Tag Archives: 2016

Le Mans Classic Returns

29th June 2016

Former winners return to Le Mans

The Le Mans Classic returns from the 8th – 10th July giving spectators a unique opportunity to see the cars that took part in the Le Mans 24 Hours between 1923 and 1993 back racing at La Sarthe. It is not only the cars that are returning, as many famous drivers also use the Le Mans Classic to get back behind the wheel.

Of the nine former winners down to drive, the man with the highest number of victories is Emanuele Pirro, five-time winner of the race with Audi (2000, 2001, 2002, 2006 and 2007). The popular Italian has been a regular member of the Peter Auto grids and in the Le Mans Classic he will be driving an Alfa Romeo T33/3 (1969), a Lola T290 (1972) and a Lancia Beta Gr.V (1979). Out on the track he may come across his former team-mate, Marco Werner, three-time winner of the Le Mans 24 Hours, who is also entered to drive three different cars: a Lotus IX (1955), a Maserati T63 Birdcage (1961) and a Maserati A6 GCS Barchetta (1954). The most recent winner is current works Porsche driver Romain Dumas who won at Le Mans just a few weeks ago in the Porsche 919. This time he will compete in the Group C grid with a Porsche 962C.

In homage to his father Jean-Pierre who died last year, Julien Beltoise will race in grid 6 with Henri Pescarolo (who still holds the record for the highest number of races; 33) in the same Inaltera that he drove with Jean-Pierre in 1976. Another driver who spearheaded the Matra attack in the early 70s, Gérard Larrousse, the current president of the Drivers’ Club, is back at the wheel of a Porsche 550 Spyder (1958). Eric Hélary, a hero of Peugeot’s historic triple in 1993 will share his time between a Chevrolet Corvette C3 (1970), a Lancia Beta Gr.V (1979) and an Alfa Romeo T 33 TT (1971).

British driver Andy Wallace, who won the race in 1988 in a Jaguar, remains faithful to the make as he will be at the wheel of a D-Type (1955). The Englishman is among the drivers who have raced in the event on multiple occasions with 19 starts. But his former team-mate in 1988 Jan Lammers from Holland, entered in an Austin Healey 3000, has racked up more starts than Wallace as he has 22 to his name. Emmanuel Collard has also reached this number after just competing the Le Mans 24 Hours for the 22nd time this year. At Le Mans Classic he will be tackling the long circuit in a Porsche 908/3 (1971) and a 911 Turbo RSR (1974).

Other outright winners Jochen Mass (1989) and Gijs van Lennep (1971 and 1976) are back in a De Tomaso Pantera Gr. IV (1971), a Porsche 911 RSR 3L (1974) and a Porsche 908 LH (1968) respectively. A number of class winners will also be on the grid including Casper Elgaard, first in the LMP2 category in 2009, in a 1964 Porsche 904 as well as John Fitzpatrick, Ralf Kelleners and Uwe Alzen, all victorious at the wheel of Porsche 911s (1975, 1996 and 1999 respectively), who remain faithful to the Stuttgart make. Double Grand Touring winner, Raymond Narac, is at the wheel of a prototype, a Group C Porsche 962 (1987).

Many other well-know figures who have raced in the Le Mans 24 Hours are also expected such as David Halliday (BMW 3.0 CSL), Jean Ragnotti (Alpine M 65, Renault Alpine A443), Paul Belmondo (Ford GT 40), Chris Mac Allister, Eric De Doncker, Gareth Evans, Roald Goethe, Lucien Guitteny, Stuart Hall, Sam Hancock, David Hart, Hans Hugenholtz, Wolfgang Kaufmann, Patrice Lafargue, Franck Lagorce, Michel Lecourt, Erik Maris, Jean-Marc Merlin, Jacques Nicolet, Martin O’Connell, François Perrodo, Christian Pescatori, Frédéric Da Rocha, Lucien Rossiaud, Alain Serpaggi, John Sheldon, Pierre de Thoisy and more. It promises to be quite a reunion.

