Test Day : An intermittent history.
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Test Day : An intermittent history.

An intermittent history

On the 3rd of June 2012, the 56 competitors of the 24 Heures du Mans – and others – will travel to La Sarthe for the traditional Test Day. We take a look back at the history of this event, also previously called preparatory, pre-qualifying, and preliminary.

1959

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The new test programme in April, allowed manufacturers, drivers and organizers to prepare. The event quickly became an indispensable in the run-up to the 24 Hours of Le Mans. 

.1965
Death of Lucky Cassner.
 
1966
Death of Walt Hansgen.
 
1967
Death of Roby Weber.
 
1968
Death of Lucien Bianchi.
 
1971
Driving of a Porsche 917 L, Jackie Oliver lapped in 3'13"6 at an average speed of 250 km/h and a top speed of 386 km/h ! To this day, the absolute fastest lap of the circuit.
 
1971
Four years later the event evolved into a race called the "3 hours of Le Mans" and "4 hours of Le Mans".
 
1975
The energy crisis forces organizers to cancel preliminary testing.
 
1986
The April event is reintroduced with two sprint races of 11 laps each.
 
1988
Scheduling problems brought another break in the history of the test day.
 
1993
With the reintroduction of GT cars to the grid, the test day returns.
 
1995
With an over-subscribed entry, pre-qualifying sessions become competitive for teams without invitations to the 24 hours. For some, the late afternoon turns into a desperate race against the clock.
 
1997
Death of Sébastien Enjolras.
 
2000
Now reserved only for teams already invited to the 24 hours in June, the test day loses its competitive element.
 
2009
Test day cancelled due to economic crisis.
 
2011
Test day returns ! Optional for teams woh have already competed in the Le Mans 24 Hours, but mandatory for new drivers who must do a minimum of 10 laps.
 
2012
Competitors will have two practice sessions of four hours each (9:00 - 13:00 and 14:00 - 18:00) to work on set-up, strategies and rehearse pit stops.

 

Julien Hergault

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