Michelin at the 24 Hours of Le Mans Press
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PRESS KIT LE MANS 24 HOURS 2016 INNOVATION AT THE VERY HEART OF THE SHOW Michelin is delighted to once again be partnering the Le Mans 24 Hours. Since 1923, this magical, iconic race has inspired both young and old alike, and its legend is perpetuated by the tireless work and commitment of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest, which this year marks its 110th anniversary. Such an enduring heritage is something that should be celebrated, and we share the ACO’s sporting values, as well as a common vision when it comes MICHELIN: 110 YEARS to technological development and energy efficiency. 4 OF HISTORY AND INNOVATIONS In such an ultra-competitive sphere, Michelin is extremely proud to have been appointed not only LE MANS 2030 by the three biggest teams in the headlining LMP1 10 DESIGN FOR THE WIN category but also by the vast majority of manufacturers competing in the GTE class, whose road-going sports cars we similarly supply with factory-fitted tyres, such as the new Ford GT, the Ferrari 488 and the Corvette C7. 12 LE MANS IN NUMBERS This close link between the racetrack and the road is particularly important for Michelin, being very much the raison d’être for our engagement in motorsport. MICHELIN’S 2016 ENDURANCE Michelin has always treated all of the motorsport disciplines in which it competes as development laboratories for its mass market production tyres. To that end, 14 RACING TYRES this year, as in previous editions, some of the cars participating in the Le Mans 24 Hours will be running tyres featuring pioneering new technologies that may ultimately be incorporated into Michelin’s road tyres. 16 INTERVIEW JÉRÔME MONDAIN More than ever, innovation plays a key role in the motorsport show – just like the La Sarthe classic, whose outlook has never been so modern. MICHELIN’S PARTNER TEAMS Wishing everybody a safe race. 18 AT LE MANS Pascal Couasnon Director, Michelin Motorsport 20 MICHELIN’S LOGISTICS 22 THE MICHELIN GUIDE MICHELIN MOTORSPORT’S 23 NEW DIGITAL ECOSYSTEM 2 Press kit Le Mans 24 Hours 2016 Press kit Le Mans 24 Hours 2016 3 1906: MICHELIN’S REMOVABLE RIM MAKES THE DIFFERENCE In the wake of the famous Coupe Gordon Bennett, which was organised around a circuit designed by the Michelin brothers near their base in Clermont-Ferrand, France, and which was won by the French team in 1904 and 1905, the city of Le Mans took up the gauntlet to organise the very first Grand Prix de l’Automobile Club de France in 1906. Marked by the inventiveness of the enterprising Amédée Bollée, widely considered to be the father of the first steam-powered passenger vehicle, the city was a natural epicentre for the burgeoning adventure of the automobile. The logistics of organising the 1906 grand prix were entrusted to Georges Durand and his team which founded the Automobile Club de la Sarthe, forerunner of the ACO (Automobile Club de l’Ouest). Their priorities ranged from preparing the route and reinforcing the roads’ original surface, a blend of asphalt and sand which wasn’t up to withstanding the weight of the racing cars which tipped the scales at something like a tonne. The circuit itself formed a 103km loop to the southeast of the city and kilometres of fencing were erected to keep spectators at a distance. Footbridges and grandstands were also built. On June 26-27, 1906, the automobile world turned its attention to Le Mans where thousands of spectators lined the route to admire the 34 cars of 13 different makes. Hot weather not only complicated the work of the drivers who suffered from sunburn and dazzle, but it also damaged the road which naturally put tyres to a punishing test. Punctures were consequently a major concern for the drivers and their mechanics who were the only people authorised to work on the cars. This scenario provided the removable rims fitted with Michelin tyres with a chance to showcase their superiority over conventional rims which necessitated additional manhandling. The principle was straightforward: the rim was fixed to the wheel by eight clips which espoused the rim’s profile. To dismantle the tyre, it sufficed to slacken the nuts and remove the clips. The new tyre was then positioned on the wheel and pushed as far as possible before the clips were put back in place and the nuts tightened. The benefit of this technique was a valuable time saving, since it took just two minutes instead of 10 to change a rear tyre. It is even said that Jacques Edmond (Renault AK) performed the task in a record 75 seconds. The advantage of this breakthrough was highlighted by the