Club Arnage

Ticket office opens Friday 21st October.
Let the computer fun begin!

I think it might be Tuesday 18th if you are an ACO member.

So the fun begins. Man the trenches boys!

At the moment, the "members area" of thie ACO website is returning an error when you try to log in.
Good Luck everyone!

Same here..... Members area for ticketing shows 'To be informed' and when trying to click on to order tickets shows 'Erreur'

Anyone else having fun with this, or any success?

In the waiting room!! Tickets are go from 10am local!! Happy shopping!

Entry and grandstand tickets bought, camping and parking not available till 29th November, hopefully that's not to allow the agencies to sell everything first!

Well, the agencies clearly have got in early regarding parking.  It's too long a story but I still organise tickets for the group I used to go with years ago.  A favour really for a couple of the guys who were friends for many years.  I buy their tickets through an agency - they like to have certainty! - and the agency records their tickets against my name at the ACO.  Their parking tickets for next year are already showing in my ticket account....

someone on PH is already trying to sell tickets  ::)

One full week GA ticket now sorted, just waiting for November 29 when the camping tickets go on sale.

Roll on June!

It'll be interesting to see if any T17 or T18 grandstand seats go up on there or eBay.  They're now sold out. 

All grand stand seats are sold out which seems a bit odd as they weren't all sold in February last year. 

I havent organised general admission or grandstand tickets as thats not much point without camping!

errr, it is the Centenary next year, plus the big entry in LMH, I'm not surprised they are all sold this early tbh, it'll be the same with camping and parking I would think

So what happens when those with grandstand tickets dont get camping tickets?

After all if I am going to be camping at Beausejour I dont really want a grandstand at Dunlop I'd prefer to be at the Ford Chicane end?  r of course if I dont get camping tickets I dont actually want any tickets!

I have a suspicion that you will only be able to buy a camping pass if you have already bought entrance tickets.

Completely missed the date this year for grandstand tickets I might have to keep an eye on Ebay myself. Some of our travelling party would not be happy without one.

Its suggested on Pistonheads that many ticket agencies havent sold any packages yet as they dont know their allocation.  This would suggest there might be some returns in due course

I think the agencies are waiting for their camping and parking allocation rather than for grandstand tickets.

That's certainly the case with grandstand tickets now, you have to buy a entrance ticket at the same time you buy your grandstand ticket.
Bit on a pain, I used to get my GA after Xmas to spread the cost.

Camping 5th December I spotted today

29th November for ACO Members

The ACO seem to be quite 'secretive' about camping and parking tickets, leading many to assume that there are going to be changes for next year.  Personally, I've no interest in camping (although I appreciate that many do), but I need parking tickets.  For years we've parked in reserved number spots in Parking Blanc.  In the last day or so, the ACO have published a price list which doesn't mention camping (still) but does refer to parking.  And it only mentions Expo, Mulsanne/Arnage and Panorama (which appears to be what was always Rouge before).  There is no mention at all of Bleu, Blanc or Vert Parking.  I've emailed my contact (over many years) at the ACO to see if she can shed any light on it, so await a response.  It would be good to know before I log on on the 29th!  

I've heard that one of the agents has a waiting list, and another is sold out.  And they don't necessarily get what they ask for, and sometimes its the same as last year

Available:
2x week entry plus 2x Grandstand (likely Panorama) at cost price, Inc Member discount
Please let me know if there's any interest

PS: Also posted on PH

1st Tickets are still inviting people to pre-register for camping with the 'aim' to open bookings/allocations in early December which sounds as though they're waiting on 29th November as well.  It's going to be a busy time from then on and I fear that if people snooze, they will definitely lose....

Probably best to post this in the "Sell or Swap" board, it'll soon get lost in this thread!

Thanks, good point & done
 :)

The ACO have confirmed (to me) that there will be no Parking Blanc next year.  The space will be used for the Centenary celebrations.  As Parking Bleu gets no mention anywhere either, I suspect that will be lost for parking too.  For likely the largest attendance for many years, it looks as though parking facilities at the circuit are going to be drastically cut. 

Yup, my magic ticket arrived this week and I've been allocated to Epinettes. I've mailed them and Bleu is not available for camping in 2023.

Is there any word at all on Tertre Rouge?

No idea but I asked if I had any alternative for me to Epinettes and they effectively said no.

Epinettes is a very nice site, possibly a bit to civilized for some! ;D
Bit of a trek in especially if you have grandstand tickets.

Be interesting to see what's available when tickets go on sale to members on the 29th.

How did you manage to get a camping ticket before the 29th? 

