Sunday 12th June
10:00 All of the ACO official campsites open this morning, with the exceptions of Mulsanne and Arnage. These 'officially' open on Wednesday at 10:00.
14:30 - 19:00 Administrative checking and scrutineering in the city centre of Le Mans. For two days, the 56 cars pass through scrutineering and 168 drivers undergo administrative checks.
Monday 13th June
10:00 - 18:00 Administrative Checking and scrutineering
Tuesday 14th June
17:00 - 18:30 In the late afternoon, the pit lane opens to the public. After scrutineering, it is the second largest walkabout for drivers. Cards, posters, caps, or almost anything is presented for signature, and there is a warm and friendly atmosphere.
Wednesday 15th June
10:00 The 'official' opening of the ACO's outlying corner campsites - Mulsanne and Arnage.
11.00 Wreath laying at the RAF crash memorial site near Arnage. Visit our forum for more information. Date and time still subject to final confirmation.
14:30 - Late Informal Beermountain gathering at the legendary "Janine's Bar" (Aux Portes du Circuit)
Have a few drinks and meet other "Beermountaineers". Janine's is situated on the Rue de Laigne north of the main circuit entrance, just past the road overpass.
NB in the event of Jannine's Bar being reportedly closed in 2016 this event will have a new location. Please check in our forum for more information.
18:00 - 20:00 Free practice sessions on track
Teams use this non-qualifying session to perfect their car set-ups. Some make the choice of concentrating on long stints and others go for the fastest time, so drivers need to manage traffic!
20:00 - 00.00 Qualifying Practice Session
The first priority: The 5 night laps that are obligatory for all drivers. Second priority: Post a qualifying time, in case of rain in the session the following day. In short, 120 intense minutes of track action!
Thursday 16th June
13:00 - 16:00 Beermountain Annual Members' Meeting
The official annual gathering of the Beermountain clan. Come along and put faces to names and previous friendships. This is also the main Beermountain fundraising event for our charity - Mission Motorsport. The scroungers have been hard at work blagging amazing prizes for the raffle and auction. The AGM is held in the 1st Tickets Private Camping compound on Blu Nord (see the Campsite map). Access is by invitation only and there will be a guest list in our forum.
NB the timing and location for this event are still to be finally confirmed owing to the Euro 16 football match. Latest news will be posted in our forum.
16:00 - 18.30 Support Race Practice Sessions
19:00 - 21:00 Qualifying Practice Session
To start from pole position at Le Mans is of prime importance because it ensures media attention. Drivers sometimes push a little too hard in qualifying, so it is often the time of the first accidents and incidents.
22:00 - 00:00 Qualifying Practice Session
You might think that when night falls over the circuit, that the chase for pole position is over... not so! Each year, the last minutes of the session take a dramatic turn when the drivers make their final dash for the best time. Excitement guaranteed.
Friday 17th June
09:00 - 17:00 Classic British Welcome, Saint Saturnin - a short drive to a village north of Le Mans. Just follow The Crowd!
10:00 - 20:00 Pits and Track Discovery
The cars do not run on Friday... and it is an opportunity to explore the pit lane that is open to the public from dawn to dusk. All owners of an "Enceinte Generale" ticket can sample the atmosphere, up close to the 60 cars.
17:30 - 19:30 Drivers Parade
Back in the city centre of Le Mans there is a carnival atmosphere as over 150,000 spectators spread out on the course where each of the 56 teams ride in open top cars. Dancers, vintage cars and exotic cars accompany the procession.
Saturday 18th June
09:00 - 09:45 Warm-Up. The "long long day" – as the Japanese call it – starts with the final free practice session for the 60 competitors. For the drivers, it is the last chance make the final corrections to the set-up of cars depending on weather. For spectators, it is the opportunity to find the best spot to enjoy the start if you are up early!
