Club Arnage

I've just had a call from our advance party, and it seems they're having a few problems...
The Zoning on MB is being enforced with vim and vigour, they've almost been kicked out. Not only are the lovely officials physically pulling up tents and gazebos if they're in the wrong zone, they're also making people stick to the white lined pitches, and you can't reserve any for your mates either. They've tried bribery and corruption, all to no avail.
I predict a riot....
H
 

Now that doesn't sound funny >:(
Any other reports?

Are they ok with reserveing space if you have the tickets?
That is if you have three  cars and 6 Passes? 

t,

I will call Paddy or Langtall in a minute and post an update!

H

Looks like we're out in the boonies then mate...

Nurofen

Hopefully we won't have any of this 'red tape' shenannigans on BSJ... >:(

It's probably easy to enforce this with the few early birds. But once there's a long queue to get in and they're overun by the awkward squad I predict the whole thing will collapse. And anyway, provided you have the tickets, why can't you reserve space for your pals? They'll never get away with it!

If you've got the passes, regardless of whether or not the vehicles are there yet, then I don't see how they can prevent you taking up the appropriate space.

If, however, you are camping in a different zone to your ticket then it would seem you don't have a leg to stand on.

The situation where people are trying to save space for people but they don't have the tickets might be a bit more tricky

Just had a call with Langtall, so far so good. They are saving space for Delboy and JPC, the ACO are giving them a hard time, but with the invoices they have with them,they seem to bugger off. They will try to defend it with their live. They are enforcing the white     lines,marking the pitches. They have made "security zones between pitches, leaving less space then usual. For instance, our pitch is divided into 2, with a road in between, this is their so called security zone. I guess they are enforcing it this year to see how it goes, so when next year comes (with marked and numbered pitches) they have an idea if the system works. Probably come thursday, it will be anarchy and everyone will just do whatever they like and they will give up the enforcement ;D

Thanks for the update Knetter, lets see what it's like on Wednesday lunch time ;D

No probs for us.  Two tickets and one car - put up the tents in the two pitches and left - we were asked to show the tickets to prove we had paid for two spaces but that was all. Seemed fair enough to me although the big tent (6 person) and the car were a squash!  But at least there are good access roads between all the plots so you can drive in and out.

At least the late arrivals should get a space in the site they paid for !

Report from Wishy,

According to our man in the field, the guys who are checking the tickets/passes are like heavy bouncers, with zero sense of humour. :( - seems being empolyed by the ACO.

Theyu are checking the zoning of the tickets with vigour (poor vigour). There seems no tolenance, what ever zone you are in thats the only section you can be in!

They are being strick on pitch sizes as well.

I think we don't have to worry about Friday, looks like it could be bl**dy rediculous Wed/Thur/Fri and god knows what Sat (with late arrivals and tickets) is going to be like.

Like H said

If the space police carry on their work then there should be space even for late arrivals,

IF the ACO have sold the right number of tickets for each zone.

It would seem logical that they know who many pitches per zone, however we are talking about the ACO, who work in mysterious ways ;)

come thursday it will be so busy, they won't know were to start enforcing space allocation and of course everybody will just park wherever it is possible.

And hopefully Bleu wont be like this.

As werner said earlier - Bleu. Its the new white..

Can anyone confirm the size of the white lined pitches??

Nurofen

True Phil, and Houx Annexe will be the new building site  :'(

The marked out pitches shuodl be 35sqM.

t,

Goody, I'll buy some extra eggs to throw at them  ;)

If they are true "bouncers" they'll be strong in the arm and thick in the head; we'll be able to run rings round these people, their lives will be made a misery!  :D

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Goody, I'll buy some extra eggs to throw at them  ;)

If they are true "bouncers" they'll be strong in the arm and thick in the head; we'll be able to run rings round these people, their lives will be made a misery!  :D
[/quote]

Fighting talk Andy  ;D

I thought the pitches were supposed to be 7 x 5m, however, I spoke with a mate who arrived yesterday and he says the pitches vary greatly in size.  MB has been superb for years, only the ACO could try to regiment it (have they a new German director??).

are they scanning in and out yet?? or are the barcodes a front until next year?

I can see the fun taking the tickets off the mirror to scan ;D

Last update directly from Paddy.

They are checking furiously on the zoning. A couple who were in the wrong zone, B instead of E, had to breakup their tents and move to the right zone. Also it is not nearly as busy as it was last year. People are just trickling in. Last year on tuesday the place was packed, at least the front part of the site, maybe lots of the early arrivers are in zone D and E now. They also wanted some explanation about why we were building a stage and erected a truss system (to put lights and speakers on), Paddy had to explain we are having a party, and we do not sell beer and blablabla. They are still reserving space for Delboy and JPC, with the invoices they have, they do not bother them about that anymore (so far). It looks to Paddy that there is three times more security on site then last year.