The Le Mans Classic takes place on the full Le Mans circuit from the 8th – 10th July. Travel Destinations are official agents for the Le Mans Classic and are proud to have been looking after spectators at the circuit since its inception, offering private trackside camping, pre-erected glamping tents, and our Flexotel Village cabins all on the circuit. For late bookings for the 2016 Le Mans Classic please call 0844 873 0203.

Le Mans News

Countdown to Le Mans; Part 2

11th May 2016

Five Talking Points post FIA WEC 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps

The second round of the FIA World Endurance Championship took place last weekend at Spa-Francorchamps. With the next round being the Le Mans 24 Hours, Stephen Kilbey continues our Le Mans 2016 previews by taking a look at 5 important things that we learned from Spa.

LMP1 reliability
What a race. Seldom do you see a race of attrition like the one at Spa last weekend in the modern era of sportscar racing. The only LMP1 factory car that had a clean run was the winning No.8 Audi – which ironically suffered a terminal mechanical failure at Silverstone. The tales of woe up front have shaken up the championship and left Audi, Porsche and Toyota with a selection of huge question marks concerning reliability ahead of Le Mans next month. Were Toyota’s engine issues a fluke? Can Porsche prevent further gearbox issues? And can Audi’s new R18 handle a 24-hour battering? Honestly, nobody knows at this point.

What does it mean? Well, the third cars – absent at this year’s race for Audi and Porsche as part of the VW emission scandal backlash – may be missed more than ever. Importantly, Rebellion Racing could quite feasibly sneak a podium or even a win if the race turns into a real meltdown for the front runners. With Porsche pushing the envelope on a proven car, and Audi and Toyota still developing brand new ones, brace yourselves for a drama-filled Le Mans.

Toyota is back!
After a really difficult 2015, finishing behind Audi and Porsche at every race, it was extremely encouraging to see them back up the front and challenging for a win in the Ardennes. Being closer on pace, and able to double stint their tyres on the Spa-Francorchamps circuit put the No.5 TS050 in the lead for three hours before its engine expired. The incredible story from that though, was that the team got the car back out again for one final lap at the very end running on just hybrid power. It meant the No.5 crew finished classified, proved to themselves that it was possible to run the car without a working engine and score points; a real feat of engineering.

Toyota are by no means the favourites for Le Mans, (but who is now?) but the Japanese marque once again can consider itself a real contender again, which will hopefully translate into a three-way battle at Le Mans between the three hybrid-powered factory teams.

AF Corse set to dominate Pro?
The Ferrari 488 may be the newest of the new GTE cars, but it’s already filling in the WEC’s win-column, with the No.71 of Davide Rigon and Sam Bird standing atop the podium in both races so far in 2016. The sister car has had terrible luck though it must be noted, with engine failures costing it two wins and at Spa, a finish too.

That aside though, the car is clearly fast enough to win at Le Mans right away, as at Spa it was untouchable over a lap. Its long-distance reliability and a BoP hit by the ACO before the race are the only things that stand in AF Corse’s way of sweeping the first leg of the season.

The new GTE safety regulations are working
Both Stefan Mücke and Nicki Thiim’s incidents at Spa really showcased the new GTE safety rules in a very positive light. We’ve seen some sizable accidents in recent years at Le Mans, including Jan Magnussen’s event-ending crash at the Porsche Curves last time out, so to see both Thiim and Mücke’s escape without serious injury should be applauded. There have been enhancements made to the driver extraction system, (which can now be done through the roof) the cockpit includes a more regulated driving position and seat, and the drivers are surrounded by NASCAR-style netting and further protection around the helmet and shoulder area too. Fingers crossed then for the Le Mans 24hrs next month.

Manor has learnt the art of endurance racing very quickly
Manor’s WEC squad looked (as to be expected) like rookies at Silverstone, with multiple niggles and mistakes costing them a good result. At Spa though, they looked like any of the other experienced teams, and were on course for a win in the extremely competitive LMP2 field at one stage.

It has been fascinating seeing the ex-F1 crew make the switch, not only because they clearly all seem happier where they are now, but because they’re realizing publicly, just how tough it is to win a sportscar race. Nevertheless, Le Mans may not be as much of a mountain to climb for them as many had predicted before the start of the season.

Want to be at Le Mans 2016? Tickets and travel options are still available but selling out fast. Call the Travel Destinations team now on 0844 873 0203 to book your place now!

