Le Mans...

[vestax32]

Me and the Mrs are planning on a trip to Le Mans in my RS6 with a couple of friends. Having never been before I after some advice about best way to plan trip, and what to expect/avoid etc?! We plan on camping for race night, but should we get there a night early, or stay for another night after? Advice please!

[doodlebug]

I go Thurs and come back Monday. You'd really need to arrive Fri earliest. Travelling on Sat is going to be horrid. Fri-Sun is the minimum.

You'll need to scope out campsites, there's a lot of choice.

Avoid the Danes and the Dutch unless you like SCOOTER!

And don't bring the RS6 thinking you'll hoof it. Best case you'll lose some Euro, worst case you'll lose the car.

[mustdash]

Was my first trip to Le Mans this year. We arrived Thursday and left in the Monday. The traffic was bad on the Thursday but horrendous on the Friday. Leaving in the Monday was quite good as there wasn't a huge amount of traffic compared to the Sunday.

We stayed at Expo - it was very basic, but close enough to the track etc. There are loads of campsites to choose from though.

As the other poster said - the French plod are out on force for race weekend from just outside Calais all the way down - get caught a little over the speed limit and it's a relatively small fine (€90 for one guy in my convoy), a lot over the speed limit and it's a large fine (I've heard up to €1000), your car taken off you or your licence taken.

I would definitely say it's worth it. I am already planning for next year! It's quite addictive!

[vestax32]

I have been put off by the reports of terrible traffic! Will go skiing instead I think.....

[doodlebug]

The traffic is only bad if you tip up with the rest of the world. Plenty of ways around it.

[Ian_C]

After going for several years you just get used to it and work around it, just like you end up with local knowledge of your home town etc.

Routine for us now involving car:

Tuesday - arrive - pitch - first Supermarche run - NW of Arnage *not* into Le Mans - buy majority of weeks beer. Fuel for generator.
Thursday - second and final Supermarch run in the morning before lunch before traffic gets busier as people start arriving in the afternoon. Fuel for generator. Top up beers.
Sunday - morning about 5am - drive down to Arnage / Indianapolis viewing area. Fuel up at Total 98 on way back to camp ready for departure Monday morning

Car doesn't move Weds Fri or Sat, and only moves when the circuit is 'running' (practice, qualifying, race etc when the roads are closed) dawn Sunday. This obviously only works if you are camping at the circuit, and minimal food runs made easier by having a fridge / freezer