 | Home > Camping, Caravanning and Holidays > Taking the 110 to Le mans what do i need!! |
 
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so a bit out of touch if you know what i mean..
| Tiger Member Since: 06 Jul 2012 Location: Wales Posts: 2265  
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I'll dig you my list out
Just take a Sense of Humour as it can fail epically as when it 4am and people are doing dohnuts in a Ford Escort feet from your head that is on;y protected by a tent. |
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12th Mar 2013 7:00pm |
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| SGH Member Since: 27 Sep 2010 Location: Hellingly-Sussex Posts: 1527 
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Loads of bottles of beer
And if it's still open go to the Chinese restaurant on Mulsanne Sunday night 
 Click image to enlarge See here http://beermountain.com/ Last edited by SGH on 12th Mar 2013 7:13pm. Edited 1 time in total |
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12th Mar 2013 7:01pm |
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| Tiger Member Since: 06 Jul 2012 Location: Wales Posts: 2265
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Small swimming pool is handy (we had limited bootspace, you can take a big one)
Click image to enlarge You'll need some cordon tape and stakes and a flag. Click image to enlarge |
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12th Mar 2013 7:12pm |
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| Tiger Member Since: 06 Jul 2012 Location: Wales Posts: 2265
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Oh and if you do decide to go for "Team" stickers then get ones that don't rip the lacquer off also.
Click image to enlarge (spot the Land Rover part) |
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12th Mar 2013 7:15pm |
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| Laurie Member Since: 22 Feb 2008 Location: Sussex, England Posts: 2897  
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It's a week long party.
No need to look for other things to do. Go to Arnage for one of the evening practice sessions - great place to watch the cars. Take a barbie - It's the only piece of cooking equipment you'll need. Fireworks. A ghetto blaster and a load of Kevin 'Bloody' Wilson CDs  |
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12th Mar 2013 7:23pm |
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| Tiger Member Since: 06 Jul 2012 Location: Wales Posts: 2265
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Fuel
Make sure you have a full tank if travelling back on a Sunday. So fuel up during Mon-Sat as fuel stations are un-manned at night/ Sunday and utilise the French chip and PIN system, which does not integrate with ours that well. Maps Le Mans town is situated around 115 miles South-West of Paris and is around 250 miles from Calais if using the toll roads (peage). The track itself (Le Sarthe) is situated a few miles south of Le Mans town, the route to which can be difficult as the track utilises a number of local roads which are closed much of the time around the race weekend. Therefore a good map of the Le Mans area is recommended. I would also recommend getting a touring map of France at a good scale (1:200,000 is ideal) A basic route there and back will be provided utilising the more interesting D-roads (a map or SatNav at the least will still be required just in case), if a group wishes to further enhance their route, it will up to them to decide upon the route depending upon the ability of their navigator/s. Money Around £200-250 each (based on two people per car) would seem the ideal figure, this includes alcohol, provisions and fuel. There are no ATMs on the camp-site and weve never seen any at the track, although they could exist. The closest therefore will be in the local Carrefour or in the town, so it suggested that only currency is taken, as getting around during the race is not easy. French ATMs will supply Euros to VISA, MasterCard or Maestro cards, whether the exchange rates offered is favourable is unknown. Security Please be aware that there are local travellers around you will casually wander through camp sites and pick up items that they can quickly obtain, therefore anything of value should be locked in your car out of site during the day. There are numerous reports of cameras and other valuable equipment being stolen from tents. From Sunday after the race (literally as soon as the chequered flag is waved) through Monday the attendants disappear from the site and this activity increases notably, it is therefore advised not to wander too far from your site on the Sunday evening. There is no report of violence occurring, as thankfully the thieves all seem to be opportunists, although I have heard a couple reports of tickets being snatched from hands or when in ticket holders around the neck. Kit List Insurance Details (Ensure you are covered for European travel) V5 Log Book MOT Certificate (if the car is over 3 years old) Breakdown Cover (Optional but advised) Light Adapters Warning Triangle First Aid Kit Spare Light Bulbs GB Stickers or Number Plates Map of France (1:200,000 Scale Michelin is ideal) Map of Le Mans not essential but a very worthwhile addition Two-Way Radios Plentiful Supplies of Water Sunny Wipes (Expensive, but fantastic factors 30 wipes) Spare Keys (or key fob battery) Fire Extinguisher Full driving license (paper and photo-card for the newer type) Photocopy of Driving License (optional) Passport Travel Insurance (optional but advised) Toilet Rolls Sleeping Bag Wet Weather Gear (Just in case) Mattress (Camping or Air-Bed depending on space) Airbed Pump (If required) Camping Chair Torch Washing stuff Showers are available on the campsite for those that want to stay clean