performance of Hungary’s Ferenc Szisz (Renault) who won the two-day event after completing 1,239km at an rom the victory of Chenard & Walcker in the inaugural Le Mans 24 Hours back in 1923 to average speed of 101.195kph, despite having to change HERITAGE Porsche’s 17th triumph in 2015, the French race 18 tyres in the course of the race! has never failed to provide a unique spectacle and Michelin’s removable rim provided the makes who used it – Fhas earned a special place in world class motor racing. Renault, Fiat and Italia – with an incomparable advantage. The MICHELIN: 110 YEARS Over the decades, it has become a legendary classic that notion of pit stops was soon challenged by the Grand Prix has spawned many automotive innovations, while corners de l’ACF’s regulations but Michelin reaped the rewards for like Arnage, Mulsanne, Indianapolis and Tertre Rouge what was an ingenious and decisive invention for the day. OF HISTORY AND INNOVATIONS have become household names with fans and each one has countless tales to tell. 1923: A ONE-TWO FINISH FOR CHENARD Michelin has long seen the Le Mans 24 Hours as a laboratory to work on and develop new technologies, The French circuit is only one of a handful that have survived & WALCKER AT LE MANS as well as a race that fosters innovation. We look at Michelin’s association with Le Mans, from the for so long in their near-original form and it is renowned across the sport as a venue that pushes the cars’ mechanicals The visionary Michelin brothers, Edouard and André, also removable rim of 1906 to today’s ultra-sophisticated tyres. to their limit. At the same time, it has always delivered a played a decisive role in the nascent aviation industry at captivating cocktail of human endeavour and new technologies the beginning of the 20th Century by offering significant since the very early days of road racing. sums of money to its pioneers. 4 Press kit Le Mans 24 Hours 2016 Press kit Le Mans 24 Hours 2016 5 Heritage / Michelin: 110 years of history and innovations Their ranks included Wilbur Wright who won the Coupe covered at an average speed of 92.064kph) and Bachman/ B20 GT was able to win (in 1952) the S 2.0 class at Le Michelin in 1908 when he established new world distance Dauvergne (+4 laps) recorded a landmark one-two finish. Mans in addition to coming 12th overall on standard tyres (123.2km) and duration (2h23m) records near Le Mans. The two cars were equipped with Michelin tyres which featured (size: 165x400mmx15.7 inches). The Great War put a halt to racing but the ACO reinstated a casing made up of woven, parallel textile threads. The the Grand Prix de France in 1921 which laid the foundations introduction by Michelin of carbon black in 1919 increased for the new circuit that would go on to host the first great tyre life fivefold and the Michelin Confort which won Le 1967: RADIAL SLICKS endurance race. Mans was displayed at the following September’s Paris The original triangular itinerary from Le Mans and back Motor Show before going on general sale. The patent for radial tyres was registered in 1946 and the via Saint-Calais and La Ferté-Bernard used by the 1906 The resumption of racing after WW2 in 1949 saw victory go technology considerably improved not only road holding Grand Prix de l’ACF was dropped in favour of a new route to an Italian make, Ferrari, ahead of an armada of French but also tyre life, while additionally achieving fuel savings. that actually ran though the city’s eastern outskirts where opposition. Over the years, the diameter of the wheels and As the battle raged between British and Italian makes, the the formerly famous Pontlieue hairpin was located. tyres became smaller but they also got wider. French tyre firm innovated yet again in 1967 by providing The 17.262km dirt track was illuminated by acetylene The entry of the Renault 4CV in 1951 marked a turning its partner Alpine with radial slicks for its A210s. lamps and military floodlights and the fastest of the 33 entries point, but the appearance of Michelin’s Radial X tyre introduced Thanks to the performance of this new solution, which was reached top speeds of up to 150kph. The precarious grip, a revolutionary casing design. reserved for racing purposes only, Mauro Bianchi posted especially in the rain, led to a high number of offs. Its unprecedented performance characteristics not only the first sub-four-minute lap at the test day, while Grand- At 4pm on Sunday, May 27, 1923, the three-litre, 90hp reduced fuel consumption but also enhanced tyre life and sire/Rosinski (9th overall) won the 1.3-litre proto class in Chenard & Walckers of Lagache/Léonard (2,209.536km, safety.