Campsite Epinettes for LM Classic - Information needed

[Werner]

Hi all,

just got my confirmation for the Epinettes Campsite for the 2016 Le Mans Classic. I've never been on this site and there's not so much in our wiki about it - Did any CA members stay there last June?
- Is it really numbered pitches?
- What's the ground like - the usual rock-bottom stuff?
- Sufficient loos, container with showers available?
- Does anyone have some pictures from this site?

Any info is highly appreciated

Best
Werner

[Newcastle Dave]

My experience from last June -

What was it like for the 24?

I thought it was very good. There was a single entrance with security asking to see vehicle passes and race tickets of everyone as they passed in and out whether they were on foot, in vehicle or on bike. This led to a feeling that the site was pretty secure and the situation meant it had only campers there and no persons passing through. The entrance was not opposite the Houx/HA entrance as had been thought beforehand but instead 200m further south along the road. As well as camping on the field there was access to ad-hoc camping in the trees that shield the site from the road. The pitches were not numbered for the 24 hour.

There was a cosmopolitan bunch of campers of all ages - mainly tents interspersed with the usual mix of interesting vehicles. It was not too raucous but an acceptable level of late night music, bangers and iriots on motos and scooters. I didn't hear of any thieving whilst I was there, but have since read that someone had their scooters nicked.

How were the facilities?

An internal gravel circular access road with three shower and toilet areas - the one we used was regularly cleaned all weekend. We camped opposite it and the longest queue I saw for the shower would have been about ten persons. There was always hot water when I was there. There was power available for those with extension leads. Ground condition was typical of LM but I had no problem with getting the pegs in.

What was it like getting in and out?

No unreasonable difficulties, but arriving whilst the track is closed at the peak times of Wednesday and Thursday pm/evening will mean you have to join the traffic queue of arrivals to Houx/HA or an approach from the BSJ direction might be better? For the classic I expect it will be easier

It is my first choice campsite for next June, and indeed I believe that is where we will be (Dr S  LB???). I have no pictures - sorry.

[Werner]

Hi Dave,

thanks a lot for the info - very helpful!

[smokie]

See this wot Aricius wrote earlier this year.

http://www.clubarnage.com/forum/index.php?topic=12665.0

[Lazy B'stard]

Agree with Dave, pretty good site last year, however there was talk of a large extension in 2016. Can be quite a hike from the track so a push bike might be a good idea.

Pitches were marked however, in a fashion. On arrival we were escorted to a pitch which was marked out with aerosol and one of those little yellow marker things (which I reversed over, hence Dave's unawareness that pitches were marked).

It will be our home again come June. It's no MB, but a pretty good option.

[Si H]

Glad to hear its a pretty good option Lazy. It'll be our home in June too, always used to be MB but read about its demise last year so trying Epinettes for our return. We're bringing a few newbies with us and don't want to disappoint them with any part of the visit.