Written by Stephen Kilbey exclusively for Travel Destinations
Photography by Dailysportscar

Le Mans News

Introducing the FIA WEC 2016

1st April 2016

The official prologue for the 2016 FIA World Endurance Championship took place over Easter weekend. This was the first chance for the public to see the new teams and cars in the flesh. Although little can be concluded from lap times at this stage, Stephen Kilbey from Dailysportscar, was trackside at Paul Ricard to give Travel Destinations a briefing on what to expect in the FIA WEC and at Le Mans 2016.

LMP1
Porsche, Audi and Toyota are all back for another season which is posed to be just as enthralling as last year. Each team will be entering 2 cars each in 2016, so there is a level playing field at the front of the grid.

Porsche has opted to tweak its 919 Hybrid for the new season and take lots of small steps in an attempt to improve on performance, and nullify the ACO’s new restrictions on fuel-flow imposed to slow all the LMP1 cars down.

Audi and Toyota meanwhile enter 2016 with entirely new packages. Both the new Audi R18 and the Toyota TS050 are very different to what the teams ran last year, and that’s very apparent not just aesthetically, with new liveries and noticeable aero developments, but also under the covers too. The gamble here is whether the new technology will be as reliable as the tweaked tried and tested formula adopted by Porsche. Porsche topped the time sheets at Paul Ricard, but both Audi and Toyota showed quick sector times, without needing to put them all together. Ultimately the first race at Silverstone will really show us what each car is capable of.

In the privateer subdivision, one of the two teams present – Rebellion Racing – makes a return with two R-Ones, in a very similar package to last season, but a very shiny new livery which up-close is extremely detailed and in some ways mesmerising. The ACO have promised to review this class to try and enable them to be more competitive moving forward. Perhaps Rebellion’s efforts and consistency over the last few years deserves more.

LMP2
There are plenty of new faces in the LMP2 class this year. This is probably the most difficult grid to predict with many similarly powered cars lining up alongside each other. G-Drive Racing, after winning the LMP2 Championship last season, have partnered up with Jota Sport to run a brand new Oreca 05, sporting the team’s standard eye-catching livery.

Aside from that, both Signatech Alpine and ex-F1 outfit Manor have also purchased Orecas for the new season. Alpine’s blue and orange looks just as good on a prototype with a roof, and Manor’s fresh look – conceived by team principal Graeme Lowdon – will certainly stand out in what promises to be a very competitive field.

RGR Morand’s very patriotic livery representing the re-branded team’s Mexican ties on the new Ligier is also one to look out for.
GTE Pro
Much like LMP1 class the GTE Pro grid is oozing manufacturer interest, and the addition of Ford is a testament to the class’ relevancy in global GT racing.

On the subject of Ford, Chip Ganassi Team UK’s pair of GTs look astonishing up close, and with some more development should be in the running for some results throughout the season having already run at Daytona and Sebring in the States this year.

Outside of the Ford’s new car on the grid, the well-established AF Corse squad are back with two brand new Ferrari 488 GTEs which promise to be in contention for the title right away. When has a Ferrari not been in the mix over the last few years?

Aston Martin Racing and Dempsey Proton Racing – Porsche’s only Pro representative this year – meanwhile have revised cars for the season. Aston martin’s Vantages are substantially more meaty in the rear diffuser department, and livery wise, after sporting Gulf colours since 2008, Aston Martin return to the team’s roots by running in a very smart (and British) green.

GTE Am
Although the Aston Martin’s will no longer be carrying the Gulf Oil branding, the famous colours won’t be missing from the grid, as European Le Mans Series graduates Gulf Racing UK are participating in the full FIA WEC season this year with their Porsche. It is certainly a striking car and sure to be a fan favourite.

Top to bottom, GTE Am’s foundations remain unchanged, although 2015 LMP2 runner-up KCMG are also set to run a Porsche in the 2016 FIA WEC championship.

As the clock ticks down to the start of the season at Silverstone from the 15th – 17th April, the work behind the scenes will be ramped up. The official prologue has certainly whetted the appetite for what is going to be another great endurance racing season.

