Lemans Circuit Bugatti

Lemans Circuit Bugatti
Name	Circuit Bugatti
Location	Le Mans, Sarthe, Pays de la Loire
Coordinates	47°56′20″N 0°12′50″E
Opened	1965
Owner	Automobile Club de l'Ouest
Capacity	50,000
Length km	4.185
Turns	14
Record time	1:30.909
Record driver	Sébastien Bourdais
Record year	2017
Record class	Formula 2

Lemans Circuit Bugatti is a permanent motor racing circuit located in Le Mans, Sarthe, in the Pays de la Loire region of France. Designed by Robert Bouhans for the Automobile Club de l'Ouest in 1965, it forms part of the permanent infrastructure used alongside the Circuit de la Sarthe for 24 Hours of Le Mans activities and domestic motorsport. The track hosts a variety of events including MotoGP, FIA GT Championship, and historic meetings, and sits adjacent to the 24 Heures du Mans Museum and the Le Mans Sarthe Expo complex.

History

The circuit was inaugurated in 1965 under the auspices of the Automobile Club de l'Ouest as part of postwar developments that included cooperation with Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme, and local authorities such as the Sarthe Departmental Council. Early years saw national championships like the French Supertouring Championship and European Formula 2 Championship visit, alongside endurance testing sessions for teams in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and technical collaborations with manufacturers including Bugatti, Porsche, Ferrari, Ford Motor Company, and Renault. Over subsequent decades, renovations paralleled broader European motorsport trends led by organizations such as FIA, ACO, Dorna Sports, and promoters like SRO Motorsports Group.

Layout and Track Characteristics

The Bugatti layout measures approximately 4.185 km with 14 corners, combining fast straights, technical chicanes, and elevation-neutral sections shared next to the Circuit de la Sarthe complex. The track incorporates the pit complex used during 24 Hours of Le Mans support races and sits near landmarks including the Hunaudières Straight approach and the Porsche Curves facility used for testing. Characteristic features include a tight first corner complex that challenges braking systems developed by suppliers such as Brembo and AP Racing, a flowing middle sector favored by teams from GT World Challenge, and a final sector that rewards aerodynamic balance from constructors like McLaren, Aston Martin, Lamborghini, BMW, and Audi Sport.

Events and Competitions

Circuit Bugatti stages national and international competitions including rounds of FIM Endurance World Championship support races, the World Touring Car Cup in historical rotations, the European Le Mans Series in support roles, and motorcycle rounds formerly under Grand Prix motorcycle racing sanction. It is used for 24 Hours of Le Mans ancillary events such as the Le Mans Classic and Le Mans Series gatherings, club meetings involving Fédération Française du Sport Automobile affiliates, and manufacturer test days for brands like Toyota Gazoo Racing, Porsche AG, Nissan Motorsports, and Alpine Racing. Promoters and sanctioning bodies including Dorna Sports, FIA European Truck Racing Championship, IMSA, and GT4 European Series have collaborated on scheduling and homologation.

Facilities and Infrastructure

The venue contains a modern pit lane, paddock, timing tower, hospitality suites, and media center meeting Autosport press standards, with circuitside garages used by teams such as Team Penske, Rebellion Racing, and Peugeot Sport during events. Ancillary infrastructure includes grandstands, camping zones, spectator hospitality provided by entities like Le Mans Tourist Office, and logistics links to Le Mans railway station and Aéroport du Mans-Arnage. Technical facilities support tire partners such as Michelin and Pirelli, fuel suppliers adhering to FIA regulations, and medical centers complying with Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile safety requirements. The complex is adjacent to exhibition halls used by Le Mans Sarthe Expo for trade shows and to the 24 Heures du Mans Museum for heritage displays.

Records and Notable Moments

Chronology of lap records includes competitive benchmarks set by drivers like Sébastien Bourdais and memorable performances by teams including Audi Sport Team Joest, Scuderia Ferrari, Penske Racing, and Peugeot Sport Total. Notable moments at the venue include test programs preceding epochal 24 Hours of Le Mans wins by Ford GT40, endurance development by Porsche 917, and promotional races featuring drivers such as Jacky Ickx, Tom Kristensen, Allan McNish, Derek Bell, and Henri Pescarolo. The circuit has seen appearances by racing series champions from Formula One alumni and World Endurance Championship victors, and has hosted historic car exhibitions with marques such as Bugatti, Delage, and Talbot-Lago.

Safety and Modifications

Safety upgrades have been implemented in phases in liaison with FIA, FFSA, and ACO directives, including runoff area expansion, Armco barrier enhancements supplied by manufacturers contracted in coordination with bodies like FIA Circuit Safety teams, and track resurfacing projects informed by suppliers such as Colas Group. Following incident reviews involving competitors from series like FIM, FIA GT, and ELMS, modifications addressed marshal posts, medical response times with SAMU coordination, and pit lane layout revisions to meet evolving FIA homologation standards. Environmental and noise mitigation measures have involved partnerships with Sarthe Prefecture and regional planners from Pays de la Loire.

Access and Visitor Information

Access is typically via road links from A11 motorway and N138 road, rail services at Le Mans railway station, and limited air connections through Aéroport du Mans-Arnage and nearby Aéroport de Tours Val de Loire for international visitors. Visitor amenities include guided tours promoted by Le Mans Tourist Office, ticketing services coordinated with event promoters such as ACO and SRO Motorsports Group, on-site catering operated by regional vendors, and nearby accommodation promoted through Le Mans Métropole channels. Important contacts and updates are issued by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest and event organizers like Dorna Sports and SRO Motorsports Group ahead of public race weekends.

Category:Motorsport venues in France Category:Sports venues in Sarthe