Le Mans Classic trip 2016

Nubodi Automotive · #1 14th January 2016, 09:09

Le mans Classic
July 8th to 10th
There is a lot of interest this year in particular with attending Le Mans. This thread can be a resource to get the best deals, route, camping, where to go when there, etc.
Even if we do not all travel down together, perhaps we could meet up when there?

Nubodi Automotive · #2 14th January 2016, 09:12

Posted from Lucky@LeMans

Depends which crossing you make , the tunnel works out the best deal ( we use Tesco vouchers to pay for it ).Otherwise about £140 ish.

But it is a longer drive for most so more fuel.

Diesel is much cheaper in France , petrol about the same . £25 diesel each way from Calais to LeMans.

If you use motorway on the French side ( about 30 Euros in Tolls ) it is easy to do the distance in a day so you don't have to worry about an overnight stop. Again , depends how far you have gone on the UK side.

Camping Municipal at La Fleche, I think it was about £15 / night.

Basic weekend LeMans ticket was about £85 last time I went. You can pay extra if you want to go around the pits or have a stand seat. I never bother with that as there is so much to see anyway! There are many better viewing areas other than the stands too.

Don't bother with a parking ticket , there is a secret place you can park for free all weekend ( pm me ! ).

Other than that , food a drink , extra fuel for blatting around ! The roads around that area are great ! Drive the circuit if you are there earlier in the week , most of it is public road !

Good luck , hope to see you there !

Nubodi Automotive · #3 14th January 2016, 09:12

Posted from Lucky@LeMans

Just checked some prices;

Tunnel Crossing Approx £59 each way (Short Stay Saver Ticket, upto 5 days)

LeMans Classic Tickets Weekend 53 Euro
Paddock Pass 35 Euro ( optional )
Grand Stand Seat 35 Euro ( optional )

Camping La Fleche Approx 9 Euro / Night

Nubodi Automotive · #4 14th January 2016, 09:17

One of my customers is going with these people

"2016 will see the eighth running of the Le Mans Classic and we are already taking provisional bookings! With the event only occurring every other year demand is very high so you need to book early to guarantee you see all the best historic motorsport action.

2014 was once again an incredible spectacle with over 110,000 people attending. All the racing was exciting in varying weather conditons, the village areas were packed with merchandise and the car club infield car parks made amazing viewing away from the track. Those lucky few that had purchased track laps, certainly got value for money and left with their own incredible memories of racing around the famous La Sarthe circuit.

Travel Destinations can offer a variety of travel, ticket and accommodation options to experience the best of all that the Le Mans Classic 2016 has to offer. For expert advice on all things Le Mans please call us on (0844) 873 0203 and we will assist you with your booking."

WorldClassAccident · #5 14th January 2016, 11:44

Just had a quick Google for packages from near Southampton with everything sorted. A more expensive but less hassle option possibly.

This is the first one I clicked on and not necessarily the best but doesn't seem bad for two [EDIT] Just spotted that it PER PERSON assuming 2 people in the car - less good

Portsmouth / Poole / Plymouth Cherbourg / Caen / Roscoff
Ferry
£389.00
Departures
Thursday or Friday
Returns
Sunday or Monday

What’s included?

4 nights stay in spacious reserved camping pitches at Le Pont Romain
Fully serviced toilet and shower facilities
Your choice of channel crossings
Le Mans Classic Entrance Tickets & Paddock Passes
Circuit car parking pass

Nubodi Automotive · #6 14th January 2016, 11:45

What changes to those prices if I bring the wife?

WorldClassAccident · #7 14th January 2016, 12:01

Those prices appear to be per person assuming 2 people sharing so you + wife = 2x£389

They do options with cheap hotels too.

Just checked Brittany Ferries for ferry crossing Thursday night and back Sunday night. 1 person, 1 car £410!!!

Used FerrySavers and if I change it to a Thursday afternoon sailing it drops to £295 for 1 person or £300 for 2 people. Anyone want to share my car?

smash · #8 14th January 2016, 12:55

I've always used 1st tickets for the last 3 times.

Planning on going on Pistonheads camping which 1st Tickets are arranging. My brothers went with them last time and facilities were excellent. They did the parade lap and to be honest - whilst there is supposed to be no racing it turned out pretty hectic! (TVR Sagaris was a casualty). I really want to do the parade lap as i missed out on the year I took my P4. Paddocks is worth entry. Infield is always good with all the car clubs - some fantastic machinery and you can spend the best part of day just wondering round that.

