Wasn't always like that.  In the late '60s and early '70s I used to make the pilgrimage to Thruxton every year on Easter Monday.
I remember sitting in a stand at Village where you could virtually look down into the cockpits of Rindt - the F2 master there, Stewart, Hill et al drifting through the bend. Magic!!

No rear belts, and it's MOTd every year for the last six years.
First registered in Rome 1983, but is not the late 1983 model - has inboard front brakes and discs all round.

French speakers amonst you may find this site interesting - NOT guaranteed exhaustive!!

http://205.gti.club.pts.free.fr/radars/radars_fiche_01.htm

This is a complete myth. It originated from the fact that the gendarmerie are very prone to placing traps close to major toll "stations" - the ones that cover the whole motorway. So there is often a "reception committee" for naughty boys and girls at the toll. I know, I see the traps (various methods - always well hidden, and now they're using lazer equipment linked to binoculars) all the time.
I first heared the "ticket timing" theory in 1974 and have yet to find anyone who has been caught by that method.  They are already there to get you before you produce your ticket.  So stopping for a coffee between tolls will not reduce your chances of a speeding fine>
Have fun.

True, except that open road = dual carriageway.
Two-way roads (like most of the N138 Rouen-Alecon-Le Mans road) have a limit of 90 kph - about 56 mph.

Dunno, about half UK limit is a rough answer, but penalties are on a sliding scale. Answer is don't risk it, but two small beers should be OK.
Limit has not yet been lowered, so far there's talk of much heavier penaltes - and they can already be heavy. This is all a result of the relatively new macho right wing government. Note how they crushed a lorry drivers strike a few months ago, just by threatening to confiscating the drivers licences if they blocked any roads. No change in the law, just a new attitude.

I was planning on starting a tread on this theme tonight. JPC beat me to it.
There is a very definite crackdown on speeding, crossing white lines and drink driving. There are several new toys at the gendarmes disposal to catch you speeding, most of them virtually undetectable. Spot checks for alcohol are becoming more common and Brits are no longer just waved on through.
Fines are rumoured to have been hiked by a factor of five.
I have an idea that they will be waiting for us Brits on the new A28 and the N138.
Have fun, all of you, but keep your eyes open and take it easy. A few kph over the limit on the open road will probably be ignored, but don't forget that the limit on two way roads is about 56 mph.

Can't help, I'm afraid, since I live 3 hours from LM. But don't forget the train. There's a 50 quid return promotion on at the moment Eurostar Paris/Lille-London, and it's possible to book each half separately. So if the Promo doesn't work from your end, try

http://www.voyages-sncf.com

Trains from Paris to LM are fast, clean, run on time and are cheaper than the UK variety. It's a pleasure to travel on them.

There's a direct train Lille-LM 14.49, gets to LM 17.18 - yes really!!

Last year Aco set up an extra "expanding" campsite in the Blue car park. I'm sure they'll do that again this year. Don't panic!

The ACO on-line booking was working perfectly this afternoon and seats are still available. But a call to the nice ladies at the booking office will probably be the best idea.

They are called tribunes because that's the French for grandstands. Just as stands are pits.
The big covered stand over the pits is Tribune 12.

Velo tous-terrain = Mountain bike

Funny you should say that - I had the same thought on the way to my local supermarket today. Yes Gilles, you certainly have the capability! Now we have to decde what needs to be on the map!

Bless you it was me. Got shafted by concessionaire last year, who stuck me in the wilderness where nobody could find me. Shame, we were showing Steve McQueen's Le Mans! Plus the bacon butties and cuppas.
I now work for a French historic car magazine and have press accreditation. So won't be doing any catering!
Always ready to meet up at LM, particularly Friday night in the old town. Already dining with Gilles and Powermite after the parade. So keep in touch. Drop me an email if you feel like it.
Have fun!