- 1. Do your research
- 2. Plan your journey and get there early
- 3. Scout some good viewpoints to watch the race
- 4. Prepare for NIGHT RACING
- 5. Get a bit of sleep and enjoy
Top Gear Advice
As Le Mans contenders continue to appear, here's a little guide to get you ready for next year
1. Do your research
If it’s your first time like it was for me, fear not. Let’s do some learning. The Le Mans 24h has been running for almost 100 years now since 1923 at a circuit based in – surprise! – Le Mans. Which is in France. 59 cars compete throughout the 24 hours and there are four vehicle classes, and 177 drivers from 30 countries. Sounds pretty cool, huh?
2. Plan your journey and get there early
There are various ways to get to the circuit, including driving down via Eurotunnel, taking the ferry or the Eurostar Train, or even flying, so the choice is yours. On the Saturday the race begins at 4pm (local time) and finishes the following day on Sunday at 4pm. You’ll want to plan your routes and maybe scrub up on your basic French too, it’ll come in handy along the journey.
3. Scout some good viewpoints to watch the race
The circuit is 13.626 km long so there are a lot of viewpoints throughout. Every corner is filled with action and the race is long so you’ve got plenty of time to take in all the action: definitely aim for Indianopolis (fast), Esses (especially at night), the Porsche Curves and of course Mulsanne. Might be an idea to bring a chair, too.
4. Prepare for NIGHT RACING
If you’re new to endurance races, the idea of speeding through the night with limited visibility sounds like utter madness. It is. And you have to see it to believe it. The energy trackside is astonishing with sounds reverberating throughout the night and lights illuminating the circuit like some kind of alien invasion. It’s quite something.
5. Get a bit of sleep and enjoy
Although you might not want to miss even a blink of the race, it may be best to get at least some winks in. Some spectators camp on site or stay nearby in hotels/rentals. Shuttles also run throughout the day so you can get from A to B with ease.
Keyword: Your very brief beginner's guide to the Le Mans 24 Hour race