I have now made four trips to Le Mans. I first went in 1998 and saw Alan McNish win in the factory Porsche 911 GT1. A great race following Porsche through to the finish and winner's podium. My second trip was in the downpour that was 2001. In 2002, I went again and camped with the Porsche Club of Great Britain in Houx Annexe. I repeated he PCGB camping trip in 2003 but this time we stayed in Karting Nord. For trip reports with many, many photos click the Photos.
The Steve Mcqueen film - Le Mans has just been released on DVD. I have just watched it again and was amazed. The crash sequence is superbly done. Most of the race footage is in the rain (remember 2001?) and I suspect 70% of all the footage is on the track. You must have this DVD to watch every spring! Click the links below to buy from Amaxon.
| Click below to buy from amazon.co.uk in England | Click below to buy from amazon.com in the USA |
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Le Mans 2003 |
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| Bit of a Bentley Procession | |
Le Mans 2002 |
Le Mans 2001 |
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| Audi, Audi, Audi and The Racers Group | Rain, Rain, Rain and Audi & Bentley |
Bob
Chapman takes some superb motorsport photos and is a fan of Porsche and 24 Hour
races. Click the Porsche and check out his
2001 race report and photographs.
Finally,
PK Sport had a great 2001 race and will be returning in 2002. They have a
detailed write-up of the race
from the pit's viewpoint on their site. Click their GT3RS to go there.
Time to start planning. For 2003 the Porsche Club of Great Britain are
again co-ordinating a Le Mans event this year based out of Karting Nord
campsite. In association with Travel Destinations they are also offering
ferry, campsite and entry packages. We will be using our
SmartGroup community
again where we can share information in the run-up to the race. There
is a message board, photo albums, downloads and a trip register. If you
live in the UK and are thinking of going in 2003 then join us at
www.smartgroups.com/groups/pcgblm and tell all your friends about the site
too.
The March 2002 Issue of
911& Porsche World
contains a Guide to Le Mans. If you are a newcomer then this is well worth
the read. Buy the magazine or courtesy of the author, Peter Morgan, you
can download it from the Le Mans SmartGroup
Guides & Top Tips files area.
 | Go with the PCGB package from Travel Destinations and your Grandstand tickets direct from ACO. |
| Or buy a cheap last minute package from the Club Arnage Swap/Sell Forum |
| Try and slip into the leftmost lane at the tunnel boarding area, even when not directed there |
| Leave on Thursday and have thus have a full day at the circuit on Friday |
| Pack Wellington boots and umbrellas of any chance of rain |
| Pit walkabout Friday am is a must |
| Track blast Friday first thing in the morning or late evening. Too busy now in the afternoon. |
| Fri night in Arnage village, Saturday evening in Le Mans town. |
| Buy Le Mans Radio pack that includes Autosport and Le Mans guides. Take mini headphone based FM radio. |
| Drive home on D roads |
| Don't get caught speeding |
Official Le Mans site is the AOC site.
Best unofficial site is Club Arnage which has some excellent message forums and is the best place to get last minute tickets and packages.
Best list of Le Mans links is at Maison Blanche. Lots of information, race reports and photos at all these sites.
Ken Smiley's Ode D' Le Mans makes good reading. A report from 2002 with loads of photos and some videos.
