Friday was the official start of Le Mans week as Scrutineering began. The event is essentially technical inspection, but it is much more than that. Scrutineering is a two day celebration of the cars, drivers, and teams entered in the 2024 24 Hours of Le Mans. It is unlike any racing related event I have ever seen. I loved it.
In a nutshell, it works this way.
The team rolls the car down a barricaded lane to the first if two inspection tents. Each tent has a set of tasks to run through. The car is out on a lift in the first tent. While the car goes through its paces for the technical staff, the drivers appear on a stage for a panel interview. Multicar teams have both sets of drivers together on stage.
When the car is approved, it moves to a large open area for photos of the drivers and crew. Sometimes an entire team’s cars pose as a group. This can take some time. When the photm session concludes, the crew rolls the car arouns the other side of the complex set up on a town square, The Place de Republique. The drivers follow, stopping to sign autographs and take selfies with fans. This takes a while. I did not see one driver refuse any fan. Speaking of fans, there were a lot of them.
If someone had not found a place by the barricade very early, they were out of luck for a prime viewing spot. Is a fan was waiting for someone to leave for a snack or a break, they would be disappointed. Some people stood in the same spot all day.
The race organizers have set up some viewing stands for people to watch from, one by the stage, and the other by the after phot area.
I loved this because it gave each entire team recognition. At most races only the podium finishers and the pole sitter, if different, get any time. Here every car and team member was honored just for being a part of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
I wonder if IMS could something like this for the Indianapolis 500. It wouldn’t need to be on this scale. Scrutineering is such a huge PR boost for each team. They get video to take to sponsors, they get incredible live exposure, and the fan interaction is invaluable.
See more photos on The Pit Window Facebook.page.
The Pit Window by Mike Silver 
I know very little about Le Mans, but always catch quite a bit of the race each year. It’s probably on the scale of how a lot of people view the 500. I was unaware of Scrutineering, but found your description very interesting. I’m also enjoying your travel tips and your experience of the French culture.
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I never thought I’d write this sentence, but
this is much bigger than the 500. Europeans are crazy mad about their motorsport. Today when the Ferraris went through scrutineering,
you could feel the buildings shake with their
cheers.
There were twice as many people attending today than yesterday.
In 60 years of following racing, I have never seen fans this passionate. It has been overwhelming so far and I don’t get to the track until tomorrow.
I get goosebumps every year at IMS, but
i
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