Le Mans 05

Here you will find an archive of previous Porsche Events and other car related events

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23e Heure
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Post by 23e Heure »

Nick,

There are loads of sites with advice from a race-goers point of view, but a good starting point (with loads of links) is www.maisonblanche.co.uk

I've been going regularly for a while (cars, not bikes!), but 2005 will be the first year at the wheel of my own early 911 :P

My advice re campsites, if you're not going on a group organised trip, would be to try and get a place on one of the sites on the interior of the circuit.
For the last 3 years I've been lucky enough to be a guest of Audi Sport UK, and their campsite (free beer! hot clean showers! grassy knolls! sorry,
just boasting now) links to a path which can take you to the Armco on Les Hunaudieres, just opposite the Chinese restaurant.
Strictly interdit, monsieur le gendarme, but I've managed to do it without getting caught thus far!

And someone asked about visiting other parts of the circuit. (Parts other than the main tribunes etc.).
That would cover Indianopolis/Arnage, Mulsanne corner, and Les Hunaudieres. At 2 restaurants on the (outside of) the straight you can get right
next to the track - and even see it if you have a ladder/can climb).

IMHO there's only one viable way of going to these areas if you can face it - at dawn!
If you set the alarm in the tent for 4.30, then bowl bleary eyed into the car, there's none of the nightmare traffic jams normally blocking access
to these areas.
In fact, it's so quiet, you can happily relive the opening scenes of Le Mans the movie. The back road drive from Mulsanne to Arnage,
although not the same exact same stretch of road McQueen travels (that's further toward Maison Blanche),
it's very much like it.

And if the weather's fine, you'll have the sun's first rays on the windscreen 8) , and the famous morning mist to sweep through. :shock:

That early morning tradition is always the highlight of the race for my dad and I.

Here's a Le Mans at dawn taster - the 2004 winning Audi R8 passes a GT3 - 6am at Mulsanne Corner:
www.ibf.co.uk/inheremark/lm2004/teamgoh_mulsanne_6am.rm

Wait up. I'm getting excited about this year's race far too early. This is endurance racing - I should pace myself!
tanick
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Post by tanick »

Thanks.

It was never that busy for the bike endurance. I'm getting muddled up now in my mind between Spa and Le Mans but I remember being able to get onto the track as the bikes finished, shin up the wall in the pit lane and pinch the banner across Suzuki's pit. I looked after it carefully all the way home. Probably threw it away years ago. Oh those carefree pre-ebay days..

I'll start reading up on it.
Dyno Soar
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Post by Dyno Soar »

23e Heure wrote:Nick,

There are loads of sites with advice from a race-goers point of view, but a good starting point (with loads of links) is www.maisonblanche.co.uk

I've been going regularly for a while (cars, not bikes!), but 2005 will be the first year at the wheel of my own early 911 :P

My advice re campsites, if you're not going on a group organised trip, would be to try and get a place on one of the sites on the interior of the circuit.
For the last 3 years I've been lucky enough to be a guest of Audi Sport UK, and their campsite (free beer! hot clean showers! grassy knolls! sorry,
just boasting now) links to a path which can take you to the Armco on Les Hunaudieres, just opposite the Chinese restaurant.
Strictly interdit, monsieur le gendarme, but I've managed to do it without getting caught thus far!

And someone asked about visiting other parts of the circuit. (Parts other than the main tribunes etc.).
That would cover Indianopolis/Arnage, Mulsanne corner, and Les Hunaudieres. At 2 restaurants on the (outside of) the straight you can get right
next to the track - and even see it if you have a ladder/can climb).

IMHO there's only one viable way of going to these areas if you can face it - at dawn!
If you set the alarm in the tent for 4.30, then bowl bleary eyed into the car, there's none of the nightmare traffic jams normally blocking access
to these areas.
In fact, it's so quiet, you can happily relive the opening scenes of Le Mans the movie. The back road drive from Mulsanne to Arnage,
although not the same exact same stretch of road McQueen travels (that's further toward Maison Blanche),
it's very much like it.

And if the weather's fine, you'll have the sun's first rays on the windscreen 8) , and the famous morning mist to sweep through. :shock:

That early morning tradition is always the highlight of the race for my dad and I.

Here's a Le Mans at dawn taster - the 2004 winning Audi R8 passes a GT3 - 6am at Mulsanne Corner:
www.ibf.co.uk/inheremark/lm2004/teamgoh_mulsanne_6am.rm

Wait up. I'm getting excited about this year's race far too early. This is endurance racing - I should pace myself!

See that what I need to do.. explore Le Mans alittle more.. need to find a fella who knows all the tricks.

23heur are you taking your Porsche? If you wanna hook up on route or while your down there then let me know. That goes for anyone on here.

