Every year in June, an astonishing 1,600 track marshals take their places around the legendary circuit in Le Mans to watch over the race day and night. Positioned at posts, inside and outside the track, they come from all over France and other countries like the Netherlands, England, Belgium. Some reunite each year, others are meeting for the first time, but they all come together around their shared passion, the 24 Hours.

Important responsibilities

Most marshals arrive at the track on Thursday for qualifying and stay until Sunday after the finish. When not fulfilling their official duties, they stay at the marshals' campground.

Track marshals are absolutely essential to the running of the race. Flags in hand, they warn and inform drivers of the various decisions made by Race Direction, and in the event of an accident, it's up to them to act fast.

According to Rémi Bouquaire, deputy head of post at Tertre Rouge, it all runs like a well-oiled machine: "In the case of a crash, we protect the area to avoid further incident. Then, we wait for the green light from Race Direction to enter the track and ensure the condition of the driver. During an intervention, Race Direction must be informed of anything and everything." Afterwards, post chiefs coordinate the evacuation of the driver, car and debris, and rearranging of tyre walls.

Enduring relationships

Their mission is crucial to the smooth running of the 24 Hours, and the group is like a second family for the marshals. Mathilde Boulgarian (age 32) has been serving since 2016 and in 2021 joined the timekeeping and accreditation team: "We get together outside the race, it's like a family with a bond you don't see anywhere else."

Vincent Pautonnier (age 34) has worked as a marshal at six runnings of the race, posted at the Porsche curves. He loves what he does: "We are very tight-knit and are all here to help each other. Before the start, we wish each other a 'good 24 Hours' and above all hope to reunite with the same number at the finish as at the start."

The adrenaline of racing

Marshals are on the front lines of every accident. Dorian Moinet is posted at the first Mulsanne chicane: "It is jarring how the cars throw themselves into the corner. The vibrations run all through your body and then you feel a mad rush of pure adrenaline."

For Sophie Moreau, who has served as a track marshal since 2013, stepping into the role again last year was even more special! She brought her one-year-old baby Lyna to the circuit during race week. Moreau alternated between the post at the first Mulsanne chicane and another at the MMArena.

Unforgettable moments

All the marshals have their personal favourite race week moments. Rémi Bouquaire loves night qualifying: "That's when the action ramps up and we still have the race itself to come!" Dorian Moinet prefers the finish, the moment when all the marshals wave their flags and are thanked by the drivers. Vincent Pautonnier definitely prefers "the start...it's magical to watch 62 cars get underway in 30 seconds!"

PHOTOS (Copyright - Jean-Pierre Espitalier/ACO): LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES, 24 HOURS OF LE MANS: from trackside (at top) to pit lane (below), marshals are immediately recognisable by their orange coveralls; from top to bottom, Rémi Bouquaire, Mathilde Boulgarian and Dorian Moinet talk about what the 24 Hours means to them, and Sophie Moreau has already given her daughter a first taste of the race!