Discussion
How th *kin hell does LM work? There seem to bee 900 different types of tickets, 2000 places to camp and everyone I've asked tells me something different.
So, want to come along to the fun, but a few questions.
1. Lots of people said to me don't bother buying a ticket just turn up.- sensible advice or daft? Seems to be a lot of concern about tickets on here, which is making me think I should get one.
2. If I do get a ticket, I need a camping one I guess so where is best palce to camp. (2 guys in a maserati 3200GT with a 2 man tent). Or is it just a case at this point of buying any old ticket and hoping for the best.
3. How far ahead can you go down - I mean is it liuke Glast where you can turn up a day early and grabn a good spot or will the cops tell me to go elsewhere?
4. What do I bring. Am currnetly assuming that a tent and some beer and a camera are the only useful items.
5. How many of you have been before and come back with an intact car? Really not into the idea of getting my tres slashed / wingmirrors knocked off by drunken buffoons. Really want to go, but 2 new mirros will cost me the best part of a grand...
So, want to come along to the fun, but a few questions.
1. Lots of people said to me don't bother buying a ticket just turn up.- sensible advice or daft? Seems to be a lot of concern about tickets on here, which is making me think I should get one.
2. If I do get a ticket, I need a camping one I guess so where is best palce to camp. (2 guys in a maserati 3200GT with a 2 man tent). Or is it just a case at this point of buying any old ticket and hoping for the best.
3. How far ahead can you go down - I mean is it liuke Glast where you can turn up a day early and grabn a good spot or will the cops tell me to go elsewhere?
4. What do I bring. Am currnetly assuming that a tent and some beer and a camera are the only useful items.
5. How many of you have been before and come back with an intact car? Really not into the idea of getting my tres slashed / wingmirrors knocked off by drunken buffoons. Really want to go, but 2 new mirros will cost me the best part of a grand...
My 2p worth...
I'd say it's best to have a camping ticket before going but can get the race tickets once you're there.
Houx gets my vote.
2 guys need a 4 man tent (at a minimum)
Advise to at least get down by Thurs afternoon, as there is a lot of fun on the Friday.I think most of the ACO campsites officially open on the Wed.
Tent, Passport, Driving licence and cash/credit card. Do a search here on PH and also look at Club Arnage web site as this question is pretty well covered
Never had any damage to cars, and there'll be plenty of other nice machinery around.
>> Edited by tony_996hasgone on Friday 30th April 16:50
mr_tony said:
1. Lots of people said to me don't bother buying a ticket just turn up.- sensible advice or daft? Seems to be a lot of concern about tickets on here, which is making me think I should get one.
I'd say it's best to have a camping ticket before going but can get the race tickets once you're there.
mr_tony said:
2. If I do get a ticket, I need a camping one I guess so where is best palce to camp. (2 guys in a maserati 3200GT with a 2 man tent). Or is it just a case at this point of buying any old ticket and hoping for the best.
Houx gets my vote.
2 guys need a 4 man tent (at a minimum)
mr_tony said:
3. How far ahead can you go down - I mean is it like Glast where you can turn up a day early and grab a good spot or will the cops tell me to go elsewhere?
Advise to at least get down by Thurs afternoon, as there is a lot of fun on the Friday.I think most of the ACO campsites officially open on the Wed.
mr_tony said:
4. What do I bring. Am currnetly assuming that a tent and some beer and a camera are the only useful items.
Tent, Passport, Driving licence and cash/credit card. Do a search here on PH and also look at Club Arnage web site as this question is pretty well covered
mr_tony said:
5. How many of you have been before and come back with an intact car? Really not into the idea of getting my tres slashed / wingmirrors knocked off by drunken buffoons. Really want to go, but 2 new mirros will cost me the best part of a grand...
Never had any damage to cars, and there'll be plenty of other nice machinery around.
