Race course in Le Mans, France For the French road bicycle racing stage race, see Circuit de la Sarthe (cycling).
Circuit de la Sarthe | |
---|---|
Location | Le Mans, Pays de la Loire, France |
Time zone | CET (UTC+1) CEST (DST) |
Coordinates | 47°56′N 0°14′E / 47.933°N 0.233°E / 47.933; 0.233 |
FIA Grade | 2 (Endurance) |
Owner | Automobile Club de l'Ouest Ville du Mans |
Operator | Automobile Club de l'Ouest |
Opened | 26 May 1923; 101 years ago (1923-05-26) |
Major events | Current: FIA WEC 24 Hours of Le Mans (1923–1935, 1937–1939, 1949–present) Former: Le Mans Classic (intermittently 2002–2018, 2021–2023, 2025) World Sportscar Championship (1953–1955, 1957–1974, 1980–1989, 1991–1992) |
Website | http://www.lemans.org/en/ |
Circuit de la Sarthe (2018–present) | |
Surface | Tarmac |
Length | 13.626 km (8.467 miles) |
Turns | 38 |
Race lap record | 3:17.297 ( Mike Conway, Toyota TS050 Hybrid, 2019, LMP1) |
The Circuit des 24 Heures du Mans, also known as Circuit de la Sarthe (after the 1906 French Grand Prix triangle circuit) located in Le Mans, Sarthe, France, is a semi-permanent motorsport race course, chiefly known as the venue for the 24 Hours of Le Mans auto race. Comprising private, race-specific sections of track in addition to public roads which remain accessible most of the year, its present configuration is 13.626 km (8.467 mi) long, making it one of the longest circuits in the world. The capacity of the race stadium, where the short Bugatti Circuit is situated, is 100,000. The Musée des 24 Heures du Mans is a motorsport museum located at the main entrance of the venue.
Up to 85% of the lap time is spent on full throttle, putting immense stress on engine and drivetrain components. Additionally, the times spent reaching maximum speed also mean tremendous wear on the brakes and suspension as cars must slow from over 322 km/h (200 mph) to around 100 km/h (62 mph) for the sharp corner at the village of Mulsanne.
Track modifications
The road racing track, which was a triangle from Le Mans down south to Mulsanne, northwest to Arnage, and back north to Le Mans, has undergone many modifications over the years, with CIRCUIT N°15 being in use since 2018. Even with the modifications put in place over the years, the Sarthe circuit is still known for being very fast, with prototype cars achieving average lap speeds in excess of 240 km/h (150 mph).
In the 1920s, the cars drove from the present pits on Rue de Laigné straight into the city, and after a sharp right-hand corner near the river Huisne Pontlieue bridge (a hairpin permanently removed from the circuit in 1929), before exiting the city again on the rather straight section now named Avenue Georges Durand after the race's founder. Then 17.261 km (10.725 mi) long and unpaved, a bypass within the city shortened the track in 1929, but the city was only bypassed completely in 1932, when the section from the pits via the Dunlop Bridge and the Esses to Tertre Rouge was added. This classic configuration was 13.492 km (8.384 mi) long and remained almost unaltered even after the 1955 tragedy. Its frighteningly narrow pit straight was further narrowed to make room for the pits and was part of the road itself, without the road becoming wider around the pits, and no separation. The pit straight then was about 3.7 m (12 ft) wide, further widened in 1956 after the tragedy, but the race track and pits were not separated for another 15 years.
Car speeds increased dramatically in the 1960s, pushing the limits of the "classic circuit" and sparking criticism of the track as being unsafe after several trials related fatalities occurred. In 1965, a smaller, but permanent, Bugatti Circuit was added which shares the pit lane facilities and the first corner (including the famous Dunlop bridge) with the full "Le Mans" circuit. For the 1968 race, the Ford chicane was added before the pits to slow down the cars. The circuit was fitted with Armco barriers for the 1969 race. The "Maison Blanche" kink was particularly harrowing, claiming many cars over the years (including three Ferrari 512 variants) and several lives, including the legendary John Woolfe in 1969 behind the wheel of a Porsche 917. The circuit has been modified ten more times — 1971, a year when prototypes were averaging over 240 km/h (150 mph), was the last year the classic circuit was used. That year, an Armco barrier was added to the pit straight to separate the track from the pits. In 1972, the race track was considerably revamped, at a cost of 300 million francs, with modification of the pit area and the first and final straights, the addition of the quick Porsche curves bypassing "Maison Blanche", the signalling area being moved to the exit of the slow Mulsanne corner, and the track being resurfaced.
