Do I need an ACO membership card during the race week?

[AllTheGearNoIdea]

Hi everyone,

I bought an ACO membership to get buy my tickets last year. I recently had someone from the ACO phone me and leave a voicemail asking if i had received my ACO membership card. I haven't received it (and honestly didn't know it was a thing) but was informed about the ACO app which shows a virtual card instead.

Do I need the physical card for any reason over the weekend? Sorry if a silly question. This is all very new to me.

Many thanks.

[Chrisgr31]

Thanks for the reminder, I need to renew my membership. Only reason have used the card is for discount in the merch shop!

[AllTheGearNoIdea]

Great, so nothing major then. I assume the virtual card in the app is just fine for that use case as well.

[size13]

On my phone (android) I log into the app, then 10 seconds later it logs me out.

[Aysedasi2]

The card will show on the app, which as far as I recall, is about the only useful thing about the app. I always take my card, but the only times I use it are for registration to get my wristband and for any shop purchases. You should have received a card and there is still plenty of time for it to be sent and received. I'd remind them.

[AllTheGearNoIdea]

Aysedasi2 said:

The card will show on the app, which as far as I recall, is about the only useful thing about the app. I always take my card, but the only times I use it are for registration to get my wristband and for any shop purchases. You should have received a card and there is still plenty of time for it to be sent and received. I'd remind them.

Thanks, I will call them this week and ask for it to be resent. What is the wristband for that you mention?

[Aysedasi2]

For access to the members' areas, e.g. at La Chappelle and the cafe in T17/T18.

[Red9zero]

Aysedasi2 said:

The card will show on the app, which as far as I recall, is about the only useful thing about the app. I always take my card, but the only times I use it are for registration to get my wristband and for any shop purchases. You should have received a card and there is still plenty of time for it to be sent and received. I'd remind them.

This will be my first time attending with ACO membership, although 8th time I've been to LM. What is the procedure with getting a wristband and access to the members areas ? I also paid extra for some additional access, but as you say, the app isn't exactly helpful. Good point about the discount in the shops though, as I'd forgotten about that.

[Vsix and Vtec]

You queue up at the ACO Clubhouse with your membership on whichever day you'reat the circuit, they scan your card or app and you receive the wrist band that corresponds with what you've paid for. They're pretty straightforward, although they don't usually have much English language ability.

[Red9zero]

Vsix and Vtec said:

You queue up at the ACO Clubhouse with your membership on whichever day you'reat the circuit, they scan your card or app and you receive the wrist band that corresponds with what you've paid for. They're pretty straightforward, although they don't usually have much English language ability.

Thanks. I think I have walked past the clubhouse a few times.

[Aysedasi2]

Vsix and Vtec said:

You queue up at the ACO Clubhouse with your membership on whichever day you're at the circuit, they scan your card or app and you receive the wrist band that corresponds with what you've paid for. They're pretty straightforward, although they don't usually have much English language ability.

I must admit that I've never had any issue conversing in English with the ACO staff, over many years now. Having said that, it's generally just handing over my card, getting the wristband and the bag of goodies and away....

[Aysedasi2]

Red9zero said:

Thanks. I think I have walked past the clubhouse a few times.

Just outside the rear entrance to T17 and T18 and also at La Chapelle still, I believe.

[Red9zero]

Aysedasi2 said:

Red9zero said:

Thanks. I think I have walked past the clubhouse a few times.

Just outside the rear entrance to T17 and T18 and also at La Chapelle still, I believe.

That`s it. Always walked past and wondered what was in there. This year I will find out !
Also, as if I am being watched, the ACO have just emailed me about my renewal.

[AllTheGearNoIdea]

Aysedasi2 said:

For access to the members' areas, e.g. at La Chappelle and the cafe in T17/T18.

Great, thank you. I will try and get a physical card sent then on the off-chance I need it.

