2012 24 Hours of Le Mans Test Day report and gallery ...
With the official Test Day on Sunday, the 80th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans hit the ground running. Most sections of the 'Circuit de la Sarthe' are public roads, so the traditional Test is the only opportunity the entrants have to run on the track before the race week. For cars, teams and/or drivers that have not raced at Le Mans in the last three years, participating in the test is required to qualify for the race scheduled on June 16/17 this year. The 2012 Test Day was particularly highly anticipated as it finally offered an opportunity to see how the Audis and Toyotas stacked up. Other cars making their public testing debut included the highly unusual DeltaWing Nissan and the new Aston Martin AMR-One based Pescarolo 03 Judd. Not on the race's entry list but still allowed to participate in the test was Sebastien Loeb Racing with their Oreca 03 Nissan. The legendary rally racer picked up part of the driving duties provided a reminder that he is as quick on the road as off.
For the first of three scheduled visits to the track this year, our reporters spent the weekend in Le Mans to capture the test in its entirety. This has resulted in a class-by-class report, which also serves as a preview for next week's race. It is illustrated by a 120-shot gallery.
In the coming days you can expect a closer look at some of the 2012 24 Hours of Le Mans protagonists and further reports from the track once the cars go back out on track again on Wednesday June 13th.
Enjoy the links:
2012 Le Mans Test - Report and Slideshow
If you should see a man walking down a crowded street talking aloud to himself, don't run in the opposite direction, but run towards him, because he's a poet. You have nothing to fear from the poet - but the truth.
(Ted Joans)