Well, I almost missed this one.
Last year I took several trains to get to Gare Leone (SP?) in western Paris, then got on two Metros to get to Gare Montparnasse. I warn you that the walking from the Metro Station to the TGV at Montparnasse 2was one long walk if you have two large bags of luggage as I did last year. I thought I was going to die right there. Several flights of stairs, no elevators or escalators very long walk. Lesson--take a cab to the front door. Montparnasse station is really two train stations with a very long corridor between them, one for Metro and one for the Grand Trains Mont 2-the one to Le Mans. Make sure the train numbers match up, you won't see a train that say Le Mans because it's some town past Le Mans that will be on the big arrive/departure sign.
As to the radio. Take one that has variable tuning not one with a digital tuning or read out. The frequencies in the US and Europe don't match. So you need to tune in the the station. A digital tuner does not allow you to tune to the "off frequency" signal like and a variable tuner does. Most of these are the old fashioned type.
Take ear plugs and if you have ever been to a race before, you already know that. Flashlight. Snacks and water can be gotten at the circuit.
Be sure to remember take your own toilet paper and some sun screen. The nights are like northern California at least they were last year. Days do get warm. You will need a good sleeping bag down to 30-40 degrees or so. It won't get that cold but you'll need that to be comfortable at 3:00AM when you go to get a little sleep.
I will assure that that the hospitality of the CA guys is first class in every respect. It is like a brotherhood of folks who love racing and having a great time together. Genuinely nice people.
I will be flying into the CDG airport in Paris on Thursday and taking a train from there to Le Mans and back to the airport on Sunday evening after the race. It will be a little tight on schedule for you to be back by 6. The race ends at 4 and the crowds are dispursing after the winners ceremony. You may miss that. My train leaves at 8 so I have more time than you.
Send me your email and I will respond with a story about last year. I promise you that you will have an experience like no other. There are no words to describe the whole deal, you just have to experience it to understand.
johnevans3