Think from all the grumbles on the internet that 2023 is going to be a bloody busy one and also getting tickets very difficult as cant get hold of them!

I had a phone call with Team Langoustine last night: The ACO has informed them that Blue Nord will not be available for camping next year. They will use it for parking. Maison Blanche has already been closed 2 years ago, now Blue Nord will not be availbale, I really wonder what the options for private campers will be.

Did they give your any alternatives to BN Werner?

My understanding was that it was due to the 100 year celebrations thats why as I think Blue parking is not available either.

People have been at the track waiting since 5:40am for tickets

Know someone who was second in cue at ACO office. Was offered Epienttes. Then that was sold out....

|It would appear that everything except Beausejour is now sold out. 

Well, there are no Bleu Nord parking tickets.  Only Expo, Panorama (formerly Rouge) and the 'Z' one which is for motorhomes. 

As backup I'm on the ACO site waiting to get in.. Will post up what I see when I make it through but certainly looks like its proper busy...

I'm told all parking has been sold... 

Update via the ACO site 10am:

BSJ - Bookable
Mulsanne - Sold Out
Hippodrome - Bookable
Arnarge - Sold Out
Epinettes - Bookable
Garage Vert - Sold Out
Houx - Sold Out
Houx Annex - Sold Out
Houx Annex Club - Sold Out
Tertre Rouge - Sold Out

Team Langoustine have allocation in Hippodrome so this was just me taking a nose as to what was on offer....

Parking seems to be:
Expo - Bookable
Panorama - Bookable
Mulsanne Arrange - Bookable
PZ54 - Campers only - Bookable


Although all of the above is only for ACO members and will change once they hit general release. If it gives an indication then it took be 15-20 mins to get through the online queue and I had about 10 mins on the site before being logged out

Having just looked (2 minutes ago) - all parking is sold out.  And only Beausejour and Hippodrome camping is left.  I'll be surprised if there's anything left for the public after today. 

TL hopes for an allocation on the Hippodrome for us.

And us!

Hippodrome -  where is that ?

Near the Hippordome, I believe......   ;)

New camping site now available (completely out of the blue) called 'Clos Fleuri' out near the Mulsanne Straight apparently.  Hippodrome 30m2 also back available again. 

Clos Fleuri

It's looks like a sports center on the road from Beaujeuse to the Mulsanne straight, nearer BJ, about 1/3 of the way to the Mulsanne straight.
Pack those walking boots!

Email to members from the ACO, just arrived.....

Dear Member,
 
As you are aware, the 24 Hours of Le Mans Centenary will be held in 2023. Early ticket sales have reached unprecedented levels, to the extent that all grandstands and certain other products have already sold out. We therefore thought it important to let Club Members know exactly what is still available.
 
Tickets for the 24 Hours of Le Mans went on sale on 21 October (three days earlier for Club Members). The ACO subsequently began taking bookings for the camping and parking areas exclusively from Members on 29 November.
Non-members will be able to book their pitches and parking spaces from 10:00 CET on Monday 5 December.
 
We have had to make several changes for this unique event. It is our firm intention to improve the spectator experience next year by welcoming more of you to the circuit, offering more food and refreshment outlets, encouraging you to share the fan zone experience and reducing vehicle traffic within the confines of the circuit.
As we understand that the enforced changes have disrupted your habits, we would like to offer you some explanations:
 
1/ What changes will affect the parking areas?
 
Parking areas located within the confines of the circuit, usually allocated to the organisation, teams and media, will be moved off-site. For this reason, the White, Blue and Green parking areas have been reassigned to these users. These three external parking areas will free up a considerable amount of space within the Circuit des 24 Heures which will be used to extend the race village and host new activities and entertainment.
 
Secondly, the Expo parking area and Expo campsite from 2022 have been joined together for safety reasons. This will now be the Expo parking area only and will consequently increase capacity and help traffic to flow more smoothly during the event. This parking area is now sold out.
 
We are continuing our policy of offering as many free parking spaces as possible. These will be made available in the following parking areas: Raineries, Rotonde, ActiSud, Etamat, Aérogare and Fresne.
 
The ACO is also pushing on with its “carbon” commitments undertaken in 2022 by developing the “Green Ticket”. This low-carbon ticket gives a 10% discount on Admission tickets to spectators who use virtuous forms of transportation (train or hybrid, rechargeable hybrid or electric vehicles – proof required before or during the event).
The ACO welcomes persons with reduced mobility and is working to improve its PMR facilities, including parking. A dedicated parking area will be available within the circuit and another nearby for blue badge holders.
 
2/ What changes will affect the camping areas?
 
