Club Arnage

Having no chance in hell of getting two trips away with the boys next year we have dicided to try the classic for 06 (sulky weekend in june at sodding B&Q looks likely :()

What I want to know is which campsites are in use for that weekend, I seem to remember something about a big classic car club show type thing takes up Houx. Is that true?. I presume that MB fills up first, what about Bleu sud and the overflow site?? We plan to arrive around lunch time on the Friday so don't fancy our chances of getting a prime spot but don't want to get nowt so a spot on a lesser site will be a better bet than a MB ticket for us.  Did anyone go in 04?? what was the camping situation?

Sorry if this has been discussed on here before but not been on for a while due to new arrival shitting and puking everywhere!!

PS. Anyone live near Pompy who has secure space for a car trailer from Thursday evening to Monday morning?? we plan to take the old girl on the trailer as far as Pompy (its a 700 mile round trip from oop ere!)

MB was the only site being used by the general public in 2004. Plenty of space even if you arrived late Friday. We arrived Thursday night and it was nearly empty.

Contacted the ACO last week, to find out when tickets will go on sale, and was told
" we don't know , but soon"

Got good deal on ferry Dover/Calais, P&O, for that week, out Thursday, back Monday £60, that's with push bikes on top, Speedferries wanted £102.

Hope this helps.

The ACO told me MB only, they said that I could book tickets but they couldn't tell me the prices yet.

It's a great event - deff worth a trip.

Sconefinger, you need to go into this with your eyes open. It's a much, much smaller event the the 24hrs. You can only camp at MB and its a case of how big a pitch do you want. I went to the 02 and 04 versions, and indeed it's a great day ou. But it's a totally different atmoshere, much quieter and with much less socialising/drinking being done. I would rather go to the 24hrs anyday, but the classic would do in an emergency.

I guess I will be there. Usually bundle into a car on Friday afternoon and leave on Monday morning. Like Andy I have done both 02 and 04 but will say it is nothing like the 24hour main event but for enthausiasts in particular and those that want to steak out early for 2007.

A fair few of my group are going to the Classic next year, so expect a handful of cobras and a couple of old hot rods.

Agreed. It's a totally different atmosphere, but it is still great fun.

As others have said, not as much of a drinking/partying atmosphere (although I guess it depends on who you are with) but for getting close to the cars and drivers it's far more open.

Ideal scenario.................do both. If I can only do one next year it will be the main race in June!

When is it?

first weekend in july smokie.. 6th/7th/8th sommat like that

http://www.lemansclassic.com/

Cheers all. Done the modern event and fancy a change, would dearly love to do both but family/business etc. etc. I don't mind the less frentic pace, its about the only holiday/rest i get and the modern was just a little too roudy and cramped last year, I know I know its not supposed to be quiet and all that but there was deffinately a slightly tetchy attutude amongst some of our group last year, so this year a smaller crowd and more space will fit the bill perfectly. Plus all those loverly cars!!

How many Arnargers went in 04

Just re-read my last post, fek me I sound like a right old sod! I'm not..... Honest!

I might go to both just to prove it ;D ;D

A number of CA'ers camped together for 2004's Classic, including myself, some Zarses, JPC, Rick C, Barry, Gibberish, some of the Booblehat clan etc.

.....and a very good time was had by all.

I've uploaded some CA group 2004 Classic photos here
http://community.webshots.com/album/168121051AEXhNA

Plus race / paddock photos here (to give you a feel for the event)
http://community.webshots.com/album/168118627tHJIYs
http://community.webshots.com/album/168119203VLuwCG
http://community.webshots.com/album/168119771sAnzyg
http://community.webshots.com/album/168120162AoNkpF
http://community.webshots.com/album/168120397KzTjGK
http://community.webshots.com/album/168120582QaXGRS
http://community.webshots.com/album/168120789YizLVd

Just been on to Brittany Turpin ferries about crossings. Out thursday night, back sunday night, 2 cars, 4 people, 1 x 4 berth cabin each way(some sleep guaranteed next year instead of 4 days without as much as a nap, does funny things to your mind) Pompy to Caen £601 :-\

Sounds a bit steep, what you think?

KPY, will there be another opportunity for going out onto the track as last year?

£600 for a ferry is enough to put me off.  Dover would be cheaper.

I suspect they saw you were from Newcastle and charged double

Right ho!!!   The info has arrived from the nice people at the ACO.... 

