24h Le Mans
The big day is here at last! The greatest motorsports race in the world, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, will be started at precisely 15:00 today. The intensity of the start and calibre of the action on and off the track guarantee this 85th edition is sure to be legendary. Drivers, start your engines!
Before the start is given, the drivers and their cars have one last practice in preparation for the race. The 60 competitors will take part in a 45-minute session beginning at 09:00. The Warm-Up is the ideal opportunity to finalize set-ups and optimize the cars for the day’s weather conditions.
The French Air Force will welcome spectators at two special areas: the Air Force Pavilion in the Fan Zone, and a stall in the Village. From 15:00 to 24:00 at the Air Force Pavilion, visitors will have a unique opportunity to pilot a flight simulator and to take a seat in a real fighter jet!
The Women’s Pavilion is now a regular feature in the 24 Hours of Le Mans race village. With its garden and covered terrace, the Pavilion offers the growing number of female visitors to the 24 Hours of Le Mans somewhere to unwind in glamorous, modern yet refined surroundings with a chance to meet personalities from the world of motorsport, and plenty more besides. New this year: the Oyster & Champagne Bar event organised by La Mer à Boire, and refreshing Tamarindo smoothies to enjoy while relaxing in this lovely, peaceful atmosphere, reserved for women only.
General Enclosure ticket-holders will be able to visit the Museum free of charge during the entire week leading up to the 24 Hours of Le Mans. In addition to the 120 cars already housed at the museum, a new exhibition is dedicated to the only French Grand Prix held at the Bugatti circuit, in 1967. It’s the perfect occasion to check out the Brabham Repco BT24 that won the race.
Created in 1957 by the Automobile Club de l’Ouest, the Critérium du Jeune Conducteur is a fun learning tool designed to stimulate interest in driving among children from the age of seven. This year, the ACO is putting the scheme back into the spotlight by adding five electric cars to the pool of vehicles and extend the time that tomorrow’s road users can join in this free event in the Race Village. Some lucky youngsters will also have the chance to drive on the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans race track! Open in the pit lane for 7 to 12-year-olds. From 18:00, the Critérium du Jeune Conducteur will take part in the Drivers’ Parade with the new electric cars.
Come and meet Philippe Graton, Denis Lapière, Marc Bourgne, Benjamin Benéteau and Christian Lerolle, authors and illustrators of the Michel Vaillant graphic novel series, in the Welcome Building from 10:00 to 12:00, from 16:00 to 18:30 and from 20:00 to 22:00.
Come and meet Glénat’s “Matra 24 Heures du Mans – 1972-1974” authors and illustrators Denis Bernard, Christian Papazoglakis and Robert Paquet. The graphic novel is available in the official 24 Hours of Le Mans boutiques. The signings will take place in the ACO Members area at La Chapelle from 10:00 to 12:00, and then at the Official 24 Hours of Le Mans Boutique in the 24 Hours museum from 16:00 to 18:30, and from 20:00 to 22:00.
The Porsche Carrera Cup is a curtain-raiser to this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans. It is a unique opportunity for its drivers to take to one of the most famous circuits in the world. The Porsche Carrera Cup France has three separate classifications: the overall ranking for all drivers, a special ranking for gentleman drivers (B-licence drivers only) and one for ‘young talent’ (aged under 26 and competing in their first full Porsche Carrera Cup France season). The race will be held from 10:15 to 11:00. Entry List.
Road To Le Mans is a part of the Michelin Le Mans Cup. Two races are being staged during Le Mans race week, with the second one held from 11:30 to 12:25 on Saturday. Drivers and teams disappointed with Thursday’s outing will have another chance to put things right. Entry List.
Every year, the minutes ticking down to the start are unforgettable. After the morning’s activities and support races, the pressure cranks up a notch when the cars are brought out to the pit straight, and reaches fever pitch as the national anthems of all the drivers on the grid are played. The adrenaline rush finally peaks at 15:00 when the 60 cars are released by the Race Director for 24 hours of thrilling and emotional action on the track!
This electro rock band featuring Daniel Jamet, former guitarist with Mano Solo and Mano Negra, will invite music fans to break with routine and awaken the hero that lies within them! The set kicks off at 20:00 on the concert stage near the Dunlop bridge.
An American jazz-funk band founded in 1964 by brothers Robert and Ronald Bell and a few childhood friends, Kool & The Gang was one of the most popular groups of the 1970s and 1980s. The band, which has sold more than 70 million albums worldwide, has served as a source of inspiration for other musical genres, such as rap and R&B, and it is one of the most sampled groups in hip-hop. With certified hits like Celebration, Fresh, Cherish and Jungle Boogie, Kool & The Gang has won two Grammy Awards and seven American Music Awards. The band has topped charts all over the world, earning 31 gold and platinum albums. With a career spanning more than 50 years, Kool & The Gang is now one of the longest running groups on the international stage, still acknowledged for the excellent calibre of its live performances. This unique concert is not to be missed! Kool & The Gang will take the stage near the Dunlop bridge at 21:30.
To close out the evening, DJ Loran will light up the Le Mans night with a powerful show. His unique style and passion for music raise the temperature whenever he takes the stage. With influences from Pop-Rock, Hip-Hop and Electro, DJ Loran continues to deliver energetic sets like only he knows how at countless music festivals and sporting events. His eclectic tastes range from Motorhead, Shaka Ponk, Babyshambles, Mad Professor, Lee Scratch Perry, David Guetta, Archive, The Klaxons, Louis Bertignac, Martin Solveig, Charlie Winston and more. DJ Loran will pump up the volume from 23:00 on the concert stage near the Dunlop bridge.
>> Follow all today's action via our live text commentary <<
SCHEDULE
09:00–09:45: Warm-Up for the 24 Hours of Le Mans
09:00–24:00: Air Force Pavilion open
09:00–23:00: Women’s Pavilion open
09:00–01:00: 24 Hours Museum open
09:00–14:30: Critérium du Jeune Conducteur in the Race Village
10:00–12:00: Michel Vaillant book signing in the Welcome building
10:00–12:00: Glénat graphic novel signing at the ACO Members Area near the La Chapelle corner
10:15–11:00: Porsche Carrera Cup race
11:30–12:25: Road To Le Mans race 2
15:00: Start of the 85th 24 Hours of Le Mans
15:30–22:00: Critérium du Jeune Conducteur in the Race Village
16:00–18:30: Michel Vaillant book signing in the Welcome building
16:00–18:30: Glénat graphic novel signing in the official 24 Hours of Le Mans boutique inside the 24 Hours Museum
20:00–21:30: La Poison in concert
20:00–22:00: Michel Vaillant book signing in the Welcome building
20:00–22:00: Glénat graphic novel signing in the official 24 Hours of Le Mans boutique inside the 24 Hours Museum
21:30–23:00: Kool & The Gang in concert
23:00–24:00: DJ Loran in concert
PHOTO: The 85th 24 Hours of Le Mans will start at exactly 15:00. The battle between Porsche and Toyota is sure to be stunning.