Towel Walking Shoes / Boots Suncream Sun Hat Sunglasses Ear Defenders / Ear Plugs (Optional) Personal FM Radio Drugs (Nurofen, Alka Seltzer, Anti-Histamines, LSD, Heroine etc.) Camera Mobile Phone AutoSport Le Mans Supplement (Usually out two weeks before the race) Reading Material (Optional) Ticket Holder Lamyard (available there) Tent Table Stove Billy Cans Cups Plates Cutlery Cooking Utensils Kitchen Roll Wet Wipes Bin Liners Lantern Peg Mallet Corkscrew Bottle Opener Plastic Cups Flag Poles Electric Extension Lead (50m) Gazebo Dish Washing Bowl, Liquid & Utensils Gas BBQ (or buy a cheap 10E one and leave it there) Larger FM Stereo (Mains Powered) Paddling Pool for Beers (Purchase at Carrefour) or Fridge!! Hose Pipe Fireworks A tool kit is a matter of preference as is a spares kit, as if you dont know how to use them youre stuck anyway; however a bare minimum of some fuses and bulbs, gaffer tape & ties. or Breakdown Cover Radio Le Mans Essential listening throughout the weekend provided by Autosport it gives an English language commentary through the qualifying and racing. Tune into 91.2 MHz Friday There is no racing on the Friday, as the teams open the pits to allow the press and public access to the cars in the paddock. Pit Lane This is open all day long to the public, and the teams display their cars for photo opportunities. Open Roads The public roads in the race track are also re-opened for the day, but be warned that the police do not approve of attempts to reach 200mph down the Mulsanne by the general public! Parade du Pilote In Le Mans on the Friday Saturday Free Practice In the morning the last practice session before the race occurs, giving the teams the chance to tune their setups to the conditions of the weather and the track. Museum This is located on the other side of road tunnel at the centre of the circuit village. Race The main race starts at 16:00, beginning with a rolling start rather than a mad dash from the line. During the race there are various locations to visit, all of which have a different aura depending upon the point in the race and the time of day. Where possible some directions have been compiled below. Grandstands is directly opposite the pit Tetre Route The corner before the Mulsanne Straight with a view of the Tetre Rouge Esses before it. There is a bar looking over it, although this will be packed. Also close to the larger of the funfairs. Porsche Curves The fastest section of the circuit now the Mulsanne has two chicanes. There is a hill overlooking the curves for a relaxing hour of spectating. The best route is to follow the outfield (where the grandstands are) past the Maison Blanche camp site. It can however be found from the infield, follow the inside of the Ford chicane and continue further south past the karting arena. Arnage / Indianapolis Astounding at night watching the cars rush by with almost no fencing, these two technical corners are also the location for many an incident. Quite a hike although there is a bus service that goes around 2/3 of the way. Mulsanne Corner At the end of the Mulsanne straight where you can see the lights of the cars as they head towards you at over 200mph. Very difficult to get to but well worth it. If you find the Bar des Sports you are almost there, pass through a small industrial estate to get to the corner itself. Dunlop Curves These are just after the pit exit, a reasonably technical complex where speed is built up prior to the Tetre Rouge curves. Can be view from both the inside or outside of the track easily. Ford Chicane Situated just before the pits, not the most exciting of corners, but has a good view up the pit straight and any excitement at the pits can be seen when cars limp back in a damaged state. Restaurants There are two restaurants situated on the outfield of the first section of the Mulsanne straight just before the first chicane (known as Hunaudieres), situated opposite the hippodrome. The most popular is the Restaurant des 24 Heures and the best tables with views of the track need booking in advance or waiting for, however the Chinois des 24 Heures Chinese is less popular Arnage / Indianapolis Walking to Arnage is quite easy, but obviously depends on where you are starting from. Sunday Race The race finishes at 16:00 and is followed by the podium presentation. Podium It is possible after the race to run across the track and get underneath the podium Monday Departure, get yourself gone quick, turns into a ghost town in hours and the light fingered types descend. |
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12th Mar 2013 7:41pm |
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| Laurie Member Since: 22 Feb 2008 Location: Sussex, England Posts: 2897
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Buy a copy of Autosport on Thursday 13th June.
