[LM24] Le Mans 2024 - 15/16 June 2024 - Who is Going?

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

Going back to walking distances RL17 is correct. The walk is not too long, but when lugging bags and accompanied by your partner, the busses are much more convenient.

I've done Calais to Le Mans and Caen to Le Mans. I'm going back to the chunnel this year since the return time from Caen is too late for the 90 mile journey home. That said driving to Scotland probably means you'd overnight in Portsmouth anyway.

Lots to think about, exciting isn't it?

And there's a cheap and cheerful Travelodge within spitting distance of the ferry port.

[Peter Mallett]

Indeed there is. There's a Premier Inn along the A27 at the Hayling Island junction too.

[dwh43scale]

Tend to end up with short Friday / Monday (or next year Sunday night) trips. Two hours-ish from Folkestone but allow more (M1, M25, M20) - then 4 hours-ish from Calais to LM via Rouen. Care re driving through Rouen without Crit'Air vignette although there are routes avoiding the city centre. Autoroute not cheap but generally not too busy. Watch your speed - it's not like the good old days. Shuttle and ferry prices seem to have shot up for 2024 ...

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

Indeed there is. There's a Premier Inn along the A27 at the Hayling Island junction too.

With a pub that does good meals there too....

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by dwh43scale

Shuttle and ferry prices seem to have shot up for 2024 ...

I booked my ferry on the day that the route became available. I paid pretty much the same as last time. It surprises me that this often seems to be the last thing that people do....

[RL17]

Just drove past this morning.

Gunwharf Quays (pretty good shopping outlet, decent Old Customs House pub and restaurants etc), Spinnaker Tower there too, HMS Warrior and historic dockyard are about 10 mins away if you have a few hours to kill before Brittany ferry check in there.

Portsmouth CAZ doesn’t apply to private cars.

[bludvl_x19]

Originally Posted by nickyf1

I wonder what the experience would be like to fly to France and travel to Le Mans by train? Would you say this is doable, or does the benefit of having the car at the circuit outweigh the length of journey?

I went to this year's edition by flying and public transport. I found it relatively straightforward, although I was staying in an Air B'n'B in Le Mans itself. The only issue that my (nom-motorsport) partner and I encountered was that on the Sunday after the race we had to walk a couple of tram stops towards town before we could catch a tram back into Le Mans.

Getting around the circuit seemed pretty doable as a newbie, although we were caught out by one of the buses not running from Porsche back into the circuit in the wee hours of the morning during the race.

[Greem]

Originally Posted by Greem

That's the plan for me, too.

That *was* the plan.

The plan is now to not go. Having now had the work done to replace the bit of me that was problematic, I'm acutely aware of the fact that (with hindsight) I expected too much of myself, and by extension my poste mates, in 2023.

I most likely won't be fully recovered by mid June, so I'm not putting myself or anyone else through that again. Sucks, I want to be there, but... as we used to say when I did a lot of scuba diving: "It's better to be on the boat wishing you were 30m down than being 30m down and wishing you were still on the boat"

[Peter Mallett]

Sorry to hear of your woes matey. However there are loads of racers, who would rather you got better than risked everything for a long weekend in France.

Happy New Year.

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by Greem

That *was* the plan.

The plan is now to not go. Having now had the work done to replace the bit of me that was problematic, I'm acutely aware of the fact that (with hindsight) I expected too much of myself, and by extension my poste mates, in 2023.

I most likely won't be fully recovered by mid June, so I'm not putting myself or anyone else through that again. Sucks, I want to be there, but... as we used to say when I did a lot of scuba diving: "It's better to be on the boat wishing you were 30m down than being 30m down and wishing you were still on the boat"

That's unfortunate Graeme, did you consider just going as a 'mere' spectator?

[Greem]

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

That's unfortunate Graeme, did you consider just going as a 'mere' spectator?

I am a very, very bad spectator these days, Andrew!

In all seriousness though - yes, I did, and the prospect (right now) of limited sleep in a tent on however good a mattress I can take, with the journey there and back, is not filling me with joy. Hopefully I'll be back to full fitness and enthusiasm for 2025!

[Aysedasi]

Let's hope so!

[Aysedasi]

It's good to be able to say I'm looking forward to this year's Le Mans....

Happy New Year everyone!

[GT6]

yes "This year" sounds good

[nickyf1]

Happy new year!

That's the ferry booked there, going to Le Havre, feels much more real now!

Will be arriving at the circuit on the Tuesday evening, should be no issues arriving at Beausejour at this time?

[clkgtrlm1]

Originally Posted by nickyf1

Happy new year!

That's the ferry booked there, going to Le Havre, feels much more real now!

Will be arriving at the circuit on the Tuesday evening, should be no issues arriving at Beausejour at this time?

BSJ should be OK Tuesday evening.
Last year, there were quite a few turn up Friday / Saturday for PQ, then not too many more arriving Sunday / Monday, rush sort of started Tuesday PM / evening.

[claude2cv]

We arrived in VAN in Wednesday lunchtime last year and it was not too difficult getting a decent pitch

Sean

[GT6]

Well tunnel booked for this years trip. Out Monday 10.20 back Sunday 22,40

[GT6]

Just had an email from the ACO announcing the bands at the race this year, not heard of the others but simple minds are on Saturday this year

[PascaLM]

Originally Posted by GT6

Just had an email from the ACO announcing the bands at the race this year, not heard of the others but simple minds are on Saturday this year

On wednesday we have Louise Attaque who are pretty good musicians.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRTDC9Z5UdE

[Mike E]

And confirmation that VW Fun Cup and Lambo Super Trofeo provide the support races. Quite a contrast.

[Gerard C]

Hope you'll have the drone ballet again. Appreciated last year's.

[GT6]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

Hope you'll have the drone ballet again. Appreciated last year's.

Yes that display was amazing, watched it on both friday and saturday

[Sodemo]

When is the entry list published for LM 2024?

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by Sodemo

When is the entry list published for LM 2024?

I don't know yet, but last year it was 27th February, I believe.