>> Edited by tony_996hasgone on Friday 30th April 16:50
fear not, you have numurous options.
best bet is to try to get a package from an agency, which includes ferry/tunnel, camping and entrance tickets. this is what i do but i fear few will have any spaces left now.
or alternatively
check the forums of PH (here), club Arnage etc to see if anyone has similar to above for sale, as there are always some available as people drop out and change their plans.
or you can just head down, YOU CAN BUY ENTRANCE TICKETS AT THE GATE, that is what the french do to get in and then WING IT BY PARKING in one of the massive parking sites and BIVVYING next to car.
or you can go the ACO route and hope for the best.
yes you are right, Le Mans is semi organised meyhem regards camping, in fact it is a ##### nightmare. but do not despair, it is worth the effort.
as regards damage to cars, pretty safe, there are ££millions worth of top machines there that weekend that are not entered in the race, so far to mine, nothing.
good luck, see ye on the mulsanne friday.
best bet is to try to get a package from an agency, which includes ferry/tunnel, camping and entrance tickets. this is what i do but i fear few will have any spaces left now.
or alternatively
check the forums of PH (here), club Arnage etc to see if anyone has similar to above for sale, as there are always some available as people drop out and change their plans.
or you can just head down, YOU CAN BUY ENTRANCE TICKETS AT THE GATE, that is what the french do to get in and then WING IT BY PARKING in one of the massive parking sites and BIVVYING next to car.
or you can go the ACO route and hope for the best.
yes you are right, Le Mans is semi organised meyhem regards camping, in fact it is a ##### nightmare. but do not despair, it is worth the effort.
as regards damage to cars, pretty safe, there are ££millions worth of top machines there that weekend that are not entered in the race, so far to mine, nothing.
good luck, see ye on the mulsanne friday.
Right Mr Tony, I've just trawled through this process this week having made a last minute decision to go....my comments...
You can buy a general admittance ticket when you get to Le Mans, this gets you into the circuit. There seem to be two types of GA ticket, one is restricted to I think around the Mulsanne etc. or similar the rest gets you into all of the circuit. You can also book these tickets in advance (by 10th May ) on the ACO site www.lemans.org (or similar url!)
Camping - you can still buy camping tickets through the ACO for either Beausejour or Technoparc - cost is around 50E per person which I think covers the whole of the weekend and an additional night cost of about 10E which I think is only relevant if you stay after Monday. I couldn't see the camping tickets on the web site but I emailed the ACO who replied in 10 minutes giving me a booking form with camping details included. Their email address is given on the thread on here where someone is querying when their tickets will arrive or something similar (can't be arsed to look - sorry!).
There is a suggestion that you can approach the guys on the other (perhaps better) campsites (Houx etc.) on Thursday/Friday, exchange Euro's with them and they will let you onto the site - the rate seemed to be around £80 - personally I don't fancy taking the risk of not getting anywhere.
You can buy tickets for Bleu parking for around 18E through the ACO and can then pay a supplement that will allow you to camp in Bleu - 20E - they say that they are clamping down on people camping in the normal part of the car-park. I don't think that there are any facilities for this price!
When I went a couple of years ago we went down on the Tuesday in time for scruiteering etc., the closer the le weekend the busier it got - I don't think that there is a right time to go but would suggest you try to get there by Friday.
Tent wise I'd agree that a two man tent for two men would be verrryyy cosy - I would look at a four man tent as a minimum.
Leave plenty of room for beer etc and if space is tight buy disposable bbq's when you get there.
Finally, enjoy it and make sure you buy your PH
t-shirt!!
>> Edited by Piglet on Friday 30th April 18:27
You can buy a general admittance ticket when you get to Le Mans, this gets you into the circuit. There seem to be two types of GA ticket, one is restricted to I think around the Mulsanne etc. or similar the rest gets you into all of the circuit. You can also book these tickets in advance (by 10th May ) on the ACO site www.lemans.org (or similar url!)
Camping - you can still buy camping tickets through the ACO for either Beausejour or Technoparc - cost is around 50E per person which I think covers the whole of the weekend and an additional night cost of about 10E which I think is only relevant if you stay after Monday. I couldn't see the camping tickets on the web site but I emailed the ACO who replied in 10 minutes giving me a booking form with camping details included. Their email address is given on the thread on here where someone is querying when their tickets will arrive or something similar (can't be arsed to look - sorry!).
There is a suggestion that you can approach the guys on the other (perhaps better) campsites (Houx etc.) on Thursday/Friday, exchange Euro's with them and they will let you onto the site - the rate seemed to be around £80 - personally I don't fancy taking the risk of not getting anywhere.
You can buy tickets for Bleu parking for around 18E through the ACO and can then pay a supplement that will allow you to camp in Bleu - 20E - they say that they are clamping down on people camping in the normal part of the car-park. I don't think that there are any facilities for this price!
When I went a couple of years ago we went down on the Tuesday in time for scruiteering etc., the closer the le weekend the busier it got - I don't think that there is a right time to go but would suggest you try to get there by Friday.
Tent wise I'd agree that a two man tent for two men would be verrryyy cosy - I would look at a four man tent as a minimum.