In 1979, due to the construction of a new public road, the profile of "Tertre Rouge" had to be changed. This redesign led to a faster double-apex corner and saw the removal of the second Dunlop Bridge. In 1986, construction of a new roundabout at the Mulsanne corner demanded the addition a new portion of track in order to avoid the roundabout. This created a right hand kink prior to Mulsanne corner. In 1987, a chicane was added to the very fast Dunlop curve, where cars would go under the Dunlop bridge at 180 mph (290 km/h). Now they would be slowed to 110 mph (180 km/h).
Le Mans was most famous for its 6 km (3.7 mi) long straight, called Ligne Droite des Hunaudières, a part of the route départementale (for the Sarthe département) D338 (formerly Route Nationale N138). As the Hunaudières leads to the village of Mulsanne, it is often called the Mulsanne Straight in English, even though the proper Route du Mulsanne is the one from or to Arnage.
After exiting the Tertre Rouge corner, cars spent almost half of the lap at full throttle, before braking for Mulsanne Corner. The Porsche 917 long tail, used from 1969 to 1971, had reached 362 km/h (225 mph). After engine size was limited, the top speed dropped until powerful turbo engines were allowed, like in the 1978 Porsche 935, which was clocked at 367 km/h (228 mph). Speeds on the straight by the Group C prototypes reached over 400 km/h (250 mph) during the late 1980s. At the beginning of the 1988 24 Hours of Le Mans race, Roger Dorchy driving for Welter Racing in a "Project 400" car, which sacrificed reliability for speed, was clocked by radar travelling at 407 km/h (253 mph). Jean-Louis Lafosse and Jo Gartner would ultimately suffer from fatal high speed accidents in 1981 and 1986, respectively, leading to concerns with the growing speeds on the 3.7 mi (6.0 km) straight.
As the combination of high speed and high downforce caused tyre and engine failures, two roughly equally spaced chicanes were consequently added to the Mulsanne Straight before the 1990 race to limit the maximum achievable speed. The chicanes were also added because the FIA decreed it would no longer sanction a circuit which had a straight longer than 2 km (1.2 mi), which is roughly the length of the Döttinger Höhe straight at the Nürburgring Nordschleife. The fastest qualifying lap average speed though only dropped from 249.826 to 243.329 km/h (155.235 to 151.198 mph) in 1992. In 1994, the Dunlop chicane was tightened.
In 2002, the run to the Esses was reconfigured in the wake of renovations to the Bugatti Circuit. The Le Mans circuit was changed between the Dunlop Bridge and Esses, with the straight now becoming a set of fast sweeping turns. This layout allowed for a better transition from the Le Mans circuit to the Bugatti circuit. This layout change would also require the track's infamous carnival to be relocated near the Porsche curves, and in 2006, the ACO redeveloped the area between the Dunlop Curve and Tertre Rouge, moving the Dunlop Chicane in even tighter to create more run-off area, while also turning the area after the Dunlop Chicane into an even larger set of fast, sweeping turns, known as the Esses en route to Tertre Rouge. As part of the development, a new extended pit lane exit was created for the Bugatti Circuit. This second pit exit re-enters the track just beyond the Dunlop Chicane and before the Dunlop Bridge.
Following the fatal crash of Danish driver Allan Simonsen at the 2013 race at the exit of Tertre Rouge into D338, Tertre Rouge was re-profiled again. The radius was moved in approximately 200 m (220 yd) for safety reasons with new tyre barriers at the exit. The current version of the track has been in use since 2018.
- An on site map of the circuit
- The area before the Dunlop bridge, modified for 2006
- The Ford Chicanes
- A large portion of the track still consists of Sarthe Route Départementale D338.
