Club Arnage

In response to a posting on the ALMS forum, Amazing Randy turned me on to you fine folks at Club Arnage.  I will be in Paris with my wife the Thursday Friday before the race, and have tickets on the train arriving in Montparnasse around noon on Sat, and going back at 6 on Sunday.    Will it be hard to make the 6 o'clock train after the race?

What are my options to and from the track to Montparnasse station?  I have a 36 hour window in our vacation to go, and I couldn't be more excited.  

After 25 years of following IMSA and ALMS, attending the West Coast venues, my father and I attended an incredible Sebring race this year for the first time and my wife was ignorant enough to book travel through France the weekend of the race.  I have to go!  

I would love to link up with some of you that have been before when I get there, not sure how to make that happen?  

I prefer to roam the tracks, is a grandstand ticket even something to consider?   I just plan on my backpack and some essentials (radio, sunblock, rain gear), anything else I should consider?  I figure I can crach under a tree for a few minutes at a time when/if needed.....

I don't have a ticket yet, if I buy online, can I pick up in a 'will call' type system at the circuit?  Anyone done that before?  Is it easy?  What other options do I have?  Can I just buy a ticket when I get there??

Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated.

Erik Schmid

Welcome in Erik!

I cant help you with travel info but i am sure someone else will...

You can buy general entrance ticket at the gate, sleeping under the trees or on the banking is acceptable (and inevitable), bring radio for sure  - Radio Le Mans is the only way to know what the hell is going on, grandstand ticket might be difficult to get hold of (tho probably available in the sell/swap forum here from time to time) - but if you like to wander about probably not worth the extra expense.  All the essentials (beer, food, t-shirts) available at the circuit.

Thats all my wisdom for now - i am sure others will tell you more when they get back from the pub (or maybe they already went to bed!!).

Anyway, get down to Le Mans and have a great time.

Fran

Erik

Welcome to the forum.

Isn't Montparnasse the station in Paris, you would need to leave the circuit in the early afternoon to get there assuming there was a suitable train.

Stu

Hi Erik

Well any friend of Randy's is a friend of ours!!!! The Turn 10 were so hospitable when we went to Sebring this year that we can't wait for some of them to make it over to Le Mans next year!

I believe Montparnasse station is in Paris? So you will need to get a train down to Le Mans. And Back. Am I right in reading that you will arrive in Paris at Montparnasse at 12.00 noon on Saturday and need to be back at Montparnasse by 6pm on Sunday? I hope I've got the wrong end of the stick otherwise you are going to be really tight on time.

As Fran says, General Admission tickets (Enciente Generale) are available on the gate for 59 Euros so no worries there! Lots of people take a break and a sleep around the circuit, but if you hook up with some of us guys then we'll be able to do better than that for you! Even if it's just a dry spot under a gazebo with a blanket we'll get something sorted!

Johnevans3 will be along at some stage. He is from Texas and he travelled from Paris by train last year and is doing the same again this year so his advise will be invaluable.

One word of warning, the viewing is rather restricted at Le Mans, especially compared to Sebring. There is high level catch fencing
around most of the viewing areas. Also, as a major part of the circuit is in fact public road 50 weekends of the year, you don't have access to the whole circuit for viewing. It's still a must do though!

Keep in touch, and we look forward to seeing you down there!

Stu, my (rookie) mistake.  I arrive and depart from the Le Mans TGV station.  How far is that from the circuit, any idea.  I figured I would leave right after the race, or just before it ended to make it for the 6 pm train to Paris (Montparnasse)?

-Erik

Hi Erik!
You are in for a great time! Travel is easy - TGV from Paris takes less than an hour. Shuttle bus from main entrance will get you back to LM station in time for the 18:19 or 19:04 trains to Paris see www.voyages-sncf.com
Tickets available on the gate - no premium. Take whatever clothing you can get into a backpack, and a sleeping-bag, if you can. Inflatable mattress a big plus, if you can carry it. Grandstand tickets are not worth the money, but a cheap FM radio is ESSENTIAL for radio Le Mans - otherwise you'll have NO idea of what's going on after about 3 hours.
Feel free to PM me for any advice up to the end of this month.
Have fun!!

jpchenet,

I arrive in Le Mans at noon on Sat, and leave at 6 PM to go back to Paris (Mont).

Thanks, and I will find you guys, just give me something I can identify you guys with!

Too bad about the viewing, Sebring really was great from that aspect (the end of the back straight in the stands was wild, especially when the turn light went out for about 15 minutes toward the end of the race).  I think we are spoiled here in California venue-wise as Laguna Seca with it's natural elevation is great for viewing, and Sears Point (Infineon) with the improvements is also incredible viewing.