We have had to revise our camping areas to offset the closure of the Blue Zone.
 
We are still taking bookings for the Beauséjour campsite which has been redesigned for 2023 to offer you an experience befitting of the Centenary. Free shuttles will be provided to take you to and from the circuit. A fan zone with a big screen and eateries will be created at the heart of Beauséjour.
 
New camping areas have been opened for booking this year. They are Clos Fleuri, located near to the Mulsanne Straight, and L'Hippodrome. They too have met with tremendous success and have already sold out.
 
We are working on opening further new camping areas in liaison with the local authorities and hope to start taking bookings for them very soon.
 
We thank you for the many questions that you have raised and hope we have addressed your concerns.
 
Rest assured that we are doing our utmost to welcome you in the best possible conditions. We all know that the 2023 race will be like no other.
 
We should like to take this opportunity to thank you for your loyal support. We look forward to seeing you all next June and to celebrating what promises to be a wonderful 24 Hours of Le Mans Centenary.
 
Your Club ACO

French Fuckery!

In short the ACO are fecking everyone including ticket agencies who where not aware of any of this also.

From Just tickets - Sounds like Ticket agencies have been to put it bluntly shafted as well as everyone else -

Agents are struggling too.... "Public Campsites

As has been widely reported the ACO have delayed the release of camping pitch allocations, which has been due to them reorganising the overall site with regards to public campsites (Closures include Blue South, Blue North, Expo, Musee and part of Houx) and parking (Vert parking and no decision on White or Blue) in 2023. Agents have not been advised about these discussions because of business confidentiality so these changes and what is on offer is just as big a surprise to us at Just Tickets & Motoring as it is to our loyal customers.

General Entry Tickets

The ACO have also decided to reduce the number of 'Week' general admission tickets and to introduce a new '2 Days+Weekend' general admission ticket valid for 4,6,7,8 and 10-11 June, which does not allow access on Monday 5th and Friday 9th June. We are seeking urgent clarification from the ACO over this, due to allowing campsite access etc.

The result has been a dramatic reduction in our allocations based on 2019. As you are all aware we operated a spreadsheet system this year, however clearly there will be undoubted disappointments for which we can only apologise. Everybody will receive a phone call; however this will take time and we hope you understand this awful situation that we are all in.
What happens next?
If you are concerned that you may not get the allocation you requested, then we can only suggest that you attempt to join the lottery on the ACO website when tickets become available for the public. Obviously we are concerned and we don’t want to let down any clients, but we are in the hands of the ACO and although we are in constant communication with regards to additional tickets, we are not in a position at this time to advise as to whether we will be able to provide additional tickets in future weeks.

I am sure you will share our disappointment at the way 2023 is panning out but you can be assured that we will strive for the very best outcome for all our clients.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

The Just Tickets & Motoring Team"

The Centenary race is starting to look like a members only affair!!

I'm going to call it now and please don't hate me for this - It's going to rain a lot at Le Mans 2023  :P

+1

It is exciting/interesting that ACO have decided to remove a whole bunch of car parking/organiser stuff from the centre circuit to possibly/probably have a whole heap of Centenary celebration space.

The fact they killed a whole heap of camping space to facilitate this is damn irritating.

The fact they have not replaced the camping space is stupendously idiotic - exactly where  do they think all the spectators they hope to welcome are going to stay?

Full raceweek tickets including testday currently available for ACO members.

Every time someone has said this, which has been several times over the last few days, I’ve gone in and looked and see nothing available.  

EDIT - I tell a lie, I can actually see them now.  

Yes I have now bought some.  On Monday I had given up all hope of going but then managed to get 3 camping tickets at Epinettes.  Was pondering the week ticket less Friday but was undecided.   However now have 6 full week tickets.  Now all I need is a few returns on grandstand tickets!  Although guess it will make a change to not have a seat.

I think we'll see parking and camping tickets on eBay as those who had ordered with agencies but covered themselves by buying direct from the ACO as well decide which tickets they don't now want/need.  GS tickets though?  Not sure about that.  They disappeared so quickly.  Again, there may be some up for sale for the same reason. 

The ACO issued a programme today which seems fairly busy. One point of interest was the map of the campsites, https://www.24h-lemans.com/en/info/circuit-map (https://www.24h-lemans.com/en/info/circuit-map).

I've seen that before but not in such good res.  It's extraordinary how much camping and parking space has been lost, the amount of parking around the main (tribunes) part of the circuit is unlikely to be enough for Wednesday/Thursday, let alone the weekend. 