Spaces are all 35 sqM, so spacewise everybody gets the same amount, spaces do not vary as had been said earlier on in this topic. I have to get overthere, they already finished three kegs!!!

What are you doing in front of a computer, Roy?

Whaaaaaaattttt?

I won't be there until friday afternoon. Does this mean I have to stop at Carrefour on the way?  :(

It will be interesting to see if the additional security results in no Pikies getting on the sites!!

I was just thinking that! Great minds jp!

The ACO have probably issued special picky tickets for sunday........

Still behind a computer because I have to work for a living >:( wish I was there already, but soon, very soon. I am leaving tomorrow night at 10 pm, so should arrive somewhere 6 am on thursday. Right on time to start cooking breakfast and having a beer or two ;D

So has anyone arriving after thier advance party successfully got into MB?

If they have their camping ticket, that could me they get issued another plot whereas their party already has one on the strength of their invoice? If they rely on just their general entrance ticket, that shouldn't allow access to the campsite for the vehicle?

Our first cars arrive Weds night and another on Thursday (zone A) so any updates would be appreciated.

Confused and confudled before the beer ??? ???

Rich

Not to worry, if the first party has an invoice with them, their fine. You can safe space for your mates arriving late. Even without an invoice, one plot surely is no problemo. Spaces are not issued, it is still first come first served. Don't know for how long that will be. Only general admission gets you on MB, but not your vehicle!

I'm really hoping that we can squeeze 2 x 3 man tents, 1 x 4 man tent, 1 x 2 man tent and gazebo onto the pitch with the car?!?!?!  ???

What happened to 1 x vehicle pass regardless of if you had 1 per car/mini bus/truck load of people and tents??  Seems a shame that the ACO didn't make their intentions clear from the start (size of pitch etc) so as everyone could prepare. 

Hey Vicky, not in Le Mans yet?

Why so many tents, you are with only 4 people arent you?
Maybe we can drop rowena in Sander's tent? ;D

Anyway, see you there, tomorrow, I am heading out tonight at 10, should arrive at about 4 am.

I think you will find that there has always been a limit of 35 sqm its just that they havn't been policing it before. The camping pass does allow 1 vehicle with as many people as the vehicle will legally carry, however it is your responsibility to ensure that you can all fit into the 35 sqm. If you need more space then you get extra passes as per the DfH guys who purchase way more passes than they have vehicles.

Well you're wrong there, R8K DJ.  The pitch sizes are, and have been for some years, 35 square meters (room for one car and a tent for four people).  The fact that some people took much more than that - so that late comers got shunted onto other sites which they did not want - has led to the ACO mark out pitches to avoid the annual Friday evening riot, when disgruntled customers who had reserved spaces, found that there were none - due to the selfishness of a small minority of early arrivals.  What's happened this year is the inevitable result of this self centred attitude.  Your ticket entitles you to 35 square meters.  That's it. No you won't get 12 people into a four man pitch.

Actually, we have more vehicles than we have passes this year, but we solved that problem with parking rouge tickets and if all else fails, some cars will have to go to Beausejour for the weekend. We have 10 passes this year, enough space, but we already decided to go for 15 tickets next year, it only seems fair to have that many, considering the big setup we take with us. On the other hand, most of MB will enjoy our hospitality, so if we take slightly more space than we are entitled to, most people don't mind that much.

Bang on Knetter, MB wouldn't be the same without you.

Let the ACO do their worst.

Doug

Roy

Do you know if Swans still needs another MB ticket?

We're on the overnight ferry tonight - the same as JPC and co (god help us! could be a long and merry journey).  We should arrive before mid day tomorrow.  We've got four tents (like last year) because it's been so hot in previous years and we like our space  ;D .

Big G + termietermite, I actually wasn't aware of the pitch sizes in previous years and I certainly appreciate that people with large parties should aquire enough passes to cover their large areas/numbers.  DfH/JPC are great at this.  That said, I wont be too happy if my group of four can't set up a comfortable camp with our 1 x car on the pitch for the long weekend...  35sqm should be plenty though, shouldn't it???  Tough luck now i guess.  We will see how it goes this year, one thing is for sure it wont ruin my weekend!!!   ;D   Maybe just make things different in future especially for smaller groups on a budget.

I'm finding it SOOOOO difficult to concentrate on work today............   :P

Do not know, you still have a zone B?

Yes he does!!!  Thought I'd told you that? Or were you p**sed  ;)

Me too, al revved up to get going. Weather wise it is going to be rain on and off and much cooler temps then last year, so you could huddle up. That said, you have Rowena with you and she will be hot for sure, but only very locally ;D Next year just come and join our group, we have plenty of space next year with the 15 tickets. This year we have 11, I was mistaken with the 10 I said earlier. JPC and Delboy are still in good shape. The security guards :police: do not bother DFH anymore. Never underestimate the power of beer ;D They regularly strole over, remove their security vests, have a beer and go on with their work.  ;D

Why does swans need one, we have 11 already??

