[LM24] Le Mans - the FAQ's (Information Only - Not for Chat!)

[Aysedasi]

If you can Victor, get out to Arnage and Indianapolis for one of the sessions. Ideally in the dark.....

[batmobile]

Originally Posted by Victor_RO

Just to make sure of one thing: during Wednesday/Thursday practice and quali, does a GA ticket allow you entrance in any of the grandstands (including T34)?

Not in the ACO member Grandstand. During the qualifying sessions if I remember you don't need an ACO Grandstand Ticket, only a member bracelet after to have registered in the ACO members' site near the Dunlop bridge.
ACO Grandstand Ticket is only needed for the race.

[gregtummer]

Can anyone comment on any nearby hotels and trains that run to and from the track?

Also, has anyone here ever stayed awake for all 24 hours at the track (I'm guessing you'd be there at least another 6 hours counting before and after the race, so it would be more like 30 hours)?

[GT6]

Plenty of hotels close to the track but i would expect all to be booked by now for 2013 and possibly 2014 but some agencies might have a few places left at a price, and it will be high
I have only stayed awake the full 24 hours once in 28 years, but plenty do and you will be hearing from them on here
There is a very good tram system in Le mans that runs between the station and the track and during the race it will be running through out the 24 hours

[Bentley03]

Originally Posted by GT6

I have only stayed awake the full 24 hours once in 28 years, but plenty do and you will be hearing from them on here

I'm sure you'll hear from Ayse soon enough, but I can confirm that Ayse, Tony and myself are awake for approximately 38-40 hours over race weekend each year.

[Mike E]

Originally Posted by GT6

Plenty of hotels close to the track but i would expect all to be booked by now for 2013 and possibly 2014 but some agencies might have a few places left at a price, and it will be high

Agree with that. I tried to get a hotel for the Classic last year (which has a much smaller crowd) and everything within about 50km of Le Mans was already full in January. I'm not sure how the camping situation compares between the Classic and the 24 but I was rather alarmed to find no room at the inn so early in the year.

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by gregtummer

Can anyone comment on any nearby hotels and trains that run to and from the track?

Also, has anyone here ever stayed awake for all 24 hours at the track (I'm guessing you'd be there at least another 6 hours counting before and after the race, so it would be more like 30 hours)?

Yep, pretty much every year since about 1989. Easy.

When something oike this happens just once a year - you just have to.... Besides, the darkness is by far the best bit. By far.....

[Victor_RO]

Okay, another question: how much is entrance to the museum during race week if you have a GA/grandstand/whatever ticket?

[Aysedasi]

I confess I can't recall Victor. James and I did it in 2010. We're ACO members and I'm not sure if we had to pay. I doubt that a GA or grandstand seat will get you in cheaper - but I don't think it's very expensive anyway....

[GT6]

i seem to remember it was about 12 euro's a few years ago but i believe ACO membership gets you in free or at least with a big discount, the museum is worth a visit but remember your time there is limited and for your first visit you may not get time,

[vincegail]

Normal tarif: 8,50 euros
ACO member: 6 euros

I visited it twice, once in 1999 during test-weekend and in 2011 on tuesday.
In 2011 the weather was kind of r...y and I had to kill some time before the autograph session. Tuesday is the best day to visit the museum imho, because on other days there is too much other stuff going on.

But in the 12 years between my visits not much had changed. My set of photos from the 90's was almost identical to the one from '11!

[valedave]

Does anyone know what time they close the track before Thursday quali (first session starts at 19:00) and whether they open it again straight afterwards?

[racerkeke]

Originally Posted by valedave

Does anyone know what time they close the track before Thursday quali (first session starts at 19:00) and whether they open it again straight afterwards?

They close course around 2 pm if it's the same as in the past. But be aware that many areas will begin to close at noon, eg. the Mulsanne roundabout.

They do open the roads and close the chicanes after the practice is over. This allows normal traffic to use Les Hunaudières all day Friday. However, in many places, opening the road involves Manitous and guys wielding sledgehammers (to get the Armco posts out of the permanent holes where they are wedged) so it may not be a quick process. I know that dismantling the second chicane takes more than an hour. I don't know if you would be able to get past the heavy equipment while they are working -- by that point I am snuggled up in my sleeping bag with visions of Corvettes and Audis dancing in my head.
keke
denizen of poste 61

[whitemr2]

Originally Posted by vincegail

Tuesday is the best day to visit the museum imho, because on other days there is too much other stuff going on.

Agree with that, visited the museum 2 years in a row and I didn't got bored. Lots of things to see, including the small movies, and yes due to the weather it was twice in a row.

[Tim the Grey]

Originally Posted by gregtummer

Can anyone comment on any nearby hotels and trains that run to and from the track?

Also, has anyone here ever stayed awake for all 24 hours at the track (I'm guessing you'd be there at least another 6 hours counting before and after the race, so it would be more like 30 hours)?

THIS is why you should stay up... http://lendurance.co.uk/2013/02/moments-morning-glory/