Indianapolis

Contrary to popular belief, Indianapolis – formerly known as the Arnage Esses because there is a slight right-hand curve coming into the famous corner – was not named as a tribute to the famed American circuit, but because of its resemblance to it! Not only is the corner banked rather like an oval but, especially, a layer of bricks was found under the track when it was asphalted just like the “Brickyard”, the nickname for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway track which, before it was tarmacked, was covered with 3.2 million bricks!

This is the only part of the Le Mans circuit to have more or less kept its original shape: only the camber of the banking and the runoff areas have changed. Going back to the first edition of the 24 Hours in 1923, the road was almost flat at the Indianapolis corner but, by 1928, the banking effect was beginning to have an impact as a rut had been formed by the stream of cars hitting the apex. It must be remembered that, at the time, only a part of the track was tarmacked – and it didn’t include Indianapolis!

This is a strategic corner as it is important to build up speed for the short straight that leads into Arnage. However this left-hander is still a 90° bend which means braking sharply, although the drivers will already have slowed down somewhat to take the very slight right-hander just before they reach Indianapolis. As this is a very popular spot for spectators, a public area was created in 1937 like the ones at Tertre Rouge, Mulsanne and Arnage. In 1954, the width of the track between Mulsanne and Arnage was increased to 8 metres and, at the same time, the Indianapolis corner was banked at little more.

No further work was carried out here until 1978 when forest clearing work ahead of the corner improved the view for spectators. Protective fencing was erected in 1992. The frequent excursions off the track at this point – due to the cars reaching top speed just before Indianapolis – resulted in the runoff area being widened in 2000. Since then, Indianapolis has remained untouched to the delight of the spectators gathered in the small grandstand to witness the cars braking before negotiating the corner.

In order to brake though, it does help to have all four wheels! Everyone will recall the distress of the Italian driver with his hands joined in prayer over his damaged car. This was in 2007 when the Audi R10 of the trio formed by Allan McNish, Dindo Capello – both triple winners at Le Mans – and nine-time winner Tom Kristensen lost a wheel in the initial right-hander. Unable to brake, Capello drove straight off into the safety barrier fortunately protected by a heap of tyres. The race was inevitably over for this team but Audi still went on to claim victory.

Indianapolis is one of the top spots at the Circuit de la Sarthe and well worth a visit: the relatively slow speed of the cars at this point gives budding photographers every chance to take great pictures while the public area can be accessed with just an “Enceinte Générale” pass. Finally a free bus service is provided to shuttle spectators around the circuit.

To be continued...

Cécile Bonardel / ACO - Translation by David Goward

PHOTO: LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES, 24 HOURS OF LE MANS, 13 & 14 JUNE 1987. The Kremer Racing Porsche, 4th overall, in the Indianapolis left-hander.