I've got two pdf docs from them which are too big to post (plus I don't know how ;D) I can send them on if someone is able to post them somewhere? 

Three levels of tickets, ACO members (B) , tickets booked pre 31/5/06 (D) and on or after 1/6/06 (A).   
*the booking form says it varies from 7/6 not 1/6  ;D

GA weekend tickets (Fri, Sat, Sun) A E42, B E32, D E37

Paddock pass - E20 if booked before 7/6 or 1/6 - take your pick!   For ACO members it says invite/guest - so maybe it's free?   No paddock passes after June.

Parking E10 for all rates. 

Camping - MB E70 for all. 

Enjoy  ;D

edited cos I was talking ar$e!

Are you sure you have those prices the right way round Piglet?  Seems its cheaper to buy late than to buy as a member of ACO? (or am I reading it wrong?)  ???

Thanks Fran - I'd read the wrong line on the page!!  I've corrected my post above  ;D

And Ferrari Spider!!!!!

If you want to forward it to me Piglet I'll host ot if others may want to download it!

Last year, ACO members (and up to 5 guests whose tickets were purchased by the member in advance) received free entry to the Paddock and free entry to the ACO grandstand. Sounds like there's a similar deal for next year.

JP - I've sent it to the address on your profile

Cheers

And don't forget the free entry to the pitlane Mark!!  ;) Unless of course your name is Gibberish, whereupon you will sit in the ACO Grandstand, going green with envy.

Fantastic memories, are we getting into planning mode already?  I seem to remember that this do not occur until the last day of the 24hr race?

The £600 is steep but is for 2 cars.
Going Dover puts another 350-400miles on our total, (its already a 1100 mile round trip) in a 35 year old car that will just about manage 20MPG, so its not much cheaper, and we are at least going to get 2 nights sleep (if they close the bar early again that is! >:()

£300 a car with cabin isn't that bad.

They did shut the bar early this June (midnight?) as by the time I'd had a couple, I started going into shock as JPC and Mr T were going to bed.

I don't remember this in the past, I'm sure we've kept going till we could almost see the coast, but that could have been P&O.  On our first crossing to Dieppe, they just shut everything and went to bed.  Odd isn't it.  Take your own and drink it in the cabin if need be.

My first posting on this Forum.  :-[

Just booked for the 2006 Classic LeMans
£52 for two of us (I am an ACO Member) and £50 for the crossing Via Speedferries.

Not bad for a good weekend  ;)

Welcome aboard the good ship CA.

We'll see you there.

Welcome aboard the good ship CA.

We'll see you there.


here here!
Thats one helluva deal.
This year by the time we had found our cabin (our cabin was already taken, sorry to the bloke who came out of our shower in the nip to find 4 filthy sleep deprived lads fighting over who got the first go in the shower!) it took the reception team 90 mins to get us sorted out and by then the bar was closed, no booze for us :(
Will be better prepared next year, dib dib.

Hi all, I have got the pdfs from Piglet (thanks) and more or less understand it, but, would like a little clarification if poss please.

If I stay on MB do I still need to pay for parking? (I don't think so)

Paddock pass, do you have to wear jacket and tie if you are only looking at the cars or is there some kind of bar?

When is it best to book, if they are expecting more than 50k surely the grandstands will be allocated if left too late?

I am not an ACO member, what savings or benefits are there other than a £5 saved on entry?

All info welcome, I have booked the boat (Condor) from Guernsey for £143.00, me and the car.

If you are in the south of UK Condor are doing deals on early booking.

Stay well, stay fast.

Martini...

Hi Martini

I can't help you on all of your questions but here goes on some.....

You won't need to pay for parking if you have camping on MB (note to self must book as well!!)

I don't recall their being any dress code for the Paddocks ?? ??? ???

If you want a grandstand seat I'd book as soon as possible, the event is still quite new so I'm not sure that there is much info about how and when they allocate seats. 

For the 24hour there is an ACO Welcome centre where you can get out of the heat/rain/cold (delete as appropriate), get a drink, have a shower etc. etc.  I'm not sure about the Classic but would imagine that there  is a similar set up?? ??? For the 24 there is also a specific ACO grandstand - again might well be the same for the Classic.

Enjoy!!!   

The paddock dress code is as follows:

"The entrance into the paddocks will be refused to any person not complying with the required dress code, even if in possession of a valid credential."

This is from their official booking pdf/form


Martini...

