My G/F's parents have relocated just outside Paris and this summer we are going to visit. I plan to visit the three events listed in the thread title. I have never been to Europe or a real race before, so I'm quite excited, uniformed and likely quite naive I'm hoping I can get some help with some questions and some hot tips to make my experience the best possible.

I will start with the British G.P. as I'm fearing it will be sold out very soon. My options are as follows...Hangar Straight, Stowe C, Abbey, Bridge, Farm or Copse C. Which will provide the most bang for the buck? I will likely try and get a Kangeroo as the reviews in this forum have been very positive. Next, I'm curious what are my best cheap accomodation options? I'm willing to dedicate all three days soley for the Grand Prix. I'm sure buses will be coming out of London, where else?

The same question also goes for the Goodwood Festival of Speed. For this event I think I want to be close as my wallet allows because it's an event I want to be at from open to close. I don't really want to hire a car, but if need be I may be forced.

Next is Le Mans. What is the best way to experience this race? The fantasy in my mind goes I never leave the track for the full 24 hours, as my g/f has no intensions on joining me for any venue. I have found the official website difficult to use, and can't find what I want regarding camping.

Lastly, I would absolutley love to get a tour through some factories/shops, whether it be Formula-1, Le Mans, F3/GP2, automobile factories, museums etc.. Does anyone know anyone likely to offer such a thing?

Thank you very much!

Silverstone is notoriously difficult to get to if you haven't got a car. Compared with public transport available for fans in Barcelona, Monza, Monaco & Budapest (personal experience), it's a disgrace.

You don't say where you live but you may want to try an organised tour. I can recommend this company. I have used them for 14 years & am going to Spa with them this year. In the past they have arranged trips to the BAR/Honda factory. They are a small private company & very flexible & the best idea is to give them a call.

If you want to go it alone then you could either camp or stay in a place like Northampton where I think there's a bus shuttle service to the circuit. I don't think there's any transport direct from London.

It's always difficult to recommend a grandstand but if I had to choose from your list it would be Stowe. http://www.silverstone.co.uk/pdf/4566_NewC...+Key180209W.PDF

Whatever you decide to do you'll need to book up soon.

(Can't help with Le Mans or Goodwood)

That's not True...
I went in '03. Took the train from London (early in the morning). Got to the next station, there where a squadron of buses to take you to the track. I can't remember if I had to change trains on the way up. Coming back to London get back on bus to station got the express back. Easy Peasy.

My apologies. It was 2000 that I tried to get there by public transport & ended up walking 7 miles at the end of the race & gave up after that.

When you say 'got to next station' where do you mean? (for Nathan's benefit).

Travel info on the Silverstone website is very limited.


They could take a look at these.

How to get to Monza

How to get to Circuit de Catalunya

Circuit de Catalunya info

I have been trying to remember why we had to change, I think it was a train problem.

There have been train problems in the past (a LOT.....) but for the last two years our journey into Silverstone has been pretty smooth and painless. Direct train from London Euston to Northampton, then a shuttle bus to the track. Same way back no problem.

There are no direct buses from London anymore. National Express used to do em but no longer I think. There used to be shuttle buses from Milton Keynes too but no longer either.

As for car museums: I especially recommend checking out the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu near Southhampton: one of the most comprehensive car collections, from F1 to Indycar to bikes etc and you could easily spend there a whole day:

http://www.beaulieu.co.uk/ipus/beaulieu/lo...al-motor-museum

The shop was like candy too for a racefan with many old F1 and IndyCar diecasts and merchandise there, it has an exhaustive collection and I had to really restrain myself

I will be in Paris on 11,12,13and 14 of july, And I will go to Le Mans with train

Can some of you give me a tips how to get there. thanks. Also I do not have a ticket but I am planning to buy one there on spot for general admission. Is it a problem? Or shoul I book a ticket earlier? I mean its such a big venue there should be vacancies even on the race day.

Thank you.

If you really do mean that you will be in France in the middle of July you will be about a month too late for the 24 Hour Race.


Online bookings here - http://ticket.lemans.org/vente2/visu_artic..._univers=1)#=gb

Sorry I ment june. English is my 3rd language so mistakes are possible.

thanks for the link though

I guessed it was a mistake - enjoy your visit!

I drove from Paris to Le Mans last year, then pitched a tent in one of the massive infield camping grounds.

Booked through the official Le Mans website, and got tickets from there too. Is confusing if you don't speak French but all worked out well in the end.

Was one of my favourite motorsport experiences actually. Watched the start on the hill after the Dunlop bridge. It is awesome crusing about at dusk, and watching the cars bomb through the Porsche Curves at 2am.

The one thing I wish I'd done is take a bicycle of some sort. If you want to see lots of the track you'll be on your feet for a while.

Also, if you drive from Paris, consider returning on Monday. Sunday night traffic into Paris is absolutely dreadful.

Good luck!

Planning to grab a car and drive to Le Mans whereever that may be. Near Paris is all I know, ...

I mean...... Is there any need to plan anything?
I'll just go there and see what happens, that day where Jos will win again........... oh yeah ..... all I want to know if the car is safe on the parking around the track ..... that's all. Thanks in advance. (oh, and what kind of beer do they have there? ....)

thanks again.

I would second the Stowe recommendation

You'll love Goodwood. It's an incredible weekend. We always stay in Arundel, a really nice little town a few miles away. Chichester is the closest town to Goodwood and they run transport to and from the venue from there I think.

OK I bought the ticket week-end general admission, but it says it is for mulsanne corner and arnage corner only. How come!?


http://ticket.lemans.org/vente2/visu_artic...=1&id_ev=25


Valid the whole week of the "24 Heures du Mans" (from 10th to the 14th June: Wednesday and Thursday practices, pitwalk on Friday and the week-end of the race).

Access inside the circuit general enclosure in the areas open to the public (including the Mulsanne and Arnage curves) which do not require any extra ticket. this ticket alone does not give access to the grandstands, the Paddock or to any of the reserved areas.

From that I would read you have full GA access on the outside of the circuit but there are only 2 GA enclosures on the inside of the circuit.