Le Mans – Test Day, instructions for use

This is, in a way, the starting point of the 90th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. This weekend, June 9 precisely, the traditional test day will be held. An essential meeting for anyone wishing to best prepare for one of the biggest races in the world. The Automobile Club de l?Ouest presents everything you need to know about this first important meeting of the Sarthe season.

– What is the Test Day for?

The aim of this day of free testing is to allow competitors to come and test their cars on the 24 Hours of Le Mans circuit but also to allow certain teams who will not take part in the event to discover this exceptional track. Competitors can settle within the Circuit without having to move afterwards because the events will follow one another with the Weigh-in on June 16 and 17, the official tests on the 19 and 20 then the race on the 22 and 23.

– Who must participate in the Test Day? 

– New cars (such as Lotus or Viper), with at least one copy per model;
– The teams which have never participated in the 24 Hours of Le Mans;
– Drivers who have never participated in the 24 Hours of Le Mans or who do not appear in the list of confirmed drivers automatically admitted to participate in official tests since the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2008. Each driver concerned must complete at least ten laps during the day, the ACO reserving the right not to retain a driver if his performance or skills are deemed insufficient.

– Who can participate in the Test Day?

– The competitors entered in the 24 Hours of Le Mans;
– Manufacturer cars under development, after acceptance of the file;
– Competitors regularly entered in the continental Le Mans series: American Le Mans Series, Asian Le Mans Series and European Le Mans Series.

– What types of cars can take part in the Test Day?

– The two categories of prototypes which compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans (LM P1 and LM P2); the two GTE categories competing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans (LM GTE Pro and LM GTE Am), invited to the 24 2013 Hours of Le Mans in accordance with the terms of the Supplementary Regulations for the 24 Hours of Le Mans;
– The LM P1, LM P2, LM GTE Pro and LM GTE Am, not invited to the 24 2012 Hours of Le Mans and which meet the technical specifications of the World Championship Endurance of the FIA ​​2013;
– Prototypes in the Formula Le Mans category (remember that they are not allowed to start the 24 Hours of Le Mans);
– Innovative cars, within the limit of two. Note that none will be present this year.

– On which circuit?

The 13,629 km route used for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, installed for the occasion. The road network roads used will be closed to traffic from 4:00 a.m. on June 9 and reopened shortly after 18:22 p.m., the end time of the tests. This circuit is not only unique in the world but it is also difficult for teams to simulate its very particular characteristics on other competition tracks or virtually on a computer. Hence the importance of measuring yourself before the deadline of June 23 and XNUMX.

- When ?

Technical and administrative checks will take place on Friday June 7 (9:30 a.m. to 18 p.m.) and Saturday June 8 (8:30 a.m. to 12:50 p.m.) within the Le Mans circuit near the paddock.
The driving sessions will take place from 9 a.m. to 13 p.m. and from 14 p.m. to 18 p.m. on Sunday June 9, 2013. These tests are free.

– Who will be the stars?

After the first two races of the 2013 FIA World Endurance Championship, questions are high regarding the potential of the two announced duellists: Audi, defending champion and victorious at Silverstone then Spa this year and Toyota, the challenger who dreams of a victory at Le Mans after the three second places already won (1992, 94 and 99). Note that the German brand is fielding a fourth R18 e-tron quattro on this special day. Its mission is to test Michelin tires adapted to the regulations which will be in force from 2014. It will also be interesting to measure where the private LM P1s with petrol engines from Rebellion and Strakka stand. In LM P2, the pelotons from the World Endurance Championship and the European Le Mans Series will this time face each other directly in the presence of teams also entered in the American Le Mans Series and Asian Le Mans Series. The great galaxy of Le Mans championships is there with very different cars. Will Oreca and Morgan be able to play at the forefront again? Alpine and Lotus will they create a surprise? Will the Zyteks be in front again? In LM GTE Pro, the Ferrari will try to keep the spotlight ahead of an impressive factory field made up of Corvettes, Aston Martin very lively, Porsche and Viper with official commitments. And of course in LM GTE Am, all eyes will be on Patrick Dempsey returning to Le Mans but also on the leaders of the category, the Corvettes of Larbre Compétition, the Aston Martins, the Porsches of?IMSA Matmut performance? Finally, note the presence of two Formula Le Mans.

– How to attend?

This day is open to the public.
Exceptional price: €17 for the Test Day, free for young people born after June 10, 1997.
Free access for general venue ticket holders for the 24 2013 Hours of Le Mans.
Free Blue Parking for motorists.
Please note that the reception areas at the Arnage and Mulsanne bends are also open to the public.
Access to the circuit grounds is possible from Friday June 7.