Le mans 2009: The cheap way.

[BadDave]

Jon
I've currently got the Thursday/Friday(11/12th) off work, and all of the following week.
If necessary, I'll "persuade" my manager to give me the Wednesday(10th) off as well.
That would enable me to be in Dover on the Thursday morning to meet up with you guys.

[Ziggy]

I've not discussed it with Mark yet, but I'd guess that if we can sort somewhere to camp with a group of us together, we'll be up for that rather than WRR.
Would be keen to get the Wed AM ferry, as Friday's when things start & it's nice to have Thurs for recovering from the drive / hypermarket run / starting drinking. Plus it's getting busy by Wed night - more of an issue if we're looking for a largeish space.

[Jon_Bmw]

Perhaps I need to get in touch with the old faithful, Dan, emlyn, kedge, sleepy etc and see if we can get between 5-10 cars which is convoyable! Anymore and it gets silly.

To be honest, i'm more up for Thursday morning travelling, lets face it, this time we are unlikely to get lost, less cars in the convoy means a less stressful, quicker journey (rinse it down the toll road I reckon). It means people have to have less time off work, which isn't an issue for me, but perhaps for my brother and other zoners?

[tomson]

I've booked the Wednesday through to the Tuesday off work today so am ready to book campsite/ferry as soon as its all agreed when & where

[Jon_Bmw]

My initial idea is a 6am ferry on the thursday, which means you have to be in Dover by 4.30/5ish. Do able for everyone, even Dave I think? This is 2 hours earlier than the normal ferry we get. We used to get there for around 4/5pm ish that day, but that always includes getting a bit lost/stuck in traffic. Leaving 2 hours earlier that should see u down there for around 12/1ish if we keep our foot in it and all have the same fuel stops.

An idea anyway Ziggy?

[tomson]

I dont mind Wed/Thu or which ferry time as I would probably stay overnight in a Travelodge just down the road. I did this a couple of years ago when I went to the ring and it worked out well. It's in the motorway services just outside Dover so could be a good meeting point for everyone too?

[Ziggy]

Perhaps I need to get in touch with the old faithful, Dan, emlyn, kedge, sleepy etc and see if we can get between 5-10 cars which is convoyable! Anymore and it gets silly.

To be honest, i'm more up for Thursday morning travelling, lets face it, this time we are unlikely to get lost, less cars in the convoy means a less stressful, quicker journey (rinse it down the toll road I reckon). It means people have to have less time off work, which isn't an issue for me, but perhaps for my brother and other zoners?

If you work out that we can arrive on the Thurs & still get a space somewhere, and that's what everyone else wants to do, then it's ok with me.

Contemplating skipping 'mad' ( ) Friday @ Houx this year & checking out the Great British Welcome @ St Saturnin instead.

Wouldn't mind seeing the drivers parade for once too...

[BadDave]

I'll have a word about taking the Wednesday off as well and possibly meet up with tomson at the travelodge nr Dover on the Wednesday night.

[tomson]

Said hotel, I would prefer to go on the Wednesday AM ferry to be honest but dont mind either way

http://www.premierinn.com/pti/hotelInfo ... elId=24036

[Jon_Bmw]

Dave would never make it down for the Wed AM ferry though I wouldn't have thought as that means driving from 6pm on tuesday when he finishes work, all through the night, get on the boat then all the way to Le Mans. That is a certain recipe for disaster. Whereas he and and other 'far away from dover' zoners can travel the 150-400 miles on the wednesday, crash that night from 8pm till 4.30 and then get up in time fo the Thusday 6am crossing. Even you Tom would be running on fumes, you'd have all day at work on the tuesday, then get 2 hours sleep before the journey.

John I am pretty sure there should be room on the thursday, its turning up on the Friday with the frogs is what you dont want to do. Wednesday is generally just Brits and the Dutch.

I totally agree about retarded Friday as it was stupid last year. Going into town is supposed to be a good crack, like you said.

[BadDave]

Wednesday morning is definately pushing it for me TBH.
I could do it, but would be more inclined to catch the boat on the Thursday

BTW an 8 am crossing would suit me better,however, will make the 6ish am one.

[tomson]

Thursday AM suits me fine then, it probably is pushing it a bit for me with working all day Tuesday tbh.....

[BadDave]

OK
had a word with mis-management and got the Wednesday off as well now .

Can be in Dover on the Thursday morning as required.

Is everyone heading back on the Monday/Tuesday or are any of you staying on the wrong side of the pond for a few extra days???

[tomson]

Well I have to be back at work on the Wednesday so will be coming back on Monday, I dont have enough holiday left to take anymore days

[Kedge]

Guys, think me and Tiv will be there again this year, not really planned much but had seen on the WRR a few are planning on going down on the Wednesday. Not sure whether to go WRR or cheapo now though, is it really worth all that extra money as i've not seen any details on what Guy is offering? Also seriously considering taking a detour via the Nurburgring on the way back, anyone done this before from Le Mans?

Dave

[BadDave]

Haven't done it from Le Mans,however, if you do decide that your gonna go.I might just tag along as i'll have all the following week off anyway.

