Le Mans Classic - thoughts?
Discussion
Lets start the thread then as the 24 hour boys are getting annoyed their thread is being hijacked.
We stayed on Blue Nord, 1st Tickets - PH provider. Have to say they excelled. Tasty food, lots of it and beer at 6.60 euros with a free one and a free cup at the start. We did take a lot of our own though...
Showers were always hot, and no waiting unless you went at the really busy times, and they and the toilets were cleaned regularly. Huge pitches, well marked out and a secure fencing al around with security on the gate and patrols throughout the day and night. Huge number of staff who were always friendly. Loved the car racing setup and challenge for fastest lap.
On sunday they left bin bags on every tent to assist with the tidying up. Almost everyone took their rubbish to the bins provided except for the porsche owner who left it all piled up on his pitch. An amazing selection of cars on the site, worth a walk around to spot them all. The Bentley blower was great and I loved the van with the standard lamp outside
Would totally recommend 1st tickets
The event itself has had a huge amount of investment since last year. A new bridge just down from the Porsche Center means you didn't have to walk miles to the grandstand tunnel to cross the track to the paddocks. New stands on the way to Tetre rouge seemed free to sit in, a new seating area on one side of the dunlop bridge. The Village has been redeveloped for the live venue/bars etc.
Other than that, standard Classic LM. Great racing, huge numbers of cars to look at, although again a ridiculous number of Porsches. Pit/paddock access meant close access to the cars. Beer was variable in price, but baguettes and a beer could still be got for around 14-15 Eu.
I really liked this years Classic Polo shirt available from the official shops but 100Eu!!!!!! f
k off was everyones comment when they looked at the prices, although they were selling some as evidence by people walking around in official clothing.
Anyone see the Apollo's and their party mode?
Saturday was the busiest I've ever seen. Many stayed until around 2-3am to watch the night racing, by about 3am most car parks were emptyish. Still able to find good spots though to watch
We stayed on Blue Nord, 1st Tickets - PH provider. Have to say they excelled. Tasty food, lots of it and beer at 6.60 euros with a free one and a free cup at the start. We did take a lot of our own though...
Showers were always hot, and no waiting unless you went at the really busy times, and they and the toilets were cleaned regularly. Huge pitches, well marked out and a secure fencing al around with security on the gate and patrols throughout the day and night. Huge number of staff who were always friendly. Loved the car racing setup and challenge for fastest lap.
On sunday they left bin bags on every tent to assist with the tidying up. Almost everyone took their rubbish to the bins provided except for the porsche owner who left it all piled up on his pitch. An amazing selection of cars on the site, worth a walk around to spot them all. The Bentley blower was great and I loved the van with the standard lamp outside
Would totally recommend 1st tickets
The event itself has had a huge amount of investment since last year. A new bridge just down from the Porsche Center means you didn't have to walk miles to the grandstand tunnel to cross the track to the paddocks. New stands on the way to Tetre rouge seemed free to sit in, a new seating area on one side of the dunlop bridge. The Village has been redeveloped for the live venue/bars etc.
Other than that, standard Classic LM. Great racing, huge numbers of cars to look at, although again a ridiculous number of Porsches. Pit/paddock access meant close access to the cars. Beer was variable in price, but baguettes and a beer could still be got for around 14-15 Eu.
I really liked this years Classic Polo shirt available from the official shops but 100Eu!!!!!! f
k off was everyones comment when they looked at the prices, although they were selling some as evidence by people walking around in official clothing.Anyone see the Apollo's and their party mode?
Saturday was the busiest I've ever seen. Many stayed until around 2-3am to watch the night racing, by about 3am most car parks were emptyish. Still able to find good spots though to watch
Loved it, also went with 1st Ticket/Pistonheads. First ever Le Mans experience will definitely go again and probably with 1st Ticket, only negative was being pitched outside the marque and not getting as much sleep as I'd like Sunday night for the early start on Monday. Managed to walk onto the pre grid for the group C cars, being stood about 2 foot away from one of the Silk Cut XJR 12 on start up is an experience I'll never forget. Also loved seeing the Merc SL300 coupe and the final race of grid 2 with the cooper T38 and Jag D type racing to the line. Also went into Arnage Friday night was entertaining seeing the cars and locals having some fun up and down the high street.
