Classic LeMans 2010 - Q&A

[markm]

OK then super dumb question!

I've just opened the packet for my tickets (from 1st tickets). Is the plastic tag with the barcode the general admission, paddock and grandstand pass?

There is nothing else in there, so I hope so!

I've tried ringing 1st tickets just now, but they are closed.

I take it, seeing as I have ordered Week-end Acces with the porsche club france I dont get the plastic tag with bar code as the general admission ticket is with PCF.

[hot66]

I just stumbles across Barry's camping guide from 2008

Barry's guide to camping: CLM style. (In answer to a question in a different thread, but I thought I'd copy it here as well) The question was basically what would fit into a 911, and what to take? Here's the answer ....

Last time I was lucky enough to be offered a lift with Paul (Ferryman) and we were amazed just how much gear the 911 swallowed: two small tents, chairs, bedding, clothes, camp-cooking gear including washing up bowl and stove etc etc. Even then, I'm pretty sure that it wasn't really crammed in.

Basic camping list at the bottom of this post, but these are some points that apply to LeMans:

You do a deceptive amount of walking, so decent, comfortable shoes.

The showers that I used didn't have hooks in the cubicles, so you had to put any clothes on the floor: brilliant if your next door neighbour's pubes float through onto your stuff: therefore I'm going to take a bit of bent wire, just in case I need a hook Shocked .

Flip-flops (see above ), plus the thought of paddling bare-foot through someone else's bogey's probably isn't going to set you up well for the day puke_r

Toilet roll: the loos run out of them after a while.

A good camping chair: if the evenings are nice we'll probably be chatting well into the night.

A torch / lantern so you can see which tent you've just tripped over.

Talking of which, I seem to remember that the ground was a bit tricky for getting pegs in, so a mallet / hammer / car's jack or something might be an idea.

Lots of people bought cheap BBQ's at the local supermarket, and just left them there at the end. Also, don't bother bringing food / drink, for the same reason (except possibly sausages, which they don't seem to do).

Some people cook on site (both breakfast and dinner), but there is also the option to get food in some of the local towns and villages, as well as the circuit and on the campsite. Lots of options, depending on what you fancy.

Car: worth bring spares for anything you are doubtful about (e.g. had a recent misfire? Then consider spare CDI box, coil and points). Nearer the time you'll probably gather who is likely to take what. Clearly is would be silly for everyone to lug a large trolley jack through France, only to find no-one has any axle stands for example. You might want to bring some car cleaning stuff, if you're that way inclined.

Map or Euro Sat-Nav, legal stuff (flu. jacket, first aid etc), Euros, recovery cover, and Paul and I have found it difficult to travel far without the aid of Fruit Pastels, but that might just be us .

Oh yes: the correct DDK tshirt .

General: much of the attraction of the event is the 24H running, therefore you might want to get up at some wierd hour and watch some of the action: so (depending on weather), body warmer/ warm fleece / coat etc. Pocket torch. BTW, this is an excellent time to grab a shower whilst they're quiet.

Here's my basic camping checklist, out of interest:

Tent: check pegs and guyropes B4 leaving. If new, put up well before leaving and allow to get wet and then dry again: they are not sold as waterproof until this has been done.

Hammer or mallet for tent pegs.

Sleeping bag: some have a pocket that you can sleep either side of, depending on temperature: ideal for CLM as it can be very hot, or barely warm.

Mattress: I started with a small (inflatable)mattress which was terrible (kept rolling of it, it was like trying to sleep on a beachball), and quickly replaced it with a full single size, which was much better.

Pillow: either rolled up clothes, or a proper one. I can't get on with the inflatable ones.

Lantern: they now do tiny ones that are very good, which take little space, light well, and last for ages.

Chair.

Cooking: if you're going to cook, then: washing up bowl (brilliant for washing plates and for storage: I take two matching ones, which take no more space than one, so as to have one for me, and one for the dishes , stackable pan set (including kettle), plate and bowl (for the home-made trifle you've just knowcked up on-site).

knife/fork/spoon/cooking knife and fishslice (for fry-ups).

Stove with spare gas.

Cooking oil, ketchup (etc), tea, coffee, sugar, powdermilk (for emergencies).

Bit of chocolate (for emergencies ).

J' cloth (washcloth) and a dash of washing up liquid. I find that all of the cooking gear except for the stove goes in the stacked washbowls, with a carrier bag to hold it all together. Easy .

Obviously whatever clothes and wash-gear you want Smile .

