Le Mans Classic - possible newbie
Discussion
Hi all,
Considering the Classic for the first time having been fairly regular at the main 24hr for the last 20yrs.
A few questions -
- Are the campsites still busy at the Classic? I have always camped at the main 24hr and enjoy the atmosphere (and cars) on the campsites?
- What are the crowds like, it often looks like the grandstands are sparsely populated?
- Is there anything going on in Le Mans itself?
- How is the overall experience versus the main 24hr?
Thanks in advance,
R
Considering the Classic for the first time having been fairly regular at the main 24hr for the last 20yrs.
A few questions -
- Are the campsites still busy at the Classic? I have always camped at the main 24hr and enjoy the atmosphere (and cars) on the campsites?
- What are the crowds like, it often looks like the grandstands are sparsely populated?
- Is there anything going on in Le Mans itself?
- How is the overall experience versus the main 24hr?
Thanks in advance,
R
- Are the campsites still busy at the Classic? I have always camped at the main 24hr and enjoy the atmosphere (and cars) on the campsites?
The camp sites still get busy, but not quite as manic as during the 24.
- What are the crowds like, it often looks like the grandstands are sparsely populated?
It's busy enough, but again, not like the 24 has been these last few years. You don't have to queue for 30 minutes to get a beer. There are enough people there for it not to feel quiet, but the vibe is definitely more laid back.
- Is there anything going on in Le Mans itself?
I can't answer this at the moment, but then I've never been into Le Mans itself during the 24, so it's not something I'd think about.
- How is the overall experience versus the main 24hr?
Much more laid back. Racing wise, it depends what you're into. Stuff from the 30s isn't that interesting to me, but watching Porsche 917s in Gulf livery go past is almost a religious experience. You don't go so much for the racing, I rarely care who wins a race, but if you like seeing and hearing classic racing cars, then it's definitely worth a visit. Some races have very large grids.
The camp sites still get busy, but not quite as manic as during the 24.
- What are the crowds like, it often looks like the grandstands are sparsely populated?
It's busy enough, but again, not like the 24 has been these last few years. You don't have to queue for 30 minutes to get a beer. There are enough people there for it not to feel quiet, but the vibe is definitely more laid back.
- Is there anything going on in Le Mans itself?
I can't answer this at the moment, but then I've never been into Le Mans itself during the 24, so it's not something I'd think about.
- How is the overall experience versus the main 24hr?
Much more laid back. Racing wise, it depends what you're into. Stuff from the 30s isn't that interesting to me, but watching Porsche 917s in Gulf livery go past is almost a religious experience. You don't go so much for the racing, I rarely care who wins a race, but if you like seeing and hearing classic racing cars, then it's definitely worth a visit. Some races have very large grids.
Campsites are different as Houx etc not available as all of the infield near the Bugatti circuit is a big car show
Lots more people use hotels (ticket buyers as opposed to corporate/manufacturers team and guests)and drive in as loads of Classic and approved marquee can drive into circuit and park by Bugatti track. Driving Vantage in is good as can leave stuff in car as opposed to main race. Didn’t do last year but did 3or4 before that. Vantage entry was free with advance ticket but AMOC charge for marquee and water etc
Shorter event really Friday to Sunday and not much in town.
Cars have a lot of downtime in 24 hours as 6 plateaus or groups and only do 3 x 45 min sessions and early years pfaff around with LM starts a lot.
Racing not as good as Goodwood revival or members meeting - track to big. GT 40s are always good. Group normally just a Saturday morning support race
Big trade show - there are lots of official videos - good event but their timing and schedule drifts and I don’t like the little big man’s event
In 4 visits I can’t ever remember who won a single session.
Paddocks are good (separate ticket I believe)- grandstands too and cheap and never full
Drive down and back pretty good but used to be great 10 years ago but not so good recently
Lots more people use hotels (ticket buyers as opposed to corporate/manufacturers team and guests)and drive in as loads of Classic and approved marquee can drive into circuit and park by Bugatti track. Driving Vantage in is good as can leave stuff in car as opposed to main race. Didn’t do last year but did 3or4 before that. Vantage entry was free with advance ticket but AMOC charge for marquee and water etc
Shorter event really Friday to Sunday and not much in town.
Cars have a lot of downtime in 24 hours as 6 plateaus or groups and only do 3 x 45 min sessions and early years pfaff around with LM starts a lot.
Racing not as good as Goodwood revival or members meeting - track to big. GT 40s are always good. Group normally just a Saturday morning support race
Big trade show - there are lots of official videos - good event but their timing and schedule drifts and I don’t like the little big man’s event
In 4 visits I can’t ever remember who won a single session.
Paddocks are good (separate ticket I believe)- grandstands too and cheap and never full
Drive down and back pretty good but used to be great 10 years ago but not so good recently
Edited by RL17 on Friday 27th September 18:48
I've done the Classic once (2023) and we're going back next year instead of doingnrhe 24hrs as a change.
If you have a suitable car, I strongly suggest doing a parade lap session...it might be expensive but driving the whole of the circuit 2-3 times is well worth it (it was a bucket list moment for me). PS our parade lap session was at just after 08.00 on the Saturday with plenty of Brits and was well disciplined, even if I did manage about (cough cough) 230kph down the Mulsanne which was utterly brilliant & the marshalls were stood filming us on their phones.
I agree that the Classic isn't quite as well organised as the Revival (it is France of course) but the sound sound of the 1980s era racing cars is something you don't forget.
If you have a suitable car, I strongly suggest doing a parade lap session...it might be expensive but driving the whole of the circuit 2-3 times is well worth it (it was a bucket list moment for me). PS our parade lap session was at just after 08.00 on the Saturday with plenty of Brits and was well disciplined, even if I did manage about (cough cough) 230kph down the Mulsanne which was utterly brilliant & the marshalls were stood filming us on their phones.
I agree that the Classic isn't quite as well organised as the Revival (it is France of course) but the sound sound of the 1980s era racing cars is something you don't forget.
In addition to the above, the one quirk of the event is that the 'racing' doesn't start until 1600 on the Saturday to mimic the main race.
So you have to plan your Saturday to look around the car show part during the day and then hang around into the evening/night for the racing.
(Although they have done some support races earlier in the day).
So you have to plan your Saturday to look around the car show part during the day and then hang around into the evening/night for the racing.
(Although they have done some support races earlier in the day).
The racing is like all Le Mans racing ie. cars go past with all the associated noise and fury but unless you're paying attention it's impossible to ascertain what's going on without recourse a screen! Maybe the 45 minute format is better in that respect - and at least there's plenty of variety!
Apparently the last couple were 24hr-grade busy, a far cry from 2002 (shut up grandpa!), but in the late 2010s it was still tolerable.
The town is nice, and the tram very handy, obviously very bust but not crazy (had a pleasantafternoon stupifying myself with Pernod on a sunny backstreet...) - I think most of the pilgrims don't know it's there!
Apparently the last couple were 24hr-grade busy, a far cry from 2002 (shut up grandpa!), but in the late 2010s it was still tolerable.
The town is nice, and the tram very handy, obviously very bust but not crazy (had a pleasantafternoon stupifying myself with Pernod on a sunny backstreet...) - I think most of the pilgrims don't know it's there!
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