- Circuit location between Le Mans and Mulsanne, France
Layout evolution of Circuit de la Sarthe
- Circuit de la Sarthe (1906)
- Circuit de la Sarthe (1911–1913)
- Comparison of Circuit de la Sarthe layouts between 1906 and 1921
- Circuit de la Sarthe (1921–1928)
- Circuit de la Sarthe (1929–1931)
- Circuit de la Sarthe (1932–1967)
- Circuit de la Sarthe (1968–1971)
- Circuit de la Sarthe (1972–1978)
- Circuit de la Sarthe (1979–1985)
- Circuit de la Sarthe (1986)
- Circuit de la Sarthe (1987–1989)
- Circuit de la Sarthe (1990–2001)
- Circuit de la Sarthe (2002–present)
- Layout evolution of Circuit de la Sarthe
Lap records
Years | Record year | Distance record | Average race speed | Lap record (in race) | Driver – car | Lap record (qualifying) | Driver – car | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Circuit N°1 – 17.262 km (10.726 mi) | ||||||||||
1923–1928 | 1928 | 2,669.27 km (1,658.61 mi) Bentley 4½ Litre |
111.219 km/h (69.108 mph) | 8:07 (127.604 km/h (79.289 mph)) in 1928 |
H.Birkin Bentley 4½ Litre |
|||||
Circuit N°2 – 16.340 km (10.153 mi) | ||||||||||
1929–1931 | 1931 | 3,017.654 km (1,875.083 mi) Alfa Romeo 8C |
125.735 km/h (78.128 mph) | 6:48 (144.362 km/h (89.702 mph)) in 1930 |
H.Birkin Bentley Blower |
|||||
Circuit N°3 – 13.492 km (8.384 mi) | ||||||||||
1932–1955 | 1955 | 4,135.38 km (2,569.61 mi) Jaguar D |
172.308 km/h (107.067 mph) | 4:06.6 (196.963 km/h (122.387 mph)) in 1955 |
M.Hawthorn Jaguar D |
|||||
Circuit N°4 – 13.461 km (8.364 mi) | ||||||||||
1956–1967 | 1967 | 5,232.9 km (3,251.6 mi) Ford Mk IV |
218.038 km/h (135.483 mph) | 3:23.6 (238.014 km/h (147.895 mph)) in 1967 |
M.Andretti & D.Hulme Ford Mk IV |
3:24.04 (236.082 km/h (146.695 mph)) in 1967 |
B.McLaren Ford Mk IV | |||
Circuit N°5 – 13.469 km (8.369 mi) | ||||||||||
1968–1971 | 1971 | 5,335.31 km (3,315.21 mi) Porsche 917 |
222.304 km/h (138.133 mph) | 3:18.4 (244.397 km/h (151.861 mph)) in 1971 |
J.Oliver Porsche 917 |
3:13.9 (250.069 km/h (155.386 mph)) in 1971 |
P. Rodríguez Porsche 917 | |||
Circuit N°6 – 13.640 km (8.476 mi) | ||||||||||
1972–1978 | 1978 | 5,044.53 km (3,134.53 mi) Alpine-Renault A442 B |
210.189 km/h (130.605 mph) | 3:34.2 (229.244 km/h (142.446 mph)) in 1978 |
J.P.Jabouille Alpine-Renault A443 |
3:27.6 (236.531 km/h (146.974 mph)) in 1978 |
J.Ickx Porsche 936 | |||
Circuit N°7 – 13.626 km (8.467 mi) | ||||||||||
1979–1985 | 1985 | 5,088.51 km (3,161.854 mi) Porsche 956 |
212.021 km/h (131.744 mph) | 3:25.1 (239.169 km/h (148.613 mph)) in 1985 |
J.Mass Porsche 962 |
3:14.8 (251.815 km/h (156.471 mph)) in 1985 |
H.Stuck Porsche 962 | |||
Circuit N°8 – 13.528 km (8.406 mi) | ||||||||||
1986 | 1986 | 4,972.73 km (3,089.91 mi) Porsche 962 C |
207.197 km/h (128.746 mph) | 3:23.3 (239.551 km/h (148.850 mph)) in 1986 |
K.Ludwig Porsche 956 |
3:15.99 (243.486 km/h (151.295 mph)) in 1986 |
J.Mass Porsche 962 C | |||
Circuit N°9 – 13.535 km (8.410 mi) | ||||||||||
1987–1989 | 1988 | 5,332.79 km (3,313.64 mi) Jaguar XJR9 |
221.665 km/h (137.736 mph) | 3:21.27 (242.093 km/h (150.430 mph)) in 1989 |
A.Ferté Jaguar XJR9 |
3:15.04 (249.826 km/h (155.235 mph)) in 1989 |
J.L.Schlesser Sauber Mercedes C9 | |||
Circuit N°10 – 13.600 km (8.451 mi) | ||||||||||
1990–1996 | 1993 | 5,100 km (3,200 mi) Peugeot 905 |
213.358 km/h (132.575 mph) | 3:27.47 (235.986 km/h (146.635 mph)) in 1993 |
E.Irvine Toyota TS010 |
3:21.209 (243.329 km/h (151.198 mph)) in 1992 |
Ph.Alliot Peugeot 905 | |||
Circuit N°11 – 13.605 km (8.454 mi) | ||||||||||
1997–2001 | 2000 | 5,007.98 km (3,111.81 mi) Audi R8 |
208.666 km/h (129.659 mph) | 3:35.032 (227.771 km/h (141.530 mph)) in 1999 |
U.Katayama Toyota GT-One |
3:29.93 (233.306 km/h (144.970 mph)) in 1999 |
M.Brundle Toyota GT-One | |||
Circuit N°12 – 13.650 km (8.482 mi) | ||||||||||
2002–2005 | 2004 | 5,169.97 km (3,212.47 mi) Audi R8 |
215.415 km/h (133.853 mph) | 3:33.483 (230.182 km/h (143.028 mph)) in 2002 |
T.Kristensen Audi R8 |
3:29.905 (234.106 km/h (145.467 mph)) in 2002 |
R.Capello Audi R8 | |||
Circuit N°13 – 13.650 km (8.482 mi) | ||||||||||
2006 | 2006 | 5,187 km (3,223 mi) Audi R10 TDI |
215.409 km/h (133.849 mph) | 3:31.211 (232.658 km/h (144.567 mph)) in 2006 |
T.Kristensen Audi R10 TDI |
3:30.466 (233.482 km/h (145.079 mph)) in 2006 |
R.Capello Audi R10 TDI | |||
Circuit N°14 – 13.629 km (8.469 mi) | ||||||||||
2007–2017 | 2010 | 5,410.71 km (3,362.06 mi) Audi R15 TDI plus |
