1 le_mans_track_layout_2002.jpeg
2 background image ratio=10.27
15 straight between chicanes
18 ================================================
20 straight between chicanes
27 straight between chicanes
30 1px = 1740/645 = 2.69m
40 s11 rad: 184px = 496m, 175px = 472
45 s18-1 rad: 49px = 132m
48 s18-3 rad: 83px = 224m
52 s20-4 rad: 72px = 194m
72 s46 rad: 18px = 49m, 14px = 38m
76 s50 rad: 23px = 62m, 19px = 51m
89 "You're in fifth gear when you head past the pits on a lap of Le Mans,
90 hitting 175 mph before you hit turn one, the Dunlop Curve.
91 You change down to second at the chicane at the Dunlop bridge.
93 This is quite tricky under braking and pretty slippery as the
94 race progresses because a lot of people pull gravel onto the circuit.
96 After the bridge the track is all new for 2002. Previously you had a
97 straight run down to esses before Tertre Rouge, but now the road will
98 move to the left and then back to the right.
100 You will still eventually arrive at Tertre Rouge at about the same speed
101 and this corner is vital because it leads onto the straight - it is really
102 important to get this bit right.
104 Down the straight you arrive at the first chicane which is taken in either
105 2nd or 3rd gear, depending on the traffic.
107 There is good traction in the middle of the corner and you can get on
108 the power early. The next chicane is the opposite to the first one.
109 The first is slow in, then fast out, the second is fast in and then
112 The right hander at the end of the Mulsanne is quite bumpy and the
113 track changes a lot during the race.
115 The tracks picks up grip during the race, then starts to go the other way
116 as the marbles start to build up.
118 This is taken in third gear and exits into a really fast section of
119 the track. I really enjoy this part of the course - it is very fast - up
120 to 210 mph. The corner before Indianapolis is a lot of fun, then it is
121 very hard on the brakes for the left hander.
123 There is a bit of banking on the road, but the rear end can still get
124 very loose here. There is a short squirt up to Arnage which is taken
125 in 2nd gear. It is a real struggle to put the power down here.
127 There is a short run up to the Porshe curves which is very fast and
128 requires a good balance in the car. There is a lot of time to be gained
129 or lost here and it really is one of my favorite sets of corners.
131 You then arrive at the Ford Chicanes which is one of the slowest parts
132 of the track. If you catch traffic through here, it can cost you an
133 enormous amount of time, because there is nowhere to get through.
135 Then it is hard on the power, back onto the pit straight and ready for
136 another 8.4 miles of French countryside."