DHA Posted May 8, 2006 Report Share Posted May 8, 2006 Ok so this year's LM is my first. What should I expect? How fast will les gendarmeries allow you to drive? What should I take? What shouldn't I take? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazza_g Posted May 8, 2006 Report Share Posted May 8, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Ok so this year's LM is my first. [/ QUOTE ] waaaaaahooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!! [ QUOTE ] What should I expect? [/ QUOTE ] Lots of driving fast, fun, sunburn, booze, racing, more booze, bbq's [ QUOTE ] How fast will les gendarmeries allow you to drive? [/ QUOTE ] Just don't get caught Half seriously, there is a limit - I think from memory if you're caught at more than 50kph over the speedlimit then they can feck you quite badly (750euro fine and an instant ban) - hence try to get another 'non driver' in your group insured on your car - to prevent any stranding incidents [ QUOTE ] What should I take? [/ QUOTE ] Map/Sat Nav, Beer/Champange Tokens, earplugs, tent, sleeping bag, Euro breakdown cover, greencard for insurance in europe, 2 way radios, beers, champagne - the usual! [ QUOTE ] What shouldn't I take? [/ QUOTE ] Speed camera detectors - the French take a very dim view of Laser/Radar detectors - GPS based ones are legal but I don't fancy my chances trying to explain to the Gendarme that the Laser detector is switched off Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daz Posted May 8, 2006 Report Share Posted May 8, 2006 Here's a useful list (from www.beermountain.com) Passport Wash Kit Personal Emergency Toilet Roll Kitty Money in Euros More spare champagne money in Euros Favourite CD’s I Pod & LM play lists Wet Weather Gear (in case) Airbed Airbed pump FM Radio & earphones Light Sleeping Bag Tartan Travel Blanket Torch Suncream Towel Sunglasses Drugs - anti histamine, Nurofen, Alka Seltzer etc Ear plugs (optional) Overnight Bag (for ferry, with passport) Camera Colour photocopy of driving licence Light reading material Mobile phone, call bar lifted Sense of Humour Insurance and breakdown documents (if bringing a vehicle) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redbaron Posted May 8, 2006 Report Share Posted May 8, 2006 I went to my LM for my first time last year, and found this site, Beer Mountain , very useful - especially for the list of all the gear you need to take with you... Didn't see many gendarmes at all - and the cars coming the other way always flashed their lights to warn us! Oh, and don't forget to bring your own loo paper! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
v15ben Posted May 9, 2006 Report Share Posted May 9, 2006 Beer Mountain and the Le Mans forum on www.pistonheads.com are full of info. Look forward to a great weekend, this is my second LM and I can't wait! Will anyone else be staying in Houx Annexe?? Look out for an orange clio 182 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_d Posted May 9, 2006 Report Share Posted May 9, 2006 This will be my first LM and I can't wait No idea where I'm staying as mates have orgamised it, but we'll be there from Monday to Monday Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted May 9, 2006 Report Share Posted May 9, 2006 orgamised? Sounds fun... Went for a full week last year, camping at Eau Rouge. It's a great way to sample the build up of the atmosphere. Get yourself down to the pits on Tuesday - should be able to roam around the pitlane and track! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DHA Posted May 9, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 9, 2006 Tent and rest of my kit arrived this morning!! Nurburgring in a few weeks then not long till LM once I'm back Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_d Posted May 9, 2006 Report Share Posted May 9, 2006 Curse my fingers, they never do what I tell them to... I'm really looking forward to it, but we're having issues over what kit to take (one of my mates is going in an Elise...). So I guess we'll see how much stuff the MKV can take We're considering taking a gas powered fridge, as food will go off very quickly. Does anyone have any suggestions? We don't want to spend much, as we'll probably leave it down there tbh. DHA> Mate, you're going to have the best Petrolhead month evAr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazza_g Posted May 9, 2006 Report Share Posted May 9, 2006 [ QUOTE ] but we're having issues over what kit to take (one of my mates is going in an Elise...). So I guess we'll see how much stuff the MKV can take [/ QUOTE ] I wouldn't worry - I did LM last year in my VX220 Turbo - you can really pack in loads of stuff if done carefully. The only prob I had was sunstroke and a lack of air-con Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_d Posted May 9, 2006 Report Share Posted May 9, 2006 hehe, I reckon we should be fine, as most things can be purchased in France (especially booze and food). But we're taking a lot of stuff, like a huge marquee thingy, several tents, a fridge, paddling pool and other random crap which is all going in my car. Speaking to Melchior he said that you can place tents on the Elise door sills, so that's maybe an idea I suppose I'm just used to UK music festivals, where you have to take everything (food, booze, bbq etc) for the duration of your stay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted May 9, 2006 Report Share Posted May 9, 2006 If you can't fit certain things in, you can almost definitely buy them (probably for a fair bit less dosh!) at Carrefour. We got a fantastic paddling pool last year! One thing you'll need that you won't have taken to UK festivals.... suncream!