225.228 km/h (139.950 mph) | 3:17.475 (248.459 km/h (154.385 mph)) in 2015 |
A.Lotterer Audi R18 e-tron quattro |
3:14.791 (251.882 km/h (156.512 mph)) in 2017 |
K. Kobayashi Toyota TS050 Hybrid | |||
Circuit N°15 - 13.626 km (8.467 mi) | ||||||||||
Since 2018 | 2018 | 5,286.88 km (3,285.11 mi) Toyota TS050 Hybrid |
220.015 km/h (136.711 mph) | 3:17.297 (248.6 km/h (154.5 mph) in 2019 |
M. Conway Toyota TS050 Hybrid |
3:15.267 (251.21 km/h (156.09 mph) in 2020 |
K. Kobayashi Toyota TS050 Hybrid |
Fastest race laps of Circuit de la Sarthe
As of June 2024, the fastest official race lap records at the Circuit de la Sarthe for different classes are listed as:
Speed record
In 1988, Team WM Peugeot were well aware of their slim chance of winning the 24-hour endurance race outright, but they knew that their Welter Racing designed car had exceptional straight line aerodynamics. Thus they nicknamed their 1988 entry "Project 400" (aiming to be the first car to achieve a speed of 400 km/h (250 mph) on the famous straight), although the official team entry was named WM Secateva.
Roger Dorchy and Claude Haldi would be the drivers of car 51 while Pascal Pessiot and Jean-Daniel Raulet would drive the team's other car (#52). The latter lasted only 22 laps, and car 51 went into the pits around 17:00 in the afternoon with engine problems. After spending 3.5 hours in the pits, the team had the car back on the track and they decided to go for it. The plan worked: with Roger Dorchy behind the wheel the WM P87 achieved the speed of 407 km/h (253 mph). The Peugeot retired shortly after that (on lap 59) with an overheating engine. By then it had outlasted two other Group C1 entrants.
Since Peugeot had just launched its new model 405, the team agreed to advertise the new record as "405". This has led to many people mistakenly stating the record as only 405 km/h (252 mph), but Dorchy's best run down the Mulsanne straight was clocked at 407 km/h (253 mph).
Bugatti Circuit
Location | Le Mans, Pays de la Loire, France |
---|---|
Time zone | CET (UTC+1) CEST (DST) |
FIA Grade | 2 (Bugatti) |
Owner | Automobile Club de l'Ouest Ville du Mans |
Operator | Automobile Club de l'Ouest |
Opened | 1965 |
Major events | Current: Grand Prix motorcycle racing French motorcycle Grand Prix (1969–1970, 1976, 1979, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989–1990, 1994–1995, 2000–present) Vitesse du Mans motorcycle Grand Prix (1991) FIM EWC 24 Hours of Le Mans Moto (1978–present) ETRC 24 Heures Camions Le Mans (2003–present) Sidecar World Championship (1969–1970, 1976, 1979, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989–1991, 1995, 2007–2019, 2021–2022, 2024) Former: World SBK (1988, 1990) DTM (2006, 2008) World Series by Renault (2005–2006, 2008–2009, 2015) F3000 (1986–1991) Formula One French Grand Prix (1967) |
Website | http://www.lemans.org/en/ |
Bugatti Circuit (2002–present) | |
Surface | Tarmac |
Length | 4.185 km (2.600 miles) |
Turns | 14 |
Race lap record | 1:22.981 ( Matthieu Vaxivière, Dallara T12, 2015, FR 3.5) |
Bugatti Circuit (1989–2001) | |
Length | 4.430 km (2.753 miles) |
Turns | 11 |
Race lap record | 1:33.210 ( Philippe Gache, Lola T89/50, 1990, F3000) |
Bugatti Circuit (1986–1988) | |
Length | 4.240 km (2.635 miles) |
Turns | 11 |
Race lap record | 1:29.200 ( Emanuele Pirro, March 86B, 1986, F3000) |
Bugatti Circuit (1965–1985) | |
Length | 4.422 km (2.748 miles) |
Turns | 8 |
Race lap record | 1:36.620 ( Pierre Petit, Martini MK31, 1981, F3) |
Bugatti Circuit is a 4.185 km (2.600 mi) permanent race track located within Circuit des 24 Heures, constructed in 1965 and named after Ettore Bugatti. The circuit uses a part of the larger circuit and a separate, purpose-built section. The sections of track on the Bugatti Circuit that are on the Circuit des 24 Heures include the Ford Chicane at the end of the lap, the pit complex, and the straight where the Dunlop Tyres bridge is located. At this point in the overlapping section of the tracks there is a left-right sweep that was added for motorcycle safety in 2002. Vehicles turning to the left continue onto the Circuit des 24 Heures, toward Tertre Rouge and Mulsanne, vehicles turning to the right at La Chapelle will continue the Bugatti Circuit. The infield section features Garage Vert, a back straight, the 'S' du Garage Bleu, and Raccordement, which joins back at the Ford chicane.
