Michelin’s quick guide to the Le Mans 24 Hours
One year in the making, around a quarter of a million spectators trackside and a television audience of tens of millions – no other sporting event in the world is like the Le Mans 24 Hours which takes place over the weekend 11/12 June.
Michelin has been associated with the famous race since its inception all the way back in 1923, the birth of a winning partnership with the inaugural victors running on Michelin rubber. Having won the last 13 events, the aim for 2011 is to increase that tally to 14 consecutive successes!
Aside from this brief lowdown, Michelin has produced a 64 page guide to this year’s race which contains practical advice on how to get to Le Mans, where to enjoy the best vantage points and also includes other great features such as an exclusive interview with two-time winner Allan McNish.
To request your free e-brochure copy of the Guide visit www.michelin.co.uk/lemansguide
As a taster of what to expect if you are planning to attend this year’s race, in order to experience the event to the fullest it’s ideal to give yourself almost a week away from your commitments in order to allow plenty of time to travel there and back, either by Eurotunnel or ferry.
This also gives you the best opportunity and ample time in which to soak up the true atmosphere and enjoy every second of practice, qualifying and race action...subject to the occasional nap of course along the way!
Driver autographs sessions take place on the Tuesday prior to the race weekend with practice on Wednesday afternoon and then qualifying from Wednesday evening through Thursday. Racing itself commences at 15.00 precisely on the Saturday and concludes (obviously) at 15.00 on Sunday.
There’s a huge amount to do before the big race itself and if you want to avoid spending big, consider camping as your accommodation of choice as the local hotels can be very expensive.
To arrange camping you will need a special pass, as well as your actual general admission ticket – see www.lemans.org/en/ - and then you have options to upgrade to grandstand seating which carries a price tag of between approximately £75 and £115.
If you’re driving to the track, one final thing...beware the Gendarmes as they will be out in force looking for speeding motorists throughout Le Mans weekend!
If you can’t be there in the flesh you can still follow all of the action from the comfort of your armchair here in the UK...
Television – British Eurosport and British Eurosport 2:
Sky Digital channel 410, channel 411 and in HD on channel 412
Virgin Media channel 521, channel 525 and in HD on channel 522
Radio – www.radiolemans.com
