[LM24] Getting to 2007 Le Mans

[rblanshard]

Guys-

This is it. This is the year I'm finally going to Le Mans. So, how the hell do I do it?

Is it better to use a tour package service like Grand Prix Tours? If not this one, anyone have any better suggestions?

Or should I put this trip together myself piece by piece? I'm just starting my research and will hopefully start getting together a couple of options and have something set in the next couple of weeks.

Any and all information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[renkadima]

This late in the day, your best bet would indeed be to fly into London and buy a package IMO. It costs more, certainly, but the alternative is to spend many anguished hours on t'internet trying to sort ferries, car hire, accommodation; nevermind trying to get tickets from the ebay touts.

It's been a few years since I used the travel package, so I'll leave it to others to advise you on who's best.

Have fun in France.

[neiltbag]

Accomodation is the toughest thing. If you can't get it by yourself within a few days of trying, I'd suggest you go with a package.

I don't believe it's too late to get B&B accomodation through Le Mans Hotel Reservations (+33-243-200-700 or lemanshotelreservations@wanadoo.fr), and any ticket you want or need through a broker like Just Tickets. Car hire is easy, Orbitz or somesuch, same with flights.

That's great you've decided to go. You'll love it.

[The Badger]

Thats the trouble with Le Mans ..... once youve been , you find yourself planning for next year before this years race is even finished .

Best of luck rblanchard , you'll love it ..... BUT NOT THE FOOD AT THE TRACK . Bring a butt plug !!!

[renkadima]

Originally Posted by The Badger

Thats the trouble with Le Mans ..... once youve been , you find yourself planning for next year before this years race is even finished .

Not quite right. On the Sunday, you swear that you're never putting yourself through all that again! One week later you start planning again!

[The Real DMN]

Originally Posted by renkadima

Not quite right. On the Sunday, you swear that you're never putting yourself through all that again! One week later you start planning again!

And thats why it's so very good.

[racerkeke]

Got your passport? Just about anything else can be bought at Carrefour!

I realized last year that I hadn't packed any closed shoes except my flagging boots, and found a very nice pair of espadrilles for €4. Worth it not to stub my toes on exposed tree roots en route to the porta potties in the middle of the night.

keke
who plans to go back this year just to continue working my way thru Carrefour's three aisles of pink wine one bottle at a time...

[Mal]

Originally Posted by renkadima

Not quite right. On the Sunday, you swear that you're never putting yourself through all that again! One week later you start planning again!

And how true is that.

I always tell first timers that they will leave LeMans thinking they hate the place and after a few weeks it will play on your mind and you will be hooked.

There are only two types of LeMans visitors - ones that go only once
and those that are addicted and go every year.

[The Tour]

We are Le Mans virgins too but we are coming in '07

To say I'm excited is an understatement. It will be my last weekend in Europe before I am off to the US, Canada and Oz to watch some ALMS, Grand Am, Champ Car and V8 action for 6 months. I am buzzing for this season.

I am going to Le Mans with some dedicated fans and a few lightweights. Can someone tell me, will the casual fans struggle with a ferry on the Wednesday, camping for 4 nights and then coming back Sunday night??

We are hoping to book it all ourselves rather than get a package deal although hope to be near the Speed Chills set-up. Is this the right way to go about it????

[Truckosaurus]

Originally Posted by The Tour

Is this the right way to go about it????

Spot On.

By the time you arrive everything will be in full swing, which will make the event seem even better.

The only word of warning I can think of is watch out for the times for travelling back on Sunday evening. It'll be grid-lock around LM for 2 or 3 hours after the chequered flag.

[Mal]

Originally Posted by The Tour

We are Le Mans virgins too but we are coming in '07

To say I'm excited is an understatement. It will be my last weekend in Europe before I am off to the US, Canada and Oz to watch some ALMS, Grand Am, Champ Car and V8 action for 6 months. I am buzzing for this season.

I am going to Le Mans with some dedicated fans and a few lightweights. Can someone tell me, will the casual fans struggle with a ferry on the Wednesday, camping for 4 nights and then coming back Sunday night??

We are hoping to book it all ourselves rather than get a package deal although hope to be near the Speed Chills set-up. Is this the right way to go about it????

We prefer to travel back on monday - however we do usually drive about an hour on Sunday after the race then stay in a hotel - goig all the way back on Sunday is hard work IMO, however the campsites can be a bit dodgy on Sundays nights!

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by The Badger

Best of luck rblanchard , you'll love it ..... BUT NOT THE FOOD AT THE TRACK . Bring a butt plug !!!

