Question about the Friday night?

[Nismo]

Just can't wait!!!
I've heard that there is a nearby town where historically the drivers used to stay and there is a procession of vehicles that go around the town square and a party on the Friday, could someone tell me where this is please as I have heard it is a must. Forgive my naivety, its my second time of going to Le Mans, but I am hooked.

Thanks a lot.

Jon

[mgmark]

Jon - not aware of any other parades on the Friday night other than the driver's parade in Le Mans town centre on the Friday evening - that in itself is good for a laugh and a number of beers, whether you're driving in it or watching it.

Mark

[Matt Harper]

I suspect you are refering to La Chartre sur Loir which was (and perhaps still is) home base to many of the teams. Apparently the race cars used to be driven from the town to the track on race morning, which must have been a spectacular sight.
L'Hotel de France bar is full of interesting Le Mans memorabilia, if that's your kind of thing.
Personally, I prefer Hooters, but I always was a classy bastard.

[Gilles]

Yes it's La Chartre sur le Loir, at the Hotel de France (BTW a remarkable gastronomic table)!

The procession was the year when paddock didn't really existed and temas have to invade all the garagists of the surroundings to host their cars. It was the time also when the drivers use their racing cars to go to and from the race on the road!

[Kpy]

I suspect you are refering to La Chartre sur Loir which was (and perhaps still is) home base to many of the teams. Apparently the race cars used to be driven from the town to the track on race morning, which must have been a spectacular sight.
L'Hotel de France bar is full of interesting Le Mans memorabilia, if that's your kind of thing.
Personally, I prefer Hooters, but I always was a classy bastard.

Friday at the Hotel de France is fun, with all manner of sporting machinery, from blower Bentleys onwards parked outside. Fantastic atmosphere - but crowded. Still possible to get a beer though!
Teams no longer allow drivers or personnel to stay there - they want everyone under one roof, and strict control.
Ask Christophe, the barman about the "demo run" Justin Bell gave him a few years ago when he was still allowed to stay there. Derek Bell always stayed there.
What and where is Hooters ? Surely not
http://www.itchynottingham.co.uk/venues/44.html

[Nismo]

Cheers Guys, it is definately La Chartre sur Loir that I had been told about, ie. the memrobilia plastered hotels and the opportunity to see a very interesting car park where it would not be unusual to see and Imp parked next to a Dino!!!
Thanks a lot we will make a visit.

[powermite]

Nismo,
Its a great place and well worth a visit.We actually stayed the night there during PQ a few weeks ago and had a great evening of eating and drinking

PM

[Gilles]

Personally, I prefer Hooters, but I always was a classy bastard.

What and where is Hooters ? Surely not
http://www.itchynottingham.co.uk/venues/44.html

Kpy,

Hooters appears to be a mix between Mc'Do and Hawaian Tropic Girls  

[Snoring Rhino]

So where is Hooters and La Chartre sur Loir ?

[Gilles]

Sorry no Hooters in LM...

... La charte is the road to Le Grand Lucé, jsut a ten or twenty kilometers after the city of Grand Lucé, but it's all indicated ...