Le Mans track/pits construction work for 2007 race and beyond.......

[Bentley03]

There have been several enquiries on various threads recently about the ongoing 'improvements' to the 24 Hour circuit and the development of the pit area in time for the 2007 race. The old thread is so long, and with much of the work now done and dusted, I thought a new thread was in order for Winter 2006-June 2007.

This is the planned work for this Winter (taken from an article on Lemans.org):

".....between the end of the 2006 season and Spring 2007, major improvements will be carried out on the Le Mans Circuit, the most visible of which will be:

- The dismantling of the four modular pits which will leave space for nine extra refuelling pits. This will enable the traditional number of 55 cars to line up on the starting grid of the "24 Heures du Mans" (50 cars before);

- The extension and the improvement of the competitors’ Paddock (delivery date planned for the beginning of March);

- The modification of the Tertre-Rouge Curve (extension of the gravel trap). This work is scheduled to start on 18 October;

- The construction of the Welcome Center, in the Village, which should be finished by the end of May;"


There were a couple of pictures on DSC recently which showed that work behind the pits is already underway. The paddock/hospitality area 'below the Village/behind the pits' has had the tarmac dug up and is just a field of 'Le Mans orange' mud. But that's the only evidence of ongoing works I've seen so far.

The new tramway was due to be completed in time for the 2007 race and the development of a new football stadium is planned for the infield area at Tertre Rouge.

So, if anyone has any updates/pics, please share.........