Event Le Mans Classic 2018 - July 6th-8th

[Heidel_Kakao]

I know a few other Shiters either are already going to this or are interested in it so I thought it would make sense to start an organising thread. I will already be on the continent at time of the event as I should be going to Japan Classic Sunday the week before but it could be good for other people to convoy from UK etc.

 

I have never done the Classic so any experienced veterans of it or Le Mans in general please share your tips relating to camp sites, food or anything useful really

[Sloth in a bowl]

I've been twice, count me in.

Will post useful stuff later.

[Saabnut]

This will be my 5th consecutive classic! Best of the Le Mans events in my opinion. I have my own place about 25 minutes south of the circuit if anyone needs space to park broken down shite!

[tul66]

Been to 4 of these but TBH the camping at Maison Blanche last year was much smaller with no atmosphere. There's been a Porsche thing built up towards the main straight and now you're not even allowed to stand on the banking up there.

 

I'd be up for going again but definitely not camping there, probably over the road near the carpark.

[panhard65]

I am going to the main race camping at Chateaux Houx de club right next to the circuit. I will be there from the Sunday before the race until the Monday after. If anyone is going I can get a couple of guests in to the ACO viewing areas and have granstand tickets that I don't mind lending whilst I am not using them. As for the classic I will have a look what is available next week as I went to the very first one and have been meaning to go back since and still haven't

[Wack]

I'd be interested in more information , always like the idea of a le mans trip but nobody I know would want to go

[mat_the_cat]

I love the idea of it - a couple of times have been travelling back up to catch a ferry and seen the convoy of (sometimes interesting) British cars heading down for it. Just not sure if I want to go enough to justify the fuel costs of going in the Stellar, especially as I'd be giving up valuable holidays to go it alone...

 

Will be watching with interest, anyway.

[panhard65]

Ok guys the ticket office has opened for this today. I can get a little bit of discount on upto 6 entrance tickets and paddock tickets but not on camping or grandstands. Prices for camping is around 100 euro. Entrance tickets are 55 euro but I can get 6 at 45 euro. Grandstands are around 40 euro. I am still undecided if I will go or not yet as I thought the campsites are a bit expensive for this, if I do go I will most likely camp at AA EPINETTES as there is a bit of shade there and not too far from the circuit.

[Heidel_Kakao]

I would like a reduced price entrance ticket please. Would you recommend getting a grandstand ticket or is it optional? Does camping get booked up really quickly?

It would be nice to coordinate on camping as we could get a mini Shitefest vibe going on if we are all in the same place.

 

Edit - http://www.beermountain.com/p/epinettes.html This is the camping you mean I guess? It looks fairly secluded which could be good.

[mat_the_cat]

I'm a 90% yes, but was thinking about camping a bit further away? Surely there's no point in getting sleep during the 24 hours of racing, so would it be possible to camp a few miles away, bring a bike and ride in, then back to a quieter campsite after the racing?

 

Like the idea of Le Merdefest though...

[Heidel_Kakao]

I'm a 90% yes, but was thinking about camping a bit further away? Surely there's no point in getting sleep during the 24 hours of racing, so would it be possible to camp a few miles away, bring a bike and ride in, then back to a quieter campsite after the racing?

 

Like the idea of Le Merdefest though...

I will have a bike with me so it could be an option.... In regards to camping location I was going to go with the general consensus as I don't have any real preference, as long as the circuit is not too far away I am easy.

[Sloth in a bowl]

For the classic I have camped very comfortably at Beausejour a couple of times.

It's an extra 15mins walk (or 5 min in cycle) to the main part of the circuit but is right by the Porsche curves which is great for headlights and sound from Arnage in the night.

 

Previously (2008 and 2012), Beasejour has been based on make your own space rather than cramped pre-sized pitches and the facilities are still usable at the end of the weekend (unlike what I have been told about from bleu nord campers).

 

Take a bike and poundland lights to get to Arnage and elsewhere in the night.

If they are doing garage pass tickets, they are expensive but worth it, could be worth get a couple for a group of people and then passing them round when different people want a nose.

[mat_the_cat]

That sounds worth a look - I have a suitably shite bike with built-in dynamo lighting which would be perfect for bringing. Again, I would be happy to go with the consensus, based on advice from previous visitors.

[Heidel_Kakao]

I just paid for my tickets, I got a general admission ticket for 45 Euro and camping at BEAUSEJOUR for 80 Euro which was the cheapest camping on offer.

 

2018 is shaping up to be a very busy and action packed year

[alcyonecorporation]

Been twice. 

Camped the first time then stayed in a hotel MILES away (Nogent-le-Rotrou if memory serves). 

[mat_the_cat]

I just paid for my tickets, I got a general admission ticket for 45 Euro

 

I thought that it was only 45 Euros if you bought 6? I've been holding back till I knew about a group decision...

[Heidel_Kakao]

I thought that it was only 45 Euros if you bought 6? I've been holding back till I knew about a group decision...

Ah yes you are right, it was 55 Euro. I only bought my ticket now as I get paranoid about things selling out which is probably not even an issue and also I know for a fact that I am going so may as well pay for it now and get it out the way.