Leave plenty of room for beer etc and if space is tight buy disposable bbq's when you get there.
Finally, enjoy it and make sure you buy your PH
t-shirt!!
>> Edited by Piglet on Friday 30th April 18:27
Sensible to get a camping ticket if you can. All the best places are now long sold out (so we are lead to believe by the agencies)
Daft, to pay for an entrance ticket here when they are avaiable on the door all weekend. If they are 50 Euros you'll pay £50 (or more) buying it here.
The best sites (IMO) are Houx, Houx Annexe and Maison Blanche. But you'll just have to take what you can at the mo'.
Turn up on Weds and your camping ticket covers you until Monday.
What you take is up to you. How much room have you got in the car ? You could go down with nothing and buy all you need at the local hypermarket. Many people do ! Don't forget that France shuts for Sundays and half of Monday, if you go for this option. You don't wanna be running out of beer now do you ......
To keep your car intact just don't join in with the drag-races round the campsite on Sunday !!! Seriously. It shouldn't be a problem, never had any problems with damage to any cars.But did have beers nicked from near the tent last year. That pissed me off more than having any vandalism !
For more advice and suggestions try www.beermountain.com
and if you're lucky you might even make it into the pics pages of my own site
www.adesmith.ukonline.co.uk/lemans.html
Have fun, hope to see you down there.
Daft, to pay for an entrance ticket here when they are avaiable on the door all weekend. If they are 50 Euros you'll pay £50 (or more) buying it here.
The best sites (IMO) are Houx, Houx Annexe and Maison Blanche. But you'll just have to take what you can at the mo'.
Turn up on Weds and your camping ticket covers you until Monday.
What you take is up to you. How much room have you got in the car ? You could go down with nothing and buy all you need at the local hypermarket. Many people do ! Don't forget that France shuts for Sundays and half of Monday, if you go for this option. You don't wanna be running out of beer now do you ......
To keep your car intact just don't join in with the drag-races round the campsite on Sunday !!! Seriously. It shouldn't be a problem, never had any problems with damage to any cars.But did have beers nicked from near the tent last year. That pissed me off more than having any vandalism !
For more advice and suggestions try www.beermountain.com
and if you're lucky you might even make it into the pics pages of my own site
www.adesmith.ukonline.co.uk/lemans.html
Have fun, hope to see you down there.
Oh yeah, nearly forgot. Get a "Acces Enciente" (FULL ADMISSION ?) ticket,the ones that let you go to all the viewing points, Mulsanne and Arnage corners. That way if you haven't had too much to drink on Sat night you can venture out to the far reaches of the circuit to watch the race. Take your ear-plugs though !!! And watch out for random breath tests by the road side.
Best Campsite. Houx or Houx Annexe. I recall last year being amazed that I could have bought my Entrance ticket and Campsite ticket at the gate of the Campsite. But safest option to avoid dissapointment is get all your tickets sorted before you leave. Ferry tickets we got cheeper from Eurochange 159 pounds open return for 1 car, 2 passengers. Or Dunkirk return for 100 pounds. We are going for a whole week to relax more from Monday 7th June to Monday 15th. Drive down from Calais is wonderfull. You don't have to worry about your car as the place is full of people who love cars and respect other peoples property. Just watch out for the Gypsys so dont leave anything valuble out or in your tent. As TVR License plate T1VER will tell you.
LE MANS CHECK LIST
Tent, Police Barrier Tape
Cuttlery, Blow up Mattress
Pillows, Duvet
Passport, Euros (money)
Video Camera, Camera
Paddling Pool, Warning Triangle
Fairy Liquid, Bucket/Bowl
Gas Burners, Gas
First Aid, Foldable Chairs
Foldable Table, Lada for food storage
Torches/Lamps, Driving License
Gaffa Tape, Padlock with key for tent
GB Sticker, Front Headlight Converter
Rainproofs, Suntan Lotion
Sunglasses, Batteries for Torches
Flags/Flagpole, Footpump
Toiletries Earplugs/Cigerette Filters
Malet, Anti-Freeze/Summer Coolent
Oil, BBQ
Radio/Radio Hats Matches/ Firelighters
Hosepipe, Sleeping Bag
Insurance Cover, Breakdown Cover
Gazeebo. Fireworks
Tickets, Minimal Clothes/Pistonheads T shirt
toilet roll
credit cards
Jump Leads
coolbox (thanks Dusty below)
The Italian Job soundtrack
And Costume should you be traveling as ELVIS or Vickers or Gendarmes
Electric Spitroast
Chimaera S3TAY.