10:05 - 10:50 Support Race 1
11:15 - 12:00 Support Race 2
15:00 24 Heures Du Mans Start
The minutes before departure remain etched in our memories. After the morning activities, the pressure goes up a notch when cars are placed in traditional formation the pit straight. It increases again when the national anthems are played from countries involved in the race. At 15:00 the intensity reaches a climax as 60 cars set off for 24 hours of emotion, thrills and passion.
20:00 Concert - to be announced
Sunday 19th June
15:00 24 Heures Du Mans Finish
At noon, spectators begin to mass opposite the pit lane. Only a few laps remain, but anything can still happen! At 15:00, the men and machines who have survived the 24 gruelling hours, take the chequered flag. Cars are taken to park fermé, as spectators gather to cheer the winners on the podium ... and make a date for next year!
18:00 - 20:00 Free practice sessions on track
Teams use this non-qualifying session to perfect their car set-ups. Some make the choice of concentrating on long stints and others go for the fastest time, so drivers need to manage traffic!
20:00 - 00.00 Qualifying Practice Session
The first priority: The 5 night laps that are obligatory for all drivers. Second priority: Post a qualifying time, in case of rain in the session the following day. In short, 120 intense minutes of track action!
Thursday 16th June
13:00 - 16:00 Beermountain Annual Members' Meeting
The official annual gathering of the Beermountain clan. Come along and put faces to names and previous friendships. This is also the main Beermountain fundraising event for our charity - Mission Motorsport. The scroungers have been hard at work blagging amazing prizes for the raffle and auction. The AGM is held in the 1st Tickets Private Camping compound on Blu Nord (see the Campsite map). Access is by invitation only and there will be a guest list in our forum.
NB the timing and location for this event are still to be finally confirmed owing to the Euro 16 football match. Latest news will be posted in our forum.
16:00 - 18.30 Support Race Practice Sessions
19:00 - 21:00 Qualifying Practice Session
To start from pole position at Le Mans is of prime importance because it ensures media attention. Drivers sometimes push a little too hard in qualifying, so it is often the time of the first accidents and incidents.
22:00 - 00:00 Qualifying Practice Session
You might think that when night falls over the circuit, that the chase for pole position is over... not so! Each year, the last minutes of the session take a dramatic turn when the drivers make their final dash for the best time. Excitement guaranteed.
Friday 17th June
09:00 - 17:00 Classic British Welcome, Saint Saturnin - a short drive to a village north of Le Mans. Just follow The Crowd!
10:00 - 20:00 Pits and Track Discovery
The cars do not run on Friday... and it is an opportunity to explore the pit lane that is open to the public from dawn to dusk. All owners of an "Enceinte Generale" ticket can sample the atmosphere, up close to the 60 cars.
17:30 - 19:30 Drivers Parade
Back in the city centre of Le Mans there is a carnival atmosphere as over 150,000 spectators spread out on the course where each of the 56 teams ride in open top cars. Dancers, vintage cars and exotic cars accompany the procession.
Saturday 18th June
09:00 - 09:45 Warm-Up. The "long long day" – as the Japanese call it – starts with the final free practice session for the 60 competitors. For the drivers, it is the last chance make the final corrections to the set-up of cars depending on weather. For spectators, it is the opportunity to find the best spot to enjoy the start if you are up early!
10:05 - 10:50 Support Race 1
11:15 - 12:00 Support Race 2
The minutes before departure remain etched in our memories. After the morning activities, the pressure goes up a notch when cars are placed in traditional formation the pit straight. It increases again when the national anthems are played from countries involved in the race. At 15:00 the intensity reaches a climax as 60 cars set off for 24 hours of emotion, thrills and passion.
20:00 Concert - to be announced
Sunday 19th June
15:00 24 Heures Du Mans Finish
At noon, spectators begin to mass opposite the pit lane. Only a few laps remain, but anything can still happen! At 15:00, the men and machines who have survived the 24 gruelling hours, take the chequered flag. Cars are taken to park fermé, as spectators gather to cheer the winners on the podium ... and make a date for next year!
