The Arnage Corner

An Achilles heel for all the drivers and also the slowest turn of the circuit! Yet it is just a simple right-angle corner, like Indianapolis and barely tighter than the Tertre Rouge. So why the slow-down? Simply because the Arnage corner forgives not even the slightest of errors: across the way no escape, at least not until 2012 with the creation of a gravel trap. It is actually the only modification that has been made to this area, along with the modification of the outside of the corner in 2006: like Indianapolis, the Arnage corner has remained as-is.

The temptation is strong to slow the least amount possibl and to accelerate as early as one can to take on the straight leading to the Porsche turns, but more than one driver - even those with experience - has bit the dust because of his gumption and impatience! Like at Mulsanne, the nighttime show is something to behold, incandescent brakes shining in the darkness. Spectators know very well it is one of the most coveted spots!

This has almost always been the case - in 1932 a zone was created to welcome the public. The cars slow down and photographers have plenty of time to take their snaps while fans commune with the competitors from a grassy knoll.

A night visit to the Arnage corner is a must to get a sense of the magic of Le Mans: the view, but also the sounds are highly sought after. The cars roar out of the Indianapolis turn to take on, while squeezing the brakes, the most vicious corner of the circuit. Though the cars disappear pretty quickly among the trees into obsurity, spectators are able to hear the drivers speeding up for quite some time.

To avoid the crowd, the best thing is to set up at the Arnage corner, relatively removed from the village and the paddock, during the Wednesday and Thursday free practice sessions as well as after 2:00 a.m. during the race. Fortunately, the area is easily accessible via free shuttles available for general admission ticket carrying spectators.

To be continued...

Cécile Bonardel / ACO - Translation by Nikki Ehrhardt / ACO

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PHOTO: LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES, 24 HOURS OF LE MANS, JUNE 19 & 20 1937. The Ecurie bleue #11 Delahaye, running in Arnage, had to retire...