I did think about heading down to cannes/monaco via Briancon/gap as the roads are quite good/fun down there.

[BadDave]

Wee update folks

P+O have a promotion on just now

I can get Dover-Calais for £19 each way leaving Dover on Thursday 11th at 7.30am and returning from Calais at 3.55pm on Monday 15th

The £19 each way fare applies to some earlier and later crossings, and peak times are IRO £70 each way.

Who's still going?????

[tomson]

I'm still up for it

Is that per car or per head Dave?

[Jon_Bmw]

Oh yes, i've got the car for the trip now. Big estate ftw.

Let me have a little look at what ferries the vast majority are on, WE 100% won't make the 3.55 one back, everyone thinks its easy to make it back for that one, its not. Rouen Toll booths is all i'll say!

Now all my coursework is all in, after this weekend I have a bit more time on my hands to get some planning for Le mans done.

Tom, that will be per car, cheap huh.

[tomson]

That is very cheap per car.

I hear youve got a nice E39 Jon, I hope youve saved some of your student loan for the fuel bill to Le Mans ! ! A proper car, I love em

[BadDave]

I'm still up for it

Is that per car or per head Dave?

Tom

That was for just 1 car that fell within the standard criteria.
I.E less than 4.5m long no trailer,no high roof boxes etc


I've had another look and the 6am and 7.45am outward crossing's are £19 at the moment

The 8.30am/9.15am/10am outward crossings are all at £70 at the moment

The return crossings on the 15th at 4.45pm/6.25pm/8.40pm/9.25pm/10.20pm/23.15pm are all £19 at the moment.
The 5.40pm and 7.55pm return crossings are currently £70 at the moment.

The decision will need to be made soon chap's.I'm not sure how long this promotion code will last.

[Jon_Bmw]

Right then, had a few seconds to do some Le mans stuff.

I have ordered my camping pass through these guys:

http://www.teamlangoustine.com/_tl/stat ... ickets.asp

It is £55 which is only £5 more than the ACO wanted direct many moons ago when they had tickets left! Hopefully everything should be OK as teamlangoustine are fairly well known...

Looking at the boat crossings:

Assumption 1: We want to travel out between 6am and 8am on THURSDAY 11th of June

I think the earlier we go the better, so I am kind of punting for 6am”¦

Assumption 2: We travel back on the MONDAY 15th at around 6pm. Any earlier and we won’t make it, trust me.

Assumption 3: All bringing cars and no one is going crazy with Motorhomes!


P + O seems to be £65: 0600 Thurs -> 18:25 Mon Dover - Calais

Norfolkline seems to be £46 0600 Thurs -> 18.00 Mon Dover ”“ Dunkirk.

Both still have available boat slots. We need to decide which boat sooner rather than later, especially if we are all to camp together once we get to Beausejour. I think a week time limit on booking the ferry is agreeable?

I started writing this ages ago, then went to the pub, so sorry for any inconsistencies.

P.S. Dave I can't see the cheap boat that you were suggesting...

[BadDave]

Dave I can't see the cheap boat that you were suggesting...

I had a promo code for the cheaper ticket's Jon.

It's now no longer valid

I also booked my ticket's with teamlangoustine after you'd posted the link about a month or so ago.

Norfolk line would easily do for me.
It's not as if we'd use the £14 worth of fuel to cover th distance from dunkirk to calais.

[Jon_Bmw]

I like Norfolkline as well. Easy, trouble free crossing and I know where I am at the otherside!

I'll wait a few more days for stragglers as there prices remain almost constant. Sorry about that discount code.

Tuesday is the cut off as to when we will book the ferries folks. It doesn't mean you can't come, but you might not get on the same boat and thus miss the convoy down!

[Ziggy]

Booking with Team Langoustine as soon as I get confirmation from Mark - the reminder about the noise on the last night from the thread on bmw5 was the last straw for me! Norfolkline FTW btw, & I agree with going as early as poss.

[Ziggy]

Booked on BSJ for £55

[Jon_Bmw]

Respect!

[Ziggy]

& poised for the 0600 Thurs -> 18.00 Mon Dover ”“ Dunkirk Norfolkline option...

Expect I'll book for 3/4 people in the car - no extra cost & there's the option for picking up stragglers again!

[Ziggy]

Respect!

Booya.

[BadDave]

So are we ready to book the ferry then folks??

[tomson]

So are we ready to book the ferry then folks??

Indeed, I am ready to book, although I think I've lost my co-pilot!

[Jon_Bmw]

Yep, I am ready. I found a code, but its no cheaper!

Everyone all ok with 6am THURSDAY 11th and return MONDAY 15th at 18:00 as per Ziggy above.

Tommo, you'll find someone. My co pilot is applying to be in the Met, he is in bar a medical. That better not clash with Le mans!

[BadDave]

Ferries booked

£47.02 includes 2p fuel surcharge and £1 credit card surcharge.

[Ziggy]

Ferries booked

£47.02 includes 2p fuel surcharge and £1 credit card surcharge.

Ditto.

[Jon_Bmw]

Ferries booked

£47.02 includes 2p fuel surcharge and £1 credit card surcharge.

Ditto.

Same as.