Le Mans tour operator pulled out almost last minute
Discussion
We aren't allowed to name and shame, but our tour operator for Le Mans Classic has decided to pull out of our campsite, Hunaudieres, and says they are going to take the 350 plus campers and squeeze them into Porsche Curves - miles away from out intended location. Its a Travel Disaster for us.
A bit last minute, and the options given are take it, or don't go and have a refund... Total Devastation for us as we had planned everything around that site, booked restaurants etc. All the money already paid for the trip The whole Deposit.
Too late too look elsewhere, and basically they don't care - Talked Down to us. It's the 100th year event so will be special and probably we don't have an option if we want to be there which we do.
Chose your Operator carefully folks - we won't be using them again.
A bit last minute, and the options given are take it, or don't go and have a refund... Total Devastation for us as we had planned everything around that site, booked restaurants etc. All the money already paid for the trip The whole Deposit.
Too late too look elsewhere, and basically they don't care - Talked Down to us. It's the 100th year event so will be special and probably we don't have an option if we want to be there which we do.
Chose your Operator carefully folks - we won't be using them again.
I booked with them for 20 years, same campsite every year, booked as soon as I got back from each years race. The original people were a pleasure to deal with, since they sold up customer service has vanished, this year, despite my years of custom and being one of the first to get my booking in they’ve only only not honoured my booking but have totally failed to communicate.
Their customer service is shameful, luckily I managed to get what I wanted from a mate who has a similar length of booking record with a company who do look after their customers, I’ll never deal with Totally Disastrous again, anyone who does should be very wary
Their customer service is shameful, luckily I managed to get what I wanted from a mate who has a similar length of booking record with a company who do look after their customers, I’ll never deal with Totally Disastrous again, anyone who does should be very wary
MrC986 said:
OP, you could always try 1st Tickets as the PH partner.....they might have space to accommodate you & run a good operation at Bleu Nord on their private campsite.
Thanks, we'll try on Tuesday when people are available. I contacted them and Fast track as TVR partner who say they also use 1st.We've been at Blue Nord before but at the tiny site next door, only that small operator was bought out, as quite a few of the small operators have been. It's not a bad distance to walk into the main part of the circuit from there
pingu393 said:
I just googled "Hunaudieres", and to be fair to the OP there will be a big difference between the two parts of the circuit.
Hunaudieres is a great spot. 10-15 mins to walk either side of the circuit to the main event, with car clubs on route either way. PH parking was 5 mins walk away with lots of other car clubs. Tunnel under the track there, plus close to Tetre Rouge with the great pub, live music and brilliant food.Site was small, quiet, track was the other side of banking which was a great place to stroll to and watch the night racing.
We'd also booked a restaurant within walking distance. All out the window now
Also, our ferry crossing was changed, so we've now got a longer drive and not such good crossing times. All after we'd paid fully!!
Hopefully we can sort something Tuesday.
Hunting around for ferry crossings currently as it's a package deal our travel company won't release them to us to use.
We were also moved from our chosen and agreed ferry route onto another to another port which appears to be somewhat cheaper, but that saving wasn't passed on either...
We might have a solution later today hopefully, but we won't be going to Porsche Curves even if that means we miss this special year
We were also moved from our chosen and agreed ferry route onto another to another port which appears to be somewhat cheaper, but that saving wasn't passed on either...
We might have a solution later today hopefully, but we won't be going to Porsche Curves even if that means we miss this special year
So we've told the tour operator we were cancelling this week, we won't go to Porsche Curves and asked for our refund asap so we can book elsewhere.
We're struggling to get this back promptly, with suggestions it may be by the middle of next week, so we've all had to pay out again to book.
Ferry crossings are still just available, as mentioned, we had our crossings changed from our original port/destination to another, which we've found out id £150 cheaper. We've ended up paying just a little more for Blue Nord, but with meals included, bigger ptches
A shout out to 1st Tickets and FastTrack Tours who have been really helpful. We'll certainly be using them again.