Besides, hotels are for softies! Just take an airbed and ear plugs - it's a lot more rowdy than it was when it first started but nowhere near normal Le Mans levels of craziness

I usually go out Thursday and come back Monday - possibly start homeward journey Sunday and stop over somewhere on route.

Nubodi Automotive · #9 14th January 2016, 13:09

At this rate we could hire the whole ferry! Happy days.

WorldClassAccident · #10 14th January 2016, 13:58

Smash - I just got a weekend pass from MrsWCA. Can you post a link to the Pistonheads/1st Ticket stuff. I am IN!!!!

Now which bonnet* do I use?

*Richard - you have email :-)

smash · #11 14th January 2016, 15:39

Full details here:
http://www.1st-tickets.co.uk/ph/enquiriesphlmc.html

The site and will have the following facilities for the exclusive use of campers at the site:
Secure Fencing
24/7 Security
Showers and Toilets
Water Supply
Large Marquee
Cash Bar
Fresh Coffee
Charging Point
Free Wi-Fi access
Limited number of larger camping pitches (5m x 10m)
Access restricted to private campers only
Cooked meals included
(3 x full English breakfast & 3 x two course evening meal)
Daily bread deliveries

WorldClassAccident · #12 14th January 2016, 16:01

Portsmouth - Caen £545

I am in. Just need to someone to enjoy the passenger seat. Leaving Thursday night with a fast blat down to Le Mans on Friday morning to see what it is all about.

PM me if you are interested in a spare seat and can make your way down to Southampton

From the link website
Thank You for completing our on line enquiry form

We will respond to you as soon as possible.

Below is the information you submitted on Thursday, January 14, 2016 at 18:30:53

Lucky@LeMans · #13 14th January 2016, 20:34

There are many ways to enjoy the LeMans experience . I've been going since the mid 90's to both the 24Hr and the Classic. If you can cope with the manic antics on the circuit camp sites all well and good but now I'm past 50 I like to enjoy a degree of civilised comfort away from the rowdy crowds !

I'm not getting old , honest !!

I've also done two organised trips that cost twice what it would if I had bothered to do it myself. Hence the luxury La Fleche campsite at only 9 euros / night . Nice town of La Fleche to eat good food. Swimming pool after a hot day on the circuit etc. The drive down from the tunnel ( cheapest at £59 each way ) is really a pleasure if you take your time to stop for lunch etc.

Just my take on it !

WorldClassAccident · #14 14th January 2016, 20:47

Sounds tempting and I wouldn't mind the company of an expert. I just look at the options presented and choose one. The issue with the Chunnel is driving to Dover and the back along the coast the other side . Not the most trilling of routes to save a few quid.

kevemm · #15 14th January 2016, 22:18

Hi Guys As Richard knows we are on the Travel destinations site they do standard camping on circuit and more Luxurious if the wifes going!! They are well organised and we went to Spa with them last year which was very good.We are driving down via the Tunnel on the Thursday. So far three cars 860 Monza replica, F40 replica and the soon to be (come on Richard the wife in the 250 SWB) would be great to meet up guys enroute.

Lucky@LeMans · #16 14th January 2016, 22:50

If I go it will be Thursday , come back Monday. Mrs is ok with the idea !

Danny_HUFC · #17 15th January 2016, 11:46

If Im off work then I will be there. Bout a 13is hour drive from Alicante. How hard would it for me to book somewhere decent last min? As I dont get my work rotation till april.

Nubodi Automotive · #18 16th January 2016, 08:57

It's bizarre that I've never been to Le Mans. I've been into cars and racing all my life and known how friends rave about it. I will be going this year with the wife in the red Kalifornia or possibly the Stirling replica Koupe Im building for Car Mechanics Magazine.
This is definitely one to tick off my bucket list.

If you have always wanted to go and life/work/kids,etc have always got in the way, like me, come with us this year and make a memory to last forever!

WorldClassAccident · #19 16th January 2016, 08:58

Ok, I am now planning on booking stuff myself as seems significantly cheaper and not that difficult. Does the following seem correct and complete?

Eurotunnel out on Thursday and back Sunday. £59 each way
Camping at La Flèche. €9 per night, 3 nights
Le Mans general enclosure ticket. €53

Just add food and booze and we're done right?

What time are others aim to get to Calais?

We could meet up either side of the channel if you fancy a Z300S in your convoy.

Nubodi Automotive · #20 16th January 2016, 09:03

I suppose we could 'rough' it. Ha. No really it does not matter what car you have, the more the merrier.

It looks like we may have a convoy and party at the end!