Title: Email From teamlangoustine
Post by: Kev_mk3 on January 05, 2009, 07:28:07 pm
Anyone else get the email today?
Quote
Happy New Year to you all from Team Langoustine.
This email has been a long time coming and we apologize for the delay. TL have been busy trying to secure the area immediately next to our dedicated site and could not offer the extra space until the ACO sign contracts. Well it has happened at last and we can confirm that TL has the whole of the Hunaudieres site inside the Tertre Rouge corner for LeMans 2009.
We have restricted the site to 200 vehicles so as not to over crowd. The site is now 1200sq mtrs. With access paths and services, this should give each pitch 45sq mtrs.
We are hopeful that this will also give us trackside access. That will mean that you will require a General entry pass per person to access our campsite when you arrive. This is good for security, but means you must have your General entry tickets before arriving at the circuit.
We run this camping area at cost. The ACO ground rent, fees and compulsory toilet and shower facilities are very expensive and along with the tragic Euro/£ exchange rate has meant that our site has had to be increased to cover costs. Each pitch is now £255 per vehicle. This is an increase of £35 per vehicle. We apologize for this, but have no control over this cost.
TL has also been busy with a company called PraxisTent. www.praxistent.com
They provide pre-erected tents and other camping equipment. Just book through their website and in June your reserved accommodation will be waiting for you in our dedicated site. This will save time and also space in your cars. The TL campsite must be booked separately.
If camping trackside does not appeal to you, then they also offer camping in the grounds of Chateau Chanteloup. This is 10minutes from the circuit.
There has been a small increase in all ticket costs due to the exchange rate and these are detailed on our website.
There will be no surcharge to all those who have already paid, but the price rise must unfortunately be included in all subsequent payments.
Camping this year will be at a premium. The Stadium has started to be built opposite our campsite and Houx Annexe Nord has made way for a carpark. Most other sites, with the exception of Beausejour, will be allocated pitches. This means that access will be limited and campsite passes scarce. Houx Annexe Sud, Maison Blanche and Karting Nord have not yet been released by the ACO and are likely to be snapped up as soon as they are. We have requested alternative camping, but cannot offer other sites until our allocations are confirmed. Please keep an eye on our website for updates.
To all those who have pre-booked.
You will all receive emails in the next couple of days confirming your orders and requesting payments. We know this is an expensive time of year, but we must have reserved places paid in full before the end of January. If you have not considered Grandstands, please do soon as they are also filling up very quickly. We recommend Tribune 21 to Tribune 16 on the main straight. They offer excellent track views at the start finish line as well as pit action.
If you have any questions or queries, please do not hesitate to contact us and either speak to Andy or Pete.
Best regards for 2009.
This email has been a long time coming and we apologize for the delay. TL have been busy trying to secure the area immediately next to our dedicated site and could not offer the extra space until the ACO sign contracts. Well it has happened at last and we can confirm that TL has the whole of the Hunaudieres site inside the Tertre Rouge corner for LeMans 2009.
We have restricted the site to 200 vehicles so as not to over crowd. The site is now 1200sq mtrs. With access paths and services, this should give each pitch 45sq mtrs.
We are hopeful that this will also give us trackside access. That will mean that you will require a General entry pass per person to access our campsite when you arrive. This is good for security, but means you must have your General entry tickets before arriving at the circuit.
We run this camping area at cost. The ACO ground rent, fees and compulsory toilet and shower facilities are very expensive and along with the tragic Euro/£ exchange rate has meant that our site has had to be increased to cover costs. Each pitch is now £255 per vehicle. This is an increase of £35 per vehicle. We apologize for this, but have no control over this cost.
TL has also been busy with a company called PraxisTent. www.praxistent.com
They provide pre-erected tents and other camping equipment. Just book through their website and in June your reserved accommodation will be waiting for you in our dedicated site. This will save time and also space in your cars. The TL campsite must be booked separately.
If camping trackside does not appeal to you, then they also offer camping in the grounds of Chateau Chanteloup. This is 10minutes from the circuit.
There has been a small increase in all ticket costs due to the exchange rate and these are detailed on our website.
There will be no surcharge to all those who have already paid, but the price rise must unfortunately be included in all subsequent payments.