Presumably that is except those who wanted a camping space for camping on but can't get one because you have bagged loads of them  >:(

He has a "friend" that needs one, so she will be in a camper van in Zone E!

Oh it's for a "friend" is it.

OK Roy you have held down the fort long enough, you must feel like that guy that gets left to hold the pass while everyone escapes. Run and run fast, enjoy the race and the beer, especially the beer. Did I mention, making plans for LeMans 08.

Why do you think he's been trying so hard to get one!!  ;)

What? A friend?

On Wednesday afternoon my mate got into MB with a photocopy of the camping pass. He was allowed to take his car in unload and reserve two spaces for us as we were arriving later, then take car out and park outside. Obviously the gestapo weren't looking after our area as we then parked our two cars in the firebreak at the end of the run so we had more room on the pitch.

Also pretty strict ruling on BSJ.
Not only that danish K-Rejser taking up the whole first part of it but also marked pitches when we arrived on wednesday 0330.
It already looked small and during our buildup we could see the Securité measuring the pitches further down - by foot!!!
I guess our pitch was only 6x4,5m but as our british neighbours came with a camping car it was no problem to move the barrier tape used to mark the pitches (asked the lads before of course)

Also huge thanks to the Sec's for not mentioning the huge ditch when leading me to our pitch. (it was dark) In the very last second he showed the stop signal - f'in....
The warning sign laid flat in that ditch the whole weekend...

If you have BSJ, don't come later than wednesday noon or you'll walk for ages until you reach the road at the campsite gantry.
I'll order my tickets tomorrow - probably 4 without knowing if any of us can make it.
I don't want to be on BSJ again - it was nice in 2006 on the first part, but if that is taken again by the Danish it's a disaster to be there

I'm very sorry sir for getting from the ACO what we asked them for.

The ACO have published details of the pitch size per pass on the .pdf that is on their website and gives details of sites, prices etc. for the last few years.  What else do you want them to do?    The size of pitch per pass didn't change with zoning, it was the same as it had been for the last few years although in previous years they haven't enforced it very well. 

You'll find most people consider one pass for a truckload of people to be taking the piss slightly...

As said by LT, we took about 10 to 11 spaces. As for our pitch with the Friday concert, we were very happy with the road in the middle. Without it we would have had to comprimise big time...

As far as oldtimer comments goes;

He did not see that we actually made sure that in the end the unused spaced in our area was actually used by other people to pitch a tent in. Seems unfair to most that we have a large open area in the middle, to bad they do not realize we pay for the whole thing.

As far as I understood oldtimer he was complaining about us having a higher amount of tickets, not specifically the pitchsize. If I misunderstood him, I'm sorry for that.

Big H,

Saw you at DfH party and realised forgot 'crispy score' for your ride.

PM me your address and I'll post it, or can I PayPall it?

Jerry

We were on BSJ for the third year this year, but no more. Arrived 3.30 thursday morning, directed down to a field where we did not want to be. Will have to have a meeting to decide where we should go next year!

It should also be stated that between us (DfH, JPC, Rick & myself) we had nearly 30 tickets, and any spare 'pitch' space was pooled for the stage/bar etc.  Also, much of the space used around the compound was not allocated or marked out as pitches - in some areas (eg alongside the road) the ground is unsuitable for a 7x5 pitch.  This was used for sleeping tents and car parking, leaving the actual pitches on the level bit for the bar.  And as Paddy has already said, the 'roadway' thru the compound was taken over for the party.

Many thanks to DfH for repelling all boarders to the space they reserved for us, and for all the hospitality.  We did in fact let one group of outsiders squeeze in - mainly to appease the ACO security guys - even they went away happy!!

Del

I was more disgusted by the pathetic display of abuse of space shown by the peugeot parc next to the entrance to MB...what a waste of good campingplaces...

Just like to add an interesting issue to this (well interesting to me  :-\ ).

We were on MB in zone C with 3 passes and 3 cars. On Friday at about 1pm we were approached by a controller and asked to move our tents around so that someone else could squeeze onto one of our plots. First off, I find it quite funny that anytime I need something from the controllers none of them seem to be able to speak English (my fault for not knowing enough French really), but when they wanted me to move, several of them were very fluent in our mother tongue  :P

Anyway, I was quite happy to oblige, as long as they were prepared to refund me for the ticket that was going to be effectively used again. It was at this point they decided that I did not need to move anything afterall  ::)

Cheeky Buggers.

Does that give you the indication that the current 35m2 will be reduced for 08?

We placed our tents close together to give us extra 'social room'. They even paced it out and we were still less than our allotted space.

Jerry