Le Mans Classic First Time Solo
Discussion
Alright, losers, boozers and jacuzzi users. It’s my first time at any Le Mans (wanted to go to the 24hr proper but by the time I thought about it it was long sold out……) so going to the Classic, leaving on Thursday for the 11.50 Le Shuttle.
I’m camping in Blu Nord public 1st Ticket/Pistonheads. What do I need to know? What are the bogs/showers like? What’s the booze situation? Can you drive off the site for an emergency supermarket run or should I bring everything I need in with me? What about this dress code thing? Does everyone prance about in fancy dress like Goodwood?
I understand there is some sort of classic display parking? How does that work?
Sorry for all the questions, just want to get a feel for what I’m letting myself in for!
I’m camping in Blu Nord public 1st Ticket/Pistonheads. What do I need to know? What are the bogs/showers like? What’s the booze situation? Can you drive off the site for an emergency supermarket run or should I bring everything I need in with me? What about this dress code thing? Does everyone prance about in fancy dress like Goodwood?
I understand there is some sort of classic display parking? How does that work?
Sorry for all the questions, just want to get a feel for what I’m letting myself in for!
Hi, i can cover some of your questions:
Yes you can drive off the circuit, there are a couple of supermarkets in Arnage village which is about a 10 minute drive. Food and drink on the circuit is expensive, eg a pint of draught about 10 euros (2 euros goes towards a returnable plastic glass, which most people take home as a souvenir). Food is the usual Pizza/Hot Dog/Croque Monsieur. Fine dining it’s not apart from the prices.
Most bars/stalls, if not all take credit cards, so you don’t much cash.
You can take a tram into Le Mans Centre from the Football Stadium, for about 5 Euros Return. Plenty of Bars/Cafe in the Centre.
Loads of Classic Cars parked within the circuit/camp sites to admire, plus all the competitors cars are easily accessible in the various paddocks.
Toilet/showers can be busy, particularly in morning. I tend to shower at night when it’s a bit quieter, don’t take too many clothes into the showers cos there’s not much room.
No shorts is a complete myth, absolutely no problem whatsoever, (I think the organisers what the “Goodwood Revival” vibe, but it’s usually too hot to wear many clothes.
You will do plenty of walking, so a good pair of trainers is essential. Take a small rucksack to carry a few items as you may be away from the campsite for a few hours at a time.
Enjoy!
Yes you can drive off the circuit, there are a couple of supermarkets in Arnage village which is about a 10 minute drive. Food and drink on the circuit is expensive, eg a pint of draught about 10 euros (2 euros goes towards a returnable plastic glass, which most people take home as a souvenir). Food is the usual Pizza/Hot Dog/Croque Monsieur. Fine dining it’s not apart from the prices.
Most bars/stalls, if not all take credit cards, so you don’t much cash.
You can take a tram into Le Mans Centre from the Football Stadium, for about 5 Euros Return. Plenty of Bars/Cafe in the Centre.
Loads of Classic Cars parked within the circuit/camp sites to admire, plus all the competitors cars are easily accessible in the various paddocks.
Toilet/showers can be busy, particularly in morning. I tend to shower at night when it’s a bit quieter, don’t take too many clothes into the showers cos there’s not much room.
No shorts is a complete myth, absolutely no problem whatsoever, (I think the organisers what the “Goodwood Revival” vibe, but it’s usually too hot to wear many clothes.
You will do plenty of walking, so a good pair of trainers is essential. Take a small rucksack to carry a few items as you may be away from the campsite for a few hours at a time.
Enjoy!
Might still be time to get an infield sticker from 1st tickets (certain cars only but think yours qualifies)
Drive in early and park up as part of show in car club or other sections depending on sticker/area
Take stuff in car if don’t want to carry in - that said PH 1st Tickets Bleu Nord is close
Petrol dearer in France - especially premium on autoroute services. Supermarkets shut Sunday
From infield parking you may get out in a particular direction away from where you are camped
Most of public roads of circuit from Tertre Rouge to start of Porsche curves (except Mulsanne chicanes and Mulsanne and Arnage corners) should open back up after 5 or 6pm Sunday - worth a drive late Sunday on as you depart on Monday
Centenary exhibition in museum worth a look
Drive in early and park up as part of show in car club or other sections depending on sticker/area
Take stuff in car if don’t want to carry in - that said PH 1st Tickets Bleu Nord is close
Petrol dearer in France - especially premium on autoroute services. Supermarkets shut Sunday
From infield parking you may get out in a particular direction away from where you are camped
Most of public roads of circuit from Tertre Rouge to start of Porsche curves (except Mulsanne chicanes and Mulsanne and Arnage corners) should open back up after 5 or 6pm Sunday - worth a drive late Sunday on as you depart on Monday
Centenary exhibition in museum worth a look
I've done the Classic once (2022) and the 24hrs since 2013 (all with 1st Tickets) so hope I know the ropes by now.