>> Edited by john yates on Friday 30th April 20:39
LE MANS CHECK LIST
Tent, Police Barrier Tape
Cuttlery, Blow up Mattress
Pillows, Duvet
Passport, Euros (money)
Video Camera, Camera
Paddling Pool, Warning Triangle
Fairy Liquid, Bucket/Bowl
Gas Burners, Gas
First Aid, Foldable Chairs
Foldable Table, Lada for food storage
Torches/Lamps, Driving License
Gaffa Tape, Padlock with key for tent
GB Sticker, Front Headlight Converter
Rainproofs, Suntan Lotion
Sunglasses, Batteries for Torches
Flags/Flagpole, Footpump
Toiletries Earplugs/Cigerette Filters
Malet, Anti-Freeze/Summer Coolent
Oil, BBQ
Radio/Radio Hats Matches/ Firelighters
Hosepipe, Sleeping Bag
Insurance Cover, Breakdown Cover
Gazeebo. Fireworks
Tickets, Minimal Clothes/Pistonheads T shirt
toilet roll
credit cards
Jump Leads
coolbox (thanks Dusty below)
The Italian Job soundtrack
And Costume should you be traveling as ELVIS or Vickers or Gendarmes
Electric Spitroast
Chimaera S3TAY.
>> Edited by john yates on Friday 30th April 20:39
Knew I'd seen that reg somewhere...... Indianapolis, Friday morning.......
www.adesmith.ukonline.co.uk/..%5C..%5C..%5C..%5CMy%20Documents%5CLemans03%5CLMroadside%5CS3TAY.jpg
www.adesmith.ukonline.co.uk/..%5C..%5C..%5C..%5CMy%20Documents%5CLemans03%5CLMroadside%5CS3TAY.jpg
come and say hello if you find yourself in HOUX This year.
I guess I might as well post my latest "help required" here and hijack the thread a little!
We are in need of a flag pole of some description to take to Le Mans that we can either just put up on its own or attach to a tent some how - thoughts please people! It can't take up too much room in the car as that would restrict the amount of booze we can carry!! Can't use the car ariel as it's telescopic!
(hope this makes sense - slightly too much wine already!)
We are in need of a flag pole of some description to take to Le Mans that we can either just put up on its own or attach to a tent some how - thoughts please people! It can't take up too much room in the car as that would restrict the amount of booze we can carry!! Can't use the car ariel as it's telescopic!
(hope this makes sense - slightly too much wine already!)
My suggestions for Le Mans: -
Buy camping ticket before you go. I buy from the Le Mans Tourist Office these days. Charge the sane as the ACO but easier to deal with. I do buy general admission tickets at the same time, although buying them on the gate is slightly cheaper. This is because in theory tickets ordered in advance give access to Pre-Qualifying, but I have only been to that once.
A two man tent os no way big enough for 2 men! You need a three as a minimum and preferably 4. Personally I'd go for as large a tent as you can. Don't forget 2 years ago it pissed it down non-stop for 24 hours and small tents are horrible when that happens!
You'll need some way of cooking, even if its just water for coffee!
These days I manage to make in to the car (admitedly am Impreza: -
2 Gazebos
5 man tent for 2
sleeping bags,
Air beds
Fold up chairs
2 camping tables
Large camping Gas stove
BBQ
Fridge
Shower
Toilet tent for shower
Clothes assorted including wet weather gear!
Numerous cooking utensils
Sure there are things missing!
Buy camping ticket before you go. I buy from the Le Mans Tourist Office these days. Charge the sane as the ACO but easier to deal with. I do buy general admission tickets at the same time, although buying them on the gate is slightly cheaper. This is because in theory tickets ordered in advance give access to Pre-Qualifying, but I have only been to that once.
A two man tent os no way big enough for 2 men! You need a three as a minimum and preferably 4. Personally I'd go for as large a tent as you can. Don't forget 2 years ago it pissed it down non-stop for 24 hours and small tents are horrible when that happens!
You'll need some way of cooking, even if its just water for coffee!
These days I manage to make in to the car (admitedly am Impreza: -
2 Gazebos
5 man tent for 2
sleeping bags,
Air beds
Fold up chairs
2 camping tables
Large camping Gas stove
BBQ
Fridge
Shower
Toilet tent for shower
Clothes assorted including wet weather gear!
Numerous cooking utensils
Sure there are things missing!
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