Anyone been to LeMans?

[speeder]

What can you tell me? I know nothing...where to stay, is it worth it, how much does it cost, etc...

TIA.

[jyl]

1. Rent a station wagon ("break"). 2. Recon the little towns and country lanes around your favorite part of the course. 3. Have a great time eating, drinking, watching racing, in the circuit bugatti part (the actual race track). 4. In the wee hours, drive out to the more distant part of the course that you reconned. 5. Park by the side of the road, on one of the small dark lanes, sleep in the car. 6. In the morning, find some breakfast and watch more racing.

That's what I've done on my two visits. I guess you could find a hotel but its a 24 hour race, part of the magic is being there all night, hearing the cars, being bleary eyed in the gray dawn, kind of like the racers. Sleeping in a comfy bed miles from the racing seems just wrong.

It's France, they aren't uptight, no cops rousting sleeping people from cars. As long as you're not disorderly or drunk (and don't even think about driving drunk).

If you're lazy or get drunk at the track, you can always sleep in the parking lot for the track, I've done that too. The key is, a big enough car. I'm past being able to sleep in a 206.

[tevake]

I haven't been there for the modern 24hr of Le Mans. But did have a fantastic time going to the Classic A few years ago and had an amazing time there.
I drove in in a rented Volvo wagon that I car camped in for the event.
The scene in the campground and just being there 24/7 for a long weekend is truly an endurance event not to be missed.
There is good on line presents for the event with prices and details.
Here is my post of that trip.
Le Mans Classic, story and Pics.

[Mr Beau]

I've been to both the regular (1999) and classic (LM Story, 2007) events. Both are a must-do. As is Goodwood.

Here are some pics I took from the LM Story event. I'll be writing a post on the OctaneNation blog.

[StevoRocket]

I first went in 1987, "slept" Saturday night in the car in the car park, had cheap hotel accomodation in Tours town on thursday, friday and sunday.

Tours town is a great town for restaurants bars and shops - its an hour south of Lemans.

I've only been to Lemans about 24 times.

First went to the Classic Lemans in 2012 (its every 2 years) and is great - fewer crowds, superb cars, pits open to the public, more relaxed in general.

[tevake]

Hey Speeder, I'm not sure if you got all the info you are looking for. But I have been thinking every since you posted that if you have a chance to go to Le Mans and experience any of the big races they have there, you should try to make it happen.

With its history, the incredible gathering of crazed/partying classic car enthusiasts that show up for events. The amazing track and racing that goes down there. Tre magnifique.

If you do end up going, post any questions that come up, we will rally to come up with the info you need. GO FOR IT!

Cheers Richard

[speeder]

Dumb question: do you have to buy a ticket to camp out along the course? Doesn't it sort of run through the town? TIA as always.

[Tobra]

brush up on your French before you go

[tevake]

yes there is a cost to staying in the near track areas. but that is a good part of the event, hanging with your neighbors and partying in the camping area.

I stayed at Maison Blanc, just across from pit in. And near a nice set of turns before the front straight. I ended up not using my access to the grand stands near the start finish line very much as the noise there was just too much for me even with ear plugs.

There are many good viewing areas you can walk to and see the action on different parts of the track. I liked the area just after the bridge and before the mulsane straight
Try to find a beach/lawn chair with straps on it, one with insulated pockets is good too.
I had a cooler with food, drinks and lots of ice that made for nice camping.

There are vender with all kinds of cool car related goods, as well as food and drinks.

Check with British car sites for package deals on tickets, they turn out in large numbers for events at L M. And are fun to hang with if your French is as weak as mine.

Cheers Richard

[tevake]

Hey Denis, you might touch in with the DDK folks. They are a Porsche group from GB. And posted a link on my thread and seem to be regulars at going to L M.
They might have some good tips for you.

Sorry, I'm using a though pad and can't figure out how to bring the link over here for you.

[jyl]

Tickets are cheap, to get into the Circuit Bugatti area with food, carousel, etc although not into the inner area.

[speeder]

Thanks, you guys. If I decide to go, I will look into the leads you provided as well as try to tap every possible car connection I have in Europe for some passes.

[StevoRocket]

Heres the official web site with ticket prices - in English

24 Heures du Mans − Official Website


You can order tickets and collect them from the official office at the track - this is worth doing if you want parking/camping in a specific car park/campsite. Dont forget to get a parking ticket for your car!


GENERAL ENCLOSURE
WEEK € 71
Ticket valid all of race week and also on Test Day (9th June). Ideal to make the most of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, with this ticket you can combine Test Day and race week; 16th to 23rd June. It includes the two practice sessions (19th & 20th June), pit lane visit on Friday, and the whole week-end.

GENERAL ENCLOSURE
SUNDAY only € 45
From 6am on Sunday you can come and see the closing hours of the race, finish and podium. This ticket is valid on Sunday 23rd June, you can also attend the Test Day (9th June) and breathe the unique atmosphere of the final hours of the race and the emotion of the podium ceremony.


HERE is a pdf with maps, parking ares and ticket types http://www.24h-lemans.com/wpphpFichiers/1/1/ressources/Pdf/2013/24-heures-du-mans/plaquette_billetterie_24_heures_du_mans_2013.pdf

[StevoRocket]

I have just spent quite a few minutes trying to order tickets on the site and have failed having set up an account then received the "account not found" error message.

[StevoRocket]

This is a UK agency for tickets - could be easier to deal with than the french site!

Le Mans 24 Hours

[StevoRocket]

OK, I have ordered via the French site! a bit of a fiddle but ok.

Confirmed receipt is used to collect the tickets from an official office at the track, which I have done before and is easy, just take the on-line receipt, ID (eg passport) and the credit card you charged it to.

I've ordered a General entrance ticket (71 Euros) and a parking ticket for Garage Vert (green car park) (36 euros) which is inside the circuit close to the Dunlop bridge which is close to the start/finish line. Its a great place to sleep in the car/watch the race on Saturday night since it is close to all the best action.

Note that the ticket and parking is valid for the whole of the race practice and qualifying and the race weekend.


* WEEK GENERAL ENCLOSURE
Ticket valid from Friday, June 7th 2013 to Sunday, June 23rd 2013
- 1 place PLEIN TARIF (1 x 71,00 €)
The “Enceinte Générale”
• Semaine: valid for the Test Day (9th June) as well as the whole week of the “24 Heures du*
Mans” (from 16th to 23rd June: Wednesday and Thursday practices, pitwalk on Friday and the*
race during the whole weekend)
====
* P VERT Green car park
Ticket valid from Wednesday, June 19th 2013 to Sunday, June 23rd 2013
- 1 place PLEIN TARIF (1 x 36,00 €)


Ticket collection - - From March at the ACO Official Shop (Museum), from 10am till 6pm
- From June, 6th at the General Welcome, Exhibition Center

[StevoRocket]

2007 trip

LEMANS 2007

[Zeke]

It always rains.

[StevoRocket]

Or its 95 F and your lager consumption is a litre an hour+

[porsche4life]

Originally Posted by StevoRocket

your lager consumption is a litre an hour+

You say that like its a bad thing.....