The Le Mans 24 Hours remains the pinnacle in the endurance racing calendar and the jewel in the crown of the FIA World Endurance Championship. For those wishing to watch the racing live, travel, ticket and camping packages are still available from Official Agent Travel Destinations. Availability restrictions for certain areas apply, but it is still possible to reserve your place Le Mans 2016.

Travel Destinations also have exclusive offers to attend the FIA World Endurance Championship rounds at both Spa-Francorchamps and the Nurburgring. Visit our dedicated site for more information and the best prices or call Travel Destinations direct now on 0844 873 0203.

Le Mans News

Le Mans Tickets

11th August 2015

You can book your Le Mans tickets now through Travel Destinations. The confirmed dates for the Le Mans 24 Hours are the 18th & 19th June 2016. Prices will be published later this year but the 2015 prices will remain on this website to use as a guide. The Le Mans Classic dates are confirmed as the 8th – 10th July 2016. Prices for this event are already available on this website.

For many the search for the right Le Mans tickets can be confusing. A quick search of the web can provide many contradictory opinions on the best way to obtain Le Mans tickets and what are the best Le Mans tickets to have. With this in mind we take a simple look below at the different options available and try to answer many of the questions about Le Mans tickets that we get asked every year.

When should I book Le Mans tickets?
The Le Mans 24 Hours is attended by more than 250,000 people each year. Clearly there is a big demand for Le Mans tickets. Generally ticket prices are published in the autumn, but it is still possible to make a provisional reservation before then. Travel Destinations opens provisional reservations the day after the race. This enables those returning from this year’s race to repeat their reservation if they wish. Generally we recommend booking Le Mans tickets before Christmas if possible. This will give you the best choice of availability and you shouldn’t miss out on what you want. Of course Travel Destinations still make bookings right up until the week of the race, but availability will be restricted the closer we get to Le Mans.

What Le Mans tickets do I need?
A lot depends on what you want to do and see, but the minimum that you require is a general admission / entrance ticket (“Enceinte General”) for every person in your party. This allows you pedestrian access to all the public areas of the circuit. This includes the village area and the viewing banks and steps between Porsche Curves and the Tertre Rouge Corner. It also allows access to the viewing areas at Arnage and Mulsanne corners which can be accessed by a free bus service from the main entrance to the circuit. In addition to the general admission ticket you can choose to add a grandstand seat ticket to your booking. This will give a you a reserved seat for the Saturday and Sunday. Even if you choose to have a grandstand seat you will still need to have a general entrance ticket. All Travel Destinations offers include a general entrance ticket.

Why should I book Le Mans tickets through Travel Destinations?
There are a number of companies that advertise selling Le Mans tickets, however you should only buy Le Mans tickets from the circuit itself or from an official Le Mans tickets agency. Travel Destinations are an official Le Mans tickets agency & have been working with the circuit for more than 20 years. Travel Destinations are also an ABTA and ATOL bonded tour operator enabling us to offer the best selection of travel and accommodation options for Le Mans. By being an ABTA and ATOL bonder tour operator you can make your booking with Travel Destinations knowing that your money is safe and that you can book with confidence. All Travel Destinations employees have been to Le Mans on many occasions and can talk to you from experience about what Le Mans is like and which ticket options are best for you. Travel Destinations staff are present at the circuit and offer a support service for all our customer.

How many Le Mans camping tickets do I need?
You will need at least one Le Mans camping pass for each vehicle that you are taking in to the campsite. One camping ticket generally entitles you to a 7m x 5m camping pitch. If you require more space then you can add additional camping tickets to your booking. Most of the campsites now have marked pitches and have numbered plots, however a few remain that are not numbered. Circuit run campsites are basic and have very few facilities. If you require better facilities such as security, fully serviced showers and toilets and a hospitality marquee, then we recommend the Travel Destinations private trackside campsite at the Porsche Curves.

