Then and Now - Do it right!
Le Mans Then vs Now — And How to Do It Right in 2026
If you’ve been before, you’ll already feel it.
If you haven’t… you’ll notice it anyway.
Le Mans has changed. Not overnight—but not slowly either. The shift since COVID has been real, and it’s not going back.
This isn’t a bad thing, but some might say it is!.
But it does mean you need to approach the week a bit differently.
🕰️ Then vs Now — What’s Actually Changed?
Then (The Old Days)
Camp where you liked (more or less)
Buy tickets at the gate
Huge open viewing areas
Minimal facilities
Cheap food (mostly terrible)
Organised chaos everywhere
Now (Modern Le Mans)
Allocated pitches — stay inside your box
More restricted viewing areas
Proper fan zones with big screens
Clean, organised, well-run campsites
Better food… but you’ll pay for it
And yes—it feels more “corporate”.
But here’s the trade-off:
Showers that actually work
Toilets you don’t fear
Transport that functions
A circuit that can handle massive crowds
It’s different—but in many ways, better.
⚠️ The Big Shift: You Can’t Just Wing It Anymore
This is the key takeaway.
Old Le Mans rewarded turning up and figuring it out.
Modern Le Mans rewards having a plan.
If you don’t adapt, you’ll spend half the week:
Stuck in queues
Missing good stuff
Wondering why it feels hard work
✅ How to Do Le Mans Right in 2026
(also see other posts about this)
1. Use the Early Week Properly
Don’t save everything for the weekend.
Explore the circuit
Visit the village
Do exhibitions and displays
Get your bearings
By Saturday, it’s busy. By Sunday, it’s chaos.
2. Treat Friday Like a Main Event
Friday isn’t a filler day anymore—it’s one of the best days of the week.
Do it properly:
Pit lane walk
Track walk / cycle
Drivers parade in town
Displays and events around the circuit
Skip Friday, and you’ve missed a huge part of Le Mans.
3. Use the Fan Zones
You might not want to—but you should.
They’re:
Well placed
Easy to follow the race from
Good for food and drink
Perfect for:
Night stints
Meeting points
Taking a break without missing the race
4. Get Off-Site At Least Once
Le Mans isn’t just the circuit.
Use the tram and go into town:
Old town (Cité Plantagenêt), SEE MORE HERE
Bars and restaurants
Drivers parade atmosphere
It’s part of the experience—not an optional extra.
5. Socialise at the Campsite
The circuit is for the race.
The campsite is for everything else.
Chat to neighbours
Share a beer
Wander a bit
That’s where Le Mans still feels like Le Mans.
🚧 Arrival Day — What Actually Happens
No matter how well you plan… expect a bit of chaos.
Typical experience:
Traffic building near Arnage and Beauséjour
Confusing routing near campsites
Slow-moving entry queues
Ticket checks that vary wildly
Early in the week:
You may end up explaining your own ticket to the steward.
Later in the week:
They’ve seen it all before and wave you through.
Just go with it.
🎟️ The Steward / Security Rule (Important)
There is one universal truth at Le Mans:
No two stewards (Security at gates) will react the same way.
The rules about bringing alcohol and bottles in are complex and not consistant !
You might find:
One lets you through without looking
Another checks everything twice
Another invents a rule on the spot
Don’t argue.
Smile, nod, adjust, move on.
⛺ Campsite Reality
Modern camping is more structured than it used to be.
Key rules:
Stay inside your marked pitch
Keep your car and gear within your space
Talk to neighbours before spreading out
Encroaching = arguments
Talking = usually fine
Private sites are more relaxed—but still organised.
🍺 Campsite Etiquette (Unwritten Rules)
Say hello to your neighbours
Bring beer (this helps… a lot)
Don’t take over shared space without asking
Respect that some people really care about their setup
Do this right, and you’ll make friends quickly.
🛒 The Supermarket Run (Do This Right)
Almost everyone makes the same mistake:
👉 Trying to shop before setting up camp
Don’t.
