Lets talk Le Mans!

Wednesday, May 09, 2018

Scary that it seems, but the 24Hours of Le Mans 2018 is not that far away and as there is always so much going on its never too early to start planning.

Everything kicks off (as usual) with the Official Test Day which this year is over Sunday 3rd June with two - four hour sessions either side of lunch, not forgetting the scrutineering checks, pit walks and official photographs that take place over Thursday, Friday and Saturday before that.

Entry is free to race weekend ticket holders.

Whilst most, if not all of the teams stay over at the circuit rebuilding their cars, garages and hospitality areas over the following week, the next event in the build up to the race weekend itself is of course Le Pesage (The Show) where the cars being entered into the race are again scrutineered by the race officials under the watchful eye of the gathered crowds in the Place de La Republique in Le Mans town centre over the Sunday and Monday prior.

For the four Aston Martin Racing cars - there appointment in the town is from 13:40 on Monday 11th June.

No track action Tuesday but plenty of things to see and do with more official photographs being taken and the first autograph session of the week in the pit lane as well as a number of events in the outlaying villages around the circuit which are all worth a visit.

The first Free Practice session for the LM24 cars takes place over Wednesday afternoon as well as the first all important night session where every driver must complete at least five laps.

Thursday 14th is a busy day for the Aston Martin Racing Festival paddock (entry details still to be confirmed by AMR) with first a 45 minute session followed immediately by another 40 minute session before lunch before their Qualifying session later in the afternoon. The day is then rounded off with by first a day and then a night Qualifying Sessions for the LM24 runners.

Friday is another non track day but is a day where you can enter pit lane and watch the teams rebuild and refettle their cars ready for the start of the race on Saturday followed in the evening with the traditional drivers parade in Le Mans town centre.

Saturday 16th sees morning warm up for the LM24 runners before the 45 minute race for the Aston Martin Racing Festival runners. Hopefully this year, there will be no repeat of an incident that put pay to the race in 2015 after just 2 or 3 laps - a race that was later red flagged whilst the cars were behind the Safety Car because of barrier damage.

Then at 15:00Hrs (Local) - the start of the 2018 24Hours of Le Mans.