The grandstands straight

The straight becomes a festive place before the start when the cars takes their places on the "pre-grid" across from the grandstands overflowing with fans sporting the colours and hoisting the banners of their favourite teams. As the hours roll on, the grandstands empty out: only hardcore spectators remain some of whom spend the night wrapped in a blanket. The influx returns as of Sunday around noon so as not to miss any of the finish and the immense joy of the winners.

This festive area morphed into a hell in 1955 when Pierre Levegh's Mercedes took flight and literally exploded. In addition to the driver, 80 victims were claimed. This catastrophe provoked a complete overhaul of pit lane which brought it more or less to its current configuration.

Safety has always been a major concern for the ACO, a great amount of the work completed since the first edition in 1923 has been carried out with the goal of improving safety. Starting in 1929, catches (bundles of branches) and briar bails were installed in front of the grandstands and the public was pushed back. This area didn't change much before the second world war, then complete reconstruction of the pits and the grandstands took place in 1949, and significant modifications were carried out in 1955 and in 1971 a wall was erected between the straight and pit lane.

Twenty years later, 46 new pits - that went on to become 56 - and new grandstands with 3,000 places were built, just as was the control tower in which is still located the race direction and the medical PC. Lastly, since 2009, it is no longer possible to lean on the wall overlooking the track since plate glass has been installed, leaving nonetheless room for the signage that is still necessary despite the use of radios since signs never quit working!

For spectators, pit lane is one of the most popular spots at the circuit as it lets them take part in the start and the finish, and also the refuelings of the cars as well as driver changes. The village is not far from the straight, which has made it easy-access.

For photo and video enthusiasts, the choice spot is the straight, the must is the area in the grandstands that overlooks the pits which facilitates the best possible view all while remaining in the shade on Sunday for the finish, which can be very beneficial when the temp climbs above 30°C (grandstand tickets). Those who do not have the opportunity to gain precious access for the weekend are still able to access the grandstands for the free practice and qualifying sessions on Wednesday and Thursday since numbered spots do not take effect until Saturday morning.

Such is the case for the grandstands across from pit lane the lower level of which has large concrete steps upon which every general admission ticket holder can sit freely (tickets). While the view is breathtaking for refueling stops (with one caveat in the form of a protective screen which shows up in photos), the free spots make it a very popular place for the start and the finish, which is why the crowd gathers as of Sunday around noon in full sun. Or in the rain...

There is nothing like a place in the grandstands to take full advantage of the show, especially since as soon as the cars go in the closed park after the finish, the marshals open the protective wall barriers and spectators positioned across from the garages take over the track and pit lane to experience the podium and share in the joy of the winners...

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, SATURDAY JUNE 14 2014, RACE. The competitors prepare to take the start at the grandstands straight watched by the spectators gathered in the stands.