Town scrutineering returns for 2022 Le Mans 24 Hours
Scrutineering for the Le Mans 24 Hours will return to its traditional home in the city centre for the first time since 2019 at this year's event.
The pre-event technical checks for the 62-car field entered for the double-points round of the FIA World Endurance Championship in June will take place in the Place de la Republique in the centre of Le Mans city.
They are scheduled for the Friday and Saturday 3 and 4 June, immediately ahead of the official Le Mans test day on Sunday 5 June, and will cover both the test and race week.
Scrutineering was moved to the circuit for the 2020 and 2021 editions of the French enduro because of restrictions resulting from the COVID pandemic.
Race organiser and WEC promoter the Automobile Club de l'Ouest has also announced that the test day will be open to the public, which was not the case last year, and that the Friday evening drivers' parade in the city centre will also return.
It has confirmed the three support races on the bill of the 90th running of the 24 Hours.
They will be the now-traditional Road to Le Mans event for LMP3 and GT3 machinery, the Porsche Sprint Challenge France for a second season and the Ligier European Series open to the French constructor's JSP4 and JS2R prototypes, which is making its debut on the Le Mans bill.
The ACO's statement announcing the latest moves does not mention number of spectators that will be allowed at attend the race, though club president Pierre Fillon used the phrase "back to normal" in the release.
Traditional scrutineering will return for 2022 in Le Mans town after two years absence
Photo by: Eric Gilbert
Le Mans traditionally attracts well in excess of 250,000 spectators, but the 2020 event, which was delayed until September, took place behind closed doors, while only 50,000 fans were allowed at the event last year in August.
Fillon said: Pierre Fillon. "After two years of health and safety restrictions, the Le Mans 24 Hours returns to our preferred midsummer slot, with a packed schedule.
"I am delighted to say that we will be back in town for scrutineering. We are looking forward to spreading our passion for endurance racing far and wide."
ACO has confirmed that the race will start at its traditional 4:00pm time. Free practice will begin at 2:00pm on Wednesday with the first of four sessions.
The Hyperpole qualifying session that determines the top six places on the grid in each of the four WEC classes is set for 8:00-8:30pm on Thursday evening, one hour earlier than last year.
The full entry list for Le Mans will be announced next Monday.
Related video
Final Le Mans auto-invites awarded for Asian LMS champions
Magnussen Le Mans reunion possible if Peugeot delays entry
How Jota hopes its customer Porsche can become a Le Mans icon
How Jota hopes its customer Porsche can become a Le Mans icon How Jota hopes its customer Porsche can become a Le Mans icon
Le Mans BoP changes imposed without manufacturer agreement
Le Mans BoP changes imposed without manufacturer agreement Le Mans BoP changes imposed without manufacturer agreement
Wholescale revisions for Le Mans Hypercar Balance of Performance
Wholescale revisions for Le Mans Hypercar Balance of Performance Wholescale revisions for Le Mans Hypercar Balance of Performance
Loubet, Katsuta retire from WRC Rally Sardinia
Loubet, Katsuta retire from WRC Rally Sardinia Loubet, Katsuta retire from WRC Rally Sardinia
Jakarta E-Prix: Maserati's Gunther beats Dennis to maiden pole
Jakarta E-Prix: Maserati's Gunther beats Dennis to maiden pole Jakarta E-Prix: Maserati's Gunther beats Dennis to maiden pole
F1 Spanish Grand Prix qualifying – Start time, how to watch, channel
F1 Spanish Grand Prix qualifying – Start time, how to watch, channel F1 Spanish Grand Prix qualifying – Start time, how to watch, channel
F1 results: Max Verstappen fastest in Spanish GP practice
F1 results: Max Verstappen fastest in Spanish GP practice F1 results: Max Verstappen fastest in Spanish GP practice
How Jota hopes its customer Porsche can become a Le Mans icon
How Jota hopes its customer Porsche can become a Le Mans icon How Jota hopes its customer Porsche can become a Le Mans icon
Can Peugeot turn its style into substance at Le Mans?
Can Peugeot turn its style into substance at Le Mans? Can Peugeot turn its style into substance at Le Mans?
Why Cadillac can make amends for its previous Le Mans failures
Why Cadillac can make amends for its previous Le Mans failures Why Cadillac can make amends for its previous Le Mans failures
The plug in and play stand-ins who got their timing just right
The plug in and play stand-ins who got their timing just right The plug in and play stand-ins who got their timing just right
The lesser-remembered sportscar exploits of BMW's two-trick pony
The lesser-remembered sportscar exploits of BMW's two-trick pony The lesser-remembered sportscar exploits of BMW's two-trick pony
How Porsche's Le Mans legend changed the game
How Porsche's Le Mans legend changed the game How Porsche's Le Mans legend changed the game
Why BMW shouldn't be overlooked on its return to prototypes
Why BMW shouldn't be overlooked on its return to prototypes Why BMW shouldn't be overlooked on its return to prototypes
How Formula E's double-duty drivers got on at Le Mans
How Formula E's double-duty drivers got on at Le Mans How Formula E's double-duty drivers got on at Le Mans
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.