Camping this year will be at a premium. The Stadium has started to be built opposite our campsite and Houx Annexe Nord has made way for a carpark. Most other sites, with the exception of Beausejour, will be allocated pitches. This means that access will be limited and campsite passes scarce. Houx Annexe Sud, Maison Blanche and Karting Nord have not yet been released by the ACO and are likely to be snapped up as soon as they are. We have requested alternative camping, but cannot offer other sites until our allocations are confirmed. Please keep an eye on our website for updates.
To all those who have pre-booked.
You will all receive emails in the next couple of days confirming your orders and requesting payments. We know this is an expensive time of year, but we must have reserved places paid in full before the end of January. If you have not considered Grandstands, please do soon as they are also filling up very quickly. We recommend Tribune 21 to Tribune 16 on the main straight. They offer excellent track views at the start finish line as well as pit action.
If you have any questions or queries, please do not hesitate to contact us and either speak to Andy or Pete.
Best regards for 2009.
Title: Re: Email From teamlangoustine
Post by: Bas on January 05, 2009, 11:08:50 pm
Quote
"We have restricted the site to 200 vehicles so as not to over crowd. The site is now 1200sq mtrs."
Good luck with 6sq mtrs per vehicle ;)
also this:
Quote
Each pitch is now £255 per vehicle.
No thank you very much ::)
Title: Re: Email From teamlangoustine
Post by: alibongo on January 05, 2009, 11:13:46 pm
Ya I got that one ...........hey its a lot of dosh to camp for the w/e is this the way that all the campsites will be in the future? "at cost"? looks like the ACO are cashing in on the popularity of the event and are going to make the event too expensive for the normal race fan? what does the future hold even more hospitality areas/restricted to up-market brigade so called race fans.......will it end up like F1 :(
Title: Re: Email From teamlangoustine
Post by: nopanic - neil on January 05, 2009, 11:20:59 pm
Hoping there will be a bit of credit crunch effect on the hospitality circuit. Less money around from the big men.
So this may make ACO appreciate the real fan, and stop us being squeezed out - but I doubt it.
So this may make ACO appreciate the real fan, and stop us being squeezed out - but I doubt it.
Title: Re: Email From teamlangoustine
Post by: alibongo on January 05, 2009, 11:32:24 pm
Time will tell.
Title: Re: Email From teamlangoustine
Post by: Kev_mk3 on January 06, 2009, 12:58:40 am
this rate ill be lucky if i can get there but them costs are silly
Title: Re: Email From teamlangoustine
Post by: termietermite on January 06, 2009, 08:53:26 am
A £35 increase on £255, year on year is in fact very reasonable when you think about it, even if the price is steep to begin with. This time last year the Euro exchange rate was about 1.4 to the £. At the turn of the year it came within a gnat's wotsit of parity. 1.07 yesterday. Even if the ACO don't increase prices at all, anybody paying in sterling can expect a very big increase in their bill this year.
Title: Re: Email From teamlangoustine
Post by: knetter on January 06, 2009, 09:53:52 am
255 is a bit to much to ask for if you ask me? I think the 140 euro's or something we payed last year for a pitch at MB is already stretching it to far. I would not be surprised if MB, HA nord and Karting Nord will go to the agencies entirely this year, leaving non for the real fans who have been going for years on end. Sad really to see that money is getting more and more important to the organizers every year, I'll watch it on TV this year, if the field is worth looking at, otherwise I'll opt for a vacation in lovely Italy!
Title: Re: Email From teamlangoustine
Post by: Barry on January 06, 2009, 05:19:17 pm
With the delay in the allocations, and general buzz, I am beginning to think that it will be Bleu Nord, or Beaujeuse for everyone this year, unless you go through an agency. :(
Plus with BN is that's it's cheap, and reasonably close to the circuit. :)
Look out Fran, we're probably coming home. ;D
My money would be on the £ recovering by June to about €1.20, however that may just be wishfull thinking!
Plus with BN is that's it's cheap, and reasonably close to the circuit. :)
Look out Fran, we're probably coming home. ;D
My money would be on the £ recovering by June to about €1.20, however that may just be wishfull thinking!
Title: Re: Email From teamlangoustine
Post by: smokie on January 06, 2009, 06:01:54 pm
Agree re £ v € Barry, I think the Euro is in for a rough ride over the next coupla months and the £ will be back near where it was last year by June. Was reading something earlier that said France are in denial, Spain and Greece are nearly bankrupt, Germany want out of the Euro cos they think it is bringing their economy down - those are the bits I can remember.
