Author: thepitwindow

I'm a retired educator and lifelong racing fan. I hope to return to fostering greyhounds in the near future. Living mainly in Indy and wintering in Florida. I attend about 10 Indycar races a year as well as some sports car events

Le Mans Journal Day 4-The Track at Last

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Dreams can come true. Sometimes it just takes 65 years. I stood staring at the entry gate to Circuit de le Sarthe for several minutes before I walked through Porte Est, the gate at the end of the tram line. The problem with dreams sometimes is that when they become real, they don’t live up to what you imagined. Le Mans, however, exceeded what I imagined.

Like Indianapolis Motor Speedway, I got the immediate sense that this is hallowed ground. The century of history grabbed me the moment I saw the Dunlop bridge and saw directional signs for the corners I have heard about all my life- Tetre Rouge, Arnage, Mulsanne- no longer just places in my imagination.

As I expected, an 8.467 mile track requires a huge footprint. Road America is probably the largest track footprint I have seen. Le Mans is twice the size of the Wisconsin venue. I thought I had covered a lot of it yesterday, but the track map contradicted my thoughts. I made it to just about a quarter mile past the Dunlop bridge

The fan village is massive. Full blown restaurants and bars, not just food stands and kiosks dot the area leading to paddock in all directions. One stand makes crepes to order. There is a stand to charge electronics at no cost.

Across the bridge in the infield is another large complex of food stands. I have never seen such a variety of food at a track, or so many vegetarian options.

I have never seen a cleaner race track. Given the size of the place, management does an impressive job of keeping trash picked up and the grounds clean. Le Mans has recycling containers in may places.

The middle bun is just for containers and recyclable packaging

The track surface itself is in excellent shape. It appears to have been repaved recently. The front stretch has grid markings for motorcycles.

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Monday’s adventures include a trip to the track museum and a tour of the old city of Le Mans. Last night was the best night’s sleep I have had since I arrived, a restful night of fulfilled dreams. Don’t give up on your dreams.

Le Mans Journal- Day 3 Ferrari Fans Take Over; Old City Parade

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Silly me. I thought Day Two of Scrutineering would be a repeat of Day One. I was wrong. It was even better.

The crowd grew to twice the size of the Friday gathering, and Ferrari fans were everywhere, caped in Ferrari flags, wigs adorning their heads, a sea of red no matter which direction I turned. Saturday belonged to Ferrari.

Scrutineering ended at 3 pm. The prototypes staged a parade, not down the streets near Place de Republique, but through the oldest part of the city. Old as in Roman and Middle Ages.

My friend and fellow journalist Michael Duforest, who lives in Le Mans, took me on a tour of what is called the old city. We walked across what looked to the remnants of a Roman aqueduct to cobblestone streets and ancient stone and wood buildings, now the home of artisans and niche enterprises.

I felt a sense of calm and peace here, in contrast to the hectic pre race activity just two blocks away.

A very old cathedral, one of the oldest in Europe, anchors the area. is quite peaceful there.

The cars drove slowly, one at a time, down the street that divides the aqueduct, and lined up under the bridge. The final car was a replica of the 1924 winning Bentley. The two photos below show how much progress in race design there has been in just more than 100 years.

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I don’t like this car’s chances in this year’s race.

Today (Sunday) I get my first look at the Circuit de la Sarthe, the official name of the Le Mans track. Practice begins at 10:00 am local time. I would say I am excited, but that would be a gross understatement. Look for more photos on The Pit Window Facebook page. Thanks for following along and sharing my journey.

Le Mans Journal- Day 2: Everyone’s Day in the Sun

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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.

Malukas to Meyer Shank for Rest of Season

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Editor’s note: Come on Indycar. I’m supposed to be on vacation. Anyway here is some good Indycar news from MSR.

David Malukas Joins Meyer Shank Racing 

Set to race the No. 66 AutoNation / Arctic Wolf Honda for remainder of INDYCAR Season

Pataskala, Ohio (XX June 2024) – David Malukas will race in the Meyer Shank Racing (MSR) No. 66 AutoNation / Arctic Wolf Honda for for the remainder of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES season starting with the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey on June 23. Ahead of his debut race with the team, Malukas will gain experience with MSR at the test at Milwaukee Speedway on June 11th.

