Ten tips on how to do Le Mans | Thank Frankel it's Friday

1. Don't get caught speeding on the way there 

First, don’t let your weekend be ruined before you get there. The police are very well aware of the revenue-raising properties of all the main roads leading from the channel ports to Le Mans and very good at concealing themselves. Depending on how fast you’re going, the fines vary from eye-watering to absolutely sickening. If you’re on the main road, stick within five per cent of the speed limit but, better, take the back roads and enjoy the drive. Unless you’re stupid enough to speed in towns and villages you’re very unlikely to get pulled. And if you do speed in towns and villages you deserve all that’s coming to you.

2. Bring your own food and drink

Second, take as much of your food and drink with you as possible. Prices in the Le Mans village are sporting at the best of times and queues can be long. You probably are going to get drunk, which is fine, but remember to pace yourself. You don’t want to start the race with a blinding hangover…

3. Actually watch the race... 

Third, and this is probably the one piece of advice GRR readers don’t need, but do watch the race. It’s amazing how many people travel to Le Mans apparently failing to realise it’s not just a piss-up in a French town but a motor race too. 

4. Listen to radio Le Mans if you want to keep up

The fourth piece of advice is related: don’t even think about trying to keep up with what’s going on without the help of Radio Le Mans. Almost as much of an institution as the race itself, Radio Le Mans will bring you all the news, views, action and standings from start to finish. They are a brilliant team of passionate, knowledgeable, enthusiastic broadcasters and you can either tune in on your smartphone or buy a little radio earpiece at the circuit.

5. Get around the circuit

Fifth, get around the circuit. So many people just stay between the Ford chicane and Dunlop Bridge but it’s actually one of the least interesting parts of the track. You can walk to Tertre Route where the cars go piling onto the endless Mulsanne Straight, or go the other way and go down to the Porsche Curves, the best place on the circuit to be at dawn. 

6. Get the shuttle bus to Mulsanne and Arnage

Sixth, you should also get the shuttle bus to Mulsanne and Arnage where you’ll find barbecues, beer and hardened race enthusiasts escaping the chaos of drunken Brits abroad in the main village.

7. Get to where you're watching the start early

Seventh, stake out in advance where you’re going to watch the start. The whole world seems to assemble around the Dunlop Bridge, so be smart and go somewhere else, like down at the Esses, where you’ll get a far better view only a few seconds later.

8. Don't just concentrate on the prototypes

Eighth, remember it’s not just about the top-class prototypes. There have been many years where it’s actually been quite dull out front while a battle royal is being fought in the lower prototype and GT categories. These fights are no less hard fought by the drivers and no less thrilling to watch for the spectators.

9. Plan your exit

Ninth, plan your exit strategy and either go early or late. There will be traffic like never before this year and sitting in it for a few hours is no way to end your Le Mans weekend.

10. Leave sober

And finally: if you’re driving home, make damn sure you’re sober. The drink drive limit is lower in France than in the UK (50 versus 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood). If you’re stopped, you will be checked and the consequences of being caught will make you wish you’d never left the UK. Don’t be that person. 

Images courtesy of Motorsport Images