So maybe it won't look so expensive if you hang on...
So maybe it won't look so expensive if you hang on...
Title: Re: Email From teamlangoustine
Post by: Barry on January 06, 2009, 06:08:46 pm
Unfortunatly the ticket allocations will be with us soon, which will mean paying for the tickets before the £ hopefully recovers.
A €100 stand ticket is starting to look like a luxury I can't justify.
I have been thinking of doing LM on the terraces for a couple of years, looks like this year might be a good year to try it.
A €100 stand ticket is starting to look like a luxury I can't justify.
I have been thinking of doing LM on the terraces for a couple of years, looks like this year might be a good year to try it.
Title: Re: Email From teamlangoustine
Post by: nopanic - neil on January 06, 2009, 07:08:18 pm
With the delay in the allocations, and general buzz, I am beginning to think that it will be Bleu Nord, or Beaujeuse for everyone this year, unless you go through an agency. :(
Plus with BN is that's it's cheap, and reasonably close to the circuit. :)
Look out Fran, we're probably coming home. ;D
My money would be on the £ recovering by June to about €1.20, however that may just be wishfull thinking!
Plus with BN is that's it's cheap, and reasonably close to the circuit. :)
Look out Fran, we're probably coming home. ;D
My money would be on the £ recovering by June to about €1.20, however that may just be wishfull thinking!
Will Fran let you on, I sneaked on site last year (got on before most) and nearly got chucked off. ;D
Title: Re: Email From teamlangoustine
Post by: alibongo on January 06, 2009, 08:45:53 pm
Well a quick mental calculation means that rough little bit of walled off ground behind tetre rouge is worth a cool half mill to the ACO no wonder they want to flog all the campsites to the agencys >:(
Looks like this could be the last year for me :(
Looks like this could be the last year for me :(
Title: Re: Email From teamlangoustine
Post by: Fran on January 06, 2009, 09:37:00 pm
Look out Fran, we're probably coming home. ;D
Under normal circumstances Barry I would call you some kinda of rotten turncoat following your defection to other (ostensibly) more glamourous campsites.
However, providing you are able to rustle up a lovely Confit de Canard & Tarte aux Fraises I might consider letting you back in!
F
Title: Re: Email From teamlangoustine
Post by: jpchenet on January 06, 2009, 10:04:23 pm
Well a quick mental calculation means that rough little bit of walled off ground behind tetre rouge is worth a cool half mill to the ACO no wonder they want to flog all the campsites to the agencys >:(
Indeed!!
It's very kind of Team Langoustine to offer to shell out £500,000 to the ACO purely to secure some camping spots for us Brits to sell onto us at cost isn't it! ::) :-\ :angel:
Title: Re: Email From teamlangoustine
Post by: mgmark on January 06, 2009, 10:17:01 pm
I suppose though that they are also providing the service of a one-stop shop, with a dedicated site, marquee, satellite telly, plus bogs and showers. It might suit some (but not me at that price!) particularly with the proximity to the circuit and relative ease of getting in and out.
BN again for us hopefully this year.
MG Mark
BN again for us hopefully this year.
MG Mark
Title: Re: Email From teamlangoustine
Post by: Barry on January 06, 2009, 11:37:00 pm
Look out Fran, we're probably coming home. ;D
Under normal circumstances Barry I would call you some kinda of rotten turncoat following your defection to other (ostensibly) more glamourous campsites.
However, providing you are able to rustle up a lovely Confit de Canard & Tarte aux Fraises I might consider letting you back in!
F
For our honoured guests at Chez Barry & Andy's, always. ;D
Title: Re: Email From teamlangoustine
Post by: Dangermouse on January 07, 2009, 01:14:02 am
Some say this year may prove to be a tad on the expensive side.................but then again........last year we paid £1.20 a LITRE (gallon!!!.....noted!) to do 2600 miles (two vehicles, 1300 each)......but at 90p per LITRE (gallon!!! again), the trade off against the euro means it won't technically 'break' the bank....the 25% up/down almost balances out.
Drink more stubbies, stay out of Janines, the Stella bar and dare i say it, the Poo....no, well some things etc etc.....
