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In 1906 The French held the very first Grand Prix for manufactures over a 64-mile course near Le Mans. Of the 32 cars that started the race 11 remained after 12 laps split over two days. The winner was Ferenc Szisz, a Hungarian, driving a 90hp Renault (plus ca change!). The first sports car race was held on Le Mans Circuit de La Sarthe in 1923, 17yrs later. This circuit is part of motor racing folklore and legend, and the place will make the heart of any car enthusiast beat faster, particularly during the 24hrs race, when both the quantity and variety of machinery on offer (as enthusiasts camp out with their pride & joy) beggars belief. One of Le Mans’ many contributions to motorsport is the classic “Le Mans start”, which refers to the manner in which the cars would be lined up across the track from the drivers, who would then run to their cars & jump in once the race had been started. Although frantic and potentially dangerous, this practice is still employed today for the Classic 24hrs of Le Mans.
Located c.280miles from Calais, the Le Mans circuit itself is a temporary racing circuit, created by combining the permanent Bugatti circuit with sections of public road (closed off for the event, naturally!). It is highly unlikely that any track day will be held on the full Le Mans circuit, and the Bugatti circuit (named after Ettore Bugatti) is therefore reviewed here. Although the whole track is not used for the famous 24hrs race, the north-west part of the circuit and pit complex are shared. The 24hrs track joins the Bugatti track at the Ford Chicane / Virage du Raccordement, up to La Chapelle, where the 24hr track continues on to the chicane preceding Tertre Rouge, whereas the Bugatti circuit turns back on itself through the esses.
The track is home to former French racer and current team owner Henri Pescarolo. The circuit also hosts the 24 Hours of Le Mans motorcycle race, and a round of the Moto GP Championship, as well as various French club races.
Although the Le Mans Bugatti circuit has been described as technical, it does not actually present much of a technical challenge to the experienced track day enthusiast in a small Lotus, with a wide track offering up a range of racing lines through several corners, none of which will be too far different from what might be considered an ideal line. This circuit is more about the pleasure of driving at Le Mans, and enjoying letting the car drift in the corners, be it the series of large hairpins from La Chapelle to Garage Vert, the fast left-right at Chemin Aux Boeufs or Les “S” du Garage Bleu, where you can pretty much throw the car in on any line & lose very little time. The only really slow part of the circuit is at the tight hairpin offered up by Raccordement, leading on to the start-finish straight, and it’s not unheard of for cars to get caught out under braking here and miss the turn.
The very long start-finish straight is marked at the half-way point by the Dunlop curve, flat out in the majority of cars / series, but also potentially the most dangerous corner on the circuit – build up to this one, as if you get it wrong, the car is likely to spear off to the right & into the barriers, rather than off into the gravel on the left. We’ve seen it happen. The pit exit also feeds rather unhelpfully into the chicane at the top of the Dunlop curve, so keep your eyes open, whether you’re on a flying lap or exiting the pits. Tip: use all of the track through Dunlop, including the tarmac to the left of the painted lines before turning in.
Overall, this is a fast, flowing & entertaining circuit, with plenty of run-off areas and great potential for some sideways action. The majority of apexes are easily found, although the track does offer some negative camber at both La Chapelle & Garage Vert. Cutting the kerbs is a favourite past-time for the racing drivers around here and will be the quickest way around, although not necessarily the most sympathetic from a mechanical point of view – some of the kerbs can be bumpy.
Words kindly provided by Fred (Luvyalizzy)
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Closest Fuel Station
The closest filling station, which usually remains open during public holidays, is a Total station on the N23, heading northbound. This is located alongside the Arnage aerodrome, about 1.5miles from the circuit. They sell both 95 & 98 octane, as well as an acceptable range of sarnies & ice lollies, which is handy as facilities on-site at the circuit are non existent.
Turn right out of the circuit, and immediately left under the bridge. You will come to a roundabout; take the 3rd exit, N23 south bound. Take the first exit off the N23 so you can double back on yourself, as the Total is on the N23 north bound, about 200yds after you re-join the dual carriageway. Coming back to the circuit, you will want the 2nd exit off the N23 after the filling station, not the 1st.
Remember French filling stations may not be open on Sundays or public holidays, so check with the circuit if you are visiting on a Sunday / public holiday.
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