Are you going to Le Mans?

limble · 01-15-2004, 08:24 AM

I’m just about to buy two tickets for the 2004 24 hrs of Le Mans. This will be our first trip.
I downloaded the form from www.lemans.org but I have questions.
Has anyone bought tickets before?
I only want decent grandstand tickets for the day of the race. No pitwalks or special events prior to the race.
Do I need entrance tickets in addition to the grandstand tickets?
From the instructions it appears that I need one.
Prices range from 56 –100 euros depending on the grandstand that you choose. Any tips on which stands are better? Outside of the obvious, the more you pay the better.
Are there better deals from brokers?
If you are going want to meet up prior? Maybe a Pelican pre-race dinner.

UK Carrera · 01-15-2004, 08:38 AM

Have a look at http://www.club-arnage.com/

Think you need to buy a general entrance ticket as well as your grandstand.

Personally never bothered with the grandstands - too much to see elsewhere. But if the weather is bad (wet or hot!) it'll be a good place to shelter.

jrb964 · 01-15-2004, 08:42 AM

Great to hear another Pelican is going to LeMans. I'v gone every year for the past few and am going this year. It's a great experience.

The entrance ticket is good for all week to the events.

There is a separate ticket required for the grandstand. But it is only really checked during the start and finish of the race. Other than that the grand stands are free.

Actually the night practice on Wednesday and Thursday is when you get the best chance to see the cars in action.

At various times during the week the track is open and can be driven. On Friday there is a big party along Indianapolis

As far as the best - get as close to the start finish line as possible. There is always alot of activity in the pits, and stands facing the pits are the best.

E-Mail me off line and we'll make arrangements to meet. I go with a bunch of Brits - Porsche Club of Gret Britian - and there a real blast.

Sean_irl · 01-15-2004, 08:49 AM

Yep...as already mentioned. I've never bothered with the grandstand ticket. Covering all the good vantage points with a general ticket is enough...but then again I understand that for the first time you'll like to cover all options.

The club arnage site is worth tracking ....loads of info on it.

Enjoy,
Sean

Deeks · 01-15-2004, 09:16 AM

Unfortunately I won't be going this year - student budget restrictions....
You'll need a ground ticket though. This is something like 40-50 Euros for the whole weekend. You buy these on the door - on the thursday or friday if you want to get in and have a butchers before the race starts. I've never bothered with grandstand tickets either. As UK Carrera said there's plenty more exciting stuff and closer viewing going on elsewhere (remember the track is 13.5 km long !!).

You really need some form of transport to get around the track to places like the Mulsanne straight, Indianapolis and Arnage. You need a good local map to negotiate the little surrounding villages and country roads to get to these spots. Remember the race is mostly through closed off public roads. Here's a bit of footage I took when taking a ride in Derek's 956

http://www.polarisuk.com/video/auto/LeMans-956.mov

From my experience, the French gendarmes (rozzers, or cops, to most of you guys) have succeeded in ruining the friday afternoon burnouts, doughnuts and hoohaahh at Indianapolis. It used to be great fun there about 3-4 years ago. You never know - maybe they'll ease off this year.

Thursday night is good to go and see the teams testing their cars with light fuel loads. If you wander up from the grandstand to the first Chicane (about 200m walk) at night you see all the disc breaks glowing bright red as the cars haul on the breaks turning in. It's awesome, and a great spot for some pics - sometimes some spins through that chicane too.

Also on friday the pits are open to the public so you can go and watch the teams setting up their cars and take some close up pics of carbon fibrebodywork, suspension parts, gleaming engine bays and fat rubber !!!

Saturday night in the town centre is a raucous laugh !!
Cheap 'biere avec moules et frittes'.
Normally there are cars doing doughnuts, and mad de-silenced superbikes spitting flames and burning rubber too. As long as the gendarmes decide not to ruin all the fun that is !!

oh yeah... "whilst you're there" you have to check out the "Porsche Curves". I found that at this spot especially you get to see the huge amount of downforce the prototypes have compared to the GT and GTS cars. It's unbelievable to see the speeds at which the prototypes overtake these cars on the inside..... or outside. It makes the GT3s and TVRs look like they handle like old Morris Minors !!

Have fun. I know you will.

Deeks · 01-15-2004, 09:17 AM

.

Deeks · 01-15-2004, 09:18 AM

oh yeah... look out for the all British/female DeWalt TVR Tuscan team !!
I hope they do well - as long as they don't beat any GT3s.

BGCarrera32 · 01-15-2004, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by limble
I’m just about to buy two tickets for the 2004 24 hrs of Le Mans.

I'm jealous...

limble · 01-15-2004, 10:16 AM

I've heard you Brits have a pretty good time.
How does someone from the coffee drinking colonies tie in with you tea drinking kingdom types?
If I may be so bold.
I guess I'll just buy the entrance ticket and upgrade when I get there.

Carl Bauer · Carl Bauer's Garage

I went last year for the first time and it was crazy and really amazing. After the race I met a bunch of Brits needing a ride to the train station. I told them I would probably be heading out soon. They just burned their tents in the field they were camping in and we took off. They said they would "find" some more for next year. Also... I don't know if was b/c I was an American in France or young but I got bought a beer 3 or 4 times. Maybe I'm just a good lookin' guy...

masraum · 01-15-2004, 11:39 AM

Bummer, that video not accessible, seems to be a problem with the server.

juanbenae · juanbenae's Garage

try GRAND PRIX TOURS my folks did thier trip to indy for the f1 race last year. they do all inclusive tours. advised for your 1st trip to a race (especially out of the country) my folks have said. the indy f1 trip had them fed and bussed right where they needed to be. they also said that they might do it on thier own next year now that they know the skinny, but as a 1st timer the deal was well worth it.