Dress code for the paddocks at the last Classic was smart casual, but there did not seem to be a problem wandering around in shorts and t shirts, which I don't call smart casual.
I can't see them getting people to wear jackets if its as hot as this years LM, but comments from Giles or Kpy about the probablity of enforcement might be intresting.

Last time they seemed to allocate non ACO members grandstands, no choice, we applied early and got Lagache (Michelin).

Hope this helps.

MB camping ticket essentially getas a car in - regardless of number of tents/occupants. Yes, you leave your car parked by your tent.

Paddock pass, dunno.

Book asap.

ACO membership - ticket discount if you buy all eligible tickets (6 entry and 4 camping IIRC)  roughly equates to cost of ACO ticket. Non ACO members cannot apply for tickets to ACO grandstand (unlikely to get them though even if you are a member). ACO members can use the ACO bars and facilities (including showers/crappers). ACO (Used to) do recovery service. Some doubt as to whether this exists any more, I'm pretty sure it does. Also discount (10%?) on ACO official merchandise.

In addition to Smokie's notes above which pretty much cover the 24 hour race, The ACO membership also save you money on all other ACO events, so if you go to the 24 hours Moto and the Classic as well (in addition to the other ACO events) te you are quids in.

In 2004, being an ACO member (or guest of an ACO member who bought your tickets for you) also gave you free access to the ACO Tribune (including immaculately clean showers) and paddocks. As for dress codes, some of us wandered onto the pit wall in nothing more than tailored shorts and a t-shirt 

Hi Guys

Thanks for the replies, the bit about Jacket and Tie was taken from the pdf they sent out which I got compliments of Piglet, not sure if I believe what they are saying but would be pretty pixxed if they threw me out because of my clobber and dodgy knees.

I think I will join ACO because I do appreciate a good crapper (although have found HA acceptable) and am doing the LM24  as well, I do not, however, think that this will influence my booking for LM24. Hoping to get HA again so that Nordic and his gang of merry, sociable and convivial, men can pleasure in the aroma of my BBQ leg of lamb.

I appreciate your help on this one and will list the names to-date and buy you a beer!!

Mind you after being a voyeur of The CA site for a few years I might get involved in the Poo bar antics, as long as you don't mind a Gauloises and cigar smoking pisshead in your company.

Hopefully the nutters will not be do prevalent next year, I, and my bro actually found it quite intimidating at the roundabout this year as we saw cyclists stopped and their bikes taken for a joyride and then thrown into the side of the road crowd as they got off!

Mind you some of the drivers were nuts also I thought it would make sense standing on the inside of the roundabout - yes it does make sense.

Stay lucky, stay fast

Martini...

 According to the calendar that came free with this months Octane magazine, the 06 classic clashes with the Goodwood Festival of Speed :o

Surely this ain't a clever move, both events appealing to the same punters. I bet a few car and driver combos will have tough call to make. What are your thoughts on this, will the classic be a wash out? is it still worth choosing over this years modern event ? ( I cannot do both this year and fancied a change)
 The ferry is booked for the classic weekend, will we be alone??

My choice would be the LM Classic, the Festival of Speed is far to popular, too many people and you can't get near the cars or drivers.  The LM classic is different to this, easy access to cars and drivers, excellent atmosphere, very laid back, a bit like how the FoS use to be.  Check out the year before last's exploits, what a hoot.

Also tickets already booked for the classic.

Goodwood's web site confirms the date as 7/8/9 July.  I'm surprised by the clash but I'd imagine Lord March has to try to fit his date around the GP calendar as a number of GP drivers and cars attend.

We'll be in Le Mans, we don't normally do the FoS so there's no issue for us.  Having done the Revival and the 2004 Le Mans Classic, I'd pick the Classic over the Revival still - Goodwood was OK, but it's not a patch on Le Mans. 

Well that is good news, his Lordship had me worried there. The FOS is a great event, a little over crowded yes but still good. I have never been to the LM classic and have looked forward to it after reading rave reviews in 04. Tickets are booked anyhow and the ferry is sorted, missus has been forewarned, jacket and tie are in mothballs so its just the long wait til July!!
Getting a warm glow inside just thinking about it ;D

If it is as hot as '04, you won't need the jacket and tie

Have a look here for suitable attire!

http://www.clubarnage.com/forum/index.php?topic=2417.msg26510#msg26510

All the best Peter

Sconefinger you will not be alone.
Have been to the FOS and the Classic, and as far as I'm concerned it's a very easy choice.
France here we come! 8)
Ferries booked, tickets ordered, holiday booked   ;D

Splendid, who's responsible for planning on here?, step forward and guide us!! I can smell the champers and crepes from here ;D

Was that planning or planing ?  ???

