Photo : Michel JAMIN / ACO

 

The Forest Esses 

Strangely enough, only a few trees grow in the area known as the Forest Esses, called the Tertre Rouge Esses during the 1970s. In 1932 - following the purchase of land more or less between the grandstands straight and the national road that links Le Mans to Tours used temporarily by the "Hunaudières" - a private and purposefully serpentine road was created.

It remained unchanged until 2002 with the appearance of the zig zag at the chapel descent in the longer portion of the Dunlop Bridge, a portion shared with the Circuit Bugatti. The chapel was removed during the work, but a new building was erected in 2011.

Situated in a natural amphitheater, the zone that goes from the Dunlop Bridge to the turn at the left of the Forest Esses affords one of the most spectacular views of the circuit. The Tertre Rouge Grandstands' location at the exterior edge of the circuit is ideal, especially at night, for getting a good sense of cars' speeds and drivers' dexterity under the spotlights before they head off into the dark.

Those brave enough to go by foot to the exit of the Forest Esses are well-rewarded: photos without fencing! The image is fleeting though when cars accelerate near the Tertre Rouge turn, but still definitely worth it...

To be continued...

Cécile Bonardel / ACO - Translation by Nikki Ehrhardt / ACO

PHOTO: LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES, 24 HOURS OF LE MANS, SUNDAY JUNE 15 2014, RACE. Cars at the Forst Esses.