Petit Le Mans 2024

[RX7Mandingo]

Originally Posted by JT240Z

Can you give me a better idea of where you plan to camp? Tried to find you last year but never could. Are you thinking of being closer to turn 3/4 or at the bathroom near turn 5?

If you're looking at the bathrooms at turn 5, I'm just to the right, usually with two tents and awnings. Typically hang a Mazda banner from my awnings as well. Gives a good view of the slight left with the uphill going onto the short backstretch.
I've thought about moving spots but I like the proximity to both the bathrooms and parking. I have a lot of camping gear and don't want to have to lug it too far during setup and breakdown.

[RX7Mandingo]

Originally Posted by JohnBoyFL

Thanks to all for the info and recommendations! I wish we could be there sooner, but early Thursday afternoon is probably going to be the earliest we can get there. We plan to have the SUV, a 9x13 tent and a 10x10 canopy. Definitely not too concerned about having a track-side campsite.

It sounds like we can have the vehicle by the campsite if get there early enough and there's still room, but if we don't get there early enough then space will be very limited and we might have to settle for camping in the woods and parking the vehicle in a parking lot. Is that correct?

Just a few more questions...

Do all of the restrooms shown on the map have showers? If not, which ones do?

Is there ice for sale on-site in case we run out?

Any recommendations on which NR Tent camping areas might still have decent (or any) space left on Thur afternoon?

Thanks again in advance!

There's no on site ice sales. Best bet is come as prepared as you can. If you have to leave to make a run to the store there's no promise your parking spot will be there when you get back. I had to make a run last year on Thursday morning and a guy pulled into my spot before I had time to finish pulling around

[JT240Z]

Originally Posted by RX7Mandingo

If you're looking at the bathrooms at turn 5, I'm just to the right, usually with two tents and awnings. Typically hang a Mazda banner from my awnings as well. Gives a good view of the slight left with the uphill going onto the short backstretch.
I've thought about moving spots but I like the proximity to both the bathrooms and parking. I have a lot of camping gear and don't want to have to lug it too far during setup and breakdown.

That's closer to my location than I thought. I'm at the outside of turn 6 and, if it's the same bathroom you're talking about, you must be somewhere on the old go cart track area. Last year I was thinking around the other bathroom near turn 3/4. My wife and I will be parked at reserved RV spot 608 in an old fiberglass Airstream Land Yach 36-footer. She's not really pretty but she's dry and reliable. Had the same RV spot for over 24 years.

[RX7Mandingo]

Originally Posted by JT240Z

That's closer to my location than I thought. I'm at the outside of turn 6 and, if it's the same bathroom you're talking about, you must be somewhere on the old go cart track area. Last year I was thinking around the other bathroom near turn 3/4. My wife and I will be parked at reserved RV spot 608 in an old fiberglass Airstream Land Yach 36-footer. She's not really pretty but she's dry and reliable. Had the same RV spot for over 24 years.

It's right by the cross over. I've walked over to your area to usually catch the tram. It's usually packed full by the time it gets to the stop by me

[JT240Z]

Yep, the trans can be pretty full. Especially as it closer to race day. It's one reason we bring a golf cart. No tram needed.

[JT240Z]

Spent some of the day testing our solar panel setup. Adding an additional panel this year to give me 400 watts of solar power to keep the coach batteries charged. This is what my test setup looked like:



This is the charge controller I'm using. It's a Renogy Voyager waterproof 20A PWM controller:


Received my Home Brew kit today. It's a Sierra Madre Pale Ale. Plan to start the Brew on either Sunday or Tuesday. Will have samples for the Petit.

[broadrun96]

We follow the sportscar idea and burn 100% dead dinosaur for power. But that's mostly for phones, lights and if I ever remember all the cables one year the projector

[JT240Z]

The solar panels are there to return my motorhome batteries charge when needed. Running the furnace and fridge at night can discharge them a good bit and the generator needs to be started via battery. The generator is used for all of our other decadent needs like AC, microwave oven and the ice maker. Lots of Dino power needed for those. A couple of years ago my alternator went out and the solar panels saved me.

