2006 help for American newbies

[Alfamale]

Hey guys- I'm planning on making Lemans 2006 and being another newbie from the states am happy to see this topic addressed.

I met quite a few regulars at Sebring (Part of the Turn 10 gang ) earlier this year and plan on being at Petit also.

To sum up whats been said, I need to get camping arrangements figured out pretty soon. The balance can wait.

Thanks

PS- My picture might be a little too large

[b_tone]

Alright, how have some of you acquired camping tix this early.  I looked on the lemans.org page and their site only lists information for the 2005 event.  I have also read that thay do not take any ticket orders via the telephone.  

Is it a matter of writing an email and sending it over?

As always, any and all help is appreciated!

bpt

[Neal]

You can always book your tickets with a company called Just Tickets, you will pay a bit extra, however they have never let me down. Although I have heard they have already sold there allocation of Maison Blanche tickets. I am not very good with posting links on here, but a search on Google will throw up their web site

[gab]

They do take e-mail bookings too between certain dates, but i have never tried that way, not sure if anyone else knows how that works.

I`ve been sending my ticket requests for the past years via email with excellent results. Gotta make sure you send your request to 'ticket@lemans.org'. Don`t forget to include name, address, tel. number, etc. and of course requested camping area. No need to write dates of race since these are not yet released to public. Simply write "Request for 24 hour Auto race tickets". Don`t forget the word "Auto" or you may wind up going to the Motorcycle 24 hour race. My advise is to email asap, I usually send my request in early April for the following years race. Good luck.

[Chris24]

I too will be at Petit at RA, should be camped out with the Sebring Turn 10 people. I have been to Le Mans 12 years now so will be happy to help where possible.

Regards
Chris

[johnevans3]

Sorry I have not read this part of the site lately so have been absent on this discussion.
1.  As to the train from CDG to Le Mans.  Great way to travel for Americans if you've never done it, you have to go somewhere on one of these fast (186mph) suckers.  It's a trip!!! 
2. Obviously, you pack very light regarding gear to take with you, sleeping bag, small tent, soap, towel, clothes, hat, raingear, flashlight, tuneable radio (frequencies are different in Europe so our digitals won't work over there), put it all in a ice chest, seal it and put it in checked baggage at the airport(make sure it has wheels THAT WORK), etc.   Ask me about my first time if you don't know the history on that trip.  The TGV is located in the bottom floor of Terminal 2 in the center of the huge building.  Go to their website to see the terminal layout, Google search. 
3. When you get to Le Mans go to a store (Gilles could recommend one) to purchase what you don't bring with you because you will need more than you can bring (food and drink) unless you are prepared to wilderness camp.  You could eat all meals at the circuit's vendor's but that could get expensive. 
4.  General admission ticket at the gate gets you inside so buy it then, in Euro's.  If you bring a car (I did not drive in Europe) you will need a camping permit so buy it in advance from ACO as has already be mentioned.  Grandstand tickets are hard to come by but you can monitor this site to see who might be selling tickets and strike a deal to pick them up at the circuit or make other arrangements.  You don't really need them but they are very nice for the begining and ending of the race.  I did it this year and am very happy I did.  This is a rare event in your lifetime so a little splurge for this was well worth it for me.
4.  Be prepared to walk your butt off.  You walk everywhere, as most Europeans do, rather than ride in big SUV's everywhere like we do.
5.  Sleep before you go and be well rested when you get there.  There is so much to see and do, visit with folks, walk the circuit, etc. etc.  I have been fortunate to have gone this year and last year and never thought I would have ever gone.  Both times were trips of a lifetime for me.  I was is awe of the whole scene.  Racing at full speed at 3 AM is something we have never seen in the US and must be experienced.  I just can't tell you the feeling of that sight and sound (the Corvettes must be heard) at that time of the morning.

This is the start of a great adventure.  So enjoy every thought, every spoken word about going, every email, every website for information, every planning session, and take lots of pictures.  If you have any other questions, please let me know.  If I didn't do it, I may at least have an opinion.