What?

There's nothing wrong with the frites (+ moutard), the glorious merguez all washed down with a plastic tumbler or two of champagne.........

[neiltbag]

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

What?

There's nothing wrong with the frites (+ moutard), the glorious merguez all washed down with a plastic tumbler or two of champagne.........

I'm with Ayse on this - I look forward to LM track food every time I go - whole roasted chickens, tartiflette, and of course the merguez. YUM!

[GTfour]

Not to forget the crèpes with Grand Marnier(all you can keep in it) !

Still,for the really good stuff,one goes to the big supermarkets were litterally everything eatable is sold. Including fresh,live lobsters!

[rblanshard]

Guys-

Thanks for all the continued responses and incredible first-hand information.

I feel it is my duty - dare I say it, my sad responsibility to inform you I will not make it to the 2007 running of the 24 Heures de Mans. The logistics alone made it incredibly difficult to make it this year. Simply put, I think I started planning too late.

So to make up for it - and, again remember this is my birthday gift to my father for his 60th year on this race-filled Earth - I'm taking him to the Canadian Grand Prix.

Montreal is a beautiful city and it will just be easier for us to get up there and back with minimal effort. Additionally, it's the week before Le Mans so we won't miss any of the "real" action.

I hope my fellow sportscars fans won't think any less of me that I'll be attending a "lesser" racing event. At least it's F1 racing.

Again, I appreciate the incredible amount of responses and will begin planning my 2008 Le Mans visit shortly after my return from Montreal.

[Truckosaurus]

Try and connect the ACO directly, http://www.lemans.org and tickets@lemans.org - they'll give you an idea if there are any camping spots still available. If you are arriving without a car you could even forego a camping pass.

[Bentley03]

Much depends upon how many days you want to spend at Le Mans. If you intend to take in qualifying on Wednesday and Thursday, a coach tour is unlikely to tick all the boxes.

[kdr]

Originally Posted by Bentley03

Much depends upon how many days you want to spend at Le Mans. If you intend to take in qualifying on Wednesday and Thursday, a coach tour is unlikely to tick all the boxes.

And if you're coming all the way from Dallas it would be a shame to miss qualifying. Tomas Enge leaving the pitlane at 23.50 on Thursday night is always one of my highlights.

[racerkeke]

kdr's right. Get there for practice. Every year, when the first session starts and I see that line of headlights streaming over the hills toward me I get goosebumps.

keke

[rblanshard]

Thanks guys! I couldn't log on last night and see all these great ideas. Most of the packages I've seen have me coming in Friday and leaving Monday. I'd like to make it more of a trip than that. So seeing Thursday practice is something that's definitely on the radar. So I can imagine I'll have to mix and match a packaged tour with a few additional on-the-side trips I plan myself.

Thanks again. If anyone else has any additional tips and tricks, please let me know.

[The Badger]

You dont want to miss Wednesday qualifying ..... its brilliant . A lot of the teams do their fast laps on Wednesday and setup's on the Thursday .

[neiltbag]

Originally Posted by The Badger

A lot of the teams do their fast laps on Wednesday and setup's on the Thursday .

[furtively looks around for Ayse] Unless it rains on Wednesday...

[racerkeke]

Shhhh, don't say that. I remember last year's Wednesday night session. Heck, I probably still have flints in my flagging boots from helping dig cars out of the gravel traps. Never did get the "high water mark" out of the coveralls.

keke

[zac510]

I need some advice too, on ferry crossings. I've got my LM tickets all booked but haven't decided how to get there yet. I want to take in scrutineering and qualifying so will probably go very early in the week. I guess if I drive I have numerous options at the various ports around S/SE England.

[Truckosaurus]

Originally Posted by zac510

I need some advice too, on ferry crossings. I've got my LM tickets all booked but haven't decided how to get there yet. I want to take in scrutineering and qualifying so will probably go very early in the week. I guess if I drive I have numerous options at the various ports around S/SE England.

Google up 'DirectFerries' and 'FerrySavers' both sites will give you quotes for a variety of crossings. Then double check the price with the ferry operators own site as that can be cheaper sometimes.

In summary:

Most convenient - Eurotunnel (but pricey)
Quickest Crossing - Dover-Calais with Seafrance, Hoverspeed or P&O
Cheapest - either Norfolk Lines (Dover-Dunkerque) or Speedferries (Dover-Boulogne)

Then you've got routes from Newhaven or Portsmouth is you want to exchange time at sea for less driving or an over night crossing.