The track was home base for Pescarolo Sport, founded by famous French driver Henri Pescarolo. The circuit currently hosts the 24 Hours of Le Mans motorcycle race, and a round of the MotoGP Championship. The circuit also holds French motor club races and in the past has hosted rounds of the International Formula 3000 Championship and DTM (German Touring Car series).
In addition to motor racing, it is the venue for the 24 rollers, a 24h race on inline skates or quads.
The Bugatti Circuit was used for the 1967 French Grand Prix, though it would prove to be the only time the Formula One World Championship would use the circuit, and is the current host of the French motorcycle Grand Prix. It also forms the final round of the FIA European Truck Racing Championship, and was part of the World Series by Renault and 1988 Superbike World Championship seasons.
Fastest race laps of Bugatti Circuit
As of May 2024, the fastest official race lap records at the Bugatti Circuit are listed as:
Layout evolution of Bugatti Circuit
- Bugatti Circuit (1965–1985)
- Bugatti Circuit (1989–1996)
- Bugatti Circuit (2008–present)
- Layout evolution of Bugatti circuit from 1965 to 2008
Events
- Current
- March: Fun Cup France
- April: FIM Endurance World Championship 24 Heures Motos, Sidecar World Championship, French Superbike Championship [fr]
- May: Grand Prix motorcycle racing French motorcycle Grand Prix, MotoE World Championship French eRace
- June: FIA World Endurance Championship 24 Hours of Le Mans, Lamborghini Super Trofeo Europe, Le Mans Cup, Fun Cup France, Ligier European Series
- September: European Truck Racing Championship 24 Heures Camions [fr], British Truck Racing Championship
- Future
- French F4 Championship (2012–2016, 2025)
- Le Mans Classic (2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2021–2023, 2025)
- Former
- Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (2006, 2008)
- EuroBOSS Series (2002–2004)
- Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 (1995, 1998, 2005–2006, 2008–2009, 2015)
- Eurocup Mégane Trophy (2005–2006, 2008–2009)
- Ferrari Challenge Europe (2011, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2023)
- Ferrari Challenge North America (2023)
- FIM CEV Moto3 Junior World Championship (2014–2019)
- FFSA GT Championship (1998–1999, 2001–2006, 2012–2015)
- Formula 3 Euro Series (2003, 2006, 2008)
- Formula One
- French Grand Prix (1967)
- Formula Renault 2.0 West European Cup (1971–1972, 1975–2006, 2008–2009)
- Formula Renault 3.5 Series (2005–2006, 2008–2009, 2015)
- French Formula Three Championship (1966–1967, 1980–1981, 1986–2002)
- French Supertouring Championship (1976, 1978–1981, 1986, 1989–1994, 1998–2005)
- GP Explorer (2022–2023)
- Grand Prix motorcycle racing
- International Formula 3000 (1986–1991)
- International Sports Racing Series (1998)
- NASCAR Whelen Euro Series (2009–2014)
- Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux (2017)
- Porsche Carrera Cup France (1987, 1989–2000, 2002–2005, 2010–2011, 2013–2017, 2020, 2023)
- Porsche Carrera Cup Germany (2000, 2006, 2020)
- Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain (2014, 2017)
- Porsche Carrera Cup Scandinavia (2023)
- Renault Sport Trophy (2015)
- Superbike World Championship (1988, 1990)
Weather and climate
Météo France runs a weather station in Le Mans, which exhibits an oceanic climate (Köppen Cfb). With both the 24-hour races and the French MotoGP round being run before the peak of summer, high-profile races often have cool temperatures both in terms of ambient and track conditions with rainfall being a potential factor. Although nights cool off, sometimes into the single-digits, during the 24-hour car race, air frosts have never been recorded in June. The weather station is located at the local airport just a few hundred metres from the main grandstand and pit lane of the circuit.
