Atmosphere on the track.
On June 11, 2022, the FIA World Endurance Championship, Stage 3, the 24 Hours of Le Mans race took place in Le Mans, France. The Automobile Club de l’Ouest recently announced a change in the race format due to complaints from local residents regarding disruptions and noise. Instead of a continuous race, the event will now consist of two separate 12-hour races, only during the day. This adaptation allows for the opening of the roads between the races, minimizing the disruptions caused by the event.
The Circuit de la Sarthe, the track used for the 24 Hours of Le Mans race, is mainly composed of public roads, including the Hunaudières road, which connects the cities of Le Mans and Mulsanne. To address the concerns raised by the local community, the ACO has gradually transformed sections of the racecourse into dedicated racing circuits. A recent development involved the construction of a new road near the Indianapolis and Arnage corners, allowing the conversion of an old public road into a racing track.
The Hunaudières section, also known as the Mulsanne Straight for English-speaking fans, features chicanes that were added in 1990 and have always been part of the dedicated racing track. In the future, if complaints persist, there is a possibility that the race will be moved to the Bugatti Circuit, a separate racing track owned by the ACO. This alternative circuit uses the finish straight and the Dunlop Chicane area of the regular 24-hour track.
In a statement, the ACO expressed regret for the need to split the race into two parts, but emphasized the importance of considering the concerns and complaints of the local community as the event continues to be held in the 21st century.
