24H Le Mans Scrutineering to Return to City Center

Photo: John Dagys

Scrutineering for the 24 Hours of Le Mans will return to the city center for the first time since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the ACO confirming the nine-day event schedule for this year’s French endurance classic.

After being held behind closed doors for the last two years, teams will return to Place de la République for scrutineering in front of fans on Fri. June 3 and Sat. June 4.

It will be followed by the Le Mans Test Day, which will also be open to the public on Sun. June 5.

The popular pit walk will also return, set for Tues. June 7, ahead of the start of race week on-track activity on Wed. June 8 with Free Practice followed by Hyperpole on Thursday evening.

No word has been given if the drivers’ parade will be held this year, although the ACO has “trackside entertainment” for Fri. June 10 that will be announced at a later date.

This year’s race will start at 4 p.m. on Sat. June 11, marking the return to its traditional date for the first time since 2019 after being postponed to September and August in 2020 and 2021, respectively.

“After two years of health and safety restrictions, the 24 Hours of Le Mans returns to our preferred midsummer slot, with a packed schedule,” said ACO President Pierre Fillon.

“I am delighted to say that we will be back in town for scrutineering and that fans will be welcome trackside.

“It’s going to be great to see everyone again. We are looking forward to spreading our passion for endurance racing far and wide.”

FIA Endurance Commission President Richard Mille added: “The last couple of years have been challenging for motorsport and events that offer a unique experience to the fans, such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans, suffered the most.

“Therefore, I’m pleased that this year’s edition will see the return of the traditional pre-event activities in the center of the Le Mans old town.

“With this great race celebrating its 99th birthday, the timing couldn’t have been better.

“This coincides well with all of the positive developments we currently witness in the FIA World Endurance Championship.”

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John