Le Mans - confused

[No 1]

I'm hoping to go down to Le Mans next year with my bird, but I'm a little puzzled by what's in Sprint. I gather that I need to buy a General Admission Ticket for each of us, and I'm guessing that Camping Houx is a campsite, but what are Maison Blanche and Houx Annexe?

Also, any recommendations on which is the best Grandstand seat to book, and is it worth buying a seat in one? What's the Friday Coach all about? A coach from where to where?

Any advice would be greatly received as I don't want to miss out on it this year.

TIA

[_DJ_]

You'd be better asking this on the Le Mans forum.
The first 2 you mention are also camp sites. Grandstand tickets, not sure which is better - the LM regulars will be able to offer more advise...

Darren.

[raceboy]

No 1 said:

I'm hoping to go down to Le Mans next year with my bird, but I'm a little puzzled by what's in Sprint. I gather that I need to buy a General Admission Ticket for each of us, and I'm guessing that Camping Houx is a campsite, but what are Maison Blanche and Houx Annexe?

They are the 3 campsites available to TVRCC members, Houx is the only one that is a proper campsite, with electricity and water hook-ups a bar/cafe and permenant shower/toilet block, the other 2 are converted for the weekend from fields, but have portable shower/toilet blocks

No 1 said:

Also, any recommendations on which is the best Grandstand seat to book, and is it worth buying a seat in one?

Next years race will be the 1st time in 6 years we've had a seat so it's not compulsery, it really depends on how long you, and more to the point your other half can stand about in the free tiered standing section, to get a place for the start you will need to be there by 12, and the race doesn't start till 4
The 2 grandstands on the start/finish straight are good for the start/finish, but you will see more action from the Maison Blanche grandstand as it's on a corner.

No 1 said:

What's the Friday Coach all about? A coach from where to where?

It's a coach from the entrance of Houx campsite to Le Mans town centre on Friday evening for the drivers parade, and then back again about midnight

No 1 said:

Any advice would be greatly received as I don't want to miss out on it this year.

I piece of advice though, get your booking form in sharpish, don't sit on it for a month and send it in sometime in January, when I spoke with the club office yesterday Masion Blache campsite had nearly sold out, and so had the grandstand in the middle of the start finish straight.

[Springbok]

If you wamt any help give me a call.

Tel No. in Sprint

Best


Simon

[Mrs_T]

Jim, No 1,
You have mail (again!)
Cheers
Karen

[steve_l]

raceboy said:

They are the 3 campsites available to TVRCC members, Houx is the only one that is a proper campsite, with electricity and water hook-ups a bar/cafe and permenant shower/toilet block, the other 2 are converted for the weekend from fields, but have portable shower/toilet blocks Masion Blanche campsite had nearly sold out, and so had the grandstand in the middle of the start finish straight.

Hi,
My first Le Mans trip next year, I chose Maison Blanche because other posts I read recommended it.
The above post has now set me thinking. Why would Maison Blanche sell out before a proper campsite,
any particular reason?
Can you get a good view of the race from this area?
Any info much appreciated
Steve

[19560]

steve_l said:

Hi, My first Le Mans trip next year, I chose Maison Blanche because other posts I read recommended it. The above post has now set me thinking. Why would Maison Blanche sell out before a proper campsite, any particular reason? Can you get a good view of the race from this area? Any info much appreciated Steve

Don't worry. I've been for ten years running now. There are about 10 camp sites and MB is one of the best. It used to be the No1 choice for the TVRCC. You get a very good view of the cars just before the finishing straight there. The race starts at 4pm. If you want a decent view then you must arrive before 2pm. If you arrive after 2pm then you'll need a grandstand ticket; I wouldn't bother. Just get the car serviced before you set off and take a radio with headphones.

[shnozz]

MB is a good campsite - so close to the track so if you are a light sleeper.... I was soooo pissed it didnt make much difference. In fact, my fellow PHer that was sharing the tent witnessed me passed out halfway in and halfway out.

downsides of MB...

get there early, its no particular pitches so if you are late you will have no pitch/crap pitch.

toilet blocks/showers. Portable block at entrance to LM circuit. Means it shared by all those spectators, people straight in the gate, Camping Blue and all fellow MB cambers. Means BIG queues (2 hrs) for showers and quite a while for a dump. Not good.

for being close the track, GREAT. facilities, not the best. HTH

[Mrs_T]