What is the best grandstand ticket to have at Le Mans?
There is no right or wrong answer to this as it is really down to personal preferences and what you wish to see. You may not even need to add a grandstand seat depending on what you want to see. The majority of grandstands are located on the start-finish straight either above or opposite the pit lane. Being above the pits (tribune 34) gives a good view of the start and the finish, but you cannot see in to the garages. From the grandstands opposite the pit lane you will be able to see in to the garages as well. These are normally the most expensive and in demand seats. As an alternative you may look to try seats on the Ford Chicane (Tribune 23) or by the famous Dunlop Bridge (Tribunes 4 & 5) as these offer good views of the esses, curves or chicane. However you cannot see the garages from these stands.

Do I need to be a Le Mans member?
You can become a member of the ACO (the Automobile Club de l’Ouest) but it is not necessary to be a member to purchase Le Mans tickets through Travel Destinations.

Do you only sell Le Mans tickets to people in the UK?
Travel Destinations may be based in the UK but we sell Le Mans tickets to people from all around the world. Our largest market is the UK but we have many customers from all across Europe, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Japan, China, Brazil and many other countries around the world. Although many of our prices include options for Channel crossings from the UK, all of these options are also available without UK travel if this is not required.

Do you sell Le Mans tickets on their own?
Travel Destinations is a tour operator and us such our offers include accommodation, tickets and usually travel. However our sister company is a ticket agency and so can sell the tickets on their own. Le Mans ticket only sales may not have the same availability as offers via Travel Destinations, but if this is the right thing for you please visit www.tickets-2-u.com for more details on individual Le Mans ticket prices.

What is the best way to book Le Mans tickets with you?
All of Travel Destinations Le Mans ticket offers are created bespoke for you. This means that we can tailor make each booking to your requirements, using our experience and understanding of Le Mans. The best way to do this is to speak with you, so we encourage everyone to contact us by telephone to discuss the best option available. We can then talk you through the process. From the UK the best number to call is 0844 873 0203 and from outside the UK you can call +44 1707 329988. If this is not possible then simple questions can also be asked via emailing info@traveldestinations.co.uk

We hope that whatever Le Mans tickets option you choose, that you can join Travel Destinations at the next Le Mans 24 Hours.

Le Mans News

Le Mans Classic returns in 2016

5th February 2015

Le Mans Classic returns in 2016

At a press conference in Paris last night, Peter Auto, the organisation behind the Le Mans Classic, confirmed the dates for the next Le Mans Classic. The 8th – 10th July 2016 will see the famous Le Mans circuit host the most anticipated motorsport retrospective event in Europe. 2016 will see the 8th running of this prestigious event.

More than 110,000 spectators watched the last running of the event in 2014, and it is anticpated that 2016 will see an increase in that number. The Le Mans Classic features cars that raced at Le Mans between 1923 and 1979 & a strict scrutineering process means that only past Le Mans entrants are able to compete.

Divided in to 6 grids the cars race throughout the traditional 24 hours, with all cars racing both in the day and at night. Despite the age of the machinery taking part, these are not demonstration laps. All cars will be raced to win and gain the top step on the podium.

Travel Destinations have been the largest travel, ticket and accommodation supplier since its inception. 2016 will be no different. We already have a number of our products on sale via this website, including our on circuit options for those wanting to stay close to the action.

Travel Destinations will have 2 private trackside camping areas for the Le Mans Classic in 2016. Our Hunaudieres campsite is located on the inside of the Tertre Rouge corner. Our Porsche Curves campsite is also trackside South of the start/finish straight.

For those not wanting to pitch their own tent, then our Event Tents will proved a more luxurious option. This glamping option provides large bell tents with carpets, mattresses and all bedding. With tables and chairs also in the tent you can arrive in your classic or sports car and not worry about space.

If camping is not your thing, then we also have our Fleoxtel Village in the centre of the circuit. These pop-up hotel style cabins, provide private lockable bedrooms right next to your car. With proper beds and all bedlinen in a convenient location this accommodation solution has always been popular.

Finally we also have our hotels and camping options off circuit so that those that wish to stay off circuit also have a number of options. Hotel rooms for the Le Mans Classic will always be in high demand so it is advisable to book early.

Most prices are already available on this website & our reservations are now open for the Le Mans Classic 2016. To reserve your place please call us on 0844 873 0203 (UK) or +44 1707 329988 (International).

The Le Mans Classic 2016 promises to be bigger and better than ever, so make sure you are there to be part of it!