Question: Bringing drinks to the track?

[Werner]

Hi guys,

currently I've svereal enquiries about the regulations about bringing your own beverages to the track - and I want to put appropriate advice into the CA Guide.

IIRC, last year the security controlled all bags at the entrances and glas bottles were confiscated, but cans and plastic bottles were fine. Does anyone know if there is a change in this regs for this year?

[Barry]

We got glass in with no problem last year Werner, but probably better to take beer in tins.

[clkgtrlm1]

We were fine taking in tins last year, however it did occur to me that if they are having electronic body scanners on every entrance, then essentially EVERY OTHER person walking onto the circuit will be pulled for carrying metal containers.
Given the level of security in France at the moment, Large quantities of liquids in metal containers?

I don't know the answer this year.

[dukla]

Methinks impossible to give appropriate advice as, being France, past performance and written guidelines are academic! Certainly don't recall any controls last year although we had our vino in pouch thingies just in case.

Also arguably worth distinguishing between campsites and trackside as rules may vary - remember a few years ago campsite officials made a token effort (for about 10 minutes) to stop bottles coming in to Arnage campsite.

I can't find any official guidelines on glass but pretty sure there were some in the past. The only thing I can find was on the back of the 2014 EG tickets there was stuff about glass bottles (in English), the 2015 EG had no English on the back. 2014 was referring to law 06/12/93 which is no doubt still in effect. Or not as per the alcometers!

Section 4.1.3 of the general rules is pretty vague and could result in anything being seized:
At the entrance of the Venue, Ticket holders agree to submit to a search of their person and to a visual inspection of all luggage (such as handbags, rucksacks etc.) and the inside of their vehicle (including the boot), by any police officer and/or any employee of the event organizer approved by the Chief of Police, and may be invited to present the items in their possession. Items prohibited under the rules and regulations implemented by Le Mans circuits shall be seized by the competent authorities. The organizer disclaims all liability for any items seized by the competent authorities.

[Andy Zarse]

I think the best advice is no firm advice. As per above, they are a law unto themselves. So expect the unexpected.

We had a similar issue at the Nurburgring a few years back. We tried smuggling in about fifty cans hidden under some hats in a big cool box, and in a scene reminiscent of Escape from Colditz, we nearly got away with it. They initially believed we were taking in a massive box of hats, but the cans rattled at the last minute and we were busted by the laughing security guards. So we ended up lobbing dozens of cans over the wall and across the ditch. The moral of the story is to use your initiative and remember; the drinker will always get through!

[aricus654]

I got pulled and searched on Friday last year going from Houx towards our Friday extravaganza.  I had cans but the guard wasn't having any of it.  Of course, it could have been the axe, Mr T's mace, and crucifix tattoo on my cheek that tipped him over.

There were about six cans in the rucksack, so I drank 2 in front of him, and that seemed to do it.

I suspect he was a bit bored.

Aricus

[Barry]

Last year, probably due to Le President ( aka twat ) waving the start flag, all that the security staff were checking were chair bags, presumably for sniper rifles.  

Also remember the vast majority of the crowd is French, and not being able to get a bottle of wine into the circuit for lunch would be an affront to their civil liberties.

We took in a dozen bottles of beer and a bottle of champagne with no issues.

[Lorry]

A few years back I heard that at Bathurst, the fans were going in a couple of weeks early and burying cases of beer, because they were limited to one case per person per day.

The 93 law started because the bikers were throwing bottles on the track (possibly full ones too!)

Just don't be daft about it

[tink]

I checked the Bathurst thing with an Aussie colleague the other day and although she couldn't say for definite, she said that alcohol is basically banned at all sporting events in Australia, so it is highly plausible.

As for Le Mans, I've never had any trouble with bottles at the circuit, although I've always camped inside the track, so I've never had to clear security. The only time it was an issue was when Jamiroquai played about 15 years ago and security wouldn't let any glass bottles in to the arena. I seem to recall this resulted in me and my mates necking about 20 stubbies in front of security and then handing them the empties

[LuxExpat]

Last year, probably due to Le President ( aka twat ) waving the start flag, all that the security staff were checking were chair bags, presumably for sniper rifles.  

Also remember the vast majority of the crowd is French, and not being able to get a bottle of wine into the circuit for lunch would be an affront to their civil liberties.

We took in a dozen bottles of beer and a bottle of champagne with no issues.

I think you did well there, Barry. We took some Cider for JJ on Post 19 and it was taken away as it was in glass bottles. I've never been stopped with my usual Stella cans in my backpack, though - but that may have been only by luck!

[Dave H]

Unless you were sneaking beer in in backpacks, every entry from Houx last year refused any alcohol in coolers.  This had nothing to do with glass.  They allowed it in during the week, but on race day it was strictly enforced.  This was all under a local ordinance change that went into effect the week before the race.  What a farce.  So basically, if you want cold booze and plan to do serious drinking (vs. sipping 4 cans of warm crap you sneak in), you're apparently obligated to get your wallet out trackside.  Utter waste of time in my humble opinion.

[Boorish Grobian]

Hey Dave,
Guess that means R2 would have been a law breaking menace to society.  Shame, he always seemed such a quiet lad . Seriously, sounds like the crap they pull at many of the NASCAR venues over here, they go on about it being a county ordinance, but in reality it's just another way for them to get their grubby mits into your wallet.
Mercifully the road courses here pretty much let you bring in anything under the sun.
Fax

[Oldtimer 2]

Last year, probably due to Le President ( aka twat ) waving the start flag, all that the security staff were checking were chair bags, presumably for sniper rifles.  

Also remember the vast majority of the crowd is French, and not being able to get a bottle of wine into the circuit for lunch would be an affront to their civil liberties

That would constitute an affront to anybody's civil liberties to be fair.

[Lord Steve]

There was a rumour recently about the concessions on the circuit going cashless and us long suffering punters having to buy a pre-paid card to (over)pay for beer and food.
Does anyone know if this is the case or has this plan been dropped?

Steve

[Rhino]

You would hope it's been dropped. Can you imagine the trouble.