Le mans 2013 help?

montybee

Hi All,

Hope I'm in the right place for some help. My Bf has often mentioned in passing that he would love to go to the Le Mans 24hr race and since Xmas is comin up I thought it would be a great present....he'd get to go to the race and I'd get a few days in France!

I've done a sml bit of research and I want to buy 2 tickets, 2 grandstand seats and a camping permit. This is where I need the help....
What grandstand seats are best for first timers?
What campsite is best? Houx w/electricity seems to be sold out ( I've never done the camping thing so what are facilities like? Clean,safe etc ) or would offsite be away from atmosphere and ruin the trip?
Also,I plan on driving w/van and sleeping in tent ( therefore think I need two permits as its a transit van used for working and is wired for electricity)so what happens once on site i.e does van have to stay on site or can we come and go if we arrive day(s) before race. Is bringing a generator worth the hassle

Think that's all the info that I need but if I'm leaving anything out please let me know...it's not so easy to book this without bf's input.

Thanks in advance

SniperSight

Have gone the last 3 years so hope this helps.

If you buy the week long general entrance you get access to all the spectator areas/stands (except VIP) areas. You will be able to go into the different stands WITHOUT having an extra, stand specific, ticket....up until race day.
On race day you have to have a stand ticket to use a specific stand. Seat numbers don't matter, so don't worry about that.
Best one to go for is the Tribune 34, which is the main pit straight, and grants you access to a viewing spot overlooking the ever busy pits.

You should def camp on site.
Just wouldn't be the same away.
The facilities are good, toilets, showers, bins etc. Its not 5 star by any means, but its a great time. There are marshalls/security that walk/cycle around.


Personally, for the first time, I'd buy camping tickets for the Beasjour site. Its a bit of a walk, but its very cheap, has lots of space and has a GREAT party atmosphere at the entrance on the Fri before the race.
You only need to buy 1 space.
Its not policed strictly, and as long as you have a pass per vehicle then your grand.
Myself and my brother went by car and had 2 tents, only needed one pass.

You can come and go as you please, just make sure you've your campsite ticket in the car at all times. The night hums to the sound of fast cars and generators, so they are very useful.

Make sure you have a flag or some such to decorate your camper with. May not seem important, but it helps you get into the feel of the event, and EVERYBODY seems to have some way of showing of nationality/team allegiance.

On the website saying all places with electricity are sopd out, I don't believe the tickets are on sale yet, usually the ACO tickets come on sale mid Nov, the everybody else gets access shortly after

that. It saying their sold out is I think the default setting cause they aren't available.

I'll post up if I think of ought else.

montybee

SniperSight wrote: »

Have gone the last 3 years so hope this helps.

If you buy the week long general entrance you get access to all the spectator areas/stands (except VIP) areas. You will be able to go into the different stands WITHOUT having an extra, stand specific, ticket....up until race day.
On race day you have to have a stand ticket to use a specific stand. Seat numbers don't matter, so don't worry about that.
Best one to go for is the Tribune 34, which is the main pit straight, and grants you access to a viewing spot overlooking the ever busy pits.

You should def camp on site.
Just wouldn't be the same away.
The facilities are good, toilets, showers, bins etc. Its not 5 star by any means, but its a great time. There are marshalls/security that walk/cycle around.


Personally, for the first time, I'd buy camping tickets for the Beasjour site. Its a bit of a walk, but its very cheap, has lots of space and has a GREAT party atmosphere at the entrance on the Fri before the race.
You only need to buy 1 space.
Its not policed strictly, and as long as you have a pass per vehicle then your grand.
Myself and my brother went by car and had 2 tents, only needed one pass.

You can come and go as you please, just make sure you've your campsite ticket in the car at all times. The night hums to the sound of fast cars and generators, so they are very useful.

Make sure you have a flag or some such to decorate your camper with. May not seem important, but it helps you get into the feel of the event, and EVERYBODY seems to have some way of showing of nationality/team allegiance.

On the website saying all places with electricity are sopd out, I don't believe the tickets are on sale yet, usually the ACO tickets come on sale mid Nov, the everybody else gets access shortly after

that. It saying their sold out is I think the default setting cause they aren't available.

I'll post up if I think of ought else.

Hi Snipersight,

I've just seen your reply now and thanks for all the useful info!! But think I may be too late.

I've gone ahead and bought entrance tickets, t19 grandstand and Houx campsite (2 permits as we would have been over permit space!!! Maybe I'm too honest).

I booked through uk specialist company and they advised for first timers that t19 would be a good stand,as it's on start/finish and would see pits etc but from my own research maybe t20 would be better? Have u any experience of these? I may be able to change....

Regarding week long entrance would u recommend being around for few days before race e.g wednesday? Is there much atmosphere or would taking our time driving from ferry be better and just arrive Friday?!?

I'm very confused now about campsites as I can change these?

Are you going this year?!

SniperSight

No problem.

Up until the race you can sample all the stands, except VIP stands.
T19 and T20 are good, but I prefer T34, because you can literally hang out directly above the pitlane. Whereas T19 and T20 are across on the opposite side of the track.
Regarding the week long. Try and be there for the Wed, I guarantee you'll be busy the whole time. Qualifying starts on Wed so theres action from the off.
Oh, and if you're there for the qualifying you can go to the bar above the pit exit.
Eurosport do their filming of presenters up there so you cpuld see someone famous. Last year we saw Nick Heidfield and Alain Prost!
When its cool at night and you have a beer in your hand and you're watching the cars tearing outta the pits, it sticks with you, its something special.
The atmosphere is great for the entire week, the anticipation builds and builds.....Friday is something else altogether. MAD FRIDAY its called!
People gather on the public roads and parties kick off the lenght of the road between the roundabouts. Cars do burnouts, drifts...general hooning around. Have done some hooning with my brother in his GTI. You have hundreds of people lining the streets cheering you on. The Cops have a stand off approach, and I think they just enjoy it all too.
Everybody is just so hyped about the race next day.

Another special moment is walking around the track before sunrise, just.....special. Then sunrise over Dunlop is incredible to behold.

The trip from the ferry to the track is neither long nor laborous. You could even check out some WW2 stuff if you're interested.

Myself and my brother do intend to go again next year. Toyota have had a year to develop and Porsche are returning to the top class. Also its the 90th anniversarry so expect special events. Shoud be.....Will be epic!!
Plus the tickets go on sale to the general public on the same day as my birthday...its a sign:-P

SniperSight

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2N68aMCMLI

This is a vid i made of our 2nd year, we flew over. But hopefully its gives an idea....

A benefit of arriving early and driving over is you have time to go to the further spectator areas like Mulsanne and Indianapolis.