Le Mans fever is rising, as today the scrutineering and adminstrative checks begin for all cars taking part in the testday on Sunday. With the starting grid expanding to 60 cars instead of the usual 56, scrutineering will already start today instead of Friday as was usual in the past years.
New for 2016 is that all cars and teams participating in the race have to be present on the testday. In the past years, the testday was only mandatory for rookie drivers and new cars. As for the drivers, only those who haven't raced at Le Mans before or are not on the list of experienced drivers will have to take part in the testday. Every "rookie" driver will have to complete at least 10 laps to be eligible to race in the 24 Hours. No LMP3's are invited like last year, as they will have the opportunity to race in the "Road to Le Mans race".
Saturday will give the teams who haven't complied with scrutineering a chance to get their cars rechecked for Sunday. The pitlane and paddock will be buzzing with all teams doing the final preparations on their cars. In the afternoon, the classic "grid shot" will also be taken, with all the cars on display at the start/finish straight.
On Sunday, 2 4-hour test sessions are scheduled. The morning session running from 09.00h to 13.00,
the afternoon session from 14.00 to 18.00h.
Entry at the test day is free for fans with a ticket for the race, a ticket for the test day only costs € 20 (general entry, grandstands, access to the village, Arnage and Mulsanne).
Kristof Vermeulen.