It can be done without breaking the bank, and as I say there are offsets......compare the cost to two weeks in Euroland for a family of four!!!!.....we're going T'Egypt or Far East cos the spends will be cheaper and the holiday not much more !
Drink more stubbies, stay out of Janines, the Stella bar and dare i say it, the Poo....no, well some things etc etc.....
It can be done without breaking the bank, and as I say there are offsets......compare the cost to two weeks in Euroland for a family of four!!!!.....we're going T'Egypt or Far East cos the spends will be cheaper and the holiday not much more !
Title: Re: Email From teamlangoustine
Post by: termietermite on January 07, 2009, 08:47:56 am
The £ was recovering well yeserday as the woes in Euroland begin to sink in - I reckon Barry's prediction re the exchange rate is probably pretty realistic. My point I suppose was that agencies who were paying up when the rate was near parity are going to have to load prices. For this reason alone, and the sentiments being expressed here about many people cutting down on tickets and add-ons this year, I don't think we need to panic too much about getting tickets. I think there may be more around than usual as people decide to give luxuries like LM a miss.
There will also be cheaper GE tickets available this year for Arnage and Mulsanne only - if you're truly strapped for cash.
There will also be cheaper GE tickets available this year for Arnage and Mulsanne only - if you're truly strapped for cash.
Title: Re: Email From teamlangoustine
Post by: nickliv on January 07, 2009, 10:44:27 am
Some say this year may prove to be a tad on the expensive side.................but then again........last year we paid £1.20 a gallon to do 2600 miles (two vehicles, 1300 each)......but at 90p per gallon, the trade off against the euro means it won't technically 'break' the bank....the 25% up/down almost balances out.
Drink more stubbies, stay out of Janines, the Stella bar and dare i say it, the Poo....no, well some things etc etc.....
It can be done without breaking the bank, and as I say there are offsets......compare the cost to two weeks in Euroland for a family of four!!!!.....we're going T'Egypt or Far East cos the spends will be cheaper and the holiday not much more !
Drink more stubbies, stay out of Janines, the Stella bar and dare i say it, the Poo....no, well some things etc etc.....
It can be done without breaking the bank, and as I say there are offsets......compare the cost to two weeks in Euroland for a family of four!!!!.....we're going T'Egypt or Far East cos the spends will be cheaper and the holiday not much more !
Shurely litres?
Title: Re: Email From teamlangoustine
Post by: knetter on January 07, 2009, 11:27:10 am
Some say this year may prove to be a tad on the expensive side.................but then again........last year we paid £1.20 a gallon to do 2600 miles (two vehicles, 1300 each)......but at 90p per gallon, the trade off against the euro means it won't technically 'break' the bank....the 25% up/down almost balances out.
Drink more stubbies, stay out of Janines, the Stella bar and dare i say it, the Poo....no, well some things etc etc.....
It can be done without breaking the bank, and as I say there are offsets......compare the cost to two weeks in Euroland for a family of four!!!!.....we're going T'Egypt or Far East cos the spends will be cheaper and the holiday not much more !
Drink more stubbies, stay out of Janines, the Stella bar and dare i say it, the Poo....no, well some things etc etc.....
It can be done without breaking the bank, and as I say there are offsets......compare the cost to two weeks in Euroland for a family of four!!!!.....we're going T'Egypt or Far East cos the spends will be cheaper and the holiday not much more !
Shurely litres?
My thoughts exactly!!
As for the Euro, it will drop of course. The UK economy is at the moment doing a lot worse then the EU countries, but they are behind a little bit and are going to suffer more this year, as the economy in the UK will start growing again. The only country so far with relatively few problems seems to be my country. Our housing prices are dropping, but just a little, everyone will have more money to spend this year, since we don't have to pay our unemployment fees any longer. So most people over here can still afford to go, of course we do not have to pay for the ferry, which is always an expensive part of the trip for most UK residents.
Title: Re: Email From teamlangoustine
Post by: Lorry on January 07, 2009, 07:01:10 pm
Sorry to disappoint you but the Euro has already dropped, the centre rate is €1.11 to the pound and its still diving. Yippee
I hope thats the right was round, as it wouldn't surprise me if the pound was only worth 90 centimes
I hope thats the right was round, as it wouldn't surprise me if the pound was only worth 90 centimes
Title: Re: Email From teamlangoustine
Post by: Barry on January 07, 2009, 07:32:59 pm
That's a bit of a sharp movement since the New Year, wasn't expecting that! ;D
Especially with intrest rates going down tomorrow.
