Major road resurfacing work with a new high-performance pavement began last month on the Mulsanne Straight from the Daytona Chicane to Mulsanne Corner.
The Syndicat Mixte du Circuit des 24 Heures du Mans – the public organisation responsible for managing large investments for the track – is in charge of the work that will see the wearing course renewed on two roads: the D338 (Route de Tours) and a portion of the D140 (Route d’Arnage).
The surface used is a thin asphalt overlay with “outstanding mechanical properties.” This type of asphalt, specially designed for race circuits, comprises high quality aggregate and a special bitumen to guarantee grip and consistency. The mix must be carefully applied at temperatures of over 5°C to ensure an optimum result.
Beforehand, a 34,800 m² area of road surface was milled and the resulting rubble taken away by the contractor for reuse as aggregate in future asphalt.
The portion concerned stretches from the Daytona Chicane to the Mulsanne roundabout – a crucial section for the straight-line performance and intense braking phases coming into the Mulsanne Corner.
The works budget amounts to €656,300 and will be fully financed by the Syndicat Mixte.
To ensure optimum working conditions, the D338 was closed between the Antarès and Mulsanne roundabouts and traffic diverted for the duration of the programme from 21 July to 1 August.
Several ancillary jobs will also be carried out concurrently.
Twenty-one timing loops will be fully restored, finishing work will be conducted on the track joints, road markings will be made with special circuit paint, and the plates used for the installation of safety barriers – when the road is switched to race format – will be replaced at the Leroy Merlin roundabout.
Temporary Le Mans Museum Opens
The 24 Hours of Le Mans Museum closed its doorson July 7, 2025, to make way for its huge ongoing renovation and expansion project.
To continue welcoming visitors during this time, a temporary museum opened on August 1 at the South Gate of the circuit.
Housed in a modern 1,200 m² two-level structure, this exhibition will spotlight the theme “World Champions” with around fifteen iconic vehicles that have won major titles in Endurance or Formula 1.
A ticket also includes access to the circuit for a self-guided tour (when open).