In 2023 do you have to buy GA tickets in advance rather than on site on the day.
The website says all tickets are sold out. This can't be correct. We scooped up two Beausejour tickets from the ACO last evening, but would willingly swop them for Arnage.
I must say that the current regime led poorly by Fillon doesn't encourage confidence. The parade gets ever more surreal at every passing year.

The ACO are reporting (today) that the event is a sell out.  Whether any tickets will appear for purchase on the gate (as has always been the case before), I've no idea.   It's just completely unprecedented. 

There has been the whiff of hype and hysteria in the press releases from the ACO recently.
I find it difficult to believe that they have sold in excess of 250,000 tickets, a normal number of attendees, in advance.
If they have, they better beef up security, there are an awful lot of French spectators who usually buy their tickets on the gate race week, who will be extremely upset.

I was very surprised to read that it was sold out today. I was planning on attending in 2023 and am in a bit of a panic. I am hoping that they either release more tickets or someone here will have an extra ticket to sell between now and June 10.

I phoned up the ticket office at Le Mans this afternoon. The person I spoke to said albthe GA tickets were sold out. I asked how many had been sold, was it over 300k. She claimed not to know. She also didn't know whether any more were likely to go on sale and whether any would be sold on the week of the race.
If they are not I think that there will be a riot at the entry gates.
A friend has stayed on the ACO ticket site today and managed to acquire 2 GA tickets and two weekend tickets which were slipped onto the site at random intervals during the day.

From the Beermountain FB group,

The Prefecture of Le Mans has capped the attendance at 270 000 on safety and infrastructure grounds.
The added number of corporate and guests will cut into the numbers available for public sale.I also believe I am correct in saying that a sizeable block of tickets each year is kept for locals,by way of a sweetener for all of the disruption raceweek.
As such it will all impact on the quantity remaining.
The ACO achieved what they set out to do which was create a clamour and get the Bank Account full pre Christmas.

That sounds entirely believable to me. 

I think that with all the corporate hospitality getting in the way and all the strange French sideshows, you're better off going in 2024.

And the locals will riot if they can't get in.  It looks like they're being funnelled into the practice, or directed to a hole in the fence

If anyone has 1 General Entry Ticket going spare, please let me know.

Many thanks

Well I've given up trying to get camping passes and tickets. I cancelled my ferry yesterday so I guess its 2024 for us. I'm heading to Tuscany to ride my pushbike down to Rome on all those lovely white gravel roads with a nice bottle of chianti strapped to my frame instead.  ;D

Alas I saw the writing on the wall the tail end of last year

I sensed the 'fan' was going to be cast aside for the event we all would love to be part of but ,'that's business ' I guess

Pop your request here - http://www.clubarnage.com/forum/index.php?board=4.0

ACO trying to cash in a bit more on tickets do you think?

https://www.ouest-france.fr/sport/24-heures-du-mans/24-heures-du-mans-billetterie-a-guichets-fermes-laco-lance-une-plateforme-officielle-de-revente-9dbd0066-c9a3-11ed-b7b6-abe6ad8a6310?utm_content=link&utm_term=lemainelibre&utm_campaign=facebook&utm_source=nonli&utm_medium=Social&fbclid=IwAR3V7SoX2eIekVA0gJK79YRbifqOar3vikbCEDL_tNzHkMiNDs5aATtSXLU

It's just a resale page presumably for those who have not taken up their tickets.  The page has been up for about 10 days now.  There have been a few week tickets and a few Beausejour camping available.  Literally 1's and 2's.  I don't see anything resembling cashing in?    Most of the time the page has been down but I've seen tickets actually available three times now.  

The profiteers are coming out from underneath their stones.....

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/225498653519?mkevt=1&mkpid=0&emsid=e11021.m43.l1120&mkcid=7&ch=osgood&euid=1a4b60c34e6a41e5904c79f791450757&bu=43032051163&ut=RU&exe=0&ext=0&osub=-1%7E1&crd=20230328013629&segname=11021

One single Beausejour ticket. 

Thats just a chancer who is hoping someone gives him a grand, will send nothing and shut his account down. Probably doesn't even have a ticket

More than likely. 

It just occurred to me has the ACO pandered to the mighty hospitality firms over tickets.It was foreseen by many the ACO would sell the fans out when the got in bed with the dreaded FIA.Its happened.Time perhaps to seek fun elsewhere.Nurburgring 24,Spa and many others may be seeing their sales increase.

I daresay that many tickets have been sold or given to corporate partners.  Haven't the ACO been 'in bed' with the FIA for years though? 

Could be as over where blu nord is etc they have said / are doing a massive site for 100 year celebrations so very corporate related.