Climate data for Le Mans (1991–2020 averages) | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °C (°F) | 17.2 (63.0) |
21.8 (71.2) |
25.6 (78.1) |
30.3 (86.5) |
32.4 (90.3) |
39.7 (103.5) |
41.1 (106.0) |
40.5 (104.9) |
35.0 (95.0) |
30.0 (86.0) |
22.2 (72.0) |
18.3 (64.9) |
41.1 (106.0) |
Mean maximum °C (°F) | 14.4 (57.9) |
16.2 (61.2) |
20.4 (68.7) |
24.8 (76.6) |
28.2 (82.8) |
32.4 (90.3) |
33.9 (93.0) |
34.0 (93.2) |
29.2 (84.6) |
23.5 (74.3) |
17.6 (63.7) |
14.3 (57.7) |
35.4 (95.7) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 8.4 (47.1) |
9.7 (49.5) |
13.3 (55.9) |
16.6 (61.9) |
20.1 (68.2) |
23.6 (74.5) |
26.0 (78.8) |
26.0 (78.8) |
22.2 (72.0) |
17.2 (63.0) |
11.9 (53.4) |
8.8 (47.8) |
17.0 (62.6) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | 5.5 (41.9) |
5.9 (42.6) |
8.7 (47.7) |
11.3 (52.3) |
14.9 (58.8) |
18.2 (64.8) |
20.3 (68.5) |
20.1 (68.2) |
16.7 (62.1) |
13.0 (55.4) |
8.6 (47.5) |
5.9 (42.6) |
12.4 (54.4) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 2.7 (36.9) |
2.2 (36.0) |
4.0 (39.2) |
6.0 (42.8) |
9.7 (49.5) |
12.9 (55.2) |
14.6 (58.3) |
14.3 (57.7) |
11.2 (52.2) |
8.8 (47.8) |
5.2 (41.4) |
2.9 (37.2) |
7.9 (46.2) |
Mean minimum °C (°F) | −6.1 (21.0) |
−5.1 (22.8) |
−3.0 (26.6) |
−0.6 (30.9) |
2.7 (36.9) |
6.8 (44.2) |
8.8 (47.8) |
7.7 (45.9) |
4.5 (40.1) |
0.8 (33.4) |
−2.8 (27.0) |
−5.2 (22.6) |
−8.0 (17.6) |
Record low °C (°F) | −18.2 (−0.8) |
−17.0 (1.4) |
−11.3 (11.7) |
−4.9 (23.2) |
−3.7 (25.3) |
1.6 (34.9) |
3.9 (39.0) |
3.2 (37.8) |
−0.5 (31.1) |
−5.4 (22.3) |
−12.0 (10.4) |
−21.0 (−5.8) |
−21.0 (−5.8) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 65.9 (2.59) |
49.1 (1.93) |
52.2 (2.06) |
51.1 (2.01) |
63.2 (2.49) |
55.1 (2.17) |
49.4 (1.94) |
49.0 (1.93) |
50.8 (2.00) |
65.5 (2.58) |
67.1 (2.64) |
75.0 (2.95) |
693.4 (27.29) |
Average precipitation days | 11.0 | 9.6 | 9.4 | 9.0 | 9.5 | 7.9 | 7.3 | 7.1 | 7.7 | 10.6 | 11.3 | 11.6 | 112 |
Average relative humidity (%) | 87 | 83 | 78 | 74 | 75 | 73 | 72 | 74 | 79 | 86 | 88 | 88 | 79.8 |
Mean monthly sunshine hours | 65 | 94 | 139 | 180 | 207 | 221 | 233 | 226 | 185 | 118 | 75 | 67 | 1,810 |
Source 1: Meteo France | |||||||||||||
Source 2: Infoclimat (humidity 1961–1990) |
Notes
References
- Official rules for 2016 Archived 2016-06-17 at the Wayback Machine 3.1.2 24 HEURES DU MANS ... La course se déroule les samedi 18 et dimanche 19 juin 2016 sur le circuit des 24 Heures du Mans. Longueur du circuit : 13,629 km
- "ACO Homepage 24 Heures". ACO. Archived from the original on 5 July 2011. Retrieved 5 July 2011.
- Fuller 2010.
- Leffingwell, Randy (2005). Porsche 911: Perfection by Design. Motorbooks. p. 155.
- Speedhunters staff 2008.
- RC staff 2015.
