Work before this year’s race focused on kerbs and verges. For 2016, there will be more improvements of that sort around the Porsche Curves, especially on the Bridge Corner or Virage du Pont, but the big project this year for the Syndicat Mixte des 24h du Mans (the public organisation in charge of managing large investments for the track) involves installing SAFER barriers. FIA technicians, members of the national committee for racing tracks and ACO managers have all analysed and inspected the site and recommend these improvements.

SAFER stands for Steel And Foam Energy Reduction. The barriers are made of a high-strength tubular steel skin that distributes the impact load to energy-absorbing foam cartridges. The result is commonly known as a soft wall due to its capacity to reduce the severity of an impact and help prevent injury to the driver.

Still with safety in mind, the Syndicat Mixte will be adding a run-off area to the left of the Bridge Corner, where the track spans a stream. The gravel trap on Arnage corner will also be extended.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A roundabout is planned on the public road section of the track at Arnage but this will not affect the circuit. Let’s not forget that most of the Circuit des 24 Heures du Mans uses public roads that carry heavy traffic all year round. Of course, on race days, the roads are closed to ordinary traffic and the race cars bypass the roundabouts at Tertre Rouge, on the Mulsanne Straight and at Mulsanne corner.

All these improvements will be completed by the Test Day for the 84th running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans on 18–19 June 2016.

Cécile Bonardel / ACO — Translated from French by Emma Paulay

Photo: LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES DU MANS, WEDNESDAY 18 NOVEMBER 2015. Track evolutions at Virage d'Arnage.