Well, they've effectively dumped pretty well everyone off of Bleu, Blanc and Vert.  Sadly diehard spectators are no longer as valuable as pretty corporate people who know nothing about the 24 Hours but fancy an expensive jolly.....   ;)

Wonder what will happen next year. Celebrations over, sites back, but pissed off long term spectators don't come back.
What happened to Technoparc? It was partially flooded the last year we used it year but you would think drainage could be improved.

It'll certainly be interesting to see what happens.  Particularly if the ACO's big centenary 'show' actually spoils things for the diehards, e.g. with inability to get around, parking and so on.   I wonder how many of those who have been let down by the ACO this year will go back in 2024? 

I think it will be a case of some (alleged) diehards not returning, but also some new ones will be created.

Obviously next years crowd will be back to around recent numbers, although with extra brands in HyperCar and the switch to GT3 (boo) might bring some new fans or retain those that are new this year.

It would be interesting to know if there has been / will be an increase in ACO members, with the earlier onsale option for members it was certainly an extra benefit of being a member for this years race.

One thing is certain,  well as certain as it can be,  there will be a race next year.

I can't help but think back to Group C day's. Big entry loads of spectators. Then 3.5 litre engine rule introduced (not ACO's fault) entry and crowd dropped in following years. I wonder what will happen in future years. Projected pit extension to allow up to 80 cars. Seeming increase in support races taking up space that  used to be for camping. Are they looking at  less numbers but pay more?

Nurburgring 24 had 4 or more cars per garage.i was gobsmacked.LM has changed much to the better but I do miss how it was 30 years ago.All good fun hunting for a Karzi,stumbling through the empty bottles down the start finish.

I don't miss the awful toilets one bit.  At least I don't have to keep a toilet roll in my bag at all times any more.  And the broken bottles all along the front of the stands were a nightmare.  What I do miss is the unimpeded view that we had before the arrival of debris fencing and the superb straight run down to the Esses...  Then again, we now have a fabulous viewing bank at Indianapolis (as good a place to watch as anywhere on the circuit).  I've also failed to find the Grand Marnier crepe stall on my last few visits.  After staying up all night a couple of those for an early breakfast really did the trick!   ;)

Yes. But the awful toilets are not really missed because of the long queues for the new ones.  I can't hold it that long so I go in the bushes.  I don't miss the smell from the Jaguar Grandstand toilets, which spread into the tunnel under the circuit.  I can't say that the place is anymore comfortable and we now have less viewing sites and more catch fencing, and a ridiculously long walk from the campsites, which I'm finding difficult.

I never did find the Grand Marnier crepes, but I'm told they weren't cheap

I confess I've never had to wait more than a couple of minutes for the loos, but then again, as I don't camp at the circuit, I get the 'heavier' jobs done in comfort in the mornings....  ;)  I confess it used to be a regular thing for me to 'christen' the fencing in parking rouge or parking blanc when we arrived at the circuit....  As for the price of the crepes, well, nothing is cheap at the circuit....

Its the loos behind the Wollek grandstand that are the problem,  20+ minute queue.  Usually the merguez go straight through.

Not good enough for 300,000 people, with the price they're paying

I'm assuming that's what we've always called the 'piss wall'.  Probably the oldest building left on the circuit.  Fortunately I'm an ACO member, so I get to use the deluxe loos....  ;)

They weren't dirt cheap, but not to excessive.
The great thing about them was that they put a generous measure of Grand Marnier on them but also had bottles of the stuff on the counter so you could put extra on them!
At 2am on a cold night you could crimp the paper plate and pour a triple of warming GM down your throat and then the carbs and sugar from the crepe were a godsend.
Greatly missed!

'Arrosez vous meme votre crepe!'

Presumably in 10 years time we can expect similar issues when the race is run for the 100th time!

Yeah, they'll probably make a big deal of that one too.  In 10 years though I'll be 75, so whether I'll be there or not is another matter!   ;)

https://www.motoring-man.com/blog/2021/4/le-mans-24-hours-some-things-never-change

I love this post I wrote on the toilets at Le Mans. It may make you smile

Yes, that resonates with me, having first gone in 1986 and only missed 2020 and 2021.  I lament the loss of the straight run to the Esses, the trees that were chopped down for no obvious reason, the fairground with it's wonderful sights and smells and of course the full Mulsanne straight.  The 'piss-wall' (as we've always called it)  continues to survive, albeit these days bright red (I've always assumed as a warning!).  It would be the ultimate sacrilege for the ACO to pull the block down, although, bearing in mind the centenary celebrations, I've half been expecting news that it's gone....