Do you think the additional bridge was just because it was the centenary or something that will be used again at future events?
Do you think the additional bridge was just because it was the centenary or something that will be used again at future events?
This was my return to the classic after about 5 years and i noticed a massive change, we camped in eppinnettes and the campsite was pretty full up on thursday evening when we arrived, it was mostly filled with camper vans and very view classics, but plenty of porsches. Facilities were good but suspect many of the shower/toilet blocks were the old ones from tertre rouge(purpose built ones and newer temp ones there for the main event). The car club area's were again filled with mostly new cars rather than classics although the french club stands had much more classic.
The racing had also changed stretched over a longer period and no longer just the 6 plateaux races 3 times, personally i loved the legends and group c cars and the old bentleys were just a massive surprise as i did not know there were still than many in existance.
Not sure i will do the classic every year but will do it again in 2025 or 2026 depending if it reverts to biannual, but i think it will be annual in future
The racing had also changed stretched over a longer period and no longer just the 6 plateaux races 3 times, personally i loved the legends and group c cars and the old bentleys were just a massive surprise as i did not know there were still than many in existance.
Not sure i will do the classic every year but will do it again in 2025 or 2026 depending if it reverts to biannual, but i think it will be annual in future
I was a first time Classic attendee, having also been to the 24hr this year and for the first time 2022. In my limited experience, I've now camped at BSJ for the Centenary, and what used to Blue Nord, next to the 1st Tickets fence. I found the facility's in BSJ better than BN, when we first arrived, they hadn't plumbed in the toilet block, and I had to walk to the opposite side near the road to find a water standpipe to fill my bottle up.
This might be because we arrived on the Thursday morning at about 9am, but I guess I thought ACO would have gotten things ready for the visitors BEFORE they arrived not as they drove in. BSJ seemed better organised, In spite of it historically being considered one of the sites to avoid from what I can tell.
The event itself was wonderful, with the weather being significantly less hot, and the crowd much more what I felt acceptable for the size of the circuit. It was lovely and quiet at night, and nothing was too crazy for queues in the day.
I'm unsure if we'll be back, as it seems to me once you've seen the Group C cars and the glorious D Types and Knoblys one year, there isn't anything new awaiting you next year. I felt the member gifts were a bit lame too compared to the 24hr. No tote bag and poster, which I was kind of hoping for, just a large "Jim'l Fix It" style lanyard and metal clasped members card, which didn't really seem to serve any purpose.
I had a fantastic time though, and seeing my hero car (#2 XJR-9) roar round the circuit as Jaguar intended was worth every penny. I miss the circuit so much already, I'm starting to ask what I'm going to do about 2024.
This might be because we arrived on the Thursday morning at about 9am, but I guess I thought ACO would have gotten things ready for the visitors BEFORE they arrived not as they drove in. BSJ seemed better organised, In spite of it historically being considered one of the sites to avoid from what I can tell.
The event itself was wonderful, with the weather being significantly less hot, and the crowd much more what I felt acceptable for the size of the circuit. It was lovely and quiet at night, and nothing was too crazy for queues in the day.
I'm unsure if we'll be back, as it seems to me once you've seen the Group C cars and the glorious D Types and Knoblys one year, there isn't anything new awaiting you next year. I felt the member gifts were a bit lame too compared to the 24hr. No tote bag and poster, which I was kind of hoping for, just a large "Jim'l Fix It" style lanyard and metal clasped members card, which didn't really seem to serve any purpose.
I had a fantastic time though, and seeing my hero car (#2 XJR-9) roar round the circuit as Jaguar intended was worth every penny. I miss the circuit so much already, I'm starting to ask what I'm going to do about 2024.
Edited by Vsix and Vtec on Wednesday 5th July 11:26
I had a great time at the Classic. Booked my own ferry and tickets (GA, Grandstand, MB Camping) through the ACO, so about £250 all in. Next time I'll get a paddock pass too. I also managed to get a track laps ticket the week before departure, so two laps at 8:30 on Friday morning was an experience I'll never forget.
Am I going in 2025. Hell yeah!!
Am I going in 2025. Hell yeah!!
Ah, another Blue Nord, 1st Tickets camper here.
