Who's been to LeMans?

[OSU_Sam]

My wife and I are planning a trip to LeMans in 2012, for our 65th birthdays, AND, our 30th wedding anniversary. WHEW! What would you do to suggest preparing for the trip; who should we contact; what should we expect; what shouldn"t we do; how much will it cost;etc. We're both rookies at races overseas so we need all the help we can get. Thanks.

[Jamie Brown]

Well i went to Le Mans for the first time this year and it was brilliant, we travelled with a company who specialised in taking people to motor racing events, everyone was very helpful and friendly, there are various packages to suit your budget, the website for them is http://www.selectmotorracing.com/

[OSU_Sam]

Thanks for the info. Some of the packages I found online were really pricey. After being there once, would you go back?

[Oli_M]

I went a few years back. We drove ourselves, stayed at Tetre Rouge I think. Best advice I can probably give is if you know someone who's been before, go with them for your first year to get a 'feel' for it. I probably would have missed out on lots of stuff by not knowing it was going on. I certainly want to go back there again, its just finding a year when I have that time free and have the money!

[Jamie Brown]

Yes, I would definitely want to go back there.

[OSU_Sam]

That might be a good idea. We will be staying with a friend of my wife's in Surrey. Her husband has been to some F1 races but I'm not sure if he's been to LeMans. I need to check. Thanks for the help. Where are you from? I'm in California.

[MrJan]

I've been to the Le Mans Classic for the last 2 times it has been run and (depending on funds) will definately go again next year. We caught the ferry and drove down but would imagine it's a bit more tricky given the extra people who go to Le Mans proper. Best advice would be to find people who have gone before or planning on going, preferably from somewhere in Surrey so that you could travel down. Local car clubs would probably be handy and I think that generally people would be happy to give you advice.

Try contacting a club near to where your wife's friend lives as a first port of call. Oh and I've not been to the 24 hours but would have thought that trying to organise it yourself or through a club would be cheaper than a package deal, at least you have plenty of time to look around and find a good deal though :up:

[robert1961]

I have never been to LeMans but a few years back I attended the 24 hour race at Spa-Francorchamps Belgium. Spa 24 is not nearly as big as the LeMans event but I had a great time and at this time I am trying to make plans for a return within a year or two. I really had no idea what to expect when I rode in on my bicycle late Friday night before the race. I camped there at the circuit. The campgrounds are a lively spot to say the least. LeMans is something I would like to do sometime as well but I think it might be a better idea to go along with someone who has been there before.

[wedge]

Best bet is the pistonheads forum.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/forum.asp?h=0&f=25&mid=85683

[OSU_Sam]

Thanks for the information. I really appreciate it. I think you are right. I am finding that it is less expensive to plan it yourself. Thank goodness I have 3 years to do it.

[OSU_Sam]

I think you are right about going with someone who has been there before. I'm hearing that a lot. I have attended 26 Indianapolis 500's and have learned over the years how to navigate around and through 300,000 people with no problem at all. But it scares the hell out of people who have never been there before.

[OSU_Sam]

Thanks.

[DavePI2]

you are a lucky guy, always been my dream to go to lemans.

david