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1923 to 1928
Length: 17.262 km The first track layout for the 24 Hour race was different to that used for the very first French Grand Prix in 1906. The track ventured into the town’s suburbs as far as the Pontlieue hairpin. Distance record set by the 1928 winners: 2,669.27 km, average speed: 111.219 km/h. Fastest lap was set during the 1928 race by Henry Birkin in his 4.4 litre Bentley with a time of 8:07, an average speed of 127.604 km/h. |
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1929 to 1931
Length: 16.340 km The track was shortened for safety reasons to avoid the town suburbs that were expanding rapidly. The new link road constructed at the ACO’s expense was named the ‘Rue du Circuit’. Distance record set by the 1931 winners: 3,017.65 km, average speed: 125.735 km/h. Fastest lap was set during the 1930 race by Henry Birkin in his 4.4 litre Bentley with a time of 6:48, an average speed of 144.362 km/h. |
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1932 to 1955
Length: 13.492 km The track was further shortened with a new purpose built section connecting the pits straight and the Tertre Rouge corner on the Le Mans - Tours road. The section included the erection of the famous Dunlop bridges. Distance record set by the 1955 winners: 4,135.38 km, average speed: 172.308 km/h. Fastest lap was set during the 1955 race by Mike Hawthorn in the winning Jaguar D-type with a time of 4:06.60, an average speed of 196.963 km/h. |
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1956 to 1967
Length: 13.461 km In the aftermath of the 1955 accident, the whole pit area was rebuilt. Track width and pit lane modifications led to a change in the Dunlop curve, shortening the track by 31 metres. Distance record set by the 1967 winners: 5,232.90 km, average speed: 218.038 km/h. Fastest lap was set during the 1967 race by Denny Hulme & Mario Andretti (both Ford Mk IVs) with a time of 3:23.60, an average speed of 238.014 km/h. |
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1968 to 1971
Length: 13.469 km To reduce the speeds past the pit area, a chicane was installed immediately prior to the pit entrance. Named the Ford chicane, the track was slightly redirected from Maison Blanche. Distance record set by the 1971 winners: 5,335.31 km, average speed: 222.304 km/h. Fastest lap was set during the 1971 race by Jackie Oliver in the number 18 Gulf Porsche 917LH with a time of 3:18.40, an average speed of 244.387 km/h. |
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1972 to 1978
Length: 13.640 km Starting on the Arnage to Maison Blanche stretch, a new section was constructed, by-passing Maison Blanche completely. This joined the existing track with another slow corner at the Ford chicane. Distance record set by the 1978 winners: 5,044.53 km, average speed: 210.188 km/h. Fastest lap was set during the 1978 race by Jean-Pierre Jabouille in the A443 Renault with a time of 3:34.20, an average speed of 229.244 km/h. |
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1979 to 1985
Length: 13.626 km Due to the construction of a new public road, Tertre Rouge corner had to be reprofiled, changing it from a right angled corner to a faster, but more complex double apex. Second Dunlop Bridge removed. Distance record set by the 1985 winners: 5,088.51 km, average speed: 212.021 km/h. Fastest lap was set during the 1985 race by Jacky Ickx in the works Rothmans Porsche 962 with a time of 3:25.10, an average speed of 239.169 km/h. |
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1986
Length: 13.528 km Mulsanne corner was modified to avoid a new roundabout that had been installed to reduce accidents at the junction. The new layout kinked right just before the original corner, with the new corner slightly offset. Distance record set by the 1986 winners: 4,972.73 km, average speed: 207.197 km/h. Fastest lap was set during the 1986 race by the number 7 Joest Porsche 956 of Ludwig, Barilla and ‘Winter’ with a time of 3:23.3, an average speed of 239.551 km/h. |
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1987 to 1989
Length: 13.535 km Due to excessive speeds attained by the bikes on the approach to the Dunlop bridge during their races, the Dunlop curve was altered and a chicane installed before the bridge, slowing speeds dramatically. Distance record set by the 1988 winners: 5,332.79 km, average speed: 221.622 km/h. Fastest lap was set during the 1989 race by the number 4 TWR Silk Cut Jaguar of Alain Ferte with a time of 3:21.27, an average speed of 242.093 km/h. |
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1990 to 1996
Length: 13.600 km The Mulsanne straight was split into three sections by the introduction of two mirror-imaged chicanes to comply with an FIA directive on maximum length of straights. New pit lane entrance in readiness for the new pit complex in 1991. Distance record set by the 1993 winners: 5,100.00 km, average speed: 213.358 km/h. Fastest lap was set during the 1993 race by Eddie Irvine driving the number 36 Toyota TS010 with a time of 3:27.47, an average speed of 235.986 km/h. |
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1997 to 2001
Length: 13.605 km A slight reprofiling of the Dunlop chicane, moving the turn in further away from the bridge itself to accommodate a larger run off area/gravel trap, again mainly for the safety of the bikes. Distance record set by the 2000 winners: 5,007.988 km, average speed: 208.666 km/h. Fastest lap was set during the 1999 race by Ukyo Katayama in the no.3 Toyota GT-One with a time of 3:35.032, an average speed of 227.771 km/h. For 2001, the profile of the "hump" at the end of the Mulsanne Straight was lowered as part of the FIA recommendations in the wake of the Mercedes' accidents in 1999, but this did not affect the overall layout. |
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2002 onwards
Length: 13.650 km A major change between the Dunlop Bridge & the Esses with the straight run down the hill being replaced by a series of sweeps. This was to facilitate a better entry to the short Bugatti circuit. Distance record set by the 2003 winners: 5,146.05 km, average speed: 214.418 km/h. Fastest lap was set during the 2002 race by Tom Kristensen in the no.1 Audi R8 with a time of 3:33.483, an average speed of 230.182 km/h. |
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