On site today at LM

On site today at LM

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Strasse

Original Poster:

96 posts

188 months

Thursday 8th June 2023
quotequote all
LM Thursday - Very significant upgrade in the village and surrounding areas.
Bigger, better Bars & Food outlets - - everything is far more professional - lots of money has been spent on it - Fans Zones are good and Concerts are now sort of in front of (across the Bugatti track) "old" Houx. From the foot tunnel (from airfield side) pass under ACO race control and carry on past the Paddock , past the way up to the Village and on your right is the new Concert Area.

Also new Grandstands to cover Dunlop, Essex & Tertre Rouge.
Area over Dunlop Bridge on the Museum side. has had a significant makeover - Very big Restaurant - 300 plus cover I would guess. Circuit TV and a very professional looking BBQ outfit - massive improvement over last year.

This really is a 100% improvement over last year.

Pictures in/on LM TODAY section of www.le-mans-guide.co.uk

more pictures to follow

Red9zero

7,908 posts

64 months

Thursday 8th June 2023
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They certainly have been spending the cash. Well spent though as it is very busy.

RobbyJ

1,634 posts

229 months

Thursday 8th June 2023
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Great job updating the guide even while you're on site. You've really made an amazing contribution to Brits visiting LM. Look forward to saying hello in PH BN.

Miserablegit

4,171 posts

116 months

Thursday 8th June 2023
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Yes, many thanks for this update.

Strasse

Original Poster:

96 posts

188 months

Thursday 8th June 2023
quotequote all
Apologies ESSEX.....spelling checker insists that ESSES is spelt ESSEX....maybe it should be!!!!

Thanks for the kind comments


Still just under 30C on the campsite in the sun!!!!

Glade

4,318 posts

230 months

Thursday 8th June 2023
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Ahhhh I am staying with family in Brittany. Saw loads of LeMans traffic on the Portsmouth - St Malo Ferry on Wednesday night. Boat was busier than I have seen in years of family trips. The vibe on the boat was really good!!

I was supposed to be popping over for the race but by the time I got round to getting tickets all gone, hadn't clocked it was the 100 years.

So I hope you all have a great weekend!!

Hope the upgrades aren't just for the anniversary, because now I am super keen for next time!!

leyorkie

1,682 posts

183 months

Thursday 8th June 2023
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Glade said:
Ahhhh I am staying with family in Brittany. Saw loads of LeMans traffic on the Portsmouth - St Malo Ferry on Wednesday night. Boat was busier than I have seen in years of family trips. The vibe on the boat was really good!!

I was supposed to be popping over for the race but by the time I got round to getting tickets all gone, hadn't clocked it was the 100 years.

So I hope you all have a great weekend!!

Hope the upgrades aren't just for the anniversary, because now I am super keen for next time!!
Spare ticket available 😄

Dal3D

1,219 posts

158 months

Thursday 8th June 2023
quotequote all
Our 2nd day here today in and around the fan zone - seems well thought out and accessible. Today was significantly busier than yesterday so gawd know what's it's going to be like at the weekend.

Took the free bus out to Mulsanne and then Indianapolis/ Arnarge and back to the paddock taking all afternoon. Great to see the monster HyperCars close up and thundering around

Trams working well into Le Mans although T2 is not running apparently during the drivers parade tomorrow. (T1 to the circuit is..handy having a french OH to explain all this local stuff!)

Great British Welcome tomorrow with PH - been a superb first Le Mans so far!

Mr_Buller

37 posts

49 months

Thursday 8th June 2023
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Be my second Le Mans after going for the first time last year. This year it's last minute Le Mans as I only made the decision to go this morning!

Overnight foot passengering it on the ferry tomorrow night then a 9:15 train from Caen to Le Mans. All booked today having to stay in Caen on Sunday night as the late ferry is sold out.

Last year I was in T23 but no grandstand this year - GA ticket procured today (huge thanks to Crook in the sales thread) - having just seen the forecast so interested if there is anywhere sheltered to watch for GA? Assume that there will be no way of upgrading or getting into a grandstand during the race - last year I would say T23 was never more than 50% capacity after the first couple of hours - was also a good place to sleep.

