24h Le Mans
On Tuesday 09/06 June, fans get a chance once again to rub elbows with their favourite drivers at the autograph session and then watch the thrill-ride Pit Stop Challenge among other activities. Which team's mechanics might snatch the trophy from last year's winner, Peugeot TotalEnergies?
Today, the energy at the Le Mans circuit is rapidly growing even before the cars entered in the 94th 24 Hours take the track for the first free practice tomorrow. This is a day designed for those who want to see the race from the inside and catch a glimpse of preparations underway.
Pit lane will open at 13:45 so spectators can participate in the annual pit walk and check out the garages of the 62 competitors as team mechanics make final adjustments. For many, this is a highlight of race week as an opportunity to discover the Le Mans classic a few metres from those making it happen.
At 14:00, the spotlight turns to those you don't hear about quite as much, but whose every move can change the fate of the race, namely the mechanics.
The Pit Stop Challenge is back for its fifth year to determine which team can perform the fastest possible wheel change. The contest is physically demanding and technically challenging: a wheel weighs more than 20 kg, a pneumatic gun weighs about 6 kg and the mechanics have just a few seconds to execute movements repeated hundreds of times throughout the season.
A pit stop at the 24 Hours is a precise choreographed routine. Nothing is left to chance. And when the clock is ticking, every move counts.
Last year, the technical staff assigned to Peugeot TotalEnergies' #93 Peugeot 9X8 clocked the quickest time of 8.83 secondes in the Hypercar class, AF Corse took the prize in LMP2 and Iron Dames in LMGT3. Who will win today?
The fan-favourite autograph session has changed a bit for the 94th running of the race, promising an even more memorable experience for drivers and fans alike. Each team will first appear on the podium before heading to the pit straight where fans can meet them for autographs, selfies and sought-after interactions.
A baseball cap tucked under one’s arm or a poster to get signed, a souvenir photo or simply a few words exchanged — these are the moments that remain lifelong memories.
At a few short kilometres outside the circuit, the party continues from 16:00 to 23:00 in the town of Ruaudin with the 10th edition of the R’Hunaudières.
The event revisits 1976, a year etched in the history of the 24 Hours marking the first victory for a turbo engine, achieved with the Porsche 936, and also the year that saw the start of the extraordinary career of a 30-year-old driven by a massive dream: Jean Rondeau.
The 2026 theme "Rondeau, a Human Adventure" pays tribute to this Le Mans icon thanks to the Jean Rondeau Association's aim to revive the unique heritage linking the city, the race and its heroes.
Guests can also admire a line-up of exceptional cars representing the marques showcased during the nine previous R’Hunaudières. The presentation of the ninth Marshals' Trophy rounds off a day dedicated to legacy and a passion for racing.
Tuesday 9 June Programme
10:00 – 20:00 | M24 – Motorsport Museum open
13:45 – 17:30 | Pit Walk
14:00 – 15:00 | Pit Stop Challenge
15:30 – 17:30 | Autograph Session
16:00 – 23:00 | The R’Hunaudières