If anyone else was in Hunaudieres and finds they are being squeezed instead into Porsche Curves, there are better alternatives... but move fast as the south coast ferry crossings are few for those days. Day before or day after is fine!
We're struggling to get this back promptly, with suggestions it may be by the middle of next week, so we've all had to pay out again to book.
Ferry crossings are still just available, as mentioned, we had our crossings changed from our original port/destination to another, which we've found out id £150 cheaper. We've ended up paying just a little more for Blue Nord, but with meals included, bigger ptches
A shout out to 1st Tickets and FastTrack Tours who have been really helpful. We'll certainly be using them again.
If anyone else was in Hunaudieres and finds they are being squeezed instead into Porsche Curves, there are better alternatives... but move fast as the south coast ferry crossings are few for those days. Day before or day after is fine!
MrC986 said:
It's strange for an operator to withdraw at almost the 11th hour.....hopefully you'll be staying at PH Bleu Nord - it's been our LM24 home since we started going in 2013 & unless we suddenly stop "glamping" I can't see we'd use any other operator 
Ditto, but only 2022 for us. I couldn't fault it, other than £74 for two extra evening meals and two extra breakfasts. Lesson learned.I think 1st Tickets is like 1st Class Rail. Once you done it, you'll find the extra money if you need to, and never go economy again.
Hope to see you there.
First off, I have nothing to do with TL anymore.
But I do know they have been offered the Hunaudieres site for the classic.
The guys there are umming and ahhring as to whether to take it on as the ACO are thieving buggers and might just make it far too expensive to be worth anyones while to take it on, but if you want it, let the guys at TL know and it may sway a decision.
But I do know they have been offered the Hunaudieres site for the classic.
The guys there are umming and ahhring as to whether to take it on as the ACO are thieving buggers and might just make it far too expensive to be worth anyones while to take it on, but if you want it, let the guys at TL know and it may sway a decision.
Byker28i said:
We aren't allowed to name and shame, but our tour operator for Le Mans Classic has decided to pull out of our campsite, Hunaudieres, and says they are going to take the 350 plus campers and squeeze them into Porsche Curves - miles away from out intended location. Its a Travel Disaster for us.
A bit last minute, and the options given are take it, or don't go and have a refund... Total Devastation for us as we had planned everything around that site, booked restaurants etc. All the money already paid for the trip The whole Deposit.
Too late too look elsewhere, and basically they don't care - Talked Down to us. It's the 100th year event so will be special and probably we don't have an option if we want to be there which we do.
Chose your Operator carefully folks - we won't be using them again.
If it helps, the guys I'm booked in for my LM 24h trip next month have just been offered the same site again (Tertre Rouge) by the ACO for the Classic as the incumbent operator has pulled out. If this relates to your own tour operator experience I wouldn't know. They called me the other evening to ask if it's something I'd be interested in asking friends etc. They obviously have no/little time to advertise so not much will be seen I guess.A bit last minute, and the options given are take it, or don't go and have a refund... Total Devastation for us as we had planned everything around that site, booked restaurants etc. All the money already paid for the trip The whole Deposit.
Too late too look elsewhere, and basically they don't care - Talked Down to us. It's the 100th year event so will be special and probably we don't have an option if we want to be there which we do.
Chose your Operator carefully folks - we won't be using them again.
If it's something others are interested in for the Classic let me know and I will post up contact details. Hope this helps those that have been let down..
RallyChamp said:
If it helps, the guys I'm booked in for my LM 24h trip next month have just been offered the same site again (Tertre Rouge) by the ACO for the Classic as the incumbent operator has pulled out. If this relates to your own tour operator experience I wouldn't know. They called me the other evening to ask if it's something I'd be interested in asking friends etc. They obviously have no/little time to advertise so not much will be seen I guess.
If it's something others are interested in for the Classic let me know and I will post up contact details. Hope this helps those that have been let down..
That’s a bugger, we’ve rebooked over the other side of the circuit, but that was our first choice.If it's something others are interested in for the Classic let me know and I will post up contact details. Hope this helps those that have been let down..
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