Meyer Shank Racing will look to build momentum with the No. 66 AutoNation / Arctic Wolf Honda entry, which will be driven in this weekend’s Xpel Grand Prix at Road America by Helio Castroneves.

“This whole process has been extremely difficult on myself and (team co-owner) Jim Meyer,” said Mike Shank. “There were so many things for us to consider as we need to do everything we can to make up ground in the championship and Leader Circle standings. We are pleased to have David (Malukas) join us as he has both experience and potential and we are looking forward to having him join us starting in Milwaukee for the test and then going racing with him at Laguna.”

Malukas had his 2024 plans change following a pre-season training injury, and the young American-Lithuanian racer is eager to open the next chapter in his INDYCAR career with MSR.

“I am extremely grateful to Jim Meyer, Mike Shank and the entire Meyer Shank Racing team for the opportunity to finish out the 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season,” said Malukas. “Despite setbacks earlier this year, I have been diligently focusing on my recovery, putting in the necessary effort and dedication to get back to peak condition. I am ready and excited to be back in the car, aiming to make the most of this chance and deliver strong performances for the team and our supporters. This opportunity means a great deal to me, and I am determined to repay the faith shown in me with my best efforts on the track.”

Meyer Shank Racing thanks Tom Blomqvist for his efforts through the first six INDYCAR events and the Brit remains a part of the MSR family. 

Meyer Shank Racing heads to Road America this weekend with Felix Rosenqvist (No. 60 AutoNation / SiriusXM Honda) currently ninth in the championship points standings. Castroneves will sub one again in the No. 66 AutoNation / Arctic Wolf Honda for the Road America weekend.

Le Mans Journal- Day 1

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Greetings from Le Mans. After a long day of riding the rails, I finally arrived in the city made famous by a race. Le Mans is a fascinating town, which was established by the Romans, although the civilization here predates them.

The plane ride from JFK was smooth. If you come here, paying a little more for Premium economy is well worth it for your comfort.

Charles de Gaulle airport is one of the most beautiful airports I have ever seen. Everything is pristine and locations are well marked. The rail system here is very efficient. The trains run on time, and it is easy to get wherever you need to go.

The train station at Montparnasse is also a work of art. It is an upscale four level shopping mall with trains. Like Charles de Gaulle, it was clean and well maintained

The high speed train to L.e Mans was amazing. It was clean and quiet. I got some glimpses of the French countryside along the hour long trip.

Le Mans embraces the 24 hour race as few cities embrace their races. It is apparent from the moment you step off the train. Even the McDonald’s is decked out in che3ckered flags. I went to the Place de Republique last evening to find the area where scrutineering begins today. It is in one of the older areas of town, full of bars and restaurants. I am going back this morning.

Display in train station

Getting used to the six hour time difference is difficult. I am writing this at what is 2:39 am Eastern time in the US. I will try to publish posts at around 6 am Eastern but search your overnight social media for any ramblings I must put out as I write. I may also post at what would be mid to late afternoon.

Juncos vs. McLaren

I can’t leave town for one second before more Indycar drama brews. The incident involving Agustin Canapino. Nuncios Hollinger, and Theo Pourchaire and McLaren is beyond mind boggling. Juncos has always had a problem dealing with the rabid Argentine fans.

Last year they posted very mild statements when these same fans threatened their own driver Callum Ilott after a couple of on track skirmishes with Canapino. But death threats and they don’t say much/ The team relied on a strong statement from McLaren.

For their driver, Canapino, to like posts containing death threats, then deny them is the pinnacle of unprofessionalism. I hope Indycar talks to Ricardo Juncos about this matter. It is unacceptable for a team to so casually brush this kind of fandom aside.

I understand that McLaren has severed their partnership with Juncos Hollinger Racing. Good for them. It is best that they distance themselves. Wouldn’t it be ironic if Mclaren ends up signing Callum Ilott for 2025 after all? I always thought that Ilott driving for McLaren was the point of the alliance.