The 24 Hours of Le Mans and the WEC, a Technological Laboratory for the Automotive Industry

Authors

P. Fillon, V. Beaumesnil, Automobile Club de l’Ouest, Le Mans

Year

2016

Print Info

Fortschritt-Berichte VDI, Reihe 12, Nr. 799

Summary

The removable wheel, fog lights, brake discs, direct injection, diesel, hybrid technology, etc.: since 1923 the 24 Hours of Le Mans has been used by manufacturers to test new technologies in extreme conditions because Le Mans gathers the skills that make such a test relevant: a very long and very fast race, day and night, with variable conditions and a fair competition between a large diversity of technologies. It makes it unique in motorsport. The current industrial revolution, which is dedicated to sustainable mobility, has driven the ACO to run a fundamental innovation in motorsport: Racing has always been about being the fastest within given regulations. Nowadays, to win a Le Mans or WEC race, cars have to be fast and energy efficient. The challenge for motorsport is to remain attractive for OEMs by driving the sport with a creative and open-minded spirit, and to provide strong links between racing cars and cars we drive every day.