In 2004 Surrey, Bristol and the Devon and Cornwall regions are camping there. This is probably why it's selling out quickly. Totally agree with the sentiments expressed earlier. Great for seeing the action, facilities, so so. Atmosphere, excellent. We are taking a generator, swimming pool, sound system and disco lighting.
Only six months to go!
Karen

[DustyC]

shnozz said:

MB is a good campsite - so close to the track so if you are a light sleeper.... I was soooo pissed it didnt make much difference. In fact, my fellow PHer that was sharing the tent witnessed me passed out halfway in and halfway out. downsides of MB... get there early, its no particular pitches so if you are late you will have no pitch/crap pitch. toilet blocks/showers. Portable block at entrance to LM circuit. Means it shared by all those spectators, people straight in the gate, Camping Blue and all fellow MB cambers. Means BIG queues (2 hrs) for showers and quite a while for a dump. Not good. for being close the track, GREAT. facilities, not the best. HTH

There was another portable toilet trailer right near where you were camping too! It was behind the old house by the road and was a new one and very clean. Still fairly clean on Sunday, surprisingly.

[DustyC]

No 1 said:

I'm hoping to go down to Le Mans next year with my bird, but I'm a little puzzled by what's in Sprint. I gather that I need to buy a General Admission Ticket for each of us, and I'm guessing that Camping Houx is a campsite, but what are Maison Blanche and Houx Annexe? Also, any recommendations on which is the best Grandstand seat to book, and is it worth buying a seat in one? What's the Friday Coach all about? A coach from where to where? Any advice would be greatly received as I don't want to miss out on it this year. TIA

Loads of good advice sites out there. These are my best:
www.club-arnage.com
www.beermountain.com
www.maisonblanche.co.uk

I have been to all the sites (only stayed in 2 though)
Masion Blanche is my best and have been staying there for 5 years. It does get busy early though. to get a pitch in the main area near the circuit I think Tuesday is too late! We usually arrive on Friday and still get a good pitch though, just not near the entrance.

[steve_l]

Mrs_T said:

Great for seeing the action, facilities, so so. Atmosphere, excellent. We are taking a generator, swimming pool, sound system and disco lighting. Karen

Sounds pretty good to me - Can't wait!
Is the pool to keep your beer cool?

[Rozza!!!]

I was with the West Yorkshire TVRCC camping in MB this year. I thought that this was the best of the three camp sites available as I believe the toilets in Houx were french ones (hole in the floor), Houx annex didn't have any toilets, and MB had a few portacabins with proper toilets in which were kept clean by a cleaner. Also MB has views onto the track (the TVR that span off happened right in front of us), no need to walk a mile to the grandstands. Another thing I noticed was that Houx is extremely dusty, you car will end up with an inch of dust on it! Sadly I can't go this year, but if I was then it would be MB again for sure!

Roy.

[Rappa]

1. Ditch the bird for more beer, the other 249,995 blokes will only oggle at her. It's testosterone overload, she will either love it or never speak to you again because you will smell and want to look at car wheelnuts all day, whereas she will want to walk around smiling and drinking female portions of alcohol. Also there were no strippers last year!!?
2. Grandstands! Use a radio.
3. Book early.
4. Get there earlier.
5. Don't Camp in a non camping car park.

[Tripps]

Rozza!!! said:

...I thought that this was the best of the three camp sites available as I believe the toilets in Houx were french ones (hole in the floor)...

Nah, there were two very clean portacabins with sit-down toilets in thank god, one in the main area not far from the cafe and shower block and the other at the far side towards the track.

After a steak tattare and a skinful using continetal toilets is only going to be a messy experience

[DustyC]

Showers - the new swimming baths in town has very nice showers. But dont tell anyone or it will be packed.
and its near McDonalds.


Opps!

[Ballistic Banana]

shnozz said:

MB is a good campsite - so close to the track so if you are a light sleeper.... I was soooo pissed it didnt make much difference. In fact, my fellow PHer that was sharing the tent witnessed me passed out halfway in and halfway out. D

Thats nothing I was so pi$$ed one year i feel asleep in the grandstand on the pit exit
And the second part of that sentance is Johno to a tee, i have pics of him pi44ed up half in and half out of his tent
All part of it and its a top weekend.
Get them tickets in NO1 and if you get in Houx Annnexe, see ya there.

BB

[williamp]

Don't forget that between the Beer, cars, Beer, showing off in Arnarge, Beer cars, burn outs in the camp sites and the Jamiraquai concert there is an actual Motor Race being run!

Its true! The ACO mention is on their website...