Photo : Olivier BEROUD - Vision Sport Agency

 

Andrew Gurtis, Vice President of Operations for Daytona International Speedway, explained this history and the rationale for the lighting system used during the Rolex 24: “The lighting around the tri-oval was installed in 1998, and the first race under the lights was the NASCAR 400-miler in July 1998.”

He went on to detail the lighting system as it currently exists: “There are 191 poles around the outside of the oval and there are 419 mirrored lights on the inside of the race track that shine up onto the cars as they travel around the oval. Also, 20 additional light poles have been added in the infield and the backstretch ‘bus-stop’.”

When asked to compare the use of the lighting system between a NASCAR race and the Rolex 24, Gurtis explained that the sports car race uses a 20% power setting: “Network TV for a Stock Car race uses 100% - the fans want full power like daylight. 20% is a good light level for TV production but still keeps the ambience that is important to the fans and the drivers for an endurance race. We have also learned that we need to turn off about 20 of the infield lights completely. The drivers explained that some of the lights were hitting them right in the eyes making it hard to navigate safely.”

Gurtis was eager to add: “The lights are better for our guests to see the cars going around. The Rolex 24 is a happening, and part of that is because this entire place cranks up for a nonstop party of more than 30 hours when you include the pre-race ceremonies.” For Le Mans, though the summer night is short, most of the circuit is very dark. This presents an additional challenge for the drivers, and also an opportunity for technology development. Not only do the teams use many lights and strong ones, manufacturers such as Audi apply engineering and research to optimizing their lighting to maintain their exceptional pace under all conditions. Last year, they debuted their Matrix Beam technology with direction that tracks the steering and for 2014 at Le Mans they will supplement their lighting with lasers. Audi is planning on transferring the laser technology to some of its production cars, showing one more time, that the intended purpose of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, to come up with better technologies for the automotive industry, is still a priority in 2014!”

Marjory Berkache and Cécile Bonardel / ACO

PHOTO: DAYTONA BEACH (FLORIDA, USA), DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY, 24 HOURS OF DAYTONA, SATURDAY JANUARY 25, 2014, QUALIFYING SESSION.