Yeah, it was very good! Weather sucked a little, especially when your tent doesn't turn out as waterproof as you thought it was, but hey ho its lived a hard life.
So first time at the Classic. The racing itself was interesting. Very stop/start. The periods in-between can cause you to wonder, and its not like the main race where you constantly checking in on specific teams' positions etc. Its a spectacle of noise and some fun stuff, but I think as a race it wont completely replace the main race for me. But trackside was miles better than the main days.
Needless to say, brilliant weekend. Well done to 1st Tickets for being awesome too.
Yeah, it was very good! Weather sucked a little, especially when your tent doesn't turn out as waterproof as you thought it was, but hey ho its lived a hard life.
So first time at the Classic. The racing itself was interesting. Very stop/start. The periods in-between can cause you to wonder, and its not like the main race where you constantly checking in on specific teams' positions etc. Its a spectacle of noise and some fun stuff, but I think as a race it wont completely replace the main race for me. But trackside was miles better than the main days.
Needless to say, brilliant weekend. Well done to 1st Tickets for being awesome too.
mk1chopper said:
Loved it, also went with 1st Ticket/Pistonheads. First ever Le Mans experience will definitely go again and probably with 1st Ticket, only negative was being pitched outside the marque and not getting as much sleep as I'd like Sunday night for the early start on Monday.
Noise at any big campsite is unfortunately a fact of life and if you do go to LM again (24hrs or Classic) the advice is to take ear plugs/ear defenders (or listen to an iPod etc) to improve the chance of sleep/lull you to sleep - we use them even when the racing isn’t on as inevitably there will be more noise at night than if you were at home. On the Sunday night/Monday morning you also have people packing late/early and heading off.I’ve used 1st Tickets for 10 yrs and as long as we are basing ourselves at the circuit they’d be our choice of travel operator
MrC986 said:
Noise at any big campsite is unfortunately a fact of life and if you do go to LM again (24hrs or Classic) the advice is to take ear plugs/ear defenders (or listen to an iPod etc) to improve the chance of sleep/lull you to sleep - we use them even when the racing isn’t on as inevitably there will be more noise at night than if you were at home. On the Sunday night/Monday morning you also have people packing late/early and heading off.
I’ve used 1st Tickets for 10 yrs and as long as we are basing ourselves at the circuit they’d be our choice of travel operator
Wasn't so much the noise which was on par with what you get camping at music festivals (although what I assume was in car footage being watched on TV at midnight was a bit loud) more the bright light from the marquee leaking into the tent. I’ve used 1st Tickets for 10 yrs and as long as we are basing ourselves at the circuit they’d be our choice of travel operator
VladD said:
I had a great time at the Classic. Booked my own ferry and tickets (GA, Grandstand, MB Camping) through the ACO, so about £250 all in. Next time I'll get a paddock pass too. I also managed to get a track laps ticket the week before departure, so two laps at 8:30 on Friday morning was an experience I'll never forget.
Am I going in 2025. Hell yeah!!
Well why not go in 2024 rather than wait another yearAm I going in 2025. Hell yeah!!
It was my first time at LMC, initially booked with Motorsport Travel destinations at Hunaudierres then changed to Lycian at Porsche Curves.
I really enjoyed the format, the turn around between races was impressively fast, and the racing good. The only way the format could have been improved was to put the Group C & Plateau 6 cars at around midnight/1am, then have the quieter cars for a few hours to aid some sleep for those who wanted it.
Having the cars grouped by age naturally means there’s always pace differences so lots of overtaking and things to see. Having the live timing via website helped follow what was going on when away from the commentary.
Beer was expensive and options other than Carlsberg were limited outside the village. We trekked down to Arnage corner on Saturday morning for a few hours and it was good to put some faces to PH usernames, thanks to Sam for the lift back.
Not sure I’ll go every time, but I’ll definitely go back at some point.
Andrew Frankel talks about driving the no.30 Bentley on this weeks Intercooler podcast which is worth a listen.
I really enjoyed the format, the turn around between races was impressively fast, and the racing good. The only way the format could have been improved was to put the Group C & Plateau 6 cars at around midnight/1am, then have the quieter cars for a few hours to aid some sleep for those who wanted it.
