Le Mans 24 Heur 2016!

[Tas4200coupe]

Folks, I realise that this is a little off-topic, not being Maser specific, but as one owner to others, I hope you'll indulge and forgive me.

I'm travelling from Tasmania to Europe in time to coincide with Le Mans this year and am booking tickets to go! Having never been to such an event before though, I thought I'd ask some of you with more experience that me, for a little advice as to how a novice 1st timer might get the most out of the experience?

Is there a particularly amazing spot on the track to situate myself?

Are there events around the course that one ought not to miss?

How does one balance the need for a little sleep with the need not to miss any of the action?

Etc, etc, etc ...

If anyone wants to throw their hat in the ring and offer suggestions I would, as always, be very grateful.

Cheers,

KM.

 

[Doohickey]

Sounds like a great trip - it's an unforgettable, unbelievable experience.

What you do outside the race itself is probably dependant on where you are staying and if you have a car (though driving around during the race week is a nightmare).

There are lots of good places to watch the race; we tend to move around but personally, there's good banking to watch at the far end of the stadium section between the Dunlop bridge and Tertre Rouge; on top of the secondary pits next to the carting track between Maison Blanche and the Ford chicanes and Porsche curves which is a bit of a trek but you get a great feel for the speed.

Finding a decent spot to watch the start and finish is tricky because of the numbers - you generally have to be there from pretty early to get a good view if you don't have grandstand tickets.

Outside the race, the driver's parade in Le Mans on the Friday night itself is supposed to be pretty good but I've never been. We always go down to Arnage (as do many of the forum who are there) which is always a good laugh and there are usually some nice cars around.

They open the pits on Friday afternoon which is interesting but again rammed. Just wandering around is as much fun as anything; it's always a great atmosphere and there's plenty to see and look at as well as French fizzy lager to sup.

If you're mobile, we usually go here on Friday morning http://www.classicbw.org/index.php .

As for the rest, well you'll find that sleep is overrated and that Kronenbourg is a cure for pretty much everything.

Above all make the most of it, it is an incredible weekend.

Hopefully might see you there (amongst the thousands).

 

[Contigo]

I can recommend the pit walk on the Friday too where you get to see the crew practicing and also walk some of the track near the Dunlop S's and see some of the stunning classics who do the hour race before the main even on the saturday.

 

[zagatoes30]

As above the best thing is to move around, there is a bus that will take you to the more remote places like Arnage corner but it can get busy on race day.

The banking the other side of the Dunlop bridge is a great place to watch the start as the cars appear under the bridge on mass and then scream down the hill and through Chappelle. At night a good place is the banking opposite Tete Rouge as the cars brake to turn right on to the Mulsanne you get the glow of the discs in the dark and unspent fuel spitting from the exhausts.

Porsche curves is always fast but they are some changes here this year so not sure how good viewing is going to be. If you can get out Arnage corner it is a great place to watch and there is always a crowd of real enthusiasts who know what they are watching.

If your there early enough get to the qualifying sessions, they are two on Wednesday & Thursday from 7-9pm & 10-12midnight. 10pm is on either day is normally when the drivers go out for the banzai qualifying lap, the air is cooler and it isn't quite dark always exciting. A must is to tune into Le Mans radio and listen to the commentary of what is going on, as a novice they will teach you a lot.

Other than the race there is loads of stuff to help breathe the atmosphere, Tete Rouge one of the only old style bars left, not great but the atmosphere is worth the walk, Arnage village especially on the Friday is worth the trip. Personally I wouldn't bother with the drivers parade we did it once and have never been back. Pit lane walk is worth the crowds as it is the nearest you will get to the cars all weekend and finally wander round the camp sites and car parks, some of the best craic is what goes on here, cars, fireworks, bottle mountains etc. you will be surprised and shocked at the way different groups and nationalities do camping.

 

[Contigo]

Here's another taster and some of the highlights from last year!

[video=youtube;ohTxE8rTATg]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohTxE8rTATg[/video]

 

[MAF260]

Here's another taster and some of the highlights from last year!