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_d Posted May 9, 2006 Report Share Posted May 9, 2006 Everyone seems to take a paddling pool to Le Mans (or Lemons are we've code named it ). Great place to store beer or cool down I guess. How expensive is alcohol on site? We're hoping to travel away from Le Mans to buy most of our booze, as apparently the local supermarkets hike their prices up? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted May 9, 2006 Report Share Posted May 9, 2006 We used the Carrefour that's a mile or so from Eau Rouge. They may well have hiked their prices for the week (I would!) but it's still cheap enough not to be worth venturing further. We bought ALL our food, beer, wine etc at that Carrefour. If you do store your bottles in your pool, make sure you wipe them before you drink - there's some dirty bastards on those camp sites! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted May 9, 2006 Report Share Posted May 9, 2006 Eau Rouge... wtf am I talking about... Tetre Rouge of course! No point going to Belgium! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_d Posted May 9, 2006 Report Share Posted May 9, 2006 [ QUOTE ] If you do store your bottles in your pool, make sure you wipe them before you drink - there's some dirty bastards on those camp sites! [/ QUOTE ] p.s. ta for the Carre-Four info ewww I think I'll be storing my beer somewhere else then Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazza_g Posted May 9, 2006 Report Share Posted May 9, 2006 Our paddling pool was great last year - so hot, needed decent cool down area. Though it did take nearly 2 days to fill it from the tap We arrived a bit late for the supermarket so managed to purchase loads of 1664 from McDonalds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sayerbloke Posted May 9, 2006 Report Share Posted May 9, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Eau Rouge... wtf am I talking about... Tetre Rouge of course! No point going to Belgium! [/ QUOTE ] I did wonder! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Problem_Child Posted May 9, 2006 Report Share Posted May 9, 2006 Earplugs are a necessity- not for the sound of the cars you understand, but for the inpromptu firework displays and loud rave music at three in the morning... Carrfour didn't seem that dear last year, and if you get desperate there's always McD's in the town. Luckily for a Luddite like me everyone speaks English (probably because they mostly ARE English...). We're probably getting there on Thursday Afternoon this year, is there anything worth seeing then? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_d Posted May 9, 2006 Report Share Posted May 9, 2006 Isn't the "shakedown" on Thursday? I could be wrong, infact I probably am wrong... Luckily I know some French, although my accent is tres terrible... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Problem_Child Posted May 9, 2006 Report Share Posted May 9, 2006 That's great if it is! Me: Erm... Une Big Bac Menu S'il Vouz Plate... Her: Certainly sir, what drink would you like with that? Just goes to prove they can all secretly speak English in Foreignland... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_d Posted May 9, 2006 Report Share Posted May 9, 2006 hehe, I think if you try then they'll be very friendly towards you and help you. Case in point, I ordered some pizza using my terrible French accent and the girl behind the counter smiled and spoke to me in English. I apologised for being crap, but she didn't care and I got served very quickly. Now, just as we sat down, two chavettes walked in and literally said "oi, two slices of them"...THe French lady then "forgot" how to speak English and started rapid fire French at them. We'd finished our food (and said merci) before the chavettes even got served Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daz Posted May 9, 2006 Report Share Posted May 9, 2006 Oh, if you want proper bacon for your breakfasts, take it with you, Carrefour don't sell it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DHA Posted May 9, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 9, 2006 What about food? Not exactly blessed with space in the Boxster so a cool box might be a no no. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daz Posted May 9, 2006 Report Share Posted May 9, 2006 Food comes from Carrefour - the newbie has to go and collect it at 6am each morning and then cook us a nice breakfast Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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