Among the strategic phases required in a 24-hour race, the night plays a pivotal role, especially at Le Mans with its stunning 13-kilometer laps. When certain areas are plunged into total darkness, the circuit takes on an entirely different quality. For drivers as well as spectators, a new topsy-turvy dimension opens, seemingly freezing the race in time.
Nighttime challenge
In the heart of the paddock, it is 22:00 and night has just fallen. The circuit is still buzzing: spectators, team personnel and trolleys carrying tyres to the pits form a rhythmic ballet. Over the next few hours, the bustle will steadily die down. Motorhomes will lose their guests, the pits will become makeshift dormitories between refuelings and drivers will do their best to grab some sleep after their stint. For the engineers in pit lane, there will be no rest or respite as they keep their eyes glued to data screens. Nighttime, which amounts to one third of the race, is a true mental and technological challenge for the teams.
Strategies - In the past, nighttime was an opportunity for mechanics to relax slightly, less stressed thanks to the cool temperature. These days, the battle rages every second and the race has become ”a 24-hour sprint” during which the night can craft victories and gaps can be increased. The drivers use nighttime to push their cars to the limit and take full advantage of the optimal window of usage on their tyres. Making it through the night is a victory in and of itself: “At dawn, you start to see the light at the end of the tunnel,” explains two-time Le Mans winner Romain Dumas. It is a time for assessments before the long stretch to the finish line.
Visibility - Adjusting one’s eyesight and reflexes proves very challenging for drivers who must quickly find their marks. Night driving, with its limited field of vision, requires new marks for trajectories, distances and braking zones. Traffic management is an ongoing struggle keeping drivers on their toes since speed differences and headlight-related blindness can prove tricky. Marshals are assisted by huge lighted signs to communicate the appropriate flags to drivers. Nighttime at the 24 Hours of Le Mans also serves as a technological laboratory. Its history is linked to headlight development from filament bulbs in 1923 to the futuristic LEDs and lasers introduced by Audi in the 2010s.
A feast for the senses
Nighttime at Le Mans is a very special and unique experience. Along with the nonstop ballet of headlights, everyone enjoys the ambiance in his or her own way: immersed in the effervescence of the village and funfair, on the edge of the track guessing at cars, in the grandstands following every detail of the action or simply laying in the grass appreciating the cool night air.
The village - Since the very first editions, the 24 Hours of Le Mans has amounted to a grandiose celebration within a huge yet fleeting gathering where life is good. Having fun with your family and friends is as important as the race itself. A friendly atmosphere punctuates nightlife at the circuit in the shadow of the Ferris wheel, the illuminated symbol of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Countless fun activities, shopping in the boutiques, dinner breaks and concerts offer the perfect reprieve from the roar of the engines. The crowd brings together people of all ages and nationalities. Experts share their knowledge with amateurs. Die-hard fans remain glued to the action on the track from their seat in the grandstands or a comfortable camping chair set up in their favorite spot, passed down from father to son and mother to daughter.
Sleepers and night owls - As it gets later, the party calms down, the crowd disperses and the edges of the circuit empty. Locals head home to catch a few hours of sleep and return the next morning with their kids. Others grab a quick nap where they can, in their car, in the grandstands or their tent. On the grassy mounds of Tertre Rouge, loyal fans doze off, lulled by cars as they plunge into the darkness of Mulsanne like shooting stars. At the heart of lavish campsites and extravagant facilities which only the Brits seem to have the secret for, the party continues with the aroma of merguez sausages wafting all the way to the nostrils of passing drivers.
Others prefer to be night owls, determined to pull off a white night. The race only last 24 hours, so why not take advantage of every minute? These aficionados roam the circuit back and forth, motivate each other to make a quick stop at Arnage, scrutinize every race detail in front of the pits and try to perfect their snapshots with camera in hand, playing with the lights and red glow of the brakes. At the first light of day, they will bear witness to a very exclusive vista and for a moment the circuit will feel like it’s all theirs.
Deafening silence - If the action on the track calls for it, the Safety Car may be deployed for an extended period. More than ever, time seems to stand still, and the circuit falls silent as the cars group on the far side. Engine noise is muffled by the slowed pace. In this disquieting calm when there are less spectators than any other time, one almost begins to wonder if the race is still in progress. It’s hard to recall the activity and excitement that reigned just a few hours earlier. Then the engines roar back to life and the commentator resumes his duties in enthusiastic fashion as if no disruption had even occurred. The neutralization period is over. It’s a jarring nighttime interruption like only an endurance race can provide.
Following the race - Up until the 1980s, to keep up with changes in the race classification was no easy feat. Thanks to a poorly lighted circuit, the cars were difficult to recognize during the night at Le Mans. More knowledgeable spectators were able to do so simply from the sound of the engines. There were fewer speakers and you could barely hear the commentator’s comments. Fans had to be near the pit straight to optimize their race experience. A large portico was installed to monitor the progress of the competitors lap by lap. In the sky, a sponsor blimp showed competitor standings around the rest of the circuit. Since 2013, the Michelin classification lap pays tribute to that tradition. Early morning was the perfect time to take stock of the retirements in the daily newspaper.
Times have changed. The installation of giant screens in the 1990s made it easier to follow the action on the track. More recently, with smartphones and mobile apps, the public can now watch the race live with the classification, on-board camera video and commentator broadcasts no matter where they find themselves at the circuit. Racing numbers are lighted on the cars and LEDs announce their positions. No more excuses for asking your neighbor who’s in the lead.
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© ACO