If it's race, or even practice week, you can pretty much forget about sleeping in. Right on the dot…read moreat 0900, any silence (or hangover) will be pierced by the shrieking of something like 50,000 horsepower. Because unlike pretty much every race track in the US, the Circuit de la Sarthe isn't hidden away in some remote location miles away from life like you might hide a garbage dump or military proving ground...it's as integral to the town of Le Mans as the church itself. Instead of being some kind of public nuisance, the town and its people have been celebrating this annual spectacle of internal combustion since 1923. Of course, me being new to the experience, I woke up to the sound and thought...."oh wow, the cars sound so close! I'll just walk to the circuit today." Six kilometers and a bucket of sweat later, I finally arrive at the entry gate. Even if you aren't the slightest fan of motorsport, visiting on a race day provides you with a unique sense of history, place, and even life. One of the most striking images that I had was that of pure technological juxtaposition. As one of the Audi prototype cars zoomed by with its 550 horsepower and cutting-edge carbon fiber monocoque shell...not 20 meters away, I watched a local resident tend to their small, homestead farm. In addition to the stark contrast between old and new, the racing here is probably the most progressive in motorsport, with increasing efforts to field more environmentally friendly race cars. Since 2006, Audi has been dominating with its cleaner diesel R10, and there increasing numbers of entries that make use of diesel and bio-diesel. For 2008 gasoline powered cars are mandated to use at least some mix of bio-ethanol. And while it certainly isn't a perfect environmental solution, it shows a unique commitment to exploring alternatives to oil dependency. And since this is going to be an all day event...you're likely to take part in some form of refreshment. Andouillette frittes is the way to go...as long as its unique bouquet isn't a turn off to you. However, if that's too adventurous you could also go for a saucisson en croute, a far cry from the smoky stadium dogs that we're used to, but tasty regardless. Seriously though, the Andouillette is the far tastier option. Of course, the beer flows freely, and the camp grounds are known to turn into a 24h drunkfest. Bleeding edge technology, a strong sense of history, the excitement of competition, gross displays of power, great stadium food and beer...really it all adds up to an overwhelming and unique spectacle...and I haven't even mentioned the Hawaiian Tropic Girls... Video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SR1v87X1kC8

Des 24 Heures du Mans, a personal highlight of my year. Attendance at this annual pilgrimage is one…read moreof those things, you either get it or you don't. I did get it and the 2009 race will be my 21st visit, with only one year missed from when I first went along. Even if it isn't your thing you really ought to go just the once, if only to say you have been. But there lies the problem, it has a habit of getting under your skin. A top weekend which I would readily recommend to anyone.

American Tourist here…read more I'm a big car guy so when I planned my trip to Paris I made sure there was time to visit Le Mans. We rented a car and drove from Paris to Le Mans which is ~120 miles, I thought it would take 2 hours or so but it actually took 4 hours! You are basically taking a small 2 lane highway throughout the entire trip so you are probably averaging ~50mphs. About every 5-10 minutes the highway puts you through a small town where you slow to a crawl through the roundabouts. So yah, factor in 8 hours of driving round trip. This is a big race track with plenty of seating and lots of facilities. Vendors are set up a round the race track when it's a race weekend. I believe if you go through the Museum you can pay to walk the track? You can also drive on the track if you go through the Porsche Experience Center. If you don't want to pay you can still pretty much drive the entire track with your own car as much of it is on public roads.

I am coming over to Le Mans with friends from CANADA every two years and I must say I am quite…read moreimpressed with the event an the organization around it, for an event that hosts more than 200,000 visitors every years they really know what they are doing and the 100+ permanent staff that work all year round (rest must be temps) are doing a fantastic job. There are also many events with the France Air Force making a show before the start, helicopters and of course race cars....Since there are so many topics to review I have tried to brake it down into these following categories: I won't talk so much about the racing context but it is a great event, better than F1 if you ask me. ******************* *Accommodation: * ******************** We were camping at the Épinette site and it's as clean as camping can be. Always a line up for showers at rush hours but that's to be expected and if you time it well then you find ways around it. ************* * Le Mans : * ************* I came here for the second time with cooperating weather and I must say that it is a very nice city very interesting scenery for North Americans when wandering around the cobblestones streets in the middle of these very old but well maintained buildings which have a very specific style. Lots of small restaurants with terrasses and festive atmosphere, I must say the town becomes and big party. Whilst if you are not an automotive amateur the track isn't for you, you can easily enjoy the party atmosphere of the town even if you hate cars. ******************* * Transportation: * ******************* I arrived by train to Le Mans, always a pleasure to take the TGW, from the moment you get out of the train you are welcome by either people or a booth that tells you how to take the tram to the circuit and sells you tickets. The three days pass for 10 euros being the most popular if you ask me. Then the tram, yes it is a tram but: while it takes you between 20 and 30min to go to the track, portions of it has grass on the track itself and somehow that adds a plus to the experience. Plus houses along the line to the track (Antarès), are renovated for the most part. Overall that makes it a nice experience even though it's just a tram. ********** * Circuit: * *********** 1_ washroom and showers For men, expect a line up there are no ways around it. Woman will enjoy the privilege of being woman :o) hygiene isn't bad for a track, remember more than 200,000 visitors.... 2_ food Where you would expect french fries and hot dogs (on a track) you will be surprised with dishes such as jarret de porcs, porc effiloché burgers and others. Honestly you can eat fairly well on the track. Maybe this won't be paradise for gluten allergics not vegetarians but you will find options. 3_ wifi Wifi was available at some parts of the track which was quite enjoyable during down times. 4_ staff atmosphere Always smiling and welcoming (which isn't a standard in France, and I can say this as I am french). Even though this represent a long event for them they are very professional.

