Our guide of to what to bring (and what to leave behind!)

       

Bizarrely one of the fun things about getting ready for any great trip to Le Mans is the planning. With each year comes a rich experience and probably a few new items on your packing list. Its hugely satisfying not just remembering the basics, but also showing others that you may be camping, but you are still doing it in style. We don't want to spoil your fun, but here's our basic packing plan. Please can we ask that you let us know what items you would add in the Beermountain forums.

Please consider how to pack your gear up - the important thing is you can get to the things you need first the other end. We would recommend having a pre packed overnight bag to hand in the car for the ferry containing wash kit and something warm. Make sure your tool kit and essentials are not buried too deep in your boot the other end.

The basics - your personal survival kit                                                                            

  • Passport

  • Cash (in Euros)

  • Credit card (no good at French self service stations)

  • Tickets

  • Driving licence

  • Photocopies of passport/licence

  • ACO ticket holder (BM model or similar)

  • EU health card (replaced E111 in 2006)

  • Wash kit

  • Ear plugs 9foam or wax type)

  • First aid kit (inc plasters, immodium, neurofen, alka selzer)

  • I Pod with play lists

  • Favourite CD’s (if no I Pod)

  • DVD's (if you have a DVD player)

  • Airbed & airbed repair kit (spare plug a must)

  • Pillow

  • Small radio & earphones (tune to 91.2 FM)

  • Ear defenders (you can use on top of earphones at track)

  • Sleeping bag

  • Torch (compact LED model)

  • Sun cream (SPF 25 or higher)

  • Towel

  • Mobile phone & charger

  • Camera & charger/spare battery

  • DV camera & charger/spare battery

  • Overnight bag (for ferry)

  • Wet weather gear

  • Team shirt

  • Clothes

  • Trainers

  • Flip flops

  • Warm jacket/fleece

  • Sun hat

  • Golf umbrella (sun and rain)

  • Book (there may be a quiet moment)

  • Pen

  • Sunglasses

  • Batteries & spare batteries

 

For your car                                                      

  • European breakdown cover

  • Copy of insurance documents

  • Headlight beam converters

  • BM stickers

  • Maps/directions

  • Satellite navigation

  • Power inverter (for charging cameras etc)

    •

 

Team equipment - for your team members to bring                                                  

  • Tents

  • Gazebo

  • Spare guy ropes

  • Mallet

  • Spare mallet

  • Cable ties

  • Gaffer tape

  • Electrical tape

  • Super glue

  • Jubilee clips

  • Tool kit - screwdriver, pliers, hacksaw, hammer

  • Tent pegs (including some rock tent pegs)

  • Mesh fence (x50m)

  • Fence picket posts

  • Airbed pump (12v electric from car)

  • Hose pipe x 50m & hozelock adapter with screw thread

  • Hose pipe splitter (to share connection with others)

  • Spare hose (50m)

  • Main table

  • Side table (for BBQ preparation)

  • Chairs (folding type an advantage)

  • BBQ

  • BBQ tools

  • BBQ fuel

  • Propane for gas BBQ

  • Matches or Zippo type lighter

  • Rubber gloves (x2 pairs)

  • Cleaning materials

  • Cool boxes

  • Flagpole

  • Flags

  • Cocktail accessories & ingredients

  • Corkscrew & bottle opener

  • Saucepans (old)

  • Frying pan (large & old)

  • Chef's knives

  • Spices

  • Plastic glasses

  • Disposable plates, knives, forks, spoons

  • Food for first day (frozen curry/chilli con carne ideal)

  • Water (5-8 litre bottles)

  • Kitchen roll

  • Wet wipes

  • Nutrodol (for inside toilet/shower room)

 

Doing it in style - for the camper who has nearly everything

  • Generator (ideally over 5kw and near silent)

  • Electric kettle

  • Filter coffee machine & filter coffee

  • Extension flex with plug/socket for generator

  • RCD safety trip box

  • Jerry cans and fuel for generator

  • Christmas lights

  • Beer fridge

  • Food fridge

  • Plastic dustbin

  • Chemical toilet and tent

  • Broom

  • Walkie talkies

  • Classic board games/poker

  • Water pistols/cannons

  • Television

  • DVD player

  • Washing line & pegs

  • Bikes

  • Cool box with bacon etc from UK

  • Electrical cable (x100m)

  • French socket adapters

  • Stores tent

  • Solar shower

  • Toaster and long life bread (if this is your thing!)

 

Making a show of it - serious equipment for the LM professional

  • Bar

  • Disco lights

  • PA system

  • Mirror ball

  • Smoke machine

  • Bubble machine

  • Ice maker

  • Satellite television kit

  • Compass (for satellite set up)

  • Pit lane scooters

  • Scaffolding for track viewing platform

 

What to leave behind

  • Laser speed trap detector (illegal in France)

  • Fireworks (you can buy in Le Mans)

  • LPG (in large quantity, varies by ferry operator)

 

Please feel free to copy this list for your own personal use. If you reproduce this list in any printed or web form it must include a credit and a link to Beermountain.com. Thank you for your understanding in this matter.
 

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