- "24 Hours of Le Mans - ACO - Automobile Club de l'Ouest". 24h-lemans.com. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
- "FIA WEC - 87o Edition des 24 Heures du Mans - Race - Final Classification by Class" (PDF). fiawec.alkamelsystems.com. Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). 12 July 2019. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
- "FIA WEC - 86o Edition des 24 Heures du Mans - Race - Final Classification by Class" (PDF). fiawec.alkamelsystems.com. Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). 2 October 2018. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
- "FIA WEC - 91o Edition des 24 Heures du Mans - After Race Final Classification by Driver Fastest Lap" (PDF). fiawec.alkamelsystems.com. Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). 12 June 2023. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
- "Road to Le Mans - 89o Edition des 24 Heures du Mans - Race 1 Final Classification by Category" (PDF). 19 August 2021. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
- "FIA WEC - 89o Edition des 24 Heures du Mans - Race Final Classification by Category" (PDF). fiawec.alkamelsystems.com. Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). 22 August 2021. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
- "Road to Le Mans - 89o Edition des 24 Heures du Mans - Race 2 Final Classification by Category" (PDF). 21 August 2021. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
- "2021 Endurance Racing Legends - 89o Edition des 24 Heures du Mans - Race 1 (45 Minutes) - Final Classification by Class" (PDF). 20 August 2021. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
- "Lamborghini Super Trofeo Europe - 92o Edition des 24 Heures du Mans - Race 1 (45 Minutes) - Final Classification" (PDF). fiawec.alkamelsystems.com. Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). 13 June 2024. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
- "Ferrari Challenge - 91o Edition des 24 Heures du Mans - Race (35 Minutes) - Final Classification" (PDF). 10 June 2023. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
- "2023 Porsche Carrera Cup - 91o Edition des 24 Heures du Mans - Race (45 Minutes) - Final Classification" (PDF). fiawec.alkamelsystems.com. Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). 10 June 2023. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
- ^ "2022 Ligier European Series - 90o Edition des 24 Heures du Mans - Race 1 - Provisional Classification by Category" (PDF). 10 June 2022. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
- "FIA WEC - 83o Edition des 24 Heures du Mans - Race - Final Classification by Class" (PDF). fiawec.alkamelsystems.com. Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). 14 June 2015. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
- ^ "FIA WEC - 85o Edition des 24 Heures du Mans - Race - Final Classification by Class" (PDF). fiawec.alkamelsystems.com. Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). 5 November 2017. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
- "24 Heures du Mans 16-17 Juin 2007" (PDF). 17 June 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
- "Palmares de Tomas Enge aux 24H du Mans". Retrieved 13 November 2022.
- "Driver of 24 heures du Mans : Tomas Enge". Retrieved 13 November 2022.
- "Road to Le Mans - 85o Edition des 24 Heures du Mans - Race 2 - Final Classification by Class" (PDF). 17 June 2017. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
- "Road to Le Mans - 85o Edition des 24 Heures du Mans - Race 1 - Final Classification by Class" (PDF). 15 June 2017. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
- "82o Edition des 24 Heures du Mans - Le Mans Porsche Cup - Race 2 (45') - Provisional Classification" (PDF). fiawec.alkamelsystems.com. Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). 14 June 2014. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
- "81o Edition des 24 Heures du Mans - Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli - Race (45') - Final Classification" (PDF). fiawec.alkamelsystems.com. Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). 22 June 2013. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
- "Le Mans 24 Hours 2006". 18 June 2006. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
- ^ "74th Le Mans 24 Hours - Hours 22, 23 & 24". 18 June 2006. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
- "24 Heures LE MANS -- Race Times 10.50 a.m". 18 June 2006. Archived from the original on 14 November 2022. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "Le Mans 24 Hours 2002". 16 June 2002. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
- ^ "Le Mans 24 Hours 2005". 19 June 2005. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
- "Le Mans 24 Hours 2003". 15 June 2003. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
- "Le Mans 24 Hours 2004". 13 June 2004. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
- "Le Mans 24 Hours 1999". 13 June 1999. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
- ^ "Le Mans 24 Hours 2000". 18 June 2000. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
- "Le Mans 24 Hours 1998". 7 June 1998. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
- "Le Mans 24 Hours 1997". 15 June 1997. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
- "Le Mans 24 Hours 1993". 20 June 1993. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
- "Le Mans 24 Hours 1996". 16 June 1996. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
- ^ "Le Mans 24 Hours 1990". 17 June 1990. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
- ^ "Le Mans 24 Hours 1996". 16 June 1996. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
- "Le Mans 24 Hours 1995". 18 June 1995. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
- ^ "Le Mans 24 Hours 1989". 11 June 1989. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
- "Le Mans 24 Hours 1986". 1 June 1986. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
- ^ "Le Mans 24 Hours 1985". 16 June 1985. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
- "Le Mans 24 Hours 1981". 14 June 1981. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
- "Le Mans 24 Hours 1984". 17 June 1984. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
- "Le Mans 24 Hours 1978". 11 June 1978. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
- "Le Mans 24 Hours 1973". 10 June 1973. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
- "Le Mans 24 Hours 1971". 13 June 1971. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
- "Le Mans 24 Hours 1968". 29 September 1968. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
- "Le Mans 24 Hours 1967". 11 June 1967. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
- "Le Mans 24 Hours 1955". 12 June 1955. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
- "Le Mans 24 Hours 1930". 22 June 1930. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
- "Le Mans 24 Hours 1928". 17 June 1928. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
- ^ "In 1988, a Renegade Le Mans Team Broke The Record At The Mulsanne Straight". roadandtrack.com. 10 July 2016. Retrieved 7 June 2017.