Current thinking is get some accommodation near a tram stop and go there for a few hours sleep from when I've had enough between 1-3am and then back to the circuit after breakfast.

Literally cannot wait to get on that ferry tomorrow.

Anyone else doing it solo?


hyper jay

679 posts

162 months

Thursday 8th June 2023
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Garage Vert has a fun zone and a large screen on it which is great
Busy very different from years before
Love the Nascar and the entry list

Glade

4,318 posts

230 months

Friday 9th June 2023
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leyorkie said:
Spare ticket available ??
Thanks, but we have other plans now!!

MB140

4,364 posts

110 months

Friday 9th June 2023
quotequote all
Wife and I are staying in the Flexitel site about 2 mins walk from the Port Est entrance .

Today we have decided to take the bus service around the entire route.

So far it has been seamless, buses all link up one after the other. Drivers polite and speak good English (typical Brit can only speak a few worlds of French).

I agree a lot of money has been spent this year in the fan zones.

Currently down at Mulsane corner watching the Farrari Challenge qualifying and in the main straight right in front of us two crash in to each other and then the barriers. They must build them Ferrari race cars strong as it’s bent the barrier good and proper but they both carried in with little damage.

Off to Arnage next.

Den Den

272 posts

26 months

Friday 9th June 2023
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Guys, which gates will be open at 1pm for track access? Er, 3pm I now see, haven't had a drink yet.


Edited by Den Den on Friday 9th June 11:10

//j17

4,616 posts

230 months

Friday 9th June 2023
quotequote all
Den Den said:
Guys, which gates will be open at 1pm for track access? Er, 3pm I now see, haven't had a drink yet.
Last year we found getting on to the circuit around the pits was easy, getting back off the circuit not so much. There was a gate just past the Dunlop bridge, or at least open when they weren't emptying the bins right next to it, that meant closing it for long enough for us to give up an keep walking. After that it really wasn't clear where you could escape. I think we ended up jumping the armco somewhere down by the KFC - and expecting to be stopped by someone at any minute to be told off!

MB140

4,364 posts

110 months

Friday 9th June 2023
quotequote all
Last year it was at the drivers club entrance right at the start of the main straight.

This year it’s further up the paddock. Just before the stairs to the village. Just checked about 10 minutes ago and it’s not open yet but is about 150 people deep.


Strasse

Original Poster:

96 posts

188 months

Friday 9th June 2023
quotequote all
Its chucking it down...30C and the odd thunder clap

but greatly appreciated to damp the dust down.

Not really sure about rain for the race but as regular le Maners know; weather can just bypass LM or hover over the Mulsanne.

Just heard a great talk by John Hindhaugh and his LM team - great fun

If you are here hope you found shelter

Regards
Strasse

Den Den

272 posts

26 months

Friday 9th June 2023
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Thanks for the info all, wound up stuck in a wine bar in town unfortunately ..

Strasse

Original Poster:

96 posts

188 months

Saturday 10th June 2023
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Great evening last night - very fast fly past by the French Naval Air Arm and a display by Patrol de France (French Air Force Display team).

A brilliant Firework display based around a review of the 100 years of LM winners in the Concert Area Plus an amazing drone display...I will upload more pics on LM Today section of www.le-mans-guide.co.uk

Rain in the air but forecast to clear before the start with a predicted dry race...still very hot and sticky and overcast.

Turbolader

35 posts

173 months

Saturday 10th June 2023
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I agree on the improvements - vastly better in places but im sorry to say but today was dreadful in the circuit. Far too many people - it was absolutely dangerous where they have placed stands in the natural flow of foot traffic, funnelling people from both directions into each other, especially between Dunlop bridge and tertre touge. Hourlong queues for drinks or food. Fortunately we have a campsite with circuit views so retreated there and heading down again now to see if it’s quietened down a bit.

Mr_Buller

37 posts

49 months

Sunday 11th June 2023
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Anyone know if any of the small vendors are selling race radios - want one but don't want to pay €90