(http://www.sourcingindia.com/wood/images/ww5.jpg)

That'll be Chateau Piglet you can smell, crepes, waffles and champagne our speciality!!! 

Have you booked a babysitter? I believe Mr Brown is available, but only if you get some new books!!  ;D

Those Thomas the Tank Engine books are a work of literary genius.

Kids farmed out to Grandparents, so a long weekend for just the 2 of us, and 80,000 others at LM ;D ;D ;D

If Steve puts in a request to James, I'm sure we can bring along any titles that he hasn't read yet. They seem to bring out new ones every year ;D

Sea whot hapens wen you don't consentrate at skool :-[

Are there different levels of membership? I'm off to the Classic and want to buy a paddock pass so I obviously need the membership. Is there any way I can avoid paying the 90 Euros which seems to be geared around a pack for the 24 hour race  ??? I.e. is there a cheaper package which just gives you access to the ACO areas and the chance to buy the paddock passes at the classic?

In a word ............ no.

90 euro is the base ACO membership level.

Cheers Steve.
I'm off to join!

the last two classics i did not seem to matter if you were a member or not I seem to remember?

I will probably join this year as I plan to attend both therefor I can save on the GA's alone

I got you ACO member rate tickets for the 2004 Classic ! - hence the free grandstand seats

As a Classic newbie, how does the village compare to the modern event? is it more or less the same stalls, Shampoo, Fun Fair, Grand Marnier etc. (providing there will be a village left by July!) I understand that its a different kettle of fish, but whats it going to be like?

I got you ACO member rate tickets for the 2004 Classic ! - hence the free grandstand seats




Hi Steve

I joined the ACO and sent off my request for Classic tickets but have not heard anything. Is this normal have you heard from them?

Martini...

Martini,

The ACO informed me they will start allocation for the Classic tickets in either Jan or Feb.  I suggest if you've not heard from them after that you chase them up.

D

Village was quieter, small poo bar, no Grand Marnier crepe stand, and no funfair

on the upside it was much less full on drunken sunburnt Brits on daytrips for the race!!!   (sorry - present company excepted of course  ;D)

It was a very different atmosphere but different nice - like the difference between the British GP and the Goodwood Revival. 

Yes, it's really not the same atmosphere, the same spirit.

And the comparison betweem British GP and Revival is quite good.

Classic is like Goodwood Revival, but here you not really have to wear vintage clothes to go inside paddocks, but if you want, you won't be observed as a total excentric...

... I'll probabbly have my classic to ride and drive all over the circuit, just trying to secure an accreditation.

No Grand Marnier :( Looks like we will have to drag the cooking gear along and get the crepes made ourselves (tried them at home with a Terrys Chocolate Orange melted into them over christmas-mmmmmmmmm yummy!)

Strange you should say that, we've just added a crepe pan to the camping kit to go with the waffle iron  ;D

Waffles too! should be some sweet smells on MB this july then (cue the obvious jokes)

Oh yes!!  We're in danger of turning this into a cooking thread but... old fashioned waffle iron and the coleman petrol cooker - absolutely fantastic!!! 

Club Arnage - The home of wafflers!

Has anyone made a temporary oven at LM, there a few nice recipies I'd like to try out, slow roasted Hedgehog anyone?? Dad swears by it! :P

On a more serious note. This months Classic and Sportscar landed on my doorstep last week. The 2006 Official Reader Run is to the LM Classic.
The price is very amusing. They are on the same ferries as us, the same campsite and have the same ticket package/paddock pass/grandstand seating etc. The only thing that differs from what me and my pals are doing is a quick look around the National Motor museum  (about £5 per head?), A ticket for the Musee de La Sarthe (5 euros?), a champers reception with some grub on the sat night and a BBQ on Sunday night. The price £439 per person :o :o!!
  Considering that our  trip cost us just £148 per head that leaves £291 per head to get into 2 museums and spend on Mumm on the Sat night. We are going to be bol****sed.
 I did not realise how much these companies made.

