Bugatti Circuit, Motorsport racing track in Le Mans, France
Bugatti Circuit is a motorsport racing track in Le Mans, France, that features permanent infrastructure for racing events and shares sections with the famous endurance race circuit. The track winds through technical corners behind the pit buildings and offers a compact facility with multiple grandstand areas for spectators.
Built in 1965 at the urging of Jacques Finance, head of the ACO sports commission, and ACO president Jean-Marie Lelièvre, the Bugatti Circuit was added as a permanent short layout inside the 13.626 km Sarthe circuit. It hosted the French Formula 1 Grand Prix once, in 1967. From 2000 the French motorcycle Grand Prix has been held here every year.
The circuit takes its name from the Bugatti marque, twice a winner at Le Mans in 1937 and 1939, founded by Ettore Bugatti; his son and heir Jean died shortly after the second title. Since 2000 the French motorcycle Grand Prix has been held here every year, and the track also hosts the 24 Heures Motos, the 24 Heures Camions and, since 2009, the 24 Heures Vélo. The 24 Heures Roller, held once a year, has welcomed longboarders since 2017.
Visitors find facilities designed to accommodate large crowds during racing events, with grandstands spread along the track. The site sits close to the center of Le Mans and remains accessible through main roads.
The name comes from Bugatti, the marque founded by Ettore Bugatti that won Le Mans in 1937 and 1939; his son and heir Jean died shortly after the second title. The absolute lap record is 1 min 20 s 648, set on 27 September 2015 by Cypriot driver Tio Ellinas in a Formula Renault 3.5. The circuit is fully lit at night.
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