Photo : Marc LAFFEAS / ACO

 

A presentation has been carried out in the presence of Dominique Le Mèner - Président de la Commission de l’Aménagement Numérique des Territoires, des Infrastructures et des routes du Conseil Général - and Pierre Graffe - director of the Syndicat Mixte - and Ghislain Robert, director of the ACO's "Le Mans Resort".

Historically, the ACO - in close collaboration with the FFSA and the FIA and thanks to the Syndicat Mixte of the 24 Hours of Le Mans*, continues to increase the unique circuit's safety as it mainly utilizes roads open to traffic when not used for the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the biennial Le Mans Classic. In 2014, in addition to the development of a gravel trap at the "Virage Corvette" and the improvement from a safety standpoint at the Mulsanne chicanes, attention has also been given to the exit "Virage du Tertre Rouge" that is the connection point between the permanent part of the curcuit and the RD 338, more commonly known as the "Mulsanne Straight".

"Last year's accident caused us to consider - in close collaboraiton with the ACO, the FFSA and the FIA - different ways to improve this part of the circuit's safety measures," stated Jean-Marie Geveaux while presenting the renovations being completed over almost 250 meters at the exit of the "Tertre Rouge". Pierre Graffe in turn explained: "Beyond the track, we moved the rails 150 meters in relation to the trees and two protective rows of tyres were placed over 200 meters. Therefore, we must also slightly move the axis of the RD 338 200 meters. The track will go a little more to the inside of the circuit: it is necessary to stabilize the roadway at that location. A 300,000 € operation financed by the Syndicat Mixte*."

Completion is planned for May 28th in time for a smooth Test Day (June 1st). From May 12th to 14th, the Colas company will proceed with pavement enlargements. From May 19th to 20th, the tar will be poured and traffic closures and detours will be put in place. From May 21st to 28th, the protective tyres will be installed.

Dominique Le Mèner wished to recall the major economic impact the 24 Hours of Le Mans and other related events have at not only a departmental level but also a national level, fully justifying the investment.

The implementation of a gravel trap at the "Virage Corvette", requested by the FIA, is estimated to cost 620,000 € and the reinforcement of the RD 140 and 139 asphalt shoulders between Mulsanne, Arnage and the "Virage Porsche" 450,000 €. In 2014, various work was in progress on the Bugatti circuit like coating pit lane, the new gravel trap at Chemin aux Boeufs. Without forgetting the width and curbs at the esses of the forest and the doubling of tyre rows at several points. On the spectator side, the Syndicat Mixte is having work done to meet accessibility standards. All total, 2.2 M€ will be invested in 2014 by the Syndicat Mixte of the 24 Hours of Le Mans circuit.

Ghislain Robert concludes: "The main work for 2014 is focused on the 'Tertre Rouge' since during winter we took care of other projects like safety at the chicanes and the installation of a gravel trap at the 'Virage Corvette'. Everything went off in perfect harmony with the Syndicat Mixte, the Conseil Général, the FIA  and the ACO."

*Composition of the Syndicat Mixte of the 24 Hours of Le Mans
The Syndicat Mixte is 50% Conseil Général de la Sarthe, 25% Conseil Régional des Pays de la Loire, 15% Metro Le Mans and 10% City of Le Mans.

The President of the Syndicat Mixte of the 24 Hours of Le Mans is Jean-Marie Geveaux, President of the Conseil Général de la Sarthe, elected in 2011. Ten elected officials of the Conseil Général in addition to the President - 5 from the Region, 3 from Metro Le Mans and 2 from the City of Le Mans - form the Syndicat Mixte.
 

Translation by Nikki Ehrhardt / ACO