Along with the Drivers Parade that takes place in the city centre on the Friday afternoon, Scrutineering is very popular with local people who revel in the hustle and bustle that the events generate in their town. It is a great opportunity to collect autographs and to gather drivers’ impressions. Over the years, the Scrutineering session has been staged at several different places in town.

In the 1920s and 30s, it was in a corner of the Place de la République and later in a nearby square, now called Place d’Alger. When the race recommenced after WWII, the checks took places in the Cavaignac barracks and then moved to the former tram station between 1951 and 1953.

In 1954, the fun returned to the very centre of town at the Quinconce des Jacobins, behind today’s cinema and theatre complex. The name became as well known as the famous spots on the circuit, the Mulsanne Straight and Tertre Rouge, Mulsanne and Arnage corners. Between 1954 and 1960 and then from 1976 to 2011, Le Mans Scrutineering became synonymous with les Jacobins, even between 1961 and 1975 when it was held at the circuit.

The set-up returned to Place de la République in 2012, just a few metres from its initial venue, and remains the first not-to-be-missed event of race week.

Photo: LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), PLACE DE LA REPUBLIQUE, LE MANS 24 HOURS, SUNDAY 12 JUNE 2016, SCRUTINEERING. The new Ford GT was one of the main attractions during Scrutineering for the 84th Le Mans 24 Hours, that will be run on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 June 2015.

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