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If you want a decent forecast nearer departure time, instead of the rubbish peddled on the telly, try this link:

http://www.phd.nl/aviation/wx/

It's a European aviation weather website and the most useful maps are the Met Office and USAF surface analysis maps (up to 120 hrs in advance - that's 5 days ahead for the mathematically challenged) or the surface precipitation rate chart which runs out to 6 days in advance.   Very useful and accurate - I checked the forcast using this site for the 2001 race and when I left UK (and internet access) on the Wednesday morning, it was predicting the first arrival of rain on mid-late afternoon on the Saturday....

Booked on the Portsmouth-Caen crossing on Tuesday night - Green MGA Coupe

Guys - try the GPMA (Grand Prix Modelling Association) group at Yahoo (sorry can't give you the link at the moment because the computer at work bars access to Yahoo, but I think it is http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gpma).   Its a  bunch of guys (and a few ladies) located worldwide who are into scale modelling of racing cars, with a particular emphasis on gt and endurance racers - try joining the group and asking for any information concerning the cars - these guys have a serious amount of reference material and knowledge, so a request may well  throw up some pictures or other information.

Andy - I am only guessing, but I would imagine (and am hoping) that as the ACO have said they will be on the outside of the circuit, that these new stands will go on what is left of the the old fairground area since the circuit change there last year; the area amongst the trees is probably too hilly to put up temporary stands - I agree that it is one of the best and most atmospheric areas up there and along the stretch to Tetre Rouge since the fun police started in earnest with catch fencing and layout changes over the last 8 years or so, particularly since last years change to the Arnage viewing area.   With the removal of the earth banking last year at the trackside bit of Karting Nord, I suspect that it won't be long before the hospitality stands start extending down that way as well.    

Waiting for any answers form anyone in the know about the stands.   Are you trying to get just race tickets or campsite tickets as well.   If the former, then they can be obtained in any event on the day at the gate at face value.   If you are trying for campsite tickets this near the race via the ACO, you may well find you are out of luck, even if you do get through; try the sell or swap forum as well.

Which one? The truck or the McLaren?   If the latter, then it really would also need a towbar for a caravan.....

Why bother with a beer barrel, when you could go for this....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2415429236&category=6472

particularly if you get a mate to drive that, whilst you go in this........

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2415428986&category=6472

If it is because they want to be patriotic (rather then using some nondescript Italian thing), then one of Lord Nuffield's best has been suitably prepared to produce that silky smooth 6-cylinder exhaust note.........(and its got a good load bed for the supermarket run!)

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2414857224&category=31361

You cracked the code! And there was me thinking it could be a gallic "stuff the english", or "ferry workers - we strike tonight".   Nothing so exciting I'm afraid - just the way that the the copy and paste function transferred it from the ACO site to this one, without me noticing it before hitting the post button.   Mind you, with the bizarre way that the ACO work, it wouldn't surprise me if there was still some fragment of secret code in there - either that or it was just the ACO PR crew wetting themselves with excitement at the prospect of us all being overcome with emotion at them so thoughtfully providing more facilities for our comfort.........

Just seen on the ACO site the announcement of new grandstands at the Esses - text is copied as follows to save looking it up (try not to laugh too much at the bulls**t PR hype:

 "Forever anxious to improve the level of welcome and comfort of its spectators, the Automobile Club de l’Ouest will be setting up two new open grandstands which can be dismantled, at the entry to the ESSES of the Tertre Rouge.  Located outside the track, these two grandstands, the seats of which will be on sale at €77, will offer an unrestricted view of the best spots of the circuit: the Dunlop descent, the Chapel Corner and the entry into the ESSES of the Tertre Rouge.   Incomparable visibility, the guarantee of seeing the cars overtaking and braking… that’s what should delight a great many fans of the “24 Heures du Mans”.

Anyone know any more details?   Does this spell the end of one of the best free general viewing areas?