Mulsanne Viewing?
Discussion
Two parts to this….
Returning to Le Mans after a career enforced 15 year absence (the curse of a teacher!) for a flying one night visit. I’m sure a lot has changed but I presume the ability to sneak across a few hedges and fields to reach the Mulsanne straight is now near impossible?
Secondly, as a follow up, why have the ACO never tried to develop a viewing spot somewhere out on the straight? Maybe at one of the chicanes or even a temporary grandstand? Seems a prime viewing area and while I know it’s a long way down there but with the campsites where they are and the size of the crowd surely they’d be scope for it?
Returning to Le Mans after a career enforced 15 year absence (the curse of a teacher!) for a flying one night visit. I’m sure a lot has changed but I presume the ability to sneak across a few hedges and fields to reach the Mulsanne straight is now near impossible?
Secondly, as a follow up, why have the ACO never tried to develop a viewing spot somewhere out on the straight? Maybe at one of the chicanes or even a temporary grandstand? Seems a prime viewing area and while I know it’s a long way down there but with the campsites where they are and the size of the crowd surely they’d be scope for it?
I've had similar thoughts, especially as official campsites are getting ever closer.
I suspect the problem is that most of the straight is already built on, so difficult to acquire a load of land to build a big viewing area.
(Let alone you'd have to have a decent distance between the track and any public area in case of turmoil).
I suspect the problem is that most of the straight is already built on, so difficult to acquire a load of land to build a big viewing area.
(Let alone you'd have to have a decent distance between the track and any public area in case of turmoil).
Good question, last time we tried crawling, avoiding security en running from a quard dog... was also like 15 years ago.
I have been going to Le mans the last 15 years and security hase gone up for sure. Like bringing beer onto the track is more difficult. We stay on BSJ and inside prosche curves there is harly any security at night, but near de grandstand my experiance they surge al bags upon entrance.
I have been going to Le mans the last 15 years and security hase gone up for sure. Like bringing beer onto the track is more difficult. We stay on BSJ and inside prosche curves there is harly any security at night, but near de grandstand my experiance they surge al bags upon entrance.
RL17 said:
They’ve got some prime trackside land wasted for viewing down by White House.
Anything down by Mulsanne straight would end up being a VIP shuttle and very expensive stand job only as an open access GE area down there would be nightmare to control
We walked down the Mulsanne last year during the track walk. Firstly, it is a very, very long way when your hernia decides it wants to play up Anything down by Mulsanne straight would end up being a VIP shuttle and very expensive stand job only as an open access GE area down there would be nightmare to control
What I was surprised by was the amount of houses right next to the track. I realise it is actually a road, but the Mulsanne straight at the end of your garden must be the ultimate flex ! Saying that, the houses all had safety fencing a fair way back across their gardens to stop anyone leaning over their fence to watch the race, although a few had got creative with makeshift stands that would give a decent view. Even the small side roads had marshalls and fencing way back from the track, so you wouldn't see much anyway. You did get the sense though, just by standing there, at the amazing sight and sound it would be as the cars flew down there. It was a very painful walk for me, but I am so glad I did it. Mark B said:
We always go out to the Mulsanne, you can't beat the experience of seeing cars flash by that quickly. Cafe Des Hunadieres for Saturday night dinner is a must!
A visit to Hunadieres during the race has long been on my list. I understand that you can only really get to it via Tetre Rouge exit, is that correct? Also, would they accept a walk in or would you advise a reservation?Truckosaurus said:
I've had similar thoughts, especially as official campsites are getting ever closer.
I suspect the problem is that most of the straight is already built on, so difficult to acquire a load of land to build a big viewing area.
(Let alone you'd have to have a decent distance between the track and any public area in case of turmoil).
I would have thought they'd get a grandstand on the entrance of one of the chicanes, would be a great viewing spot, close to the action and should be safe enough if it's in the right spot. I suspect the problem is that most of the straight is already built on, so difficult to acquire a load of land to build a big viewing area.
(Let alone you'd have to have a decent distance between the track and any public area in case of turmoil).
An experienced member of our group got us out to the straight in the middle of the night on my first trip back in 2003 and it's a proper core memory now, stunning sight.
coates848 said:
Mark B said:
We always go out to the Mulsanne, you can't beat the experience of seeing cars flash by that quickly. Cafe Des Hunadieres for Saturday night dinner is a must!
A visit to Hunadieres during the race has long been on my list. I understand that you can only really get to it via Tetre Rouge exit, is that correct? Also, would they accept a walk in or would you advise a reservation?250,000 people there and you think you could just walk in and there'd be a vacant table?
Hotel Arbor
Fee to get in. There are opening times, I’ll try find a picture of the sign I took.
Have the fencing running along the car park and you can cut through the trees to get to 2nd chicane.
Didn’t do it for many years and when I eventually did it was so good to see the action from a different perspective.
…… The running joke is that I should also tell you it is horrible and there are venomous snakes in the woods, to try and make sure it doesn’t get too busy!
Fee to get in. There are opening times, I’ll try find a picture of the sign I took.
Have the fencing running along the car park and you can cut through the trees to get to 2nd chicane.
Didn’t do it for many years and when I eventually did it was so good to see the action from a different perspective.
…… The running joke is that I should also tell you it is horrible and there are venomous snakes in the woods, to try and make sure it doesn’t get too busy!
Jordie Barretts sock said:
coates848 said:
Mark B said:
We always go out to the Mulsanne, you can't beat the experience of seeing cars flash by that quickly. Cafe Des Hunadieres for Saturday night dinner is a must!
A visit to Hunadieres during the race has long been on my list. I understand that you can only really get to it via Tetre Rouge exit, is that correct? Also, would they accept a walk in or would you advise a reservation?250,000 people there and you think you could just walk in and there'd be a vacant table?
coates848 said:
Jordie Barretts sock said:
Tell you what, why don't you have a go and report back?
Might go with the Hotel Arbor instead as per the recommendations. No mention of a booking being required there despite those 250,000 people all trekking out that way....Think the times were a new thing. Have previously targeted early morning / sunrise timings for Arbor.
The location will limit a lot bothering to go.
LM240 said:
coates848 said:
Jordie Barretts sock said:
Tell you what, why don't you have a go and report back?
Might go with the Hotel Arbor instead as per the recommendations. No mention of a booking being required there despite those 250,000 people all trekking out that way....Think the times were a new thing. Have previously targeted early morning / sunrise timings for Arbor.
The location will limit a lot bothering to go.
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