A&Q about Lotus
Q:
Looking for recommendations on the best way to see lemans next year. Best viewing areas, places to stay, tours etc. Anyone done it? Thanks
A:
I would suggest posting on the seloc site in the UK as they used to organize an annual trip and will have great insights.
A:
pM sent
A:
Did this last year and had a blast... great people, bus ride to and from the track is ESSENTIAL since the traffic is horrendous. Fantastic hotel, great meals etc. etc... as for the race itself, my girlfriend and I managed to stay the whole 24, but they give you the option of taking the bus back to the hotel so you can get some sleep. (I definately reccomend staying the whole 24... watching the sun come up over the track is SPECTACULAR...)... it was truely one of the most amazing experiences of my life.
But... keep in mind if you do stay, you are staying up for 24 hours straight and at 3 AM it's a little bit creepy because everyones either asleep on the ground, incoherantly drunk, or have gone somewhere to sleep for the night... very weird atmosphere.... fun, though it's kindof like being at a party where you're the last one to pass out and you have no one to hang out with ... it's quite the party. Think 24 hours of hardcore tailgating... you could get drunk and sober up like 4 times before the race is over.
As for the racing... it's awesome, though a bit tough to follow. Unless you speak french it's tough to hear what's going on over the PA (occasionally an english-speaking announcer will come on, but not very often). I think the best part was that you can walk to so many different parts of the track and just generally explore. It's really fun to go strolling through the MASSIVE parking areas and check out all the kickass machinery that people bring.
For all you lucky Elise owners (I plan on getting an Elise when my G35 coupe lease is up... hence why I'm here)... I have never seen so many different Lotii. Since it's just a quick hop across the channel, there are a ton of English-registered Elises (and Radicals, and Caterhams...) Definately the place to be for car lovers of all nationalities. The best part is that almost all of them somehow braught tents and sleeping bags with them and camped out right next to their cars.
Anyways, I recommend sitting near the start-finish line so you have a good view of the opening and closing festivities... also consider that you're not going to be spending that much time at your seat except to rest (and possibly to sleep). So I don't recommend trying to find a really great seat at a prime braking area or turn simply because you can walk to anywhere... I'd say it's more important where you're sitting at the start and end of the race.
Another recommendation... if you go... bring a backpack with a sweatshirt or blanket with you... when we went it was 75 and beautiful during the day... and then like 40 degrees at night. Wasn't prepared for that one. Also bring toilet paper and wet wipes (seriously, we were the hit of the group because we braught wipes to clean ourselves with ... and advil... and earplugs... and a refillable bottle. Also make sure your backback is big enough so you can purchase things there and bring them home with you (there are some REAAAALLLLY cool vendors there...).
I've been to two F1 races, countless races at Lime Rock and the 24 was the best experience of them all by far. Even though you could probably see a better race at Lime Rock (and get up closer to the same cars and drivers that race at the 24)... and watching (and hearing) F1 cars is an amazing spectical...the combination of being at such a historically significant event, with 250,000 car lovers with tons of places to explore, things to do, food to eat, beer and wine to drink... it's like visiting a really interesting city where 5/10 of the cars parked are exotic, all the stores are for car lovers, and there's constant entertainment in the form of the best road racing on the planet. What else is there, really?
Any other questions let me know...
A:
A lot of great insight in there!!
Have always wanted to go...at least now I have some idea what
to expect if I ever make it there!