Anyone off to the classic next year I am just starting to look for camp sites.
I went with Speedchills a couple of years ago and wondered if anyone had been with the other companys. I will probably take our own tent.
The last classic we stayed on camping Bleu in the gen camping and the facilities were pretty bad.
With the limited space in the Exige a tent and some clothes is about as much as you can take so it would be good to have somewhere to sit and chill out.
I did think about a hotel but then you miss the crack around the camp site.
Not guilty…I’ve got a laser blue S1 and we didn’t camp…I’d be keen to meet up with fellow exigers going…us Essex lot never get anything arranged for a meet up and I’ve given up trying now
Quite interested in going to this, I’ve not been before and fancy taking the Exige (awaits laughter for absurd idea that it might actually manage the journey without breaking down). Where would I start looking to start the preparation? What do I need (beside beer tokens, tent and breakdown cover?
Hello, it was me with the silver S1 that you were talking to a couple of years ago. I’ve been twice. Once through one of the many companies that re-sell camping / ferry packages, and the last time through the circuit itself.
The first time I stayed at Karting Nord and really enjoyed it. However, being a cheapskate I disliked being charged double the circuit price, so sorted it out myself the second time at an early date. That’s when I found out that most of the best campsites get sold off in a block to these external companies, leaving the rest of us to occupy frankly rubbish campsites like Blue (truly terrible).
I was tempted to do the chateau thing and get a free roaming pass through a Lotus club this time. Unfortunately, I don’t know if I will get down this year due to the time I need to take off to go racing
The83man is the font of all knowledge re Le Mans. See what he has say.
Kurt - Not a laughing matter at all. I thoroughly enjoyed my two trips down in the Exige, and had no issues. Make sure that you take a detour cross country for the final bit, avoiding the auto route and as many main roads as possible. This is good because it avoids the multitudes of le rossers, and its much more fun.
You’ve already listed the basics, and you will be surpised at what you can fit in the back of the car with a bit of practice (including a bit of fairly resilient food, folding chairs, a self-inflating mattress and pillows). I would highly recommend going on a few camping trips in the Exige (seriously) before you go to get into the swing of it.
Personally, now I finally have a trailer, next time I fancy spending a week down there. Trailer to car to get there / back as quickly as possible, have extra time to explore the local roads, go to Mt St Michel etc.
It’s easy. Many of us have been in both S1 and S2 cars on many occasions. One year my son and I both went in the Exige with camping gear for a week. Pack sensibly, you know, T-shirts, trousers that zip off at the knee, things like that. Camping at the circuit is very rudimentary so find a decent camp site out of town with decent toilets, showers, bar, restaurant, that sort of thing and drive in daily. This means you get to drive the car as well, of course. If you want to go on a three-day bender then camp at the circuit. Buy a ‘encienne generale’ ticket and this will let you into all enclosures around the entire circuit (drive to) plus any goodies you fancy like grandstands, paddock etc and you’ll have a huge amount of fun.
The cars are basically reliable so just make sure that you have European breakdown cover in place.
It is the 6,7 July.
I went down in the Exige a couple of years ago and stayed on the Speedchills site. They had a marque and served food ,beer etc. We took a two man tent and just the basics which is OK if you can use the other facilities. I had no issues with the car I did wrap all the gear I put in the boot with a fire proof blanket though.
I think it was Clive who melted his tent poles?
Nice to find out who I was speaking to Clive my memory is never at its best after a weekend at Le Man.
I will be going down on the Friday morning this year via the tunnel but have not decided which campsite to stay on yet. If anyone else is going let me know and we can meet up.
Yes, I melted my tent poles (I was hoping to keep that one quiet). Just about made it to the local Decathlon before closing time to buy a new tent. A dusty open air night under the stars would not have gone down too well.
