Le Mans (not just) for Dummies The Club Arnage Guide to the 24 hours of Le Mans 2012 *** STOP-PRESS *** IMPORTANT *** PLEASE READ *** Dear reader, The following press release was published by the A.C.O on 5th June 2012. In case you already hold tickets for the 24h of Le Mans 2012 please read: NOTE FROM THE AUTOMOBILE CLUB DE L’OUEST Tickets damaged by light and heat The Automobile Club de l’Ouest has found a quality problem on the thermal paper used for all the access tickets to the Le Mans 24-Hours test day. The tickets become black when exposed to the heat or the sun for extended periods, so they cannot be checked (visual or scan). This problem has arisen because our supplier has used defective paper. All the tickets - pedestrians, car parks camp sites and traffic are concerned. To be able to continue to use your tickets please respect the following instructions: - Do not expose your tickets to the light or heat. - Do not use the plastic pouch that enables you to show the car park, welcome area or traffic circulation pass behind your windscreen. - Only take out the ticket for checks. - Do not leave them in your vehicle. However, the print from the thermal printers is stronger so it is possible read the bar code numbers as well as the transaction numbers to find these tickets in the ticket computer programme and to reprint them if necessary. Additional personnel will be entrusted with the job of replacing the tickets by E-tickets printed on ordinary paper. Seven places for reprinting the defective tickets will be available from Monday 11th June 2012 open from 08h00 to 18h00. They will stay open all week until Sunday 17th June at 14h00. - The General Welcome (ticket office) at the Rotonde, in the Parc des Expositions, - North entrance, - South entrance, - East entrance - Annex entrance - Beauséjour entrance - The sporting module (main building in front of the pits) Outside these times, a single withdrawal point will be available at the ‘Plis en attente’ in the Rotonde in the Le Mans Parc des Expositions. The Automobile Club de l’Ouest would like to present its excuses to the spectators, partners, team members, suppliers and media representatives for this inconvenience that is outside its responsibility and caused by the use of unsuitable paper by one of its suppliers. We remain at your disposal for further information on 33 (0) 2 43 40 2012 (between 09h00 and 18h00). Ticket Office : Automobile Club de l'Ouest - Circuit des 24 Heures - 72019 Le Mans Cedex 2 - France 00 33 8 92 69 72 24 (tel 0,34€/min) - 00 33 2 43 40 21 22 (fax) [email protected] www.lemans.org / "It was OK until I reached the middle of the curve. Then I ran out of talent.” Jochen Mass after losing his Porsche 936 during the 1978 race in the Porsche curves Copyright The entire contents of this publication and, in particular of all photographs, maps and articles contained therein, are protected by the laws in force relating to intellectual property. All rights which have not been expressly granted remain the property of Club Arnage. The reproduction, depiction, publication, distribution or copying of all or any part of this publication, or the modification of all or any part of it, in any form whatsoever is strictly forbidden without the prior written consent of Club Arnage (CA). Club Arnage (CA) hereby grants you the right to read and to download and to print copies of this document or part of it solely for your own personal use. Disclaimer Although care has been taken in preparing the information supplied in this publication, the authors do not and cannot guarantee the accuracy of it. The authors cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions and accept no liability whatsoever for any loss or damage howsoever arising. All images and logos used are the property of Club Arnage (CA) or CA forum members or are believed to be in the public domain. This guide is not an official publication; it is not authorized, approved or endorsed by the race-organizer: Automobile Club de L’Ouest (A.C.O.) Mentions légales Le contenu de ce document et notamment les photos, plans, et descriptif, sont protégés par les lois en vigueur sur la propriété intellectuelle. Tous les droits qui ne sont pas expressement concédés, sont réservés par Club Arnage (CA). Il est interdit de reproduire, représenter, transférer, distribuer ou d’enregistrer tout ou partie de ces éléments sous quelque forme que ce soit, sans l’accord préalable express de Club Arnage (CA), sous réserve du service de téléchargement et de l’autorisation suivante : Club Arnage (CA) vous autorise à visualiser, parcourir et consulter les pages du document et à imprimer des copies de ce document ou des extraits de ces pages à des seules fins personnelles. Le contenu fourni par le présent document est fourni de bonne foi sans garantie d'aucune sorte expresse ou tacite, y compris aucune garantie concernant l'adéquation de ce contenu a un objet particulier ou l'absence de contrefaçon de droit de propriété intellectuelle. Les auteurs ne garantissent pas l'exactitude, l'exhaustivité, la fiabilité du contenu du présent document. En conséquence, les auteurs n'assument aucune responsabilité résultant de leur utilisation ou de leur application et les auteurs ne sera donc redevable d'aucunes dommages et intérêts, tant pour les dommages directs que pour les dommages indirects. Les images ci- dessus s’agissent des droits d’exploitation appartenant soit au Club Arnage (CA) soit aux ses adhérents soit vraisemblablement au domaine public. Ce guide n’est pas d’une publication officielle et n’a pas été autorisé ni approuvé par l’organisateur de l’épreuve: Automobile Club de L’Ouest (A.C.O.) The Club Arnage Guide to the 24 hours of Le Mans 2012 2 Table of content Foreword............................................................................................................................................................... 4 Hall of fame........................................................................................................................................................... 5 Call for Donations…………………………………………………………………………………………………………... 6 The Race Le Mans (not just ) for Dummies – A brief history………………………………………………………………………. 7 The “Circuit 24 Heures”……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 20 War of the classes………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 23 Sporting regulations………………………………………………………………………………………………………... 26 Driver Categories…………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 28 Map of the circuit…………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 29 Where to watch……………………………………………………………………………………………………………... 30 Waving the flags and so much more – The marshals………………………………………………………………….. 34 Radio Le Mans – Tune in at 91.2 FM……………………………………………………………………………………. 36 Race week schedule……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 38 Entry list……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………... 38 The Support Races.………………………………………………………………………………………………………... 54 Trivia and Fascinating Facts.................................................................................................................................. 57 Garage 56 – The Deltawing project……………………………………………………………………………………… 61 Other activities in and around Le Mans Administrative Checking & Scrutineering………………………………………………………………………………... 63 The “Ceremony of Hands”………………………………………………………………………………………............... 65 The drivers parade…………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 66 The Saint Saturnin Classic British Welcome……………………………………………………………………………. 67 Club Arnage Forum Gathering at Le Mans……………………………………………………………………………… 68 Helicopter flights…………………………………………………………………………………………………............... 69 Mad Friday………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 70 Pit Walk.................................................................................................................................................................. 72 The automobile museum………………………………………………………………………………………................. 73 Useful stuff Transport in Le Mans ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 74 Shopping in Le Mans………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 77 Bars & Restaurants………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 83 The A.C.O. village………………………………………………………………………………………………................ 88 Golf Course............................................................................................................................................................ 88 First aid – the Medical Center…………………………………………………………………………………………….. 88 Karting.................................................................................................................................................................... 88 Funfair.................................................................................................................................................................... 89 Banking services / ATMs at the circuit…………………………………………………………………………………… 89 Internet Access...................................................................................................................................................... 89 Visitors with physical disabilities............................................................................................................................ 89 Before you go How to get tickets…………………………………………………………………………………………………………... 91 A.C.O. Membership………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 92 What to take and what to leave behind …..……………………………………………………………………………... 94 France and the French - Instructions for use……………………………………………………………………………. 96 Driving in France – general information,