We should have a DDK presence there.. one of the best parts is convoying down.

:) looking forward to this years event.
Alam

77' 911 Carerra 3.0 'The Beast'
58' 356-A Coupe
55' Chevy
51' AP17
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Le Mans 2005

Post by defender47 »

Hate to be the bearer of bad news but I was watching the Le Mans website for camping availability right up to new year. You couldn't book anything as the ticket office wasn't open. Looked again last week and every campsite except Beasejour (miles away!) is booked and only on standby.

I think a lot of sites have been block-booked. I am going with my son ( Monkey Boy) in his 914/6? but unless anybody knows of two spots somwwhere near then we have a problem.
Any thoughts please?

Paul
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Post by Dyno Soar »

Bugger! Hmmn better get on the phone.

:|
Alam

77' 911 Carerra 3.0 'The Beast'
58' 356-A Coupe
55' Chevy
51' AP17
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Post by Peter »

What crossings (dates & times) and routes is everyone taking to Le Mans? I have booked my camping and stand tickets, but not my crossing yet (and need to do it this week). Most people I know are going via Calais, but my preference at the moment is to go to Caen (depite the cost, the drive from Calais is good fun, but long).

Also, I may well have a spare seat in my car if anyone is interested.
Peter
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23e Heure
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Post by 23e Heure »

Peter,
I'm driving my car down on the Friday. I booked just before new year with Speedferries. Cost was £50, I think:
11h15 Fri 17th June Dover - Boulogne
0h30 Monday 20th Boulogne - Dover
Maybe we can get a SW London - Le Mans - SW London convoy organised!

Meanwhile, can anyone confirm the rumour that Audi Sport UK aren't entering this year? If so... I'll have to find
alternative accomodation :shock: (normally get invited by them), and had better get booking the campsite!
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Post by Dyno Soar »

Hey Chaps, I well up for a South London convoy. I am desperatly rushing to get my 911 ready however as my last Project Management contract has ended I have to be careful with the £££.

Peter If my 911 isn't ready I'd be up for sharing a ride with you and splitting the costs. However fingers crossed for a completed car by then.

Tally HO!
Alam

77' 911 Carerra 3.0 'The Beast'
58' 356-A Coupe
55' Chevy
51' AP17
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Post by steve wright »

Guys - booked Porsche Club campsite and waitlisted for another 2 cars, 4 people(which I'm pretty confident of securing), travelling Eurotunnel/ Calais (out - 10am thurs 16th, returning - 8pm Sunday 19th).

Anyone else going down Thursday morning?

Irrespective, we should organise meeting in the town on Friday as suggested and go have a beer. :)
'53 356 Pre-A (a box of bits!)
'54 Okrasa/Porsche/VW special
'58 356A Super (GS-spec)
'65 Razoredge Ghia
'66 Westfalia Camper
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Le Mans '05

Post by TheMonkey »

It seems to me that a couple of people are on the Speed ferries crossing to Boulogne. Me and my old man will also be on the ferry at 11:15 but will be departing from North London.
He will be in a Gulf Blue 356 A GT rep and me in my white 914/6 conv. Might even have the GT arches on by then!

Should be good.

Would anyone like to meet up for the drivers parade on friday evening for a beer? More the merrier or is that messier?

Sounds silly, but it's not that far away!!!
steve wright
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Post by steve wright »

count me in for a beer or five :) :drunken:
'53 356 Pre-A (a box of bits!)
'54 Okrasa/Porsche/VW special
'58 356A Super (GS-spec)
'65 Razoredge Ghia
'66 Westfalia Camper
'70 911S (2.3 ST Le-Mans spec engine)

http://www.pushrod.org

http://www.classicporschemag.co.uk
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Post by k9handler »

Just placed the event on my calendar, I will see how it pans out for me but a drive down for the event would be fun. :)
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A couple Yanks from Germany?

Post by k9handler »

I have a friend who really wants to attend as well...so we are looking for details once we get there. We will bring a tent to camp out...so where would be best? Is there going to be a DDK area? Look forward to meeting you guys there.

Smitty :)
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Post by Dyno Soar »

I have decided that I am not going this year unless I have a last minute change of plans. I am gonna go to the British F1 GP instead. :)

The actual tickets are very resonable for the event the trick is trying to get a camping space. Try to book your camping space as soon as bloody possible.
Also make sure you get there early to pitch your tent and stake your claim to the ground.
Alam

77' 911 Carerra 3.0 'The Beast'
58' 356-A Coupe
55' Chevy
51' AP17
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Post by k9handler »

thanks...that is the trick, I am searching for a camping space/permit.
H.D. Smith
1975 911S (3.6)
www.b40huckers.com
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