[LM24] La Sarthe/Arnage Track and Other Changes

[batmobile]

Endurance Info explains that P. fillon expects at least 1 pit more in 2015

[CTD]

Personally, I'm really excited about these possible changes for the start/finish line.
There really isn't much history left in that place, so any changes that will improve the race itself (and not done by Herman Tilke) is welcomed by me!
Certainly if it can keep them away from changing the actual historic peaces of track, like the Mulsanne!

[Bentley03]

Originally Posted by Acid09

I wonder how this is going to work. The pit lane space as it is now is limited and making the individual garages smaller is no option either, they are pretty small compared to F1-sizes already.

My guess is that the ground floor of the race control building will be adapted to provide additional pit boxes - a straightforward extension of the existing line of garages.

In the short term, they could add a garage at the pit entry end in the gap between the existing garages and the race control building.

[PascaLM]

I confirm that Pierre Fillon said "new garages for 2017", while it was translated as 2015, here on YouTube 1:24:30.
It means many transformations : I think we could see new garages under the module sportif of before it, at the chicane Ford level. New boxes beyond the present pitlane should be difficult.

[PascaLM]

Originally Posted by Bentley03

My guess is that the ground floor of the race control building will be adapted to provide additional pit boxes - a straightforward extension of the existing line of garages.

In the short term, they could add a garage at the pit entry end in the gap between the existing garages and the race control building.

I agree. It's a shame that ACO was asked to build only 46 boxes for 1991.

[Gingers4Justice]

Originally Posted by PascaLM

I agree. It's a shame that ACO was asked to build only 46 boxes for 1991.

That was such a damaging time for the sport, it's still being held back by its legacy now. The circuit has needed additional boxes for a long time.

A 46 car limit at Le Mans is - thankfully - absolutely unthinkable now.

[Simmi]

Okay so one additional garage for 2015 and 'some more' for 2017.

A few mixed messages but more garage space is music to our ears.

[Brake dust]

Any more updates concerning changes to the runoff areas at the Porsche curves? Was sort of expecting more updates to the circuit at the February 13th announcements.

[isynge]

Safety changes to the track announced (link from Sportscar 365).

Main thrusts appear to be in barrier and lighting improvements. The line of trees after Tertre Rouge will not be affected, other than additional barriers between them and the track. While I suspect this will be a somewhat emotive issue I think it's the right call on the ACO's part - motorsport has a hard enough time with its public image without cutting down a stretch of century old trees.

[Aysedasi]

Does the ACO actually own the trees/the land on which they stand? Emotive for sure, but I agree with you Ian.

[GT6]

I doubt the ACO own any of that land but suspect if they asked the local authority to cut the tress down it would be done without question

[CTD]

But it shouldn't. The solution rumored to be chosen is the right one.
The trees are legendary and should stay where they are.

[Simmi]

Yeah it's government property as mentioned in the article.

I feel good about the changes - even if they are let's say 'doing it on the cheap' in quite a few areas.

I don't think Tetre Rouge needed much work so glad they've stopped short of re-profiling it or anything like that. Hopefully we won't end up with piles of tyres scattered all over the track. But I suppose a few tyres being rearranged will take a lot less time than barrier repairs.

Corvette Corner was inevitably going to get changed. That's a shame but understandable. There doesn't seem to be any info about entry to the Porsche Curves? There's already rows of tyres there - as Lapierre can attest.

It will be interesting to see what difference the extra lighting makes.

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by Simmi

Yeah it's government property as mentioned in the article.

Sorry, missed that. I'm not so convinced that they would have got those trees chopped down quite so easily, Simon......

[GT6]

In France if something needs to be done they do it first then consult people afterwards, unlike in the UK where we have endless consultations and then nothing gets done

[Gingers4Justice]

Unfortunately I don't believe the words "improvement" and "lighting" should be matched together when talking about Le Mans...

The darkness is part of the challenge. This isn't the Singapore GP. Let's keep it unique.

[Brake dust]

Isynge - thanks for the link - had not seen that!

Little bit off topic but - it's not often that I hear the Corvette corner referred to as such. It seem to always be referred to as part of the the Porsche curves. Secondly, seems to me the right hander prior to Indianapolis needs a name! Think Audi has earned the distinction.

[CTD]

Originally Posted by Gingers4Justice

Unfortunately I don't believe the words "improvement" and "lighting" should be matched together when talking about Le Mans...

The darkness is part of the challenge. This isn't the Singapore GP. Let's keep it unique.

The dark patches will remain dark, it's only the lit parts, which will become a bit more lit.
As i read it, the lighting will be placed at the Ford chicanes and entrance to the pits. So I assume its because the frequent spinners in the Ford Chicane and better visibility of the cars entering the pit.

[Mike E]

Originally Posted by Gingers4Justice

Unfortunately I don't believe the words "improvement" and "lighting" should be matched together when talking about Le Mans...

The darkness is part of the challenge. This isn't the Singapore GP. Let's keep it unique.

I was thinking the same thing.

[Simmi]

Originally Posted by CTD

The dark patches will remain dark, it's only the lit parts, which will become a bit more lit.
As i read it, the lighting will be placed at the Ford chicanes and entrance to the pits. So I assume its because the frequent spinners in the Ford Chicane and better visibility of the cars entering the pit.

Maybe it's so they can ping the GT cars who take absolute liberties cutting that final chicane in the dark. Most of them completely straight-lined it during the night.

[Gingers4Justice]

Originally Posted by CTD

The dark patches will remain dark, it's only the lit parts, which will become a bit more lit.
As i read it, the lighting will be placed at the Ford chicanes and entrance to the pits. So I assume its because the frequent spinners in the Ford Chicane and better visibility of the cars entering the pit.

That's the way I interpreted it too. If you're spinning in those kind of light levels, then get better drivers.

I actually don't mind much of the lighting, because the cars still remain largely in darkness. But I hope the ACO don't take the magic away. When I watched Daytona last month, it really didn't do it for me seeing the cars fully lit up to the point where they didn't need headlights any more.

Seeing a pair of lights coming at speed towards you and trying to work out what's coming is all part of the Le Mans experience. Would be a massive shame if we lost that completely.

[wewantourdarbyback]

I couldn't see a particular reason to remove the trees, the logical choice for me was to bring the barrier closer to the track as right there is was set a way back. You don't need to move it too far to get out of the influence of the trees.

Edit: the tyres will bring the impact point away from the trees

[wewantourdarbyback]

Originally Posted by Simmi

Maybe it's so they can ping the GT cars who take absolute liberties cutting that final chicane in the dark. Most of them completely straight-lined it during the night.

And day...

[wewantourdarbyback]

Originally Posted by Gingers4Justice

That's the way I interpreted it too. If you're spinning in those kind of light levels, then get better drivers.

I actually don't mind much of the lighting, because the cars still remain largely in darkness. But I hope the ACO don't take the magic away. When I watched Daytona last month, it really didn't do it for me seeing the cars fully lit up to the point where they didn't need headlights any more.

Seeing a pair of lights coming at speed towards you and trying to work out what's coming is all part of the Le Mans experience. Would be a massive shame if we lost that completely.

Be near impossible to install lighting around the 8.5 miles, and hideously expensive for the ACO, don't worry just yet.

[Simmi]

Corvette Corner getting its gravel trap



http://www.endurance-info.com/fr/le-...rage-corvette/