Driving to Le Mans

[JamesBall]

My lift to Le Mans has fallen through as of this morning (great) so I am toying with driving my 944T down there, which had been my original plan.

Its only 500ish miles each way and my car has been pretty reliable in the year I've had it - only an electrical problem let me down (fixed with new leads etc) but I am nervous about taking a 24-yr old car that far. Plus I would have to increase my insurance cover, fit in a rushed oil service, replace the battery and possibly a few other little jobs. The longest journey I've done in the car before is only about 125 miles so this is uncharted territory for me.

Am I worrying about nothing?

 

[colin944]

Join the aa and go for it. You are just doing what we all do and worry about nothing.

 

[PJS917]

The RAC/AA may up the cover for a car over 10 years old, but other than that go for it. If you have any problems lots of
people on route will help but I think you will enjoy the experience of a great car on great roads to a great event.

 

[Fat Albert]

Last week I was offered the chance to drive down there in company with a Maclaren F1 LM, a Ferrari F40 and a 964 RS Turbo, but have other commitments so can't make it unfortunately, would have been hilarious seeing the photos on Pistonheads of my little ol' thing in that company!!

(I would have burnt some fuel as well, if last year's average speed was anything to go by...)

 

[JamesBall]

That sounds like quite a convoy. Beats my Audi Q5, Audi A6 and BMW breadvan!

Haven't the gendarmerie cracked down on speeding these days?

(what is a 964 RS Turbo though?!)

 

[Chrishazle]

There's been a few warnings on beermountain etc about the gendarmes being plentiful and looking for Brits heading for Le Mans at speed - we're taking the 968 coupe, autoroute to get there and hopefully main road back, and I plan to be very careful of speed limits!

 

[supersport]

Go for it, we did it in 2007 albeit in an 1987 911 and had a fantastic time. Don't worry about he car breaking down, it will be fine.

From memory the AA cover stopped at 10 years old as someone else said, but you can get cover either through your insurance, classic line did it for an extremely good price, or there are other providers although the names escape me at the moment.

 

[JamesBall]

Well, I have found out that driving in the EU and EU breakdown cover are autmotically included in my bargain insurance (£155 - I still can't believe it!) The car is booked in for a service, new battery and a once over tomorrow so I should be good to go.

 

[burrow01]

My 993 has done 184,000 miles, and will hit 185,000 sometime over the weekend around the Le Mans area

Go for it, just ensure you have fixed all the major items that could cause a problem and have the breakdown cover in place

2 back to back journeys of 500 miles each (there and back) will not place any greater strain on the car than normal running around

 

[Chrishazle]

Just a reminder - take the paper part of your driving licence as well as the photocard - plus of course the V5, MoT and insurance certs for the car you're travelling in, not forgetting those other little things the gendarmes look for like hi-vis jacket (in car, not in boot!), warning triangle, spare bulbs, not sure if a fire extinguisher is compulsory or optional so I'm taking one, GB sticker if not on number plate - and an ATM card!

 

[JamesBall]

Good reminder. Thanks! I've just stuck my warning triangle and hi-vis jacket in the car so I don't forget.

 

[Fat Albert]

ORIGINAL: James Ball

(what is a 964 RS Turbo though?!)

I'm not quite sure what it is, it might even be a 993, all I know is that when he was white knuckle on an autoroute curve at 175 in the macca, the 911 came past on the inside and there was daylight under the rear inside wheel.....

Of course the Fezza disgraced itself and slipped its water pump belt and ended up with a lovely green pool of coolant under it, the 11 year old son of of the guy driving the RS4 support vehicle was the only one who could reach in to re-fit it!
here they are:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&t=865185&hw=+%2BF40&nmt=McLaren%20F1%20Parked%20in%20Expo

 

[ukmastiff]

I shall be missing le mans this year as i couldnt commit to a full week away from the kids (sad i know) but im pleased that you and the car are going.

Surely theres no reason at all that you shouldnt cruise there and back no problem at all, its may be an old car but its a porshce and a good one !

Take some pics

Mas

 

[Frenchy]

My 86 turbo went to the classic last year 1500 mile round trip and half a litre of oil, give it a good once over(or a garage) and then enjoy, the road trip is brilliant, i will be going to the classic again next year and cannot wait.
Post some pics when you get back.

 

[Pastry]

did 1000 mile round trip in mine last summer without a hiccup, was a great trip, enjoy!

the gendarmes tend to hide at the roundabouts at the end of long stretches of straight road. there were queues of cars being processed after a couple of roundabouts last time I went. []

 

[Chrishazle]

Just seen another post elsewhere that the gendarmes are out in force on the autoroutes (chap just back from 10 days driving in France). Radar traps, lidar traps, you name it. Main roads are apparently "normal" but autoroutes are on high alert, so stick to the speed limits!

 

[944 man]

[pistonheads]Grow a pair![/pistonheads] []

Dont worry, your car doesnt know that it is abroad - youll be fine. I took a series one 944 (in my profile picture, at a special meet & greet laid on my the Stuttgart police) all over Europe in the 2007 Scumball3000 rally. We even got as far as Italy and it ran faultlessly for the whole five days.


Simon