Circuit de la Sarthe, Motor racing circuit in Le Mans, Sarthe, France
Circuit de la Sarthe is a semi-permanent motor racing course south of Le Mans whose 13.626 km layout combines private track with public roads, including the D338 Hunaudières straight, closed only for the race. It shares its pit lane and the Dunlop curve and footbridge with the permanent 4.185 km Bugatti Circuit.
The track opened in 1923 and its first 24-hour race gathered 33 cars from 18 manufacturers. Lagache and Leonard claimed the first victory in a Chenard-Walker.
The Musée des 24 Heures du Mans sits at the main entrance; until 1991 the collection was housed in the circuit village before moving there. The village itself was rebuilt in 2005–2006 and holds shops plus the Welcome reception room with a panoramic bar terrace. Since 2010 the golf club-house built by the ACO looks over the Mulsanne corner.
The venue holds 100,000 spectators with viewing areas, parking spaces and tram connections from the center of Le Mans. The public sections can be explored by car or on foot outside race weekends.
Drivers spend 85 percent of each lap at full throttle, placing extreme strain on engines and drivetrains throughout the course. This nearly constant flat-out running makes the track a particular challenge for machinery.
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