Le Mans (not just) for Dummies The Club Arnage Guide to the 24 hours of Le Mans 2011 "I couldn't sleep very well last night. Some noisy buggers going around in automobiles kept me awake." Ken Miles, 1918 - 1966 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, distr bution 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. 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The Club Arnage Guide to the 24 hours of Le Mans 2011 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………………………………………………………………………………………………………... 27 Driver Categories…………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 29 Map of the circuit…………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 30 Where to watch……………………………………………………………………………………………………………... 31 Waving the flags and so much more – The marshals………………………………………………………………….. 35 Radio Le Mans – Tune in at 91.2 FM……………………………………………………………………………………. 37 Race week schedule……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 38 Entry list……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………... 39 The Support Races.………………………………………………………………………………………………………... 55 Trivia and Fascinating Facts.................................................................................................................................. 58 In Memoriam: Bob Wollek Remembered…………………………………………………………………………. 62 Sweet 16 – Mike Cotton Interviews James Weaver – Part 1....................................................................... 64 Other activities in and around Le Mans Administrative Checking & Scrutineering………………………………………………………………………………... 70 The “Ceremony of Hands”………………………………………………………………………………………............... 72 The drivers parade…………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 73 The Saint Saturnin Classic British Welcome……………………………………………………………………………. 74 Club Arnage Forum Gathering at Le Mans……………………………………………………………………………… 75 Helicopter flights…………………………………………………………………………………………………............... 76 Mad Friday………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 77 Pit Walk.................................................................................................................................................................. 79 The automobile museum………………………………………………………………………………………................. 80 Ten Years After – Michele Alboreto……………………………………………………………………………… 81 Sweet 16 – Mike Cotton Interviews James Weaver – Part 2....................................................................... 84 Useful stuff Transport in Le Mans ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 88 Shopping in Le Mans………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 91 Bars & Restaurants………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 97 The A.C.O. village………………………………………………………………………………………………................ 102 Golf Course............................................................................................................................................................ 102 First aid – the Medical Center…………………………………………………………………………………………….. 102 Karting.................................................................................................................................................................... 102 Funfair.................................................................................................................................................................... 103 Banking services / ATMs at the circuit…………………………………………………………………………………… 103 Wi-Fi Hotspots....................................................................................................................................................... 103 Visitors with physical disabilities............................................................................................................................ 103 Reflections of a Le Mans marshal……………………………………………………………………………….. 105 Before you go How to get tickets…………………………………………………………………………………………………………... 107 A.C.O. Membership………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 108 What to take and what to leave behind …..……………………………………………………………………………... 110 France and the French - Instructions for use……………………………………………………………………………. 112 Driving in France – general information, rules & regulations, preparations………………………………………….. 115 The campsites at Le Mans - General Information.................................................................................................. 119 The official A.C.O. campsites…………………………………………………………………………………………...... 120 Alternative campsites............................................................................................................................................. 134 Campsite Security.................................................................................................................................................. 138 Getting there.….……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 141 On the run - Escaping the traffic at the end of the race………………………………………………………………... 150 Media coverage - Following the race from home……………………………………………………………………….. 151 Le Mans related web sites and forums…………………………….…………………………………………………….. 152 The Club Arnage Guide to the 24 hours of Le Mans 2011 3 Foreword Welcome to the 6th edition of the Club Arnage Guide to the 24 hours of Le Mans – and the 79th edition of the big race. The significant changes in the regulations mean that we will see quite a few completely new cars and engines on the grid. A quick run-down of the 4 classes gives the following picture: LM P1: “To finish first you have to first finish!” – This old adage in motor racing became a cruel reality for the French Peugeot team last year, when the unthinkable happened and all four of their faster cars broke down, finally losing the race to Audi. The 2011 round of the Audi – Peugeot battle will see completely new cars this year on both sides. In an effort to get lap times at Le Mans back into the range of 3:30 min – which is considered healthy for the current track safety standards – the A.C.O. has re-written the rulebook significantly. Especially the new engine regulations have led to a severe cut in cubic capacity, amount of cylinders, horsepower and torques. I’m sure the drivers hate it. But I’m also sure the 3:30 mark will be taken during the race with these cars too. For the petrol engine powered cars there was also a significant change: basically