I will 'rough it' with the General Admin.  Will I be able to leave the circuit (proper) and go to some of the public road areas if I want?  I thought I read some posts about buses that would take me out there?

Thanks so much for the advice.

Erik

Eric

You can enter and leave the circuit at any time.

There are buses that do a one way circuit starting opposite the main entrance then to indianapolis then to an area after the turn at the bottom of the Mulsanne. They get very busy though and I don't think they run throught the night.
Indianapolis has a good viewing area as it banked.

Stu

The main Club Arnage get together seems to be 9 pm Saturday night at the Champagne Bar, (inside the circuit) but i am sure there will be some Sebring reunions in the Maison Blanche campsite!!!  ::)  - so they can remind us all what we missed out on!   Bitter? Me?!! Nooooooooooooooo...

Keep an eye out for CA t-shirts and flags, both of which i am sure are modelled somewhere on these forums.

F

Absolutely the easiest way to spot a fellow CA'er. If you wander in to Maison Blanche look out for Team JP Chenet. We'll be pretty easy to spot!!

JPC forgets to advise you, he is the slightly taller race driver on that picture, having just done Silverstone in a Caterham last weekend.

 ;D


Bill

Eric, stick around this forum even after the race. I promise you will be welcome and "hooked"

Hi Erik, You made it. ::) You will need to leave right after the race to catch your train but quite doable. (i have done it) Enjoy Paris too
Canada Phil

People have already pretty much given you all the advice you need.
Look out for Club Arnarge Flags or t shirts. There will be plenty about in Maison Blanche camping. (From the start finish straight, walk in the direction that the cars are coming from on the track and you will find Maison Blanche opposite the Kart track and near the porsche curves).

Someone will probably sort you out with a tent for the night if you want to sleep.

Try and make the CA get together on Saturday night at around 9pm. The champagne bar at the top end of the village area behind the paddock. Next to the track underpass road at the main entrance.

Most important though, bring a toilet roll with you, as they will only give you about 3 sheets for a small donation in the toilets, so bring your own !

Hope to see you at Le Mans

 :o :o Sorry Chris, but the Shampoo bar is at the Top end of the village by the Tunnel at the Esses, (unless they have moved it of course), anyhow, judging by the number of CA's likely to turn up, itwill be difficult to miss wherever :o :o as from 9.00pm Saturday evening.

Yes, I know where it is, but having just read my decription, I guess it could be mis interpretted to make someone think its behind the paddock and the othertrack underpass near the ford chicane.

Careful Chris you had me totally confused.LOL ;D

Your not the only one, and I've been to the bar several times ;D ;D

Did I mention that I didn't go to Sebring :'( :'( :'(

LOL ! ;D ;D ;D

Eric me old china plate!

Here's some usefull links :
A map of the north west (village) part of the circuit
http://www.lemans.org/24heuresdumans/live/ressources/pdf/billetterie/plan_circuit.pdf (http://www.lemans.org/24heuresdumans/live/ressources/pdf/billetterie/plan_circuit.pdf)

A map of the immediate area
http://www.lemans.org/24heuresdumans/live/pages/acces/plan_acces.pdf (http://www.lemans.org/24heuresdumans/live/pages/acces/plan_acces.pdf)

Details of how to get to / from the station
http://www.lemans.org/24heuresdumans/live/pages/acces/i_acces_garedumans_gb.html (http://www.lemans.org/24heuresdumans/live/pages/acces/i_acces_garedumans_gb.html)

A picture of a vacuum cleaner
http://www.buysmart.ca/images/items_Hoover_Vacuum_Cleaner.jpg (http://www.buysmart.ca/images/items_Hoover_Vacuum_Cleaner.jpg)


.... just thought I'd throw that one in!

Well, I almost missed this one.
Last year I took several trains to get to Gare Leone (SP?) in western Paris, then got on two Metros to get to Gare Montparnasse.  I warn you that the walking from the Metro Station to the TGV at Montparnasse 2was one long walk if you have two large bags of luggage as I did last year.  I thought I was going to die right there.   Several flights of stairs, no elevators or escalators very long walk.  Lesson--take a cab to the front door.  Montparnasse station is really two train stations with a very long corridor between them, one for Metro and one for the Grand Trains Mont 2-the one to Le Mans.  Make sure the train numbers match up, you won't see a train that say Le Mans because it's some town past Le Mans that will be on the big arrive/departure sign.
As to the radio.  Take one that has variable tuning not one with a digital tuning or read out.  The frequencies in the US and Europe don't match.  So you need to tune in the the station.  A digital tuner does not allow you to tune to the "off frequency" signal like and a variable tuner does.  Most of these are the old fashioned type.
Take ear plugs and if you have ever been to a race before, you already know that.  Flashlight.   Snacks and water can be gotten at the circuit.
Be sure to remember take your own toilet paper and some sun screen.  The nights are like northern California at least they were last year.  Days do get warm.  You will need a good sleeping bag down to 30-40 degrees or so.  It won't get that cold but you'll need that to be comfortable at 3:00AM when you go to get a little sleep.
I will assure that that the hospitality of the CA guys is first class in every respect.  It is like a brotherhood of folks who love racing and having a great time together.  Genuinely nice people.
I will be flying into the CDG airport in Paris on Thursday and taking a train from there to Le Mans and back to the airport on Sunday evening after the race.  It will be a little tight on schedule for you to be back by 6.  The race ends at 4 and the crowds are dispursing after the winners ceremony.  You may miss that.  My train leaves at 8 so I have more time than you.
Send me your email and I will respond with a story about last year.  I promise you that you will have an experience like no other.  There are no words to describe the whole deal, you just have to experience it to understand.
johnevans3

