I arrived home at 10 pm last night after a loooong day of traveling. It is always great to be home after an extended trip. This blog is more of an advice column for anyone considering going to Le Mans, or for a 77-year-old blogger who may be planning a return visit. I’m not mentioning any names here.

Getting around Paris

The Paris Metro system is amazing, and the entire city seems connecting by the mainly underground railroad network. To get to the train to Le Mans from Charles de Gaulle Airport requires a transfer. Be careful to read the route map so you don’t end up traveling the wrong way. Each ticket allows one free transfer. Don’t count on help from employees there.

Bullet train– The TGV train takes an hour or less to get to Le Mans, which is about 136 miles northwest of Paris. The train is clean, quiet, and efficient.

Le Mans Transit– The T1line on the city tram goes directly to the track, which is the end of the line. The penultimate stop takes you directly to Tetre Rouge. It is an easier track entry and involves quite a bit less walking to the track than the gate at the final stop. From Tetre Rouge, you can walk toward the Dunlop bridge and cross over to the fan village.

I cannot say this enough- there is no such thing as a short walk at Le Mans.

Track shuttles– there are some internal shuttles which will save many steps from Porte Est- it’s about a mile walk to the track itself-then you need to walk back to the main plaza, but it’s a much shorter walk.

Visiting turns– Free buses will take fans to what i call the outer corners- Mulsanne, Arnage, and the Porsche curves. My advice- plan to go early Waiting until evening means a long wait in a line. Make sure you take the correct bus.

I found out that I could avoid a bus transfer to Arnage by going to the Ouest Parking area, which is just behind the Ferris wheel.

Take time to enjoy the city– Since most track activity doesn’t begin until mid to late afternoon, use the morning time to enjoy the city of Le Mans. It is very peaceful, and the architecture there is wonderful. I did not get a chance to explore the old city as much as I wanted to. It’s an area on a hilltop with buildings from medieval times. There is a very cool vibe there.

I enjoyed having a mid-morning coffee at an outdoor cafe near Place de la Republique on the days when no race activities took place there. The plaza is one of the tram stops on the T1 line.

Autographs– There is a better chance of the driver autographs you want at scrutineering than there is of getting an autograph at the official autograph session. Drivers walk around the ring after the official photographs and sign for fans who wait all day behind the barricades.

Back to Reality

I understand there was slight bit of Indycar news while I was away. I’m still trying to catch up to it all. I discussed the new television package last week. Tomorrow, i will have some thoughts about the 2025 schedule, and during the race weekend, I will talk about the McLaren situation. It sounds like McLaren and Juncos Hollinger deserve to be partners. They have the same philosophy when it comes to treatment of drivers.

Now to go back to sleep.