LOL!!! Home of wafflers - I like that - sounds like a good logo - can anyone manage the latin on it?  ;D

With regard to ovens - there is a Coleman oven that is apparently not too bad - I'm not sure you can source it in the UK but look here http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.TextId?hvarTextId=10591&hvarTarget=search&cmCat=SearchResults   
I've got a feeling that it folds up so doesn't take up much space.    Basspro are good, if you put an order in and ask them to contact you with the shipping price you can decide whether it's worth it or not. 

We've got a weber "go anywhere" charcoal BBQ with a lid and we were discussing this morning that we should be able to use that as an oven with a little bit of thought.   We managed a roast rib of beef on the Carrefour BBQ with a lid last year!

BTW :o If someone wants to pay over £300 for a trip to the Classic - we can fit someone else in and will gladly take their money!!! 

Nah I was thinking more along the lines of the Pikey version, hot bricks and grass sods etc. but witha modern twist, drop a gas burner in the bottom and get it all nice and hot. Slap in your rosbif, some yorkies and some roast veggies and serve it up on nice crisp linen with a nice bottle of red. Camping with style MMMMMMMM!

First, steal your bricks

LOL!!   Actually you've got us thinking here???  Biscuit tin ovens - used to make them when I was a girl guide.  So as well as being in charge of shower construction over the winter Happy Snapper is now in charge of oven building as well!!

BTW - doesn't everyone use linen tablecloths when camping?  ;D

Remind me closer to the time and I'll snatch mum's Damask tablecloth and linen set :P

We try to use fresh linen when camping but the Corby trouser press takes up a awfull lot of room, sacrifices sometimes have to be made.

We've got some very high quality plastic flowers from the market in the centre of Le Mans!!! 

Jason - we need to do some work on the vase for this year - the beer bottle kept falling over!  It needs some gravel from one of the gravel trips I think!

Look, the last thing we want at Le Mans is Extreme Ironing.  Most of us are still trying to cope with "Extreme Barbecuing" and "Extreme Drinking"

yeah you're right Lorry, I'm not sure the lampost that the power comes off of on MB could cope with the iron AND my hairdryer!! 

You have to have one or two little luxuries at Le Mans, but no heated hair rollers please.

Can you still get electrics from the street lights?  We were doing this about ten years ago.  There was a box at the bottom of the lamppost with 4 big brass bolts in it that you could hook into, but then a man came along and moved it all about 20 foot up the lamp post.

Its still one of my best memories, seeing Gary balance on a pile of tyres, half pissed, hooking into live mains, only to be told he'd got live and neutral reversed.

After years of training (as an accountant) I seem to have become team electrician, but I do know enough to unplug the lot, when neutral and live fail, but earth is at 100 volts.

I didn't take the power cable last year but the guys round the back of "tree island" did a sterling job of hooking themselves up to the power - it seemed to work pretty good!    I am glad it didn't rain though!

You should first mow the grass..........cue Tom - aka 'The Lawnmower Man'

Del

Now somebody does bring a mower, plus fence and garden gate etc.  We just have a rake as they always cut the grass the week before and it gets all over the place and even catches fire.

I don't want to rub it in Lorry, but you should see some of the structures and 'themed' campsites built at Sebring.

When I'm back on a decent internet connection, I'll upload some pics  ;)

Yes, here is Mr Zarse outside "The Stumble Inn"

Here is the Stumble Inn from 2003. See the TV (left foreground) which has been converted to a fish tank, complete with live fish.

And here's an erection to remember...

Here's another shot of the fishtank/tv

The Turn 10 scaffold tower .....

The happy couple following the Turn 10 wedding ....

.. a rather smart barbecue with full 4 into 1 extraction system ...

...and a 4 stroke blender as modelled by Sandy.

Any good for Tropicoma Mark?

Yes, thanks very much for the pictures - you're making me feel loads better about not being able to afford to go to Sebring.....

I'm not very depressed now you know..... :'(

I'm still waiting for you to build it for me Steve!!!!  ;)

I'm trying to source a suitable right angle gear box drive.

I don't think this is up to the job.  I'll need to go to Sebring again to check out the design  ;D

(http://www.machinemart.co.uk/images/products/mid/MM060229180C.jpg)

Well that's very thoughtful of you Steve!!  Maybe while you are there making this special trip for me you could take in some motor racing and drinking??

Do you really think I should?  Thanks very much, I may just do that  ;)

Did you lot go to Sebring ? did anyone mention that? ;D