Anyone been to 24 Hours of Le Mans?
07-03-2009, 10:15 AM
#16
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Thread Starter
07-04-2009, 01:34 PM
#17
IMHO.
07-08-2009, 11:38 AM
#18
Burning Brakes
I took about 800pics on that trip 99.9% are on my home computer, not my work machine. These are the few that are in my laptop. The Monday after the race I travelled to the Beaches of Normandy. It was rather surreal and very moving. Much like the track, it very hard to get your head around what went on there in what is today a very peaceful place. We went to the American Cemetary in Coleville sur-mer @ Omaha beach. We visited Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword beaches. Yes those are the remnants of the Mulberry harbor in Arromanches (Gold). The quote is in fact from the wall of the Museum in the same town.
The whole trip was a 'life' event and I will certainly go back possibly around the 24hrs of the Nurburgring...
BTW - Phil, I don't really care what you think of my picture taking skills. I think you might have a different opinion if I were to post my pics of the Hawaiian Tropic Girls..... but thanks for your input none the less.
07-14-2009, 03:20 PM
#19
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Thread Starter
Well to get this back on track......I won the Grand Prize in a "Le Mans Dream Giveaway" contest put on by the American Le Mans Series and Autoweek Magazine. We are being flown to Le Mans where we'll get the VIP treatment as guests of the ALMS. I also got sizeable gift cards from Lowes and Shell Oil, an Xbox360 (looking for someplace to donate this to) and a set of Michelin tires. We'll have a big tax bill when it is all said and done, but it sounds like this will be an experience we probably couldn't do on our own without spending a lot of money.
We were planning a trip to Le Mans in the next 3 or 4 years, and I'm a HUGE fan of the ALMS, so the magnitude of this prize and my luckiness here was not lost on me.
We were planning a trip to Le Mans in the next 3 or 4 years, and I'm a HUGE fan of the ALMS, so the magnitude of this prize and my luckiness here was not lost on me.
07-29-2009, 01:56 PM
#24
Three Wheelin'
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I went in 1999. We pretty much pitched a tent, aka roughing it 
It is kind of cool to fall asleep and wake up to the engine noises. The lemans ground is amazing, you can bungee jump of a crane, etc. You will also see lots of Brits and Germs ( ) that bring their expensive cars. It is a big party, almost reminds me of Woddstock.
There is a Chinese Restaurant that backs up on the longest straighway. The food sucks, but you can pretty much experience the cars go at their top speed.
Either way, it was a great experience.
It is kind of cool to fall asleep and wake up to the engine noises. The lemans ground is amazing, you can bungee jump of a crane, etc. You will also see lots of Brits and Germs ( ) that bring their expensive cars. It is a big party, almost reminds me of Woddstock. There is a Chinese Restaurant that backs up on the longest straighway. The food sucks, but you can pretty much experience the cars go at their top speed.
Either way, it was a great experience.
07-29-2009, 07:26 PM
#25
I haddah Google dat
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shoot, I'd be happy camping out at Laguna Seca Raceway. Racetrack food is racetrack food. I think I'd be disappointed to eat Chinese takeout in France though....I'm just sayin'.
07-29-2009, 08:14 PM
#26
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Thread Starter
No Chinese food for us. I'm told we're going to find out that not all track food is the same.
We're staying in Paris a couple of days after to visit a couple of favorite restaurants.
We're staying in Paris a couple of days after to visit a couple of favorite restaurants.
07-30-2009, 10:23 PM
#27
Ed
Do everything you can to get a press pass. There are great viewing areas all around the track that you basically have to walk to but the press only areas are way better.
We had the ticket package which let you everywhere except the Press areas and they were well worth it. Try and park you car in a spot you can get back to to catch a little sleep in the night.
You can walk virtually the entire distance around the track and you should do it to catch all the different perspectives.
When I went, all the pit crews were extremely nice and could care less if you walk around the area before the race - with the exception of Bucklers" crew.
Basically, try and go anywhere you want and don't stop until somebody asks you to leave.
Do everything you can to get a press pass. There are great viewing areas all around the track that you basically have to walk to but the press only areas are way better.
We had the ticket package which let you everywhere except the Press areas and they were well worth it. Try and park you car in a spot you can get back to to catch a little sleep in the night.
You can walk virtually the entire distance around the track and you should do it to catch all the different perspectives.
When I went, all the pit crews were extremely nice and could care less if you walk around the area before the race - with the exception of Bucklers" crew.
Basically, try and go anywhere you want and don't stop until somebody asks you to leave.