Instead:
Get into your pitch
Set up your base
Then go shopping
Also worth knowing:
Parts of the circuit close during race week
Some supermarkets become awkward to reach
Beer deals are often handed out at the entrance—take the vouchers
🚗 The Drive Down — Where It Really Starts
Le Mans doesn’t start at the circuit.
It starts somewhere between the ferry and the first green sign.
You’ll notice:
Cars that look “like yours”
Subtle nods between drivers
Convoys forming naturally
By the time you’re close:
Everyone’s smiling
Everyone’s ready
It’s part of the ritual.
Don't forget your Stickers! CLICK HERE
🚫 Leaving Early? Plan It Now
This catches people out every year.
Recent changes mean:
Movement from campsites may be restricted before the end
Traffic builds heavily just after the finish
If you need a quick exit:
Park smart (edge of circuit if possible)
Plan your route in advance
Don’t assume you can just leave when you want
Get it right and you’re gone in 15 minutes
Get it wrong and you’re stuck for hours
❤️ Le Mans Is Still About People
For all the changes, this hasn’t shifted.
Le Mans is still:
Groups of friends returning every year
New people joining in
Campsite conversations that last hours
You can turn up knowing no one…
…and leave with plans for next year.
🔁 The Cycle Never Really Ends
You leave on Sunday.
By Monday:
You’re replaying moments
Talking about what you’d do differently
Half-planning next year
That’s just how it works.
🧭 Final Thought
Yes, it’s more organised.
Yes, it’s more expensive.
Yes, it’s less chaotic than it used to be.
But if you approach it the right way…
It’s still one of the best events you’ll ever experience.
See you there.
How to Prepare for a Great 24 Hours of Le Mans Experience
How to Prepare for a Great 24 Hours of Le Mans Experience
There’s nothing quite like the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It’s not just a race—it’s a full-throttle, sleep-deprived, fuel-scented adventure that runs for an entire day and night. Whether it’s your first time or you’re a returning pilgrim, preparation is the difference between “survived it” and “that was one of the best weekends of my life.”
Here’s how to get it right.
🎟️ 1. Sort Your Tickets Early
Le Mans sells out—especially the good stuff.
General admission gets you access to most viewing areas.
Grandstands are worth it if you want a guaranteed seat at the start/finish.
Camping passes are essential unless you’re staying off-site.
If you’re going with friends, book everything together. Campsites get fragmented quickly, and “we’ll just find space” is how you end up a mile apart.
⛺ 2. Choose the Right Camping Style
Where you stay shapes your entire experience.
Trackside camping (e.g. Houx, Tertre Rouge): loud, chaotic, brilliant.
Quieter sites (e.g. Hippodrome): more sleep, less madness.
Private campsites: easier, cleaner.
If it’s your first time, balance matters—you want atmosphere, but also at least some sleep.
🚗 3. Plan Your Journey (and Expect Chaos)
Most people travel via:
Ferry (Portsmouth, Dover)
Eurotunnel
Driving down through France
Arrive early if you can many arrive the weekend before for the test weekend.. By Thursday - Friday of the race week, traffic builds and queues into campsites can get painful.
🧭 4. Learn the Circuit Layout
The Circuit de la Sarthe is huge—over 13 km.
Key spots to explore:
Start/Finish straight – pure spectacle
Tertre Rouge – cars launching onto the Mulsanne
Mulsanne Straight – insane top speeds
Arnage – heavy braking and great photography
Porsche Curves – fast, flowing, unforgettable at night
Don’t stay in one place—move around. Each corner feels like a different race.
🧳 5. Pack Like You Mean It
This isn’t a normal camping trip.
Essentials:
Tent, chair, sleeping gear
Earplugs (non-negotiable)
Power banks / battery packs
Torch or headlamp
Wet wipes (trust me)
Clothing:
Layers—it can be hot by day, cold at night
Waterproofs (it will rain eventually)
Comfortable shoes—you’ll walk miles
Food & drink:
Bring more than you think
A cool box is a game changer
Reusable cups (beer tastes better trackside)
See our Packing page for more info (LINK)
🍺 6. Embrace the Atmosphere
Le Mans isn’t just about racing.