- "2015 Le Mans Formula Renault 3.5 - Race 2 (40' +1 lap) - Final Classification" (PDF). 27 September 2015. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
- "2002 NDS EuroBOSS Championship - Round 8: Le Mans, 27th October". 27 October 2002. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
- ^ "Le Mans 1000 Kilometres 2003". 9 November 2003. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
- "DTM 2006 » Le Mans Round 9 Results". 15 October 2006. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
- "2008 Formula 3 Euro Series Le Mans Race 1 Statistics". 5 October 2008. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
- "Ultimate Cup Series Round #4 - Le Mans Circuit - September 11-12 2021 - Challenge Proto 3H Endurance - Final Classification". 12 September 2021. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
- "Le Mans 4 Hours 2016". 24 April 2016. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
- "Challenge Endurance PFV V de V 2016 standings". Retrieved 6 January 2023.
- "2015 Le Mans Renault Sport Trophy - Elite Race (25' +1 lap) - Final Classification" (PDF). 27 September 2015. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
- "2015 Le Mans - Formula Renault 2.0 Eurocup - Race 2 (25' +1 lap) - Final Classification" (PDF). 8 October 2015. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
- "Ultimate Cup Series Round #4 - Le Mans Circuit - September 11-12 2021 - Kennol GT-Touring Sprint Race 4 - Final Classification". 12 September 2021. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
- "24 Heures Motos 13 - 16 April 2023 Race - Final Ranking". 16 April 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
- "2016 Porsche Cup France Bugatti (Race 2)". 11 September 2016. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
- "2009 Round 5: Le Mans - Eurocup Megane Trophy - Race 2 (40' +1 lap) - Final Classification" (PDF). 19 July 2009. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
- "GP Explorer - 08 Octobre 2022 - Course - Classement Sur Le Nombre de Tours". 8 October 2022. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
- "Grand Prix Explorer". Mygale Cars. 14 October 2022. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
- "2014 French Formula 4 Bugatti (Race 2)". 26 April 2014. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
- "2004 French Super Touring Championship Round 6: Le Mans Bugatti, 25th-26th September - Race 2". 26 September 2004. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
- "2014 24 Heures Camions - NASCAR Whelen Euro Series - Elite 1 - Course 1" (PDF). 11 October 2014. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
- "2015 24 Heures Camions - Championnat Europe Camions FIA - Race 1" (PDF). 10 October 2015. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
- "1990 Le Mans F3000". Motor Sport Magazine. 23 September 1990. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
- "2001 Le Mans French F3". Motor Sport Magazine. 29 September 2001. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
- "International Sports Racing Series Le Mans 1998". 20 September 1998. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
- "2001 French Formula Renault Championship - Le Mans Bugatti - 30th September, Round 8". 30 September 2001. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
- "2001 French GT Championship - Le Mans Bugatti - 25 March - Race 2". 25 March 2001. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
- "1990-09-07 to 1990-09-09 - World Superbike French Round - Race 2". 9 September 1990. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
- "4 Hours of Le Mans Autumn Cup". 24 September 1995. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
- "2000 Porsche Cup Deutschland Le Mans". 17 September 2000. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
- "2000 French Super Touring Championship Round 7: Le Mans Bugatti - 16/17 September Race 2 - 12 laps". 17 September 2000. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
- "1986 Le Mans F3000". Motor Sport Magazine. 28 September 1986. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
- "1986 Le Mans French F3". Motor Sport Magazine. 28 September 1986. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
- "World Superbike - Le Mans 1988 - Race 1 Results". 4 September 1988. Archived from the original on 14 April 2016. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
- "1981 Le Mans French F3". Motor Sport Magazine. 20 September 1981. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
- "1978 Championnat de France Formule Renault Bugatti". 15 October 1978. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
- "Données climatiques de la station de Le Mans" (PDF) (in French). Meteo France. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
- "Normes et records 1961–1990: Le Mans – Arnage (72) – altitude 51m" (in French). Infoclimat. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
Sources
- Fuller, Michael J. (2010), "Mulsanne's Corner: Maximum Speeds at Le Mans, 1961-1989", Mulsanne's Corner, technical analysis of contemporary sports prototype racing cars
- RC staff (2015), "Le Mans", RacingCircuits.info, archived from the original on 8 December 2016, retrieved 11 April 2015
- Speedhunters staff (13 June 2008), "Temple Of Speed>> The Mulsanne Straight", Speedhunters
External links
- Official website
- RacingCircuits.info's history of Circuit de la Sarthe Archived 2016-12-08 at the Wayback Machine
- Trackpedia's guide to driving Le Mans
- Satellite Picture by Google Maps
- History and track maps 1921–2006
- Trackpedia's guide to Le Mans Bugatti
- Track Reviewers reviews of Le Mans