Circuit de la Sarthe
24 Hours of Le Mans
Le Mans, France
The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the world's oldest active sports car race in endurance racing, held annually since 1923 near the town of Le Mans, France and considered to be one of the most prestigious automobile races in the world.
The race is held near the height of the European summer in June, leading at times to very hot weather conditions for the drivers. The race begins in mid-afternoon, racing through the night and following morning before finishing at the same time the race started.
It is a distance over six times longer than the Indianapolis 500, or approximately 18 times longer than a Formula One Grand Prix.
LONGEST DISTANCE COVERED
5,410.71 km - Audi R15+ TDI (2010)
track characteristics
Race teams have to balance speed against the cars' ability to run for 24 hours without sustaining mechanical damage to the car and manage the cars' consumables.
RACE TYPE
Endurance
Death toll
24
THE DANGER FILES
In 1955 a crash occurred which caused large pieces of racing car debris to fly into the crowd. 83 spectators & driver Pierre Levegh died at the scene and 120 more were injured in the most catastrophic accident in motorsport history.
Track length
3,110 miles +
established
1923
circuit