"I will assure that that the hospitality of the CA guys is first class in every respect.  It is like a brotherhood of folks who love racing and having a great time together.  Genuinely nice people."

Dammit johnevans3, I knew there was something else involved, the racing yes!!! now where does that happen?

 :D

Erik, if you turn up at "tiredbunnytime" in Houx Annexe we will find you somewhere to flop, no bother!

What a great place the world would be if it all ran on "Brits at Le Mans principles"

I think I'll write that down somewhere, it seems a good topic for an Open University dissertation, but I amn't doing a course yet!!!

 :)


Bill

Hey Bill,
It's that deeeeeeep growl, that sweeeeeet song of the 'vettes circling for the kill that you hear.  They are really pissed about Sebring.  The audacity of some upstarts coming across the pond and taking their spot on the podium.

There, that ought to start some conversation.  Go for it guys ;D ;D ;D
I love it and it really is going to be the best part of the whole race.

Ha Ha John, the wound is obviously still throbbing  ;D

but didn't those Aston's look good but to my untrained ear, sound like a Ferrari (and Maserati this year)?

Say Steve, I just did the time zone difference between us and isn't time for old farts like you to be in bed???? ;D ;D

Hey!!!!!!!!!



 ;D It's 10:20 pm (British Summer Time)

There's a contradiction in terms British SUMMER???? Time

Sorry Steve, not trying to upset you but here goes.

Thats because they all have a wonderful 12 cylinders and not the crappy 8 that the Corvette has. BIGGER IS BETTER ! as they say.

(Whats in your Cobra Steve ?)

John,

How you getting from the station at Le Mans to the circuit on the Thursday ?

I will be arriving at the circuit mid afternoon thursday if you need a lift.

You forget
- the recent winning Bentley Speed 8 was............ a V8
- the Audi R8 is ..........................a V8

..............were you cheering then?

Hey, don't get me wrong now. I love a V8 as much as the next petrol head.
Its just that I needed some ammunition for my Aston verses Corvette mudslinging match !

I've now got a foot in both camps as my wife's just bought a Pontiac Trans Am with a LS1 V8 engine - same 3rd Gen GM V8 design as in the Corvette  :o

Steve,

I hope you own shares in Shell,  Esso or BP ! ???

Or Tesco!

That's because they need 12 to try to keep up with 8.   ...and their tinbox whine sounds weak compared to the macho rumble of the Chevy 8 (Corvette) or even the Ford 8 (Saleen).  But I must admit, they all sound fabulous in their own way, including the sixes from Porsche.  I just wish I could have heard the 917 12's, they really must have been something.  Film and tape audio on TV and audio systems just couldn't do it justice.

How about the Viper V10 John?

aaarrrrrgggggg.   It's a blooming truck engine...but....in it's day, it did rule.  I remember when the 'vettes were just begining to reach parity in at Texas Motor Speedway a few years ago.  Vipers had been whipping their fannies until then.

The following text and picture posted on behalf of johnevans3 (not me).


"NOTICE:  To all Aston Martin fans, behold the driver, Johnny O' with me (John Evans) who is going to show the "Asston's" what a yellow Corvette's "asston" looks like as they see him speed away for the win.  Just brings tears to your eyes don't it????"
John

Noting your picture John I've spotted the fault in your plan!

Johnny O obviously needs to be drinking Red Bull to stay awake for the 24 hours. But you can't get Red Bull in France, so he'll probably just fall asleep and miss his stint.  ;D ;D ;D

Doncha now dem boyz from Gawga dranks moonshine not that fancy ass stuff in a bottle wid pichers on it.

Anyone spot a theme here ?

I guess it doesn't have to be Red Bull after all. Can you get Bud Light in France ?
 ;D

And that was AFTER the race wasn't it Chris??

Those Corvette boys know how to party!!!  ;D