[video=youtube;ohTxE8rTATg]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohTxE8rTATg[/video]

Ahhhh....happy memories!

 

[conaero]

KM, your more than welcome to join our 44 strong party.

Just post up on the thread nearer the time and we can meet up at Bar Harlequin in Arnage, our preferred hangout and assembly point.

 

[rivarama]

Phil - I do have to applause your musical choice... Perfect fit for The Look.

 

[jemgee]

We have been to main Le Mans once and twice to Classic Le Mans - each time in our TR6. For the main Le Mans I was fortunate to be able to buy 2 grandstand seats opposite the Aston Martin pits and we had a camp site on the adjacent local airfield with mini bus transport running 24 hrs a day. If it is very hot the grandstand seats with shade and being able to come and go are great benefits. On the Friday afternoon the village of St Saturnin just outside Le Mans has a British car rally. All the team drivers were assembled and set off to go in vintage cars (with full police motorcycle and about 400 Harley's escort) to the driver parade in the town which starts at 6.30pm. If you camp a lot of people buy camping gear at a hypermarket together with beer, disposable barbecues and food. For the classic Le Mans we were with our car club and had block bookings at Tertre Rouge. You must get down to Arnage to experience the cafes and car exotica. When the public roads forming part of the circuit are reopened after the race the drive round is essential !!

see also

http://www.beermountain.com/

http://beermountain.com/forum/

We also stayed 1 night in the Hotel de France at La Chartre sur le Loire which has all the signed drivers photos from the 50's and 60's when works teams stayed there. I think Aston Martin and Jag owners clubs use it as well

 

[BennyD]

That sounds like good advice however, that seems to clash with reasonable drinking hours.

 

[Contigo]

Jemgee, we are booked into the Hotel De France on the Sunday and some of us visited last year, it's well worth a visit.

As for the other stuff yes we do tend to do Arnage etc.... you can also drive parts of the circuit (Mulsanne) on the Friday before the race too so no need to hang around after it.

Grandstand does appeal but then again it's fun to walk around and see new stuff each year.

 

[Doohickey]

Grandstand does appeal but then again it's fun to walk around and see new stuff each year.

We do both - get grandstand tickets for the start and finish and walk round and watch from elsewhere as well. You can also move between grandstands except the pit straight later in the day when it's quietened down.

 

[Tas4200coupe]

Chaps, thanks so very much for your responses. I'm a little overwhelmed to be honest, I wasn't expecting such a torrent of tips.

Thank you all!

Conaero, of course I'd be delighted to join you all. Again, I wasn't expecting such an invitation but it would absolutely make the trip and I'm very grateful! It'd be great to meet a few of you, perhaps check out your cars and have a few drinks!

I'll keep in touch through the forum and look forward to catching up in June.

Cheers,

KM

 

[outrun]

Be careful, Conaero always goes for a meeting at a bar on the first date.

You have been warned.

 

[Contigo]

He likes Glory Holes too!

 

[Tas4200coupe]

G'day again Fellas, I'm heading to Paris tomorrow and looking forward to Le Mans next weekend! Thanks again for the invite and I'm looking forward to meeting a few of you track-side. What do I need to do to hook up with you all next week?

Regards,

Kim M.

 

[conaero]

It's near impossible to meet up in the track as everyone just splinters off.

Best place to meet is in a town called Arnage in Bar Harlequin. We are there between 12 & 2 Thursday/Friday/Saturday/Sunday

Failing that PM me via the forum if you want to hook up with the rest of us.

 

[JDB]

I've got a great guide to the weekend, PM me your email address and I'll send it over.

 

[Guest 1678]

Ahhhh....happy memories!

Was for me, I ran over the Wa***rs toes. The look on his face still gives me a warm glow.

 

[Tas4200coupe]

Sounds like a plan! I've booked a train from Paris that gets me into Le Mans around Midday. I'll make my way over to Arnage and see if I can track you down. I'll be the thirsty but slightly lost looking guy in the straw hat!

A bientôt, Kim M