24h Le Mans
A huge number of people work behind the scenes to ensure the safe and fair running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Among them, the race stewards. Here, we learn about the role they play after the race.
After an already grueling week, the stewards - all volunteers - take on the most hectic day of all: the post-race checks. As soon as the chequered flag is waved, every car, with the exception of the winners at the foot of the podium for photo opportunities, head to the parc fermé, a fenced car park with strictly monitored access. The moment the car enters the parc fermé, it cannot be touched. It is precisely for failing to respect this rule that one of the two Rebellions was disqualified in 2017.
Cars sometimes spend the night under parc fermé rules inside the inspection building. If so, the stewards get to work early Monday morning to perform the required checks.
Photo above: Checking the height of TF Sport's Aston Martin Vantage.
The components of certain carefully selected cars are analysed: engine, fuel reservoir, transmission, seat, etc. The stewards are authorised to dismantle anything they choose in order to verify the elements of the car correspond exactly to those on the homologation form provided by the constructor. They can also examine anything related to the exterior of the car.
Only after they've completed their inspections is the provisional classification made official. Then the stewards can finally take a breathe, more than 24 hours after everyone else. Despite the inevitable fatigue, they will still start counting the days until next year's race!
PHOTO: LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), 2019 24 HOURS OF LE MANS. TF Sport's Aston Martin Vantage.
