Analysis Le Mans: A dream that is never repeated

Located in the region of the so-called Pays du Loire, in the department of La Sarthe, one of the rivers that runs through and from where the circuit was named, the city of Le Mans could be just that: a dream that is never repeated. Le Mans is another picturesque place with about 150,000 inhabitants cementing its status as a city of arts, a gothic cathedral in a historical centre where it is pleasant to stroll around, enjoying the façade of the ancient buildings, having a drink in the late afternoon or a meal among the preserved walls.

Over the years, since May 26, 1923, when the Automobile Club de la Sarthe organized the first race, and the Lagache/Léonard team, driving a Chenard and Walker, completed 128 laps of the circuit at an average of 92 kilometers per hour, no one would have imagined that Le Mans 24 Hours would become the biggest motor sport event in the world and an example to follow.

From then until now, everything has evolved. Europe and France experienced two world wars in the 20th century, the world became globalized, smaller, technology evolved and the track became much faster. In 1923, nobody would have dared to think that in 2018 the record of the track, in the most recent version, would be an amazing 3’14’’791 (an average of 251,882 kilometers per hour, with speeds above 330 kilometers per hour). Fixed in 2017, it belongs to the Japanese Kamui Kobayashi, who at the wheel of a Toyota of Gazoo Racing dethroned the previous record of Neel Jani, for the new track, as well as the record of Hans Stuck, realized in a trajectory still without the chicanes and that lasted for 32 years.

Moving millions of euros and a huge audience, live and on television, the race and everything that it involves is a spectacle. This is present throughout the year, starting with the preparations of the teams, the development of the cars that will be there, the choice of the drivers, the entire registration process and the qualifications limited to 60 cars on the starting grid.

The formula has come to fruition and the 24-hour races have broadened to the bikes and classic cars, but it is the main race that usually takes place on the second or third weekend of June that makes the city unbeatable. It receives thousands of visitors and is involved in its organization and hosting. From the volunteers to the races, there is nothing left to chance. Although hotels are usually sold out for the teams and its guests, there are always other options, including renting a house or a room during race week, with one of the most popular sites for this purpose being Airbnb. Many choose to camp on well-tended lawns along the 13-kilometer circuit, setting up true villages, where flags of countries and teams flit, barbecues are organized and all incidents of the race are followed.

Next to the circuit is the Historical Museum of the Grand Prix, which is open during the 24 hours of the race (normally it costs EUR8.50 but in the week of the races it is included in the ticket price and children under 10 years old do not pay). But beyond the race, other points of interest are not lacking. There are recreational spaces for children, go-karting, and top-notch racing simulators for adults as well as pop-rock concerts in the live stage of the circuit: between Wednesday and Sunday  Arcadian, Dr. Feelgood, Jamiroquai and Texas perform.

During the week, the historical city centre is overrun by the teams, as the technical inspections of vehicles and documents, the weighing of these and of the pilots, the verifications of the equipment, including suits and helmets are carried out for everyone in a perfect interaction between the city, visitors and teams.

Then there are navettes between the various points on the track that allow you to be in the Haunaudières, go to Arnage or live the emotions of Mulsane, Indianapolis or the Tertre Rouge, mythical places for endurance-racing enthusiasts.

Everything is extraordinarily well organized (including pit lane access for fans), accessible in several languages, and clean, starting with the bathrooms (about which Macau has so much to learn), and the prices of meals and transport (taxis, buses and surface metro) are not excessive. A taxi ride into the city from the railway station runs at EUR7 or 8, and there is no need to tell the driver where to go before entering the vehicle, or argue for a reasonable price. A three-day pass for the trams and buses costs EUR10 (no trip limit), a meal with drinks included (starter, main course and dessert, half bottle of red wine and coffee) runs at EUR30 (around MOP300,00), with impeccable quality, in the historic centre or in one of the excellent restaurants inside the circuit, where official t-shirts go for EUR20, and even the excellent program costs only EUR6.

On Friday morning, shortly before the start of the race, Jean Todt, the FIA president, spoke of the new regulations for the coming years (the objective is to bet on hydrogen fuel to have clean races, with the prediction of the 1st World Endurance Championship to take place in 2024) at the press conference and mentioned that the world does not stop. It is necessary to make it more inclusive (there is a new FIA Women’s Commission that has Michèlle Mouton as head), more accessible, and more pleasant. Le Mans does not want to stay attached to the past and the 24 Hours proves it with each passing year, a race made of dreams where emotions are never to be repeated. Sérgio de Almeida Correia, Le Mans, Special to MDT

Alonso wins on debut in 24 hours Le Mans race

Two-time Formula One champion Fernando Alonso won the 24 Hours Le Mans on his debut in the classic endurance race yesterday. The Spanish driver, together with teammates Kazuki Nakajima of Japan and Sebastien Buemi of Switzerland, completed 388 laps in their Toyota hybrid car, two more than Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi and Jose Maria Lopez in the other Toyota hybrid. Alonso is now a step closer to matching British driver Graham Hill’s feat of completing motorsport’s unofficial Triple Crown, including wins at the Monaco Grand Prix and Indianapolis 500. It’s Toyota’s first victory at the 20th attempt, and the first win for a Japanese manufacturer since Mazda’s success in 1991. Some 60 factory and private teams competed in the 86th edition of the race.