Porsche · digital presskit

The circuit Le Mans
The Circuit de la Sarthe 1951 to 2013
13 kilometres of magic
13 kilometres of magic
Porsche 911 RSR, Porsche AG Team Manthey: Marc Lieb, Richard Lietz, Romain Dumas
The Circuit de la Sarthe is situated 200 kilometres west of Paris near the city of Le Mans in the Sarthe department. The current 13.6 kilometre circuit is a combination of country roads that are closed off to traffic for the race, and permanent circuit passages. Le Mans became famous most notably for the unique, 5.8 kilometre Hunaudières (or Mulsanne) straight, on which a Porsche 917 reached 396 km/h 1971. Since 1990, two chicanes along the straight have reined in the race cars. With 16 overall victories, Porsche is by far the most successful automobile manufacturer at Le Mans. Until now, there have been 14 track variations: Porsche has competed on twelve on them.
1932 to 1955
13.492 kilometres
On the 1951 version, Porsche opens chapter one of its Le Mans story when a 356 SL Coupé wins its first race in the class to 1,100 cc. New for the third variant of the Circuit de la Sarthe is a fast corner combination called the Esses leading into the famed Tertre Rouge right-hander just before the long Hunaudières straight at the northern end of the track.

1956 to 1967
13.461 kilometres
The pit area is completely redesigned after a disastrous accident in 1955. In order not to distract the drivers, pit boards are no longer permitted to be held up along the finish straight. This is now done after the Mulsanne hairpin at the end of the long Hunaudières straight, where the vehicles are still slow.

1968 to 1971
13.469 kilometres
On their charge to victory in 1971, Marko/Van Lennep cover 5,335.313 kilometres averaging 222.304 km/h with their 917 K. The speed and the distance record were only broken in 2009. During the pre-test, Jackie Oliver turns a lap in 3:13.6 minutes with a 917 Long-tail averaging 250.457 km/h. During qualifying, Pedro Rodriguez is quickest with 3:13.9 and an average of 250.069 km/h. Only in 1985 will Hans-Joachim Stuck manage to smash the 250 km/h barrier again. Jackie Oliver turns the fastest race lap in the 917 Long tail in 3:18.4 or 244.387 km/h, a record average speed that will only be exceeded in 2008.
New to this track is the Ford chicane (since 1968) just before the finish straight. The intention is to reduce the speed between the grandstands and the pitlane at the finish line. Barriers are installed in 1969.

1972 to 1978
13.640 kilometres
Jacky Ickx turns the fastest lap in qualifying in 1978 with the Porsche 936 Spyder. His 3:27.6 minute lap equals an average of 236.531 km/h. This record stands forever.
The section between the Arnage right-hander and the Ford corner is revamped in 1972. The very fast Porsche curves are created. The Ford corner gets a second chicane.

1979 to 1985
13.626 kilometres
Porsche holds all records on this track version as well. They were all set in 1985. Distance record: Klaus Ludwig, Paolo Barilla, Louis Krages “John Winter”, Porsche 956, with 5,088.507 kilometres and an average speed of 212.021 km/h. The fastest race lap: Jacky Ickx, Hans-Joachim Stuck in the 962 C in 3:25.1 minutes and an average of 239.169 km/h. Fastest qualifier: Hans-Joachim Stuck in 3:14.8 minutes in the 962 C averaging 251.815 km/h. By today, no one has driven faster in Le Mans.
The Tertre Rouge right-hander is opened from 90˚ to 50˚, increasing the speed heading on to the Hunaudières straight.

1986
13.528 kilometres
This track version was only driven once. Porsche sets all records: Derek Bell, Hans-Joachim Stuck and Al Holbert complete 4,972.731 kilometres in the 962C with an average speed of 207.197 km/h. Jochen Mass is the quickest in qualifying with a 962 C: 3:15.99 minutes or 243.486 km/h. In the race, Klaus Ludwig turns the fastest lap with a 956. 3:23.3 minutes is the equivalent of 239.551 km/h.
The Mulsanne corner at the end of the Hunaudières straight gets a new layout. Because the relevant crossroad is converted to a roundabout, the organisers build a new section with a 90˚ corner north of the old hairpin.

1987 to 1989
13.535 kilometres
For 1987 the Dunlop corner is tamed with a left-right chicane. While cornering speeds of 250 km/h were reached earlier, they are now about 100 km/h lower depending on the vehicle. For 1988 the Hunaudières straight is resurfaced, increasing the top speeds.

1990 to 1996
13.600 kilometres
From 1990 two chicanes reduce the speed on the Hunaudières straight. According to the international motorsport federation FISA, no straight must be longer than two kilometres.

1997 to 2001
13.605 kilometres
The Dunlop chicane is tightened to further reduce speed. The famed “hump” on the Hunaudières straight is levelled out.

2002 to 2005
13.650 kilometres
The straight between the Dunlop bridge and the Esses before the Tertre Rouge corner is converted into a fast left-right kink. The conversion work heralds the demise of the chapel that once lent its name to the corner Virage de la Chapelle in which for many years a service was held on race Sunday.

2006
13.650 kilometres
The radius of the Dunlop corner after the finish straight is tightened, the run-off zones are enlarged. The chicane after the Dunlop corner is tightened.

Since 2007
13.629 kilometres
Porsche works drivers Timo Bernhard and Romain Dumas set a new distance and speed record in 2010 with Audi pilot Mike Rockenfeller during their charge to victory in the Audi R15 TDI, covering 5,405.472 kilometres and setting an average speed of 225.228 km/h. As of 2013 this record still stands.
Featuring extended crash zones, additional fencing and improvements to the track surface, track work is concentrated on increased safety for competitors and spectators.

Mission 2014. Our Return.
Countdown to 2014
It was the news that motorsport fans around the world had been waiting for: Porsche returns to contest the Le Mans 24 Hours and the World Endurance Championship (WEC) in 2014 with a newly-developed LMP1 sports prototype. The goal is clear: to bring home the 17th overall victory from the most famous endurance race in the world. more ...
Observations from Le Mans
Historical posters
Video
Porsche in Le Mans (Trailer 1:44)
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