From the owner: Le Bowling du Mans vous propose 26 pistes synthétiques, homologuées par la fédération française du…read morebowling.Ouvert tous les jours 7/7 à partir de 14h00, Vendredi soir et Samedi soir, c'est Magic Bowling, un jeu de lumières et une musique dynamique donnant une autre ambiance au lieu. En plus de ses 26 pistes synthétiques, le bowling dispose également d'un bar, d'un snack et d'une salle de 11 billards, snookers anglais, américains, babyfoot, jeux de basket et flippers ,jeux de hockey pour passer un agréable moment en toute convivialité entre amis ou en famille. Nous disposons également de pistes adaptées aux plus jeunes dès 3 ans. Tarif enfant jusqu'à 12 ans 4,00 €/partie +1,00 € location de chaussure. Adulte 5,00 € ou 6,00 € la partie selon le moment dans la journée + 1,00 € location de chaussure. Formules de restauration groupe et anniversaires, organisation de séminaires, tournois, buffet et apéritifs dînatoire.

Everything about the 24 Hours of Le Mans is overwhelming and wonderful…read more There are crowds, but you deal with it because it's worth it. Traveling anywhere by car within the circuit is almost an exercise in futility given how slammed the interior roads get. Cart/car shuttles around the paddock area aren't bad since they know all the ways around, but learn to love to walk, particularly if you head out to the campsites. The race itself? Beyond worth it. It's a bucket-list experience for good reason. The cars are so good that it's a nail-biter to the very end each year now, and that's unbelievable when you remember that they have to last for a continuous day's worth of racing. I can't think of a series that's more exciting, interesting, or wonderful than the World Endurance Championship right now. The technology is insane, and more cutting-edge than F1 at the moment. Le Mans is their big race, attracting one-off participants from nearly every form of racing in the world. I have to cover a little bit of everything for work, but this is the series that I can zone out to for hours upon end more so than any of the others. Shhh. Go away. The 6 Hours Of "Go Away" is on. Le Mans is four times that length, and similarly impossible to know when to take a nap/pee break/food break during. The support races rule, too. Aston Martins! Classics! If you don't ooh and aah at the classic race, you have no soul. It's a celebration of everything that's fabulous on wheels. [Full disclosure: I went as one of Nissan's guests to look at their thoroughly insane work-in-progress: the GT-R LM Nismo. I'd be writing the same things if I paid my own way, though. It's Le Mans, dang it. When the rules for the top class actually allow a front-wheel-drive nutcase of a car to race, you know you have a cool series that promotes weird, out-of-the-box thinking. That's the kind of stuff I like seeing: Porsche's so-called "cheater wing" that cleverly worked around the rules for this year, the Chaparral 2F, the Garage 56 entries, etc., etc.] Go to Le Mans. Stop making excuses. Start hoarding money. Figure out how to go. And gooooo. It's a must-see experience for anyone who loves motorsport.

From the owner: Pour que votre évènement soit à la hauteur de vos attentes, tout l'aco se met à votre service,…read morequ'il s'agisse des chargés d'événements, des équipes administration, technique, sécurité, qualité, développement commercial et marketing. Ainsi, à l'image des pilotes et ingénieurs qui affrontent 24 heures de course sur le circuit du mans, toute l'équipe business event aime relever les défis de ses clients les plus exigeants. De 10 à 1000 personnes, offrez à vos invités un évènement inoubliable dans un lieu empreint de magie et aux activités exceptionnelles.   bénéficiez de l'expérience, du savoir-faire et des activités de l'aco, créateur et organisateur des 24 heures du mans. Dans les traces des pilotes légendaires, des marques prestigieuses, l'aco vous propose un large éventail d'activités au cœur du site de la plus belle course d'endurance au monde, pour faire vivre à vos invités des moments intenses et riches en émotions. Venez visiter le circuit toute l'année soit en individuel à partir