Recent Posts

The Circuit de le Sarthe at Le Mans, France is home to an endurance race every year in June. This historic 24 hour race is held on a course that incorporates city streets and a closed circuit track. The closed track is also the venue for many other races including motorcycle events throughout the year.

Le Mans – The Circuit de le Sarthe
France is home to one of the world’s most storied racing tracks. The Circuit de le Sarthe is located near the city of Le Mans. The race course is known for its endurance racing events that take place every year. Since 1923 there has been an endurance race run at Le Mans. These 24 hour races test the endurance of both the drivers and the racing cars. The main event is attended by many thousands each year and the city is turned into a beehive of activity for a race weekend.

The Circuit de le Sarthe can be configured in many ways for different racing events. The 24 hour endurance race uses portions of city streets to bring the racing closer to the people who support the event. In its current configuration used for the 24 hour event the course is 13.63 kilometers (8.5 miles) in length. Since cars run he circuit for twenty four hours and not a prescribed number of laps it is common for the cars and drivers to travel thousands of kilometers. The old record, set in 1971 was 392 laps or 5335 kilometers.

Since the course for the endurance race includes city streets there are several configurations to the track that allow closed circuit racing year round. The most famous areas of the track include the Mulsanne straights, the Dunlop Bridge and the Bugatti course that is used for closed circuit racing. Over the years several changes have been made to enhance safety at the track including placing chicane curves in the Mulsanne straight to break up the high speed straightaway.

The Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace at Sao Palo, Brazil is the most famous track in this South American Nation. The site of the Brazilian Grand Prix each November and other races throughout the year is known for its competitive racing and thrilling finishes.

Among the more competitive racing venues for Formula 1 racing the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace at Interlagos in Brazil stands out. The track in a district of Sao Palo has seen many competitive races throughout the last five seasons. With a victory by native son Felipe Massa in 2008 the nation nearly celebrated a Formula 1 driver’s championship however Massa eventually lost to Lewis Hamilton.

The Interlagos track covers 2.67 miles (4.31 kilometers) and has over 15 turns. The long straightaway leading to the start finish line has been the site of many dramatic finishes. The Brazilian Grand Prix is held annually and has become a mainstay on the racing calendar in November. With its positioning near the end of the schedule it is a very important race in determining the drivers’ and constructors’ championships each year.

The Course at Interlagos, Sao Palo is not just a venue for Formula 1. During the year the track receives continual use. The track had been used for Indy car racing as well as sports car competitions, vintage racing events and endurance races. With its wide passing lanes, various twisting turns and long straightaways this race track in Brazil offers spectators and drivers a thrilling venue for all styles of automotive competitions.

New Deli, India is home to a modern auto racing facility that is the home of the Indian Grand Prix. The Buddh International Circuit in New Deli was constructed especially for Grand Prix racing. Prior to 1997 India only had two racing venues. The Buddh track is a totally new facility that will host its first Grand Prix race in October of 2011.

Having been constructed especially for Grand Prix racing this track near New Deli has been built with high speed racing in mind. The 16 turns spread over 3.2 miles (5.14 kilometers) are spaced and designed for higher top speeds and quicker lap times. In testing average track speeds in excess of 210 miles per hour have been reached and maintained. The new design has a long straightaway between turns three and four that will allow spectators in the grandstands a clear view of racing. The Formula 1 cars are expected to be jockeying for position with dramatic opportunities to pass along this straightaway.

Formula 1 entrepreneur Bernie Ecclestone worked with track designers and constructors to have a state of the art facility built. The resulting track is considered one of the safest racing venues in the world. Seating for the initial event in 2011 will be around 150,000 persons. This will be expanded in subsequent years until a total capacity over 200,000 is reached. The track will be home to many other Indian motor sports events once construction is completed.

The name Buddh comes from Buddah and is meant to convey peace and calmness. With sixteen high speed turns and four long straightaways the spectators will be able to view the racing as it unfolds in front of them. Track promoters and the government of India hope that the Buddh International course will bring motorsports fame to India and generate income for years to come.