The ACO reinstates Test Day

Photo : Pascal Saivet - vision sport cars

Initiated in 1959, these preliminary tests were the final rehearsal before the Le Mans 24 Hours. They were suspended some time for economical reasons, as the ACO did last year because of the world crisis. These test will be reinstated in 2011, as explained by ACO CEO Rémy Brouard.

"Next year the cars will abide by new technical regulations, with new cars, new designs and new technologies. You cannot reasonably send them on such an atypical 13-kilometre circuit. Many changes have been made in the regulations, and it is necessary to confirm them before the race. How hybrid engines will make it, for example? Despite all the demands of the regulations, we have no certitude about anything, and neither do the car manufacturers. The Test Day will take place soon enough for the teams to react in due time. Redesigning a tyre or a car body is time-consuming. We have not decided yet who will come to the Test Day. The contenders? The contenders and the reserve cars? Only those who want to come? We paid attention to the car manufacturers who asked for this Test Day, but this does not mean it will happen again in 2012."

Julien Hergault