After much public confusion on the location and scope of works at the entry to the Porsche Curves (not helped by an entirely inaccurate diagram published in a major motorsport weekly when the works were first announced over a year ago), work is now underway to extend the gravel trap on the outside of the tricky right hander that funnels the cars into one of the most demanding sequences of corners in sportscar racing.
As these shots show, work was underway last week to remove the current raised bank on the outside of the turn.
The first shot is looking back towards the first turn, taken against the flow of race traffic with the armco, tyre barriers etc. from the outside removed and stacked on the inside verge to allow the earthmoving machinery access.
The small white van is parked at the point where the previous barrier line was sited.
Looking this time in the direction of race traffic the bank on which the bulldozer is working is set to disappear completely.
The area covered by the bank and by the temporary buildings shown below is to be levelled and replaced with a gravel trap.
The bank will be reinstated further back from its current site with an extended gravel trap and SAFER Barriers protecting the walls.
The ‘dozer can be seen here working on ground levelling further back.
Some local utilities and services rerouting, including the water supply for the adjacent campsite, will also be required.
The works involved here are extensive and ongoing, due at present to take some weeks, but to be completed in good time for the 2015 Le Mans 24 Hours.
There’s good new and bad in relation to the reinstated bank. The good news is that it is set to be retained for spectator viewing for the Porsche Curves campsite that it provides a boundary for.
Operated by Travel Destinations, the campsite will be a little smaller than in previous years, a decision made in conjunction with the ACO before pitches went on sale for this year’s event. The campsite is already sold out for 2015.
The bad news for non Travel Destinations racegoers is that there will no longer be access to the general public to this location during race week.