BBQs, beers, and campsite culture
Random conversations with fans from across the world
Late-night wandering while prototypes scream past in the dark
It’s part endurance race, part festival.
🕒 7. Pace Yourself (It’s 24 Hours…)
You don’t need to be awake the whole time.
A good rhythm:
Watch the start (obviously)
Explore during the afternoon
Nap early evening
Wake up for the night racing (the best bit)
Catch sunrise—magical
Push through to the finish
Trying to do it all without rest usually ends in missing the best moments.
📻 8. Stay Informed During the Race
It’s hard to follow everything trackside.
Bring a radio or use an app for commentary
Check live timing apps
Screens are scattered around, but not everywhere
Knowing what’s happening adds massively to the experience.
🌅 9. Don’t Miss the Big Moments
Some highlights you should plan around:
Race start – electric atmosphere
Sunset – cars glowing in golden light
Night racing – pure Le Mans magic
Sunrise – surprisingly emotional
Final hour – tension ramps up again
🧠 10. Accept That Things Will Go Wrong
Traffic will be worse than expected
Something will break or get forgotten
Weather will do its thing
That’s part of it. The best Le Mans trips are the ones where you roll with it.
🏁 Final Thoughts
The 24 Hours of Le Mans isn’t a polished, easy weekend—it’s messy, loud, exhausting, and completely unforgettable.
Prepare well, stay flexible, and lean into the chaos.
That’s how you turn a long race into a great one.
Chat !
It is the Le Mans 24 hour 2026 and Le Mans Classic 2026 soon.
Want to chat about Le Mans and the Le Mans Classic?
Pistonheads has a great chat room
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/forum.asp?h=0&f=25
or try the Beermountain Social facebook group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/45932538624
The Bentley Boy "Lap" - A Whirlwind Adventure with Andy G
The Bentley Boy "Lap" - A Whirlwind Adventure with Andy G
The Bentley Boy “Lap” – many thanks for your support
So the idea was that I do a lap of the Le Mans Circuit, on a scooter, sponsored by you for Mission Motorsport while dressed in 1923 Bentley gear. In theory that was simple. But this was France…..
The day before our camping team – the “School for Scoundrels” – scooted to the “Beermountain” web forum annual meeting dressed like this. I scooted 6 miles plus on open roads - very hot indeed. Got some good comments from passing cars but boy was it scary…
We then raised about £3500 from an auction of stuff men only buy when Kronenbourg has been consumed; many thanks to those who donated items. Here’s a before and after – the flat cap is Graham tartan and cravat Oxfam. We didn’t win “best fancy dress” as the judges said we couldn’t take the trophy as it was too big for a scooter ( it is the 10 kg Mercedes truck “Piston Broke” trophy).
The next day the organisers of the race said the track would be open from 3-8pm for green travel laps. So come 3pm I set off to access the famous Mulsanne straight, a mere 200m from our campsite. I could even see people cycling past but the French security wouldn’t let me join, they said I would instead have to go to the start end of the straight, another 3 miles away. Typical…
At this point the Heaven’s opened with stair rods of rain. So I went back to camp soaked like Jacques Cousteau and with wheels slipping all over (the scooter only has dry tyres) and decided to dry everything out and wait (just like F1 cars 😉).
I was just heading out back to the track when I got tweets on my connected scooter that they had unexpectedly closed the track (thanks Dave Monks). Lots of people fuming. So I went back to the tent and had a beer….
So here’s the thing, I was never able to do the lap due to a) the French and b) weather. So I feel a bit bad re the sponsorship – if anyone wants a refund please do shout – but propose to you that 6 miles on the day before (on highly trafficked roads in the heat) was a good substitute for the 8 miles promised.
With your help, and the auction, we raised £4617.87 for Mission Motorsport. If anyone now wants to chip in who didn’t know about my effort please goto here. Every penny will be used well.
Oh, and there was a magnificent race too, with Ferrari winning with style after 50 years, albeit with a new safety car system designed by the French that caused mayhem, and with great times and laughs aplenty between new friends and old mates.
Bonnet de douche Rodney, as they say. Mange toute!
Stickers
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