[JT240Z]

By the way, I run my generator on Bourbon so I can justify bringing it into the track.

[JT240Z]

It's officially less than 60 days till race day now!

[RX7Mandingo]

Well bad news. Due to unforseen circumstances i won't be able to make it the whole week.
Still gonna come up Friday night for a few beers, and race day on Saturday. Come by hungry cause I'm bringing the gallons of gumbo with shrimp, scallops, snow crab, and lobster! Gonna go big since I'll only be there for one day.

[JT240Z]

Well, then I'll plan on seeing you there on either Friday night or Saturday. Do you still plan to be in the same location on the track near the bathroom between turn 5 and turn 6?

[RX7Mandingo]

Originally Posted by JT240Z

Well, then I'll plan on seeing you there on either Friday night or Saturday. Do you still plan to be in the same location on the track near the bathroom between turn 5 and turn 6?

O yeah same spot. My buddy is driving up Tuesday night with my tent and is gonna set it up for me in our usual spot. I'll drop the exact location when I get there. Hoping to arrive around 10 Friday night and crack open a beer

[JohnBoyFL]

Thanks everyone for the continued info! It has definitely been helpful.

One more question... for the free parking area outside the track, is overnight parking allowed? We are thinking about inviting one of my son's friends, but that would mean he would probably drive up separately. Would he just be able to leave his car in that area and join us for the camping?

[RX7Mandingo]

Originally Posted by JohnBoyFL

Thanks everyone for the continued info! It has definitely been helpful.

One more question... for the free parking area outside the track, is overnight parking allowed? We are thinking about inviting one of my son's friends, but that would mean he would probably drive up separately. Would he just be able to leave his car in that area and join us for the camping?

I'm pretty sure it's allowed but not 100% sure, if anything call the track and ask, they are always super helpful

[Adam43]

I’m off to a wedding! The weeding isn’t in Georgia.

[JT240Z]

Originally Posted by Adam43

I’m off to a wedding! The weeding isn’t in Georgia.

Does this mean you won't be attending the Petit this year?

[JohnBoyFL]

Originally Posted by RX7Mandingo

I'm pretty sure it's allowed but not 100% sure, if anything call the track and ask, they are always super helpful

Will do, thanks!!

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by Adam43

I’m off to a wedding! The weeding isn’t in Georgia.

[scottypinthemix]

Originally Posted by JT240Z

Anyone hosting a Burbon tasting this year? I have a bottle of something special to bring. Missed out last year due to my shyness.

We will be doing the usual Friday night bourbon tasting.
Normally we do Brisket-n-bourbon, but this year we might do boil-n-bourbon. As in a huge low country boil.

[scottypinthemix]

Originally Posted by JT240Z

Anyone else planning to come? What day?

we'll likely roll in around lunchtime on Tuesday

[JT240Z]

Originally Posted by scottypinthemix

We will be doing the usual Friday night bourbon tasting.
Normally we do Brisket-n-bourbon, but this year we might do boil-n-bourbon. As in a huge low country boil.

Is that open for bourbon donations and/or boil additions? Just let me know what time on Friday you're talking about. You can PM me if you wish. Would love to have my wife and I meet some new people this year. Seems like we've been attending the Petit for over 2 decades but haven't really meet anyone new for years.

[RX7Mandingo]

Originally Posted by scottypinthemix

We will be doing the usual Friday night bourbon tasting.
Normally we do Brisket-n-bourbon, but this year we might do boil-n-bourbon. As in a huge low country boil.

Can't go wrong on low boil, i did one last year on raceday.
I might come down late Friday night, I'm supposed to meet up with another guy at Bob's Hill (?) For some drinks once I get there

[Adam43]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

I am afraid so

I won't be able to turn up in the new truck I haven't bought.

[fieldodreams79]

Originally Posted by Adam43

I am afraid so

I won't be able to turn up in the new truck I haven't bought.

Bummer! Hate that we'll miss you! And I hope the wedding is at some place cool, like La Sagrada de Familia in Barcelona and the reception is a "some castle" in Catalunya. I won't take much less as an excuse.

Maybe I should get my ticket soon.