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5 May 2017, 12:06 (Ref:3731201) | #1 | ||
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Driver's Parade
For the first time in years we are arriving on the Thursday (not the Friday)
In 26 years of the event I've never done the driver's parade. Have I been missing out and should I stick it on the schedule for this year? - any suggestions welcome. We'll be camping at Blue Nord so need to think about transport too as I'm sure we will all want to have a drink and not have the burden of driving/ parking. |
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5 May 2017, 12:26 (Ref:3731208) | #2 | ||
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Quote:
At least if you go you can say you have seen it. It is part of the week, but having done it a couple of times I am happy to sit in the camp site these days. You can get the tram there and back, but of course that is a bit of a hike from Bleu Nord, maybe 20 minutes depending on which part of that site you are on. One thing I would not miss these days is the Great British Welcome at Saint Saturnin on the Friday morning. Fantastic variety of cars, with this year's theme being Marcos. Sean |
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5 May 2017, 12:34 (Ref:3731210) | #3 | ||
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I did it for the first time in 10 years last year, I wasn't overly impressed! Far too busu,lots of heckling and huge gaps between the cars. I would definitely opt for the British welcome any day!
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5 May 2017, 12:57 (Ref:3731218) | #4 | ||
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The problem is that in order to get a decent viewing position you have to get in place well in advance of the parade which always feels a poor use of time.
In the past you could just sit at one of the bars in the Place de La Republique and catch glimpses of the parade but they've removed the roads in favour of the tram so now you can't even do that. Helen and Sean are correct that the British Welcome event is worth the effort, or alternatively head down to Le Charte sur Le Loir for some history. |
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5 May 2017, 12:57 (Ref:3731219) | #5 | ||
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Ok - that didn't take much persuasion - think I'm talked out of it. The GBW will work well anyway as we are staying near the University the Thursday night. The rest of my party haven't done that before either. We can do the mid-part of the day there and then head to BN for the camping.
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5 May 2017, 13:13 (Ref:3731229) | #6 | ||
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Quote:
Sean |
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5 May 2017, 13:22 (Ref:3731232) | #7 | ||
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That sounds a good plan. We always go to Arnage Friday evening so that will fit with our plans.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk |
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5 May 2017, 18:11 (Ref:3731303) | #8 | |
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Quite enjoy having a meal and a few beers in town - then heading to find a place and battling the locals for all the free tat that gets thrown out. Dragging CTD along too . Nice to feel the buzz before the race, especially if the weather is nice. I quite enjoy the complete random element to the parade. You can see anything from a La Ferrari, to the La Sarthe knitting association, to Jackie Chan.
I take the view there isn't really a lot else going on during Friday evening. But can completely see why it's not for everyone. |
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5 May 2017, 18:58 (Ref:3731318) | #9 | |||
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Especially with Simmi being able to out shout danes for Christina Nielsens attention - not an easy feat to accomplish |
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5 May 2017, 20:39 (Ref:3731349) | #10 | |
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Of course if they were to send the Mazda 787 around before the start of the parade like they did in 2011 I would go. That sound echoing off the high buildings was worth the aggravation
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6 May 2017, 12:43 (Ref:3731478) | #11 | ||
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Something you ought to do if you've never done it before. I've done it 3-4 times, but I don't feel the need to do it again.
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44 days... |
6 May 2017, 15:47 (Ref:3731563) | #12 | ||
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I second Aysedasi - if you've not done it before, go see it.
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6 May 2017, 16:32 (Ref:3731593) | #13 | ||
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Done it and been in it! I agree with the general sentiment in this thread. Everyone has been more than once to Le Mans should do it, but it's not a must every year.
For a few years we stayed in town so it was much easier. |
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6 May 2017, 16:59 (Ref:3731610) | #14 | ||
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Never done the driversparade in 23 years is actually a Shame. You should at least do it once, Just to know what it is like and make up your own mind if you like it or not. I have been several times and liked it although it is to busy. I have to say during the years I stayed on the campsite I didn't miss the parade. BUT still if you have never seen it........ GO do it and take the tram.
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6 May 2017, 17:54 (Ref:3731659) | #15 | ||
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Take some cans or bottles get there early. Soak it in and join in with those around you.
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7 May 2017, 06:37 (Ref:3731863) | #16 | |
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11 May 2017, 07:11 (Ref:3732760) | #17 | ||
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Some good points and arguments
I think St Saturrin will get the nod this year now - will fit better with our plans. Maybe next year for the Parade - I'll live in shame until then! Although it does sound a bit like hard work battling with locals. |
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You're either at Le Mans, or waiting for Le Mans. ('86, '87, '88, '89, '90, '91, '93, '94, '95, '97, '98, '00, '01, '02, '03, '04, '05, '06, '07, '08, '09, '10, '11, '12, '13, '14, '15, '16, '17) |
11 May 2017, 08:07 (Ref:3732768) | #18 | ||
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If you're there early enough (and assuming there is access like last year), do the pitwalk on Wednesday, it was brilliant last year - hardly anyone in there!
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44 days... |
11 May 2017, 08:23 (Ref:3732769) | #19 | ||
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Was it open to GA tickets? Website says only Pitwalk ticket holders are allowed on Wed/Thu this year (though in 2015 I got in on both days with a GA ticket).
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11 May 2017, 10:00 (Ref:3732777) | #20 | ||
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Victor - yes, it was. I was surprised, but we just walked in.....
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44 days... |
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