It comes complete with a Le Mans Guide/Survival Kit. PS Anyone not going is welcome to drop in on our Le Mans verteran's party over the race weekend. Watch it on the big screen. Bring beer and something to throw on the barbie. Camping by arrangement. |
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12th Mar 2013 7:46pm |
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| Busboy Member Since: 23 Jan 2012 Location: West London Posts: 182 
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Thanks Laurie & Tiger great list and info,looks like i'd best start shopping then... Steve
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12th Mar 2013 8:08pm |
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| Tiger Member Since: 06 Jul 2012 Location: Wales Posts: 2265
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Forgot to add you'll need Silcone sealant and a silicone gun.
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12th Mar 2013 8:24pm |
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| Tubes63 Member Since: 05 Aug 2012 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 201 
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What day/ferry you going on mate? I'll keep an eye out for you
My year definitely runs from June-June, Le mans is better than Christmas
Don't sweat too much about what to bring, last year I went in my knackered old disco with a 30 pound tent from Halfords (which was about 5ft long and leaked like it was made of paper), no fridge, no cooler, just some clothes and a ton of beer, and it was the best weekend of my life
And half the fun is limping your broken vehicle home after the weekend  we had a disgustingly broken rear axle but still got all the way home to Durham in one day
I'll keep my eyes out for ya, I'll be putting some stickers on me car and will have the photos up here before I leave
Where are you camping/which grandstand? I'll be at Maison Blanche and our grandstand is the one over the pit this year Edit: I'd definitely take a toolkit. Luckily I had one last year... Came in handy when the brake calipers came loose on my dad's Jensen Interceptor  Geoff
2007 Defender 90 Click image to enlarge |
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12th Mar 2013 9:01pm |
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| Tubes63 Member Since: 05 Aug 2012 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 201
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This got me so excited I had to take a shower to calm down
  Geoff
2007 Defender 90 Click image to enlarge |
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12th Mar 2013 9:23pm |
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| Lou Sparts Member Since: 15 Apr 2012 Location: Kent Posts: 1501 
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Take as much as necessary and as little as possible. 2005 Td5 90 XS
Steve |
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12th Mar 2013 9:33pm |
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| x-isle Member Since: 26 May 2011 Location: Midlands Posts: 1327 
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Breathalyser! Craig Rogers
2007 Puma 110 XS 2011 Evoque Coupe Dynamic Lux www.craigrogers.photography |
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12th Mar 2013 10:11pm |
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| smb Member Since: 15 Jan 2013 Location: Cheshire Posts: 1232
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Yes, as x-isle says "Don't forget a Breathalyser". And make sure it is one the French recognise as certified. It is illegal to drive in France without one.
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13th Mar 2013 9:26am |
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