another Le mans virgin - questions!

[dank]

Hi
Me and my mate are Le Mans virgins and know not much at all about it, but want to do it 2004, need some racing action as this year missed all the touring cars and GT due to racing ourselves!

1. We are planning on driving down there in TVR Griff(when I buy one that is!) is this a good idea or are coach trips safer bet? ( but dumb question probably)

2. Is it better/cheaper to camp or stay in hotel, saw some hotels at £50 a night, didn't seem to bad price?

3. Is it hard to see any racing, ie. are there no areas to watch, are they too crowded? Of course there is alot of partying going on, but we do want to see the cars racing, well abit anyway

4. Can anyone recommmend a camp site or hotel thats near to the race?

5. Also, how far to drive is Le Mans from the ferry port?

any help appreciated, I know these are alot of maybe dumb questions!

[gt5s_1985]

dank said:

Hi Me and my mate are Le Mans virgins and know not much at all about it, but want to do it 2004, need some racing action as this year missed all the touring cars and GT due to racing ourselves! 1. We are planning on driving down there in TVR Griff(when I buy one that is!) is this a good idea or are coach trips safer bet? ( but dumb question probably) ***You wanna have fun? Drive the TVR... half of the fun is doing things you'd probably get in trouble for doing back home... driving in a convoy, cruising around the circuit the day before the race... This is a no-brainer. Drive it! 2. Is it better/cheaper to camp or stay in hotel, saw some hotels at £50 a night, didn't seem to bad price? ***You want a bed, hot water, and a roof or do you want to experience "The Real Thing"? You have hot water and a shower at home, why would you go away to experience the same things as at home!?? Much more "atmosphere" camping out. You are also right next to the track and all the activities so you don't need to drive during the race unless you want to. If it's your first time there's no debate - camp! 3. Is it hard to see any racing, ie. are there no areas to watch, are they too crowded? Of course there is alot of partying going on, but we do want to see the cars racing, well abit anyway ***You'll be able to see plenty. I've only camped so I can't speak for hotels, but you'll be right next to the circuit. 4. Can anyone recommmend a camp site or hotel thats near to the race? ****All the camp sites are near the race, but they are all pretty much sold out already. Everyone has their personal favorites so you'll get lots of opinions. All will have LOTS of "atmosphere".

>> Edited by gt5s_1985 on Monday 15th September 11:15

[charlescrawley]

Hiya dank,

To answer your questions:

1: Definitely drive... The drive is part of the experience and can be excellent fun in convoy... See about joining up with a group if you are on your own.

2: Definitely camp... Again, it's part of the whole experience. You just need to choose where you camp. If you want a good party atmosphere, loud music, fireworks on Sunday night and mainly Brits, join us and many more in Houx Annexe. Houx itself is quieter and has more mod cons, Camping Bleu is much more mixed in terms of nationalities. Everyone has their favourite camp site!

3: Nope, there's plenty of places to watch the racing, though access to the Mulsanne is more difficult these days. Generally you have to book into one of the restaurants that are on the straight, but they'll be sold out by now I'd guess or you have to avoid the marshalls and gendarmes and sneak around in the dark to find one of the odd places to sneak a look. Other than that, you can get grandstand tickets if you want, or join the rabble all the way along the course from the Start all round to Tertre Rouge. Good viewing can also be had at Arnage and Indianapolis.

4: Houx Annexe camp site.

5: Depends where you go to. Dieppe is 3-4 hours away, depending on how fast you go, Calais is another hour or so... Again, it's all part of the experience. There are some fantastic roads on the way down which need to be enjoyed!

For a taster of things have a look here:

www.crawleybrothers.co.uk/le_mans.htm

here:

www.maisonblanche.co.uk/index2.html

here:

www.club-arnage.com/

and here:

www.lemans.org/

All the best,

Charles

Edited for spelling...

>> Edited by charlescrawley on Monday 15th September 11:20

[dank]

cheers guys! Bit of a shame the campsites are all booked already! did read on a previous post about le mans that there are still places on campsites right up to the last week before, is this not true then

[Nacnud]

We camped Maison Blanche this year and we could almost have chucked an empty bottle onto the track from the tents. Those nearer the circuit could have!

Think of Le Mans as a huge Motorsport themed party. IMHO If you stay in a hotel then you would probably miss most of the fun!

[charlescrawley]

dank said:

cheers guys! Bit of a shame the campsites are all booked already! did read on a previous post about le mans that there are still places on campsites right up to the last week before, is this not true then

You should be able to still book camping spaces if you hunt around. Can anyone give advice?
People have said that you could get them "on the day" from the ACO this year. This is due to the number of returns that they get from the booking companies. For example, we've booked about 9 car tickets and a van for the ferry and camping through some company, but I'll guarantee one or more idiots in our group will turn round when demands for money are made (ie to actually buy the tickets) and pull out. Hence returns...

[beemer]

dank said:

Hi Me and my mate are Le Mans virgins and know not much at all about it, but want to do it 2004, need some racing action as this year missed all the touring cars and GT due to racing ourselves! 1. You've got to drive!! I've been with a motley bunch of TVR reprobates every year for the past 7, and the drive down from Calais is a real highlight. Top tip: take the new motorway heading south from Rouen to Evreux rather than the N138. Pick up the N13 to Alencon then turn off at Mortagne-sur-Perche and head straight to Le Mans. No radar traps! 2. Camping for the full-on Le Mans experience every time! Top tip: no need to book campsite tickets in advance, just get there early, head for Garage Vert, and pay about 20 Euros extra for a camping permit on the Bugatti circuit, right next to the Dunlop bridge. 3. As others have said, plenty of places to see the action, especially from the start to Tertre Rouge. Top tip: two new grandstands at Chapelle and La Foret by the new section at the Esses. This year was the first year and they were virtually empty. Uninterrupted view from Dunlop bridge to Tertre Rouge. 4. As above. 5. depends on your attitude to getting caught! We use the Tunnel every year, and the autoroute from Boulogne to Rouen is very quick. Its about 5 hours at sensible pace, less if pushing on (and avoiding rush hour in Rouen!) cheers sean

[DustyC]

Another excellent viewing spot is just after the Mulsanne corner, especially at night.

The busiest times for viewing are the beginning and end of the race. Be prepared to get to a good spot about 3 hours before the start.
I still think the best start has to be startline. The noise is amazing!
Watched it from Arnage this year. Interesting to see all the cars squeeze through those tight corners together.

The finish line will also be packed a few hours before the end.

Get ready for a track invasion at the end of the race!