2025 Experience

[Kev_mk3]

How was it for you?

Good Points? Bad Points? Observations?

[Bonio]

All good this year.

With the usual crowd in BJS and watched from the curves for a good part. Did go up to Tet Rouge for the start and a bit put off with all the new pedestrian bridges. After the start we went for a few beerio in Tet Rouge bar for old times sake then a stroll back to camp site via the big bar in the village. More toilets now, so no infamous wall of pee to go against.

Lots of beer and curry for the week and good company.

[Lawnmower Man]

We stayed on Épinettes.  It's quite a trek in to the Tribunes heat from there especially in the brutal heat on Wednesday and Thursday. But stoppiing off at DFH  & Team Le Mans Zone made it tolerable.   
I think the ACO have sorted out there IT issues.  The ticket app worked flawlessly.  Though I know some people had an issue getting in to Épinettes as they lost their network at the gate. 
Traffic getting to and from the supermakets was not really a problem.  On a couple of occasions there was a hold up where I the car didn't have the correct ticket and so entered into a long discussion withthe guy on the gate and thus holding up all the traffic.
The installation of the foot bridges helped the traffic flow I think.

If only they would re-open Bleu Nord Camping.

[Radar]

Used to be a regular, from 1998 to 2018 but hadn't been since. A lot has changed - at the circuit itself and around.

The bad:
You used to be able to buy a ticket at the gate. Fat chance of that now.
The wholly ineffective security on the gate and the closure of the Terre Rouge entry is just annoying. Can't take beers in with you any more, and it's 8 Euros a pint inside.
*Massive* crowds around the essses at the start.
Friday's a bit dull now. I can remember the days when people would line up their cars at Indianapolis and Hunaudieres, and you could wander around with a beer meeting fellow car nuts. Now the only people you see on the circuit are cyclists and...joggers?!


The good:
Whatever you think about BoP etc, the hypercars look awesome (especially the Valkyrie) and they sound decent was well - rumbling Caddy v screaming Aston.
Watching at the Esses and Tertre Rouge at 2am is still mind-blowing. Nothing else in motorsport comes close.
Food on offer at Hunaudieres has improved, even if getting there has become trickier!
A big thank you to Zak Brown who cheerfully did a selfie with my lad after we bumped into him and his guests.