Having the cars grouped by age naturally means there’s always pace differences so lots of overtaking and things to see. Having the live timing via website helped follow what was going on when away from the commentary.
Beer was expensive and options other than Carlsberg were limited outside the village. We trekked down to Arnage corner on Saturday morning for a few hours and it was good to put some faces to PH usernames, thanks to Sam for the lift back.
Not sure I’ll go every time, but I’ll definitely go back at some point.
Andrew Frankel talks about driving the no.30 Bentley on this weeks Intercooler podcast which is worth a listen.
gt6 said:
VladD said:
I had a great time at the Classic. Booked my own ferry and tickets (GA, Grandstand, MB Camping) through the ACO, so about £250 all in. Next time I'll get a paddock pass too. I also managed to get a track laps ticket the week before departure, so two laps at 8:30 on Friday morning was an experience I'll never forget.
Am I going in 2025. Hell yeah!!
Well why not go in 2024 rather than wait another yearAm I going in 2025. Hell yeah!!
R.
We went with 1st Tickets who we have used for the 24h for the past ten years or so and it was the usual great service and experience from Brian, Lauren and the team.
Although I’ve been to the 24h most years since 89 this was only my second time to the classic, the last being back in 2010. It’s certainly a very different weekend to the 24h, much more relaxed although still very busy and we actually ended up walking further than we do for the 24, 38miles in 4 days, trying to see everything which is almost impossible!
Hilights for me were the parade laps which we did on Friday morning plus the Group C races which were epic, the cars still look and sound as good as I remember them.
On the negative side access to the circuit closed at 6pm on Thursday and the Museum was also closed, we were expecting to go into the village for a few drinks in the evening as we would for the 24h. Also why do they not show all the races on the big screens, rather than showing footage of old events, meant we missed much of the action?
Overall a great weekend, a different crowd and atmosphere but we would definitely go again, won’t leave it so long next time!
Although I’ve been to the 24h most years since 89 this was only my second time to the classic, the last being back in 2010. It’s certainly a very different weekend to the 24h, much more relaxed although still very busy and we actually ended up walking further than we do for the 24, 38miles in 4 days, trying to see everything which is almost impossible!
Hilights for me were the parade laps which we did on Friday morning plus the Group C races which were epic, the cars still look and sound as good as I remember them.
On the negative side access to the circuit closed at 6pm on Thursday and the Museum was also closed, we were expecting to go into the village for a few drinks in the evening as we would for the 24h. Also why do they not show all the races on the big screens, rather than showing footage of old events, meant we missed much of the action?
Overall a great weekend, a different crowd and atmosphere but we would definitely go again, won’t leave it so long next time!
Byker28i said:
We stayed on Blue Nord, 1st Tickets - PH provider. Have to say they excelled. Tasty food, lots of it and beer at 6.60 euros with a free one and a free cup at the start.
Showers were always hot, and no waiting unless you went at the really busy times, and they and the toilets were cleaned regularly. Huge pitches, well marked out and a secure fencing al around with security on the gate and patrols throughout the day and night. Huge number of staff who were always friendly. Loved the car racing setup and challenge for fastest lap.
On sunday they left bin bags on every tent to assist with the tidying up.
Would totally recommend 1st tickets
We stayed in Bleu Nord 1st Tickets/PH as well and would agree with everything - thanks to Brian, Lauren and the rest of the guys there. Would definitely recommend and use again.Showers were always hot, and no waiting unless you went at the really busy times, and they and the toilets were cleaned regularly. Huge pitches, well marked out and a secure fencing al around with security on the gate and patrols throughout the day and night. Huge number of staff who were always friendly. Loved the car racing setup and challenge for fastest lap.
On sunday they left bin bags on every tent to assist with the tidying up.
Would totally recommend 1st tickets
Loved the whole weekend despite the slightly inclement weather at times. Watching the Grid 5 and 6 cars after dark at Tertre Rouge was brilliant as was watching Sunday's racing from the balcony at the bar next to the karting/Corvette where the food was good and reasonably priced (relative to the food stands).
The drive down and back also made the weekend, not just the cars in our convoy but passing/being passed by others on the way. The line up to get on the Eurotunnel on the way out was pretty epic. In one row of the queue, pretty much every car was worth £100k+.
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