[amallagh]

Can anyone please clarify what facilities are available at the Karting Nord campsite ? Are the facilities very basic (field with a toilet & a sink!) or is it a proper modern campsite ?
showers ? (hot water ?)
sinks ?
dish washing up area ?
shop ?
general lighting ?
made up walkways ?
does it turn to mud if it rains ?
grass pitching areas ?
worth taking wellies if it's due to be wet ? (forecast looking risky !)
are there any picnic tables available ?
any covered areas ?
can you cook (bbq?) anywhere on site or only in designated areas ?

[PhilGarner]

Good list.

All this organising is tiring me out. My checklist is nearly clear and the ride height on the rear of the car is looking decidedly low, and this is without the two large gentlemen who will be piloting

[Gary71]

showers ? (hot water ?)

Yes. Occasionally. Best at 4am. Long queue by 9am

sinks ?

Yes.

dish washing up area ?

No. There is the occasional standpipe

shop ?

No. Local (driving) supermarkets

general lighting ?

No. Take a torch!

made up walkways ?

Mainly not.

does it turn to mud if it rains ?

Depends how much it rains

grass pitching areas ?

Yes. Rock hard ground if no recent rain.

worth taking wellies if it's due to be wet ? (forecast looking risky !)

I'm just taking some normal heavy boots.

are there any picnic tables available ?

No.

any covered areas ?

No. The odd tree

can you cook (bbq?) anywhere on site or only in designated areas

Just outside your tent is traditional

[DIRKBROWNFINGER]

[quote="amallagh"]Can anyone please clarify what facilities are available at the Karting Nord campsite ? Are the facilities very basic (field with a toilet & a sink!) or is it a proper modern campsite ? Basic!
showers ? (hot water ?)Yes
sinks ? Yes
dish washing up area ? Stand pipe
shop ? Youre joking of course!
general lighting ? Yes
made up walkways ? Noo
does it turn to mud if it rains ? Not really
grass pitching areas ? Yes
worth taking wellies if it's due to be wet ? (forecast looking risky !)Walking boots - its not Glastonbury
are there any picnic tables available ? No
any covered areas ? No unless you take a gazebo!
can you cook (bbq?) anywhere on site or only in designated areas ? Anywhere.

The rest of the year it is just a field, and for le mans they just put in portaloo/showers units.

Dirk

[Gary71]

A typical scene

What you see is what you get



Showers/toilets are portacabins.

[Gary71]

Double post!

[Gary71]

Just found this on Flickr from Shed7, who I guess is a DDK guy judging by some familiar faces in this rabble!

[hot66]

but to be fair ...... the toilets & showers are a LOT better & cleaner than the permanent ones on Maison Blanche etc .

Bring some change for the gypsy women who clean the loos etc ( they sit at the entrances )

As everyone has pointed out .... it basically a field next to a race track with portable facilites .... get used to queing with a loo roll in your hand ..... but also get used to lying in your tent & hearing the sound of a supercharged aston, or a 917 blatting past at 4am

[Gary71]

but to be fair ...... the toilets & showers are a LOT better & cleaner than the permanent ones on Maison Blanche etc .

Totally. They are an exercise in breath holding!

[amallagh]

Thanks Gary/James,
I can see we are talking 'field with a few loos' rather than an official campsite.
Sarah and I are keen to join in with whatever's going in terms of eating and entertainment with the group. If you see us looking hungry and lost then don't hesitate to invite us to join in. No reasonable offer refused and we're only going for the craic.
Andrew

[anglophone1]

We have found a way of getting BOTh our camper and 911 to CLM , see other post, so we'll see you all there, look for a grey VW camper [pitch R17] and a white 74 carrera with grren stripes/ wheels.
Won't be there until Friday PM so plaese do say hello!!!!
Clive [and Guy]
www.clive-evans.com
Ahntibes, France

[23e Heure]

for anyone doing 'Parade Laps' .... please check with your insurance company that you are covered ..... just in case

I remember the debates about this before the last Classic:
Those with AON were OK as they were classified as organised parade laps, and not track day participation.
However, does anyone who was AON and then got 'ported' to Footman James know if we are now covered on the Footman James policy in the same way?

If you are with Footman James and doing parade laps, FYI they say we are NOT covered

Better drive carefully on the circuit then

[DIRKBROWNFINGER]

Well with a steady pace car front and rear, and no overtaking, you would think all should be well!

Then of course there is the rush of adrenaline that comes from driving your own car on the most famous motor racing circuit in history, and you are driving down the Mulsanne straight and you see a chance to nip inside that lovely RS lightweight at the first chicane.....

'Yes hi, is that the claims dept?' 'Got a slight problem......'

Dirk.