Every track experiences changes and evolutions during its working life, and the Circuit des 24 Heures is no exception. Since the first 24-hour race was held in 1923 the circuit used has changed no fewer than 14 times, the most recent incarnation being introduced in 2007.
This year, with safety very much at the forefront of the ACO’s mind, the following changes have been carried out – all without affecting the length of the circuit which remains at 13.629 km.
- Pits straight and pit lane: resurfaced.
- Virage de la Chapelle: the link between the Bugatti circuit and the full 24-hour layout has been resurfaced.
- Tertre Rouge corner: The exit from Tertre Rouge has been improved from a safety point of view with re-positioned Armco barriers widening the track by approximately 1.5 metres towards the inside of the corner; two new rows of tyres in front of the guardrail and resurfacing.
- Les Hunaudières straight: Protection of the residents’ houses completed, improved safety on exit from the two chicanes thanks to the addition of two rows of tyres.
- Porsche Curves: Extra safety measures in the first Porsche corner with the addition of new TechPro barriers.
- Corvette/Karting corner: Creation of a new run-off area consisting of a gravel trap measuring 188m in length at the back of which two rows of tyres have been installed in front of the protective wall. The layout of the corner remains unchanged.
- Ford Chicane: New kerbing and stabilisation of the hard shoulders.
- Improved lighting, by introduction of strong, LED lights, in the both chicanes and at the entry to the Porsche and Ford corners. Also, introduction of new marshal lights around the circuit.
Fiona Miller
Photos: Courtesy of David Legangneux/Dailysportscar.com. From top: 1) The re-positioned Armco barrier at Tertre Rouge; 2) Tech Pro barriers at Porsche Curves; 3) New gravel trap at Corvette Corner (formerly Karting Corner); 4) Kerbs at Ford Chicane.
