When To Drive to Le Mans: Wednesday Vs Thursday?
Discussion
Hi all, second time around going to Le Mans, but first time with a ‘proper car’ (4 people in an X308 Jaguar XJR) and first time being able to drive down on either Wednesday or Thursday as opposed to late on Friday night. The question is which day should I drive down on? I want the maximum Le Mans experience with the most amount of people driving down there at the same time, the options are get a morning eurotinnel on Wednesday, or a morning tunnel on Thursday. I hope you can all help me out!
We tend to go over Tuesday and spend a night or two in France en route. Then drive down on the Weds or Thursday.
There’s a bit more LM traffic Thursday for sure but nothing I’d be bothered about. More time at the circuit/city/surrounds more than makes up.
Seem to be less likely to see Les Rossers earlier in the week- not that we speed down like lunatics anymore.
There’s a bit more LM traffic Thursday for sure but nothing I’d be bothered about. More time at the circuit/city/surrounds more than makes up.
Seem to be less likely to see Les Rossers earlier in the week- not that we speed down like lunatics anymore.
There is a lot going if you know where to look - this was what I managed to discover last year, hope it helps - it is in the Race Week Programme part of the website:
https://www.le-mans-guide.co.uk/legal-notice
It is also worth remembering that the track(inc all the public roads that make it up) is closed from 0300 Wednesday morning until after the race on Sunday, BUT last year you could walk, run, peddle or scooter around the full circuit on Friday afternoon.
Hope this is helpful
Regards
Strasse
https://www.le-mans-guide.co.uk/legal-notice
It is also worth remembering that the track(inc all the public roads that make it up) is closed from 0300 Wednesday morning until after the race on Sunday, BUT last year you could walk, run, peddle or scooter around the full circuit on Friday afternoon.
Hope this is helpful
Regards
Strasse
Timings have yet to be finalised, but from whats published and last years schedule, practice starts at 2pm on Wednesday, with qualifying at 7pm, then more practice till midnight. Then on Thursday practice starts at 3, with hyperpole at 8pm, and more practice till 12.
So by the time you've done the shopping, parked up, and gone to the circuit, it could be 4pm? so you won't see that much if you arrive Thursday. But then I'm biased because I arrive on Monday
So by the time you've done the shopping, parked up, and gone to the circuit, it could be 4pm? so you won't see that much if you arrive Thursday. But then I'm biased because I arrive on Monday
Well thursday is a bit late TBH Our campsite (TR) is usually full up by wednesday. There are always plenty of interesting cars going down from Saturday the weekend before. Get off the motorway and use the old roads and you will see more, sit at a roadside cafe and you will enjoy the parade of cars going past, rather than sit on a motorway where everyone travels at the same speed so you see very few cars. Plenty to do all week at le mans and from Wednesday track action most of the time.
I'm getting the overnight ferry on Tuesday that gets in early Wednesday. I'll arrive at the circuit at about the same time that the first practice sessions start. Driving under Terte Rouge with cars driving over is a good way to start the festivities.
Edited by VladD on Tuesday 30th January 19:05
For years I have been travelling on Thursday, arriving at the circuit around 4pm, then leaving on Monday to travel back on the 5pm Chunnel.
Last year I caught the Tuesday overnight ferry and drove on Wednesday Morning to Le Mans.
It made it much more relaxing, as we were able to get set up, do the supermarket shop etc well before the Thursday practice, and had the whole of Friday to check out the Pits etc
If you have the option to arrive on the Wednesday I would recommend it, it actually makes quite a difference
Last year I caught the Tuesday overnight ferry and drove on Wednesday Morning to Le Mans.
It made it much more relaxing, as we were able to get set up, do the supermarket shop etc well before the Thursday practice, and had the whole of Friday to check out the Pits etc
If you have the option to arrive on the Wednesday I would recommend it, it actually makes quite a difference
We tend to go down to Folkstone on Wednesday after work and stay the night there. We then get a 07:00ish tunnel on Thursday. This is mainly because one of the party doesn't want to leave Berkshire at 05:00 on Thursday. Seems to work for us, we get to the campsite and are all setup for the Hyperpole and free practice. By setup though I mean pitching tents and chucking in sleeping bags, we don't go the whole hog like some people.
I would add that we then go to the supermarket on Friday morning and generally chill
I would add that we then go to the supermarket on Friday morning and generally chill
I'll be traveling down on Thursday, mostly because that's as early as I want to finish work and be by myself at Le Mans whilst I wait for my Fiancée to drive down to meet me there. I'm due to catch the 20:20 train. I tend to prefer a night drive, the traffic is much quieter on the roads. For the return, I'm doing the same as last year and leaving on the Monday at mid-day, that way the mad dash for the coast is gone.
As @FredericRobinson said, depends if you want the best "at Le Mans" experience or the best "on the road to Le Mans" one.
Of the two the best "on the road" experience will be Thursday. Most people try to minimise the number of leave days they need to use up for Le Mans and so the later to leave it the more people are on the road with you.
The best "at Le Mans" experience is going to be Wednesday though. Driving Thurs. can make everything a bit of a whirlwind with no time to actually relax. Drive down Wed. and you find Thursday's a bit of a dead day - but that's great. Chilled morning, pop to the supermarket for supplies, wander over to the village while it's empty for a wander with no queues, sit drinking warn largers while the campsite slowly fills in around you.
Of the two the best "on the road" experience will be Thursday. Most people try to minimise the number of leave days they need to use up for Le Mans and so the later to leave it the more people are on the road with you.
The best "at Le Mans" experience is going to be Wednesday though. Driving Thurs. can make everything a bit of a whirlwind with no time to actually relax. Drive down Wed. and you find Thursday's a bit of a dead day - but that's great. Chilled morning, pop to the supermarket for supplies, wander over to the village while it's empty for a wander with no queues, sit drinking warn largers while the campsite slowly fills in around you.
//j17 said:
Drive down Wed. and you find Thursday's a bit of a dead day - but that's great. Chilled morning, pop to the supermarket for supplies, wander over to the village while it's empty for a wander with no queues, sit drinking warn largers while the campsite slowly fills in around you.
Or even watch some cars out on the track..... 
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