Do I need Grandstand tickets?
Discussion
Hi All
Last time I travelled to Le Mans in 2019 we managed to survive quite successfully without Grandstand tickets. I was told recently though that they’ve reduced the areas you can view from a fair bit and that a Grandstand ticket is not essential but certainly recommended
What’s the general consensus? In the past I’ve found space near Dunlop bridge, Tetre Rouge and Chappellle without too much bother?
Last time I travelled to Le Mans in 2019 we managed to survive quite successfully without Grandstand tickets. I was told recently though that they’ve reduced the areas you can view from a fair bit and that a Grandstand ticket is not essential but certainly recommended
What’s the general consensus? In the past I’ve found space near Dunlop bridge, Tetre Rouge and Chappellle without too much bother?
Need? No. The circuit is large, and folding chairs are cheap. Want? That's a different thing. My partner and I like to use T15 or T16, as it's a handy base to operate from, somewhere covered and always available if the weather turns bad. It's also close to the food and drink stalls, plus being opposite the garages gives you a front row seat on all the pitlane drama. It's worth noting however, that there is free access on the steps and hard standing in front of all grandstands, so if you're early (or really late at night) you can be quite literally inches away from the track for free. You do NOT have to pay extra to be in the best place at Le Mans.
My first year was '22, and went last year as well.
I had a T4 GS for '22 and felt like a dummy buying it. Given the orientation and location of my seat, the sun wasn't blocked for the start nor the finish(moved to a free seat above for that one). There were people in front of the GS with a lower, yet closer, so overall, better view. I rolled up early anyway. You could stroll around other GS's after nightfall and in the morning. We spent the 24 hrs going around the track anyway.
Come '23, and everything changed. We came early, yet, the crowd was enormous. 5 hours of waiting in a jam of people. The first row of chairs never left. There was security at all GS's all night long. It rained heavily at one point. Strolled around the track at night and in the morning, came back for the finish which was again jam packed.
So for this year, I got one at T14. The plan is to use them for start and finish, inclement weather and on occasion. It's a good base near the expo parking where we plan to doze off for a few hours in the car. Having a guaranteed seat means we can sleep late, come rested and rock up closer to start time.
I had a T4 GS for '22 and felt like a dummy buying it. Given the orientation and location of my seat, the sun wasn't blocked for the start nor the finish(moved to a free seat above for that one). There were people in front of the GS with a lower, yet closer, so overall, better view. I rolled up early anyway. You could stroll around other GS's after nightfall and in the morning. We spent the 24 hrs going around the track anyway.
Come '23, and everything changed. We came early, yet, the crowd was enormous. 5 hours of waiting in a jam of people. The first row of chairs never left. There was security at all GS's all night long. It rained heavily at one point. Strolled around the track at night and in the morning, came back for the finish which was again jam packed.
So for this year, I got one at T14. The plan is to use them for start and finish, inclement weather and on occasion. It's a good base near the expo parking where we plan to doze off for a few hours in the car. Having a guaranteed seat means we can sleep late, come rested and rock up closer to start time.
We didn't have them for a few years but for the last 10 or so have had seats in Dunlop. As others say, you can get to stand 30 mins before the start and know you are going to get a decent seat with a view, same at the end. They are also a great base for the group (12 of us) to come and go.
I've had a grandstand seat for the last 20 years +. I'm older now and this year health is not quite what it was, so the seat is pretty essential for me.
Mention was made of GS seats on the resale site, but I've seen none other than the T03bis package. Probably because the ACO haven't enabled the resale of joint entry/GS tickets.
Mention was made of GS seats on the resale site, but I've seen none other than the T03bis package. Probably because the ACO haven't enabled the resale of joint entry/GS tickets.
We never had grandstand seats but then got bored of having to swelter in the heat to keep our bagged spot in the general enclosure. Then got various grandstand seats, used for start and end and bits in the middle but also able to move around the general enclosure area during the race.
Last year booked too late for grandstand seats and it was a nightmare, so crowded trackside at the start, even though we thought we were early. Couldn’t move, sweltering etc. Actually watched the end from the big screen on the camp site!
So back in a grandstand this year.
Last year booked too late for grandstand seats and it was a nightmare, so crowded trackside at the start, even though we thought we were early. Couldn’t move, sweltering etc. Actually watched the end from the big screen on the camp site!
So back in a grandstand this year.
ellroy said:
We’ve done 1 year without seats.
The weather was good which helped but the start finish were so rammed almost impossible to see anything.
In general though if the weather is crap/roasting a nice bit of cover is welcome. We’d not do without again.
Same here. No grandstand last year and it was horrible. We found a good spot, but it was in the sun and you daren't move as you`d lose your place. It is nice having a guaranteed place to watch the start and finish and also to go for a wander and know you can still go back to your seat.The weather was good which helped but the start finish were so rammed almost impossible to see anything.
In general though if the weather is crap/roasting a nice bit of cover is welcome. We’d not do without again.
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