL17 said:

ACO Members Area ........assume you get wristbands after signing in with Membership card or is there a separate ticket?

Hi, i would like to know that also. As far as i know, ACO has not sent any separate tickets or vouchers for the members area, so 'must' i bring the membership card with me to France to get the wristbands?

Edited by greatal on Saturday 3rd June 11:39