The PH Bleu Nord campsite is well run IMO with regularly cleaned facilities. I've queued very little during the peak times so I can allay your fears on that. You can drive in/out of the site during the event although the traffic can build significantly towards the start/end of the event. There are good hypermarkets at Arnage & in Le Mans....have you pre-booked your breakfast and evening meals? Also, you can pre-order fresh patisseries via 1st Tickets but will need to order/pay the day before and they arrive at breakfast time.
As has been said, the dress code is relaxed & if you haven't booked a parade lap session (but have an eligible car) make sure you do for next time you go
The only reason I'm not going this year is because I move house this week & MrsC might not see the funny side if I scooted off to France again (having been 2 weeks ago for the 24hrs)
Make sure you explore within the circuit & also watch the Group C cars...proper noise/excite.
Have a great trip & watch your speed as there's no reason to press on if you're travelling solo - if you fancy travelling down in a group in France put a thread up on here with your crossing details & see who responds?
The PH Bleu Nord campsite is well run IMO with regularly cleaned facilities. I've queued very little during the peak times so I can allay your fears on that. You can drive in/out of the site during the event although the traffic can build significantly towards the start/end of the event. There are good hypermarkets at Arnage & in Le Mans....have you pre-booked your breakfast and evening meals? Also, you can pre-order fresh patisseries via 1st Tickets but will need to order/pay the day before and they arrive at breakfast time.
As has been said, the dress code is relaxed & if you haven't booked a parade lap session (but have an eligible car) make sure you do for next time you go
The only reason I'm not going this year is because I move house this week & MrsC might not see the funny side if I scooted off to France again (having been 2 weeks ago for the 24hrs)
Make sure you explore within the circuit & also watch the Group C cars...proper noise/excite.
Have a great trip & watch your speed as there's no reason to press on if you're travelling solo - if you fancy travelling down in a group in France put a thread up on here with your crossing details & see who responds?
My top tips, get some proper hard ground tent pegs, take a bog roll, pillow, sun hat or umbrella, cool box and fold up chair…..
Campsites won’t allow any glass bottles in. Carefour about 5 mins drive sells everything inc huge blocks of ice.
Beer cheaper at bar at tetre rouge, food way better if you take a tram in to Le Mans or a short drive in to Arnage.
bennno said:
My top tips, get some proper hard ground tent pegs, take a bog roll, pillow, sun hat or umbrella, cool box and fold up chair…..
Campsites won’t allow any glass bottles in. Carefour about 5 mins drive sells everything inc huge blocks of ice.
Beer cheaper at bar at tetre rouge, food way better if you take a tram in to Le Mans or a short drive in to Arnage.
They will allow glass bottles on PHBN as the regular mountain of empty bottles towards the end of the weekend normally indicates (20 bottles of 1664 in a pack was about €14 at the hypermarket a couple of weeks ago). The private camping normally has plenty of loo roll but if you decide to travel further afield, then yes take some sheets with you (read the Le Mans sock story for some amusement of what might have happened in the past Campsites won’t allow any glass bottles in. Carefour about 5 mins drive sells everything inc huge blocks of ice.
Beer cheaper at bar at tetre rouge, food way better if you take a tram in to Le Mans or a short drive in to Arnage.
). Ice is normally available at Carrefour but won’t last more than about 18 hrs at best when the weather warms up but the eventual water will keep bottles reasonably cool. OP, You might want to take some headphones to try & listen to some of the commentary but it’s nothing like the Goodwood Revival for organisation & the timings/schedule can quickly fall behind as the organisation is very “relaxed”.
Krikkit said:
Unless they have different rules for the classic, as of the regular 24 the other week, glass bottles are ok in the camp sites, but not the circuit itself.
Depends on whether the camp site is deemed to be within the circuit or outside it. If you have to show an entrance ticket to access the camp site then its 'within the circuit' and they officially dont permit glass bottles. easy enough to just buy tinsbennno said:
Depends on whether the camp site is deemed to be within the circuit or outside it. If you have to show an entrance ticket to access the camp site then its 'within the circuit' and they officially dont permit glass bottles. easy enough to just buy tins
This is exactly what I've been suspecting. There's a difference between campsites everyone seems to be overlooking.bennno said:
Depends on whether the camp site is deemed to be within the circuit or outside it. If you have to show an entrance ticket to access the camp site then its 'within the circuit' and they officially dont permit glass bottles. easy enough to just buy tins
Good point, are there any?Krikkit said:
bennno said:
Depends on whether the camp site is deemed to be within the circuit or outside it. If you have to show an entrance ticket to access the camp site then its 'within the circuit' and they officially dont permit glass bottles. easy enough to just buy tins
Good point, are there any?Adrian Clarke said:
Thanks for the replies everyone! I'm camping in PH Bleu Nord public which I think is considered outside the circuit, so will probably take the advice of picking up some French stubbies at the duty free.
Hi Adrian, are you still heading down on your own. My friends have pulled out, leaving me with a ticket and nothing else. A long shot but I’m looking to tag along with someone if possible.DM if you fancy some company. I’ve not missed a LMC since 2010 so know the track etc.
Ben
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