One can hardly imagine Tom Kristensen coming to the circuit in his race car ... But it is what his predecessors did!

Le Mans is one of the last "non-permanent" circuits in the world. This means that road users drive every day on iconic parts of the race-track such as the Mulsanne straight and Arnage corner. Long ago, the link between competition and everyday traffic was stronger still, the same cars moving together in both environments.

Since 1923, the  infrastructure of the pits has been evolving, offering more space and comfort for mechanics. Formerly, they sometimes preferred to work on their cars outside the circuit rather than inside. This was particularly the case for the crew of John Wyer, director of the famous team that represented Aston Martin, Ford and Porsche for over 20 years in endurance racing. Between 1953 and 1971, the British team had established their headquarters in La Chartre-sur-le-Loir. At night after practice, drivers and mechanics drove the fifty kilometres between the circuit and the Hotel de France in racing cars!

The engineer Phil Hennyse remembers: "Just like the team of John Wyer, we of the Scuderia Filipinetti team stayed at the Hotel de France. Every day we drove across the region with three mechanics by car. I was only a 22-year-old at the time and I was madly happy to be driving a Ford GT 40 that can win the 24 Hours of Le Mans!"

Others, like the engineer Roy Lunn, shares a contrasting memory: "It was about 11:30 p.m.. We were driving in the French countryside and it was the wildest race of my life. When we raced along at... 270 kph, Bruce (McLaren) leaned toward me and shouted: do you hear it (the engine) refusing to pick up? My God I could hear the angels singing ..."

Closer to the circuit at Teloché, it was the Franco-German friendship that was celebrated in the 70s. Every June, the town welcomed the members of the Porsche team, who found themselves in the evening at the "Café des Sports" owned by Madame Peschard. Over many years, original clients became friends who celebrated German victories when there were some!

Times have certainly changed, but it is not uncommon today to come across some of the participants of the race in the city during the week of Le Mans. The "Le Legend Café" in the rue du Port has become one of the drivers' favourite places.

Julien HERGAULT/ ACO / Quotes from the book "Ford at Le Mans" by François Hurel. Translated by Tony Light / ACO