Le Mans – Works and new rules under neutralization regime

The Automobile Club de l'Ouest, organizing club of 24 Hours of Le Mans, announced this morning the nature of the work that will be undertaken for the 2014 season. Following the fatal accident involving Allan Simonsen, the safety rails located at the start of the Mulsanne straight will be moved. The Corvette corner will undergo some work. And this in agreement with the supervisory sports federations.

Furthermore, half-day simulator training will be compulsory for all drivers who have never competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans or who have not raced for 5 years (i.e. all editions since 2009) or more. It will take place at Le Mans on equipment approved by the ACO and will allow drivers to best understand the specific racing conditions of the event while memorizing the different zones where lights and flags are located.

Finally, note the implementation of a procedure called “slow zone” in order to reduce the impact of the presence of the safety car on the track. The principle is, in the event of an incident and intervention on the track by marshals, technical and medical services, to neutralize only part of the route. In this zone, cars will not be able to overtake or exceed 60 km/h. Outside of this zone, the competition will resume its course. This “slow zone” could be preceded if necessary by a short period of complete neutralization of the route by the safety cars.