[johnevans3]

Forgot to mention, if you take the TGV, it is wise to do the "reservation" to lock in a seat for your travels.  Think about 2-300,000 trying to get to and from Le Mans, not all traveling on the train but a good many do... and go first class, costs a little more but very clean, nice seats, plenty of room and you might be riding with Ron Fellows or Johnny O'Connel on Sunday evening after the race as I have done now for two years.  Good conversation for 1.5 hours at 186mph.

[Hardpoint]

How far from the circuit is the train station and what is the best method for getting from one to the other (cab, walk)?

[Canada Phil]

How far from the circuit is the train station and what is the best method for getting from one to the other (cab, walk)?

Hi Hardpoint,
                      About 8 Km (5 Miles) so take the special shuttle bus from the station.
Canada Phil

[johnevans3]

It's right outside the front door of the train station and it will let you off at the main entrance to the circuit.  Seemed like it was more than 5 miles though, I guess it was the path they took to get there.  Costs about 2 or 2.5 Euros as I recall.  The bus will be marked and you can confirm with the driver if there is doubt about destination.  You will see others like you with backpacks and stuff, racing shirts, hats, etc.  Once off the shuttle bus, you just need to make your way as to where you will stay.  It's a pretty good walk to the camping areas.

[Hardpoint]

Thanks for the info.

Does this shuttle run on a specific schedule between the track and the station? We will most likely be leaving Monday morning. Also, how than do you go about getting beer, food, beer, camping stuff and beer from the store?

Right now I have a minivan reserved but it could be cancelled. I think our biggest concern was getting stuff from the store (beer) and getting back to the airport if we end up with an early departure time on Monday.

Thanks agian. 

[Andy Zarse]

I would tend to stick with the minivan, especially if you're gonna be at the curcuit for a few days before the race starts. It's a slightly expensive luxury I know, but it does mean that you can go to the store for beer/food/beer/water/beer at will and also get out and about round the track. Whilst the curcuit is over 8 miles long, getting around the outside during the race is normally about 15 miles!

You'll also enjoy the scenery on the drive fom Paris, you can stop at some small villages/markets etc, go where your nose takes you and gets you out of f*cking about with shuttle buses, carrying cases onto and off trains and getting around the massive Paris rail terminal. And you can join some of us at Deauville on the coast on sunday night for some casino and nightclub action. It's almost on the way back to Paris.

Whatever, if the van is booked, you'll enjoy the flexibility it affords.

[johnevans3]

Andy makes an excellent point about the minivan.  That uncomplicates local travel to the store for stuff problem just don't lose your camping and parking spot while you are gone.  Since I traveled solo on my two trips, my situation was much different.  Traveling in a group is a different deal.  Stay with the van, get a camping ticket from ACO or from an individual trying to sell one.  Oh, where do you pick up the van?  I'm guessing CDG so I can't advise on driving to Le Mans except I understand a town about half way, I think it is named Chartres (sounds like Chart) is supposed to be worth a visit for out of towners like you and me.  That may not be the right name, maybe Gilles can clear that up.  Anyway, I would love to spend some time there and in the the city of Le Mans as well.  Very good for sightseeing.
John

[Canada Phil]

Hi Hardpoint,
                    Minivan is great for 2 or more people. Everything written already is good advice. France is great for road trips. You will need camp site for the race. Other than Paris I would reccomend driving anywhere you fancy. What are your other interests? Wine Champagne. Mountains? ww11 beaches ancient history Babes France has it all 
Michelin Map and a good navigator. is all you need.
Canada Phil

[Hardpoint]

Great info, thanks to everyone.

I already booked a camping pass for Karting Nord back in July since I wasn't sure what our plans were gonna be. I figured better safe than sorry. Our group is gonna be around 6-8 at least so we will probably keep the van. We won't be getting in until Thursday morning most likely so I don't know how much site seeing we'll get to do although hitting some small towns on the way down to grab a meal or two would be cool.