Prehaps €1.20 to the £ by June was a little pessimistic, fingers crossed, it might be better!!
Especially with intrest rates going down tomorrow.
Prehaps €1.20 to the £ by June was a little pessimistic, fingers crossed, it might be better!!
Title: Re: Email From teamlangoustine
Post by: lynxd67 on January 07, 2009, 09:39:59 pm
There is one big problem for anyone renting space from the ACO and that is that they have their agreed list of suppliers. Read expensive here. You can't take on your own kit and are forced by the ACO to rent from their list with, I assume, a big rake off for the ACO considering the prices charged. White Rabbit had this problem at Beauséjour with their toilet blocks last year if you read their site (I did the negotiating in french for them). I have never been on the TL site but if they suffer from the same problems then please understand that a lot of the cost involved is out of their control. Every enterprise is obviously in it for a profit but I reckon that this year their margins will be a lot slimmer than usual. The ACO are intent on making money any which way they can out of the 24 hour race (for example they now don't even give the marshals a free poster - they have to pay for it!) and I wonder if one day they will kill the goose that lays the golden egg. Just my take on the matter as a local, nothing to do with anyone else.
Title: Re: Email From teamlangoustine
Post by: Leftie on January 07, 2009, 09:42:40 pm
Emergency funding in Malta at the Hotel on New Years Eve - £20 = E17.5
Title: Re: Email From teamlangoustine
Post by: knetter on January 08, 2009, 09:15:33 am
Sorry to disappoint you but the Euro has already dropped, the centre rate is €1.11 to the pound and its still diving. Yippee
I hope thats the right was round, as it wouldn't surprise me if the pound was only worth 90 centimes
I hope thats the right was round, as it wouldn't surprise me if the pound was only worth 90 centimes
You won't disappoint me, I live in Holland and as long as I don't go outside the euro zone, I don't have to worry about exchange rates. Still, 1.11 euro to the pound is still a lot better then the 1.40 it used to be. Still I am hoping for you guys on the other side of the canal for the euro to fall, just so you can enjoy Le Mans like youre used to!!!
Title: Re: Email From teamlangoustine
Post by: LangTall on January 08, 2009, 09:51:04 am
Or just give up on the Sterling guys, and get the same coin we all love over here. ;D
*Starts to run*
*Starts to run*
Title: Re: Email From teamlangoustine
Post by: nickliv on January 08, 2009, 10:21:55 am
We tried that last time, it was so good we kept it.
Title: Re: Email From teamlangoustine
Post by: knetter on January 08, 2009, 11:25:32 am
Ohhh, come on, you know it makes sense, even the Danes want in on the euro, know their own country/crone is in the sh*t! ;D
Title: Re: Email From teamlangoustine
Post by: Steve Pyro on January 08, 2009, 11:33:37 am
Ohhh, come on, you know it makes sense, even the Danes want in on the euro, know their own country/crone is in the sh*t! ;D
Here you go Roy - http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=41911328354 (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=41911328354)
Title: Re: Email From teamlangoustine
Post by: Barry on January 08, 2009, 03:24:57 pm
Ohhh, come on, you know it makes sense, even the Danes want in on the euro, know their own country/crone is in the sh*t! ;D
And the Germans want out.
Title: Re: Email From teamlangoustine
Post by: smokie on January 08, 2009, 03:31:28 pm
££ is picking up against both the € and the $. Bought my $$s for Sebring at the end of Nov for $1.60 on this site http://www.crowncurrencyexchange.com, but it's been as low as $1.45. They are now quoting $15.3 for March delivery.
For June, they are quoting the € at 1.13, which is a vast improvement on a week ago.
For June, they are quoting the € at 1.13, which is a vast improvement on a week ago.
Title: Re: Email From teamlangoustine
Post by: Barry on January 08, 2009, 03:51:01 pm
Watch that decimal point Smokie, or you will have the markets in a panic. ;D
Title: Re: Email From teamlangoustine
Post by: knetter on January 08, 2009, 04:32:24 pm
Ohhh, come on, you know it makes sense, even the Danes want in on the euro, know their own country/crone is in the sh*t! ;D
And the Germans want out.
Then they should have won the war, not start complaining now!!! ;D
