[LM24] La Sarthe/Arnage Track and Other Changes

[Bandicoot17]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSEDZwvFJuc

In more recent builds the wheel is in the right place

[GT6]

The ferris wheel has moved several times since i have been attending

[nobster]

I really liked the view from the ferris wheel when it was positioned just after te dunlop bridge beforen the esses.

[Mike E]

Some more updates on circuit work. I'm not sure if any of this is news actually.

http://www.24h-lemans.com/en/news/24...746_18609.html

[CTD]

Originally Posted by Mike E

Some more updates on circuit work. I'm not sure if any of this is news actually.

http://www.24h-lemans.com/en/news/24...746_18609.html

An interesting way they put this:

On the right-hand side, a “soft wall” SAFER barrier will be placed against the concrete slabs on the first curve of the bridge and grip will be significantly improved on the verge just after the second curve.

Faster speeds through the Porsche curves. Not sure that is a good idea.

[Mike E]

This will effectively widen the track in the same way as the extended curbs will earlier in the lap. I am really curious to see how much these tarmac extensions get used during the race.

[Deleted]

Every single lap... they haven't had the guts to punish them before, why start now

[deggis]

On the left-hand side of the first curve, the gravel trap will be widened by 30 metres and preceded by a concrete-surfaced section. Consequently, the spectators’ area will be moved back.

The way that is written has to mean first gravel (next to the track), then concerete before the wall and spectator area.

[Mal]

Originally Posted by deggis

The way that is written has to mean first gravel (next to the track), then concerete before the wall and spectator area.

I think its says the opposite with the concrete area before the gravel then the wall/spectator area

[deggis]

Now reading it again, probably

[Deleted]

Now in finished form looks visually slightly less terrible than feared and pretty much identical to Mulsanne straight 'shoulders', but that's still gonna result in some major shortcut violations.

[deggis]

That's a straight for a driver.

[Mike E]

Qualifying lap record coming up!

[wewantourdarbyback]

If they do cut those corners they'll arive at the entry going faster than normal... could be exciting for those not expecting it.

[deggis]

Originally Posted by Mike E

Qualifying lap record coming up!

Then ACO can pull out the magical "3:30" safety limit and slow down the cars and then add yet more asphalt. Endless loop.

[Sodemo]

I wish they would just leave the circuit alone. I mean, i'm all for changes to the barriers in the light of Simonsen's terrible crash, that's just common sense and was probably a terrible oversight on behalf of the track organisers, however I don't really agree on making changes to the run off zones, especially tarmac run off. Safer barriers are fine, they still punish the driver but lessen the chance of injury, that's a good thing, but i'm firmly against any major changes that reduce the challenge of the circuit.

[Deleted]

Originally Posted by wewantourdarbyback

If they do cut those corners they'll arive at the entry going faster than normal... could be exciting for those not expecting it.

Doesn't matter, they're gonna pour that entry full of asphalt like Pouhon in wee while, surely.

AS: The run-off will be increased by approximately 30 metres and is part of a rolling upgrade of the Porsche Curves that will take three to four years to complete.

I don't think there will be any grass/gravel left in the Curves by the end of the decade, and by 2025 nowhere else on the circuit either (except maybe half a meter outer rim remains in places). Well, Pandemonium sure is gonna love that at least, Le Mans turning into Bahrain asphalt box for F1 driver nannysitting.

Anyway, "This will make it much safer" of yours Lord Beaumesnil - yeah right we'll get back to it when they start crashing in these new high speed "hi violate me please there's no punishment" sections have you done

[Pandemonium]

Chiana we should meet someday at Le Mans and have a cup of coffee.
No but really I do not like how those changes look in your double picture comparison
On the other hand one picture is sunnier and more lively than the other one but still...
I do like grass and trees. It seems like it is getting full of asphalt and barriers. But what can you do? Maybe just having a huge grass runoff. But that will probably never happen.

[Pilgrimage]

Originally Posted by Sodemo

I wish they would just leave the circuit alone. I mean, i'm all for changes to the barriers in the light of Simonsen's terrible crash, that's just common sense and was probably a terrible oversight on behalf of the track organisers, however I don't really agree on making changes to the run off zones, especially tarmac run off. Safer barriers are fine, they still punish the driver but lessen the chance of injury, that's a good thing, but i'm firmly against any major changes that reduce the challenge of the circuit.

+1

and ... major changes that reduce the CHARACTER of the circuit.

[Coach Ep]

The basics of racing will not be effected by it - in other words, the racing line will still be predominantly outside-inside-outside. There'll be hardly any incentive to stick all the way to the right going into the Porsche Curves knowing that part of the track will be more dirty than the lefthand side (even more so on the tarmac right shoulder) and screwing up your line thru the first part of the curves - losing much more time in the process.

Will it make drivers trying to take more speed into the first right hander there? O, absolutely! It will also provoke a few more 'banzai moves' when the P1 factory armada is lapping the slower guys but that's more down to the extra competition than the slightly 'adjusted' track lay-out imo.

Only fear will be when things go wrong - the accident could be more severe because of the higher entry speed and higher risks the drivers inevitably are going to take.

[Pilgrimage]

Yes - but you could get 3 -wide through there now.... actually, that might not be so bad!!!

[PascaLM]

Originally Posted by Chiana

[Adam43]

I suspect that there will be some 'discouragement' to use the new tarmac on a normal lap. Otherwise, as highlighted, the runoff is actually less.

We need to see it complete and when the track is live to really tell before we jump straight into slagging off the ACO. I know we like to automatically see the worse, but I'd like to know more.

[Sodemo]

Originally Posted by Adam43

I suspect that there will be some 'discouragement' to use the new tarmac on a normal lap. Otherwise, as highlighted, the runoff is actually less.

We need to see it complete and when the track is live to really tell before we jump straight into slagging off the ACO. I know we like to automatically see the worse, but I'd like to know more.

Always assume the worst when it comes to track alterations. I can think of very few track changes where it actually changed for the better. Imola's 2007 makeover is one exception that springs to mind however, oh and the new Foggy's chicane @ Donington I think is better than the old one.

[YorkshireLad]

Originally Posted by PascaLM

Ditto.

More catch fence aswell.

Jeez, starting to look like outside perimeter of sellafeild.