[panhard65]

Right after spending ages trying to find this thread (the search option is shit on here) I have decided that the Seat needs to go back to France and a road trip to the classic is going to happen. I can get entrance tickets at 45 euro and grandstands at 35 no discount on camping but I can get discount on paddock entry. Who is going and what campsite as it looks like I will be going on my own as my other half won't do a tent. My plan is to do the Poole Cherbourg crossing out on the Friday and probably head off Sunday night to catch a St Malo ferry back Monday morning. I am going to book some tickets next week if anyone wants me to order for them. I also need to find out how to get a pass for the classic car parking to save walking so far.

[Saabnut]

If it is of any interest, I have a small farm near Le Mans, a couple of km from La Chatre sur le Loir where myself and about a dozen friends (and a few classics) will be staying. I can offer camping space and fellow lunatics and as the traffic for the classic is no where near as bad as for the 24hr it is about 20 minutes to the circuit.

[spike60]

I've been to the 24h most years since the late 80's though not the last few as I managed to lose contact with the Mme who kindly lets us stay with her near the Porsche Curves. Contact now made again, I put hols in only to be told my son is now struggling for the time off..... I may go on my own and mebby hook up if there may be AS gathering locally. 

[lesapandre]

I drove through Le Man last spring...was driving along as you do...saw some houses, thought they have a big fence.. .then it hit me...I'm driving on the Le Mans race circuit (road part) in my Citroen AX! 

[panhard65]

If it is of any interest, I have a small farm near Le Mans, a couple of km from La Chatre sur le Loir where myself and about a dozen friends (and a few classics) will be staying. I can offer camping space and fellow lunatics and as the traffic for the classic is no where near as bad as for the 24hr it is about 20 minutes to the circuit.

That sounds like a really good plan. Being south of the circuit makes it a little easier to get to as you don't have to go through the town so I am up for that. If I order a couple of grandstand seat would anyone be interested in the second one or paddock passes. The Grandstand is in the middle of the start finish straight and handy if it is raining or really hot as it is covered. Tickets are 35 euro, the Paddock passes are 32 euro. I should be able to get upto 6 at these prices

[Sloth in a bowl]

That sounds like a really good plan. Being south of the circuit makes it a little easier to get to as you don't have to go through the town so I am up for that. If I order a couple of grandstand seat would anyone be interested in the second one or paddock passes. The Grandstand is in the middle of the start finish straight and handy if it is raining or really hot as it is covered. Tickets are 35 euro, the Paddock passes are 32 euro. I should be able to get upto 6 at these prices

 

 

If you can get a couple of paddock passes then I'm sure we can all chip in to 'borrow' them as they are not needed all the time, but are really nice for a couple of hours viewing. Middle of the night recommended for atmosphere.

[Sloth in a bowl]

If it is of any interest, I have a small farm near Le Mans, a couple of km from La Chatre sur le Loir where myself and about a dozen friends (and a few classics) will be staying. I can offer camping space and fellow lunatics and as the traffic for the classic is no where near as bad as for the 24hr it is about 20 minutes to the circuit.

 

 

That sounds like a really good plan. Though 20 mins looks a bit optimistic. Where do I book my space?

[Heidel_Kakao]

Doh and I already paid

[panhard65]

If you can get a couple of paddock passes then I'm sure we can all chip in to 'borrow' them as they are not needed all the time, but are really nice for a couple of hours viewing. Middle of the night recommended for atmosphere.

I will be ordering my tickets next week. I will probably get a couple of paddock passes and grandstand tickets but if antone wants anything the pm me before monday night.

[Saabnut]

That sounds like a really good plan. Though 20 mins looks a bit optimistic. Where do I book my space?

 

Drop me a pm if you (or anyone else) wants more info.

[dome]

If it is of any interest, I have a small farm near Le Mans, a couple of km from La Chatre sur le Loir where myself and about a dozen friends (and a few classics) will be staying. I can offer camping space and fellow lunatics and as the traffic for the classic is no where near as bad as for the 24hr it is about 20 minutes to the circuit.

Crivvens. Me and a couple of friends may be interested in that!

[panhard65]

Drop me a pm if you (or anyone else) wants more info.

PM sent as I have booked my ferry tonight getting down there on the Thursday afternoon so I have a bit of shopping time to try and find some bikes to bring back. At the moment there is a spare seat in the hearse leaving Poole on the Thursday morning coming back Monday afternoon to Portsmouth. I will also sort out a couple of paddock passes and grandstand tickets that can be shared around along with a couple of car park passes for the red and yellow car parks if anyone is interested.

[panhard65]

Right I have booked my tickets, due to the total lack of interest I have only booked 1 grandstand and paddock pass but do have parking at Mulsanne, Arnarge and opposite the main entrance in the ACO car park. I can still get more tickets nearer the time if required but they will be E tickets as the delivery costs 25 euro for the printed tickets and I would rather not pay that much. I will be taking up Saabnut's kind offer of camping at his farm so if anyone else wants to join us then please pm Saabnut to confirm.