24h Le Mans
Although there won’t be any cars out on the track today, there is still plenty to see and do at the Circuit. First, there is the pit walk, the last chance for the public to get close to the 60 cars and the teams entered in the world’s greatest motor race. The Village will also be open with all its usual activities, while there are a number of other events in Saint Saturnin, Le Mans and Mulsanne. Read on to find out what’s in store today.
At the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Friday before race day is a special time for fans and everyone involved. The excitement really mounts in the lead-up to the big day and it is now only a matter of hours until 3pm tomorrow, when Brad Pitt will lower the French flag to unleash the cars on the grid.
The qualifiers are now over, with Porsche and Ford excelling in their respective classes, and the teams are now focused on the big day. Fans with a "General Enclosure" ticket will be able to wander down the pit lane and watch what’s going on in the garages. The Village is open from 10:00 to 20:00, while the funfair runs until midnight. The race atmosphere will also extend beyond the boundaries of the Circuit to the north and south of Le Mans. In Saint Saturnin, the now traditional Classic British Welcome is celebrating Alpine this year, while over in Mulsanne, more than 350 classic cars will be on display. And, of course, in the centre of Le Mans, there is the long-awaited Driver’s Parade.
The Saint Saturnin Classic British Welcome – 09:00-16:00
Close to 1,000 iconic cars, old and new, will gather in the village of Saint Saturnin to the north of Le Mans this Friday, on the eve of the 84th Le Mans 24 Hours. The event opens at 9:00 and runs till 16:00 at the Val de Vray centre in the village. This year, the Classic British Welcome will be celebrating French marque Alpine. The Alpine Bretagne Club (ABC) will be in attendance along with Jean-Pierre Jaussaud (24 Hours of Le Mans winner with Alpine in 1978 and with Rondeau in 1980) and Mauro Bianchi, who drove for Alpine at Le Mans in 1968. There are also art exhibitions, model cars, a cinema, a marching band and the traditional “Motoring Cavalcade” – a parade of the most iconic cars in the show that heads for the city centre to join in the evening’s Drivers Parade.
Pit Walk – 10:00-20:00
On the eve of the final showdown, the cars stay away from the track – but for spectators, this is an opportunity to walk along the majestic pit land, open to the public all day long. Anyone with a “General Enclosure” ticket can come along and view the 60 cars and, if they are lucky, grab a photograph of their favourite driver!
Funfair – 10:00-midnight
One of the most popular attractions for thrill seekers at the 24 Hours of Le Mans is the traditional funfair. The big wheel can be seen from all around the circuit and there are plenty of other rides, a shooting gallery, dodgems and all the usual stalls. Enjoy the typical funfair atmosphere without having to leave the circuit!
The Women’s Pavilion and the Virtual Room – 10:00-20:00
Women have their own special pavilion, offering a relaxation area, an exhibition devoted to the motor car, various activities and the chance to talk to personalities linked to the race. Elsewhere in the Village, racegoers are invited to “Feel the Experience” in the Virtual Room where the very latest virtual reality technology promises a fully immersive race experience.
Mulsanne Corner, Goodwood style! – 10:00-17:00
The event organised by the “Virage de Mulsanne” association celebrates the official Ford comeback with the Ford GT, worthy successor to the Ford MkII that triumphed 50 years ago. This is the event’s fifth year and fans are invited along to the renowned Corner to view the Ford GT 40 and an array of other cars from the American manufacturer, including the Mustang, Shelby, Ford T, Ford A, Taunus, Capri, Anglia, Vedette, Versailles and Comète. Drivers from the past and present will be there for photos and autographs, while bands play to entertain the crowds. Almost 500 cars are expected to be on display at the event, located between the Mulsanne and Indianapolis corners.
Drivers’ Parade – 17:30-19:00
The 22nd annual Drivers’ Parade is an unmissable opportunity for fans to cheer on the drivers entered in the 24 Hours of Le Mans as they parade around the streets of Le Mans on-board some stunning classic cars. Organised by Classic Automotive in liaison with the Automobile Club de l’Ouest, the Parade is an unforgettable celebration right in the heart of the city.
Photo: Le Mans, France, Circuit de la Sarthe, Thursday 16 June. After the excitement of the qualifiers, the pit lane will be open to the public from 10:00 to 20:00 today. There will be plenty to see and do elsewhere around Le Mans on the eve of the 24 Hours. The big day is almost upon us!