[leyorkie]

Wristbands alone do not allow you entry to La Chapelle as in the past. All access tickets are sold out, so it’s too late now to gain entry. Good old ACO pay more get less

[Galand]

leyorkie said:

Wristbands alone do not allow you entry to La Chapelle as in the past. All access tickets are sold out, so it’s too late now to gain entry. Good old ACO pay more get less

I don't think you're entirely correct in your interpretation of the situation.

ACO dropped price of annual membership and gave members the option to purchase further associated privileges.

One of those options is access to the member's enclosures (which includes La Chapelle) during race week. You pay additionally for this, are given a wristband in lieu of a ticket as proof of purchase and also have the option to buy a further member's enclosure wristband for a guest (I believe two guest wristbands can be purchased per membership).

But, there are a finite number of member's enclosure wristbands available, and yes, they are sold out (have been for quite some time now).

Overall, the cost of my annual ACO membership including the member's enclosure option has risen in line with what I would expect. Member's enclosure access used to be included, now it shows as a separate charge, that's all.

The number of wristbands available never used to be limited, but with the huge increase in the number of people purchasing ACO membership and wanting to add on access to the member's enclosures, the maximum capacity of the enclosures is now insufficient to accommodate the demand.

'Good old ACO pay more get less.' ?
Given how the structure of ACO membership now works, I believe 'Good old ACO, pay less get less' would be a more correct statement. What is apparent, is that they need to find a way to increase either the size of member's enclosures, or the number of member's enclosures, to satisfy the demand from members for wristbands.

[Aysedasi2]

Galand said:

don't think you're entirely correct in your interpretation of the situation.

ACO dropped price of annual membership and gave members the option to purchase further associated privileges.

One of those options is access to the member's enclosures (which includes La Chapelle) during race week. You pay additionally for this, are given a wristband in lieu of a ticket as proof of purchase and also have the option to buy a further member's enclosure wristband for a guest (I believe two guest wristbands can be purchased per membership).

But, there are a finite number of member's enclosure wristbands available, and yes, they are sold out (have been for quite some time now).

Overall, the cost of my annual ACO membership including the member's enclosure option has risen in line with what I would expect. Member's enclosure access used to be included, now it shows as a separate charge, that's all.

The number of wristbands available never used to be limited, but with the huge increase in the number of people purchasing ACO membership and wanting to add on access to the member's enclosures, the maximum capacity of the enclosures is now insufficient to accommodate the demand.

'Good old ACO pay more get less.' ?
Given how the structure of ACO membership now works, I believe 'Good old ACO, pay less get less' would be a more correct statement. What is apparent, is that they need to find a way to increase either the size of member's enclosures, or the number of member's enclosures, to satisfy the demand from members for wristbands.

Absolutely correct.

[leyorkie]

Depends on your membership package.
For a full member resident in France membership included breakdown cover and other benefits track days etc. now everything is separate and add on.
30€ each for access to “members areas” that we had enjoyed for “free” for 20 years or more was the last straw for me and many of my local friends.

[Galand]

Understood, and fair enough, I sympathise. I suspect if I found myself in the same position, I'd stamp my feet and make a lot of noise, but ultimately roll over and fall into line with the ACO's demands, the value of those member's enclosures increases as attendance numbers skyrocket. But each to their own, of course.

For those of us purchasing from across La Manche, the overall effect of the 'add on' system for membership, in terms of price, has simply been a gradual year on year increase, in line with what one would expect. Personally, I'm happy with both price and benefits.

[sahajesh]

Galand said:

Understood, and fair enough, I sympathise. I suspect if I found myself in the same position, I'd stamp my feet and make a lot of noise, but ultimately roll over and fall into line with the ACO's demands, the value of those member's enclosures increases as attendance numbers skyrocket. But each to their own, of course.

For those of us purchasing from across La Manche, the overall effect of the 'add on' system for membership, in terms of price, has simply been a gradual year on year increase, in line with what one would expect. Personally, I'm happy with both price and benefits.

Agree, while we don't get the local benefits (and wouldn't need them anyway). YoY increases are the norm nowadays and as long as the enclosures aren't over-crowded, it's good, but they need to consider for the longer term - more enclosures or expand them.