The road racing track, forming a triangle from Le Mans southward to Mulsanne, northwest to Arnage, and back north to Le Mans, has undergone numerous modifications over the years, with iteration #15 being utilized since 2018. Despite these changes, the Sarthe circuit is recognized for its high-speed nature, with prototype cars achieving average lap speeds exceeding 240 km/h (150 mph).
Early years
In the 1920s, cars from the present pits on Rue de Laigné navigated into the city, negotiating a sharp right-hand corner near the river Huisne Pontlieue bridge (a hairpin permanently removed from the circuit in 1929), before exiting the city again onto the straight section now named Avenue Georges Durand after the race’s founder.
Initially 17.261 km (10.725 mi) long and unpaved, a city bypass shortened the track in 1929, with complete bypassing achieved in 1932, incorporating the section from the pits via the Dunlop Bridge and the Esses to Tertre Rouge.
This classic configuration, 13.492 km (8.384 mi) long, remained largely unchanged even after the 1955 tragedy.
Safety adjustments start
Car speeds surged in the 1960s, pushing the limits of the “classic circuit” and drawing criticism for safety concerns after several fatalities. Subsequently, a smaller, permanent Bugatti Circuit was added in 1965, sharing facilities with the full “Le Mans” circuit. Safety enhancements included the introduction of the Ford chicane in 1968 and the installation of Armco barriers in 1969. Further modifications followed in 1972 and subsequent years, enhancing safety and track features.
In response to new road construction, adjustments were made in 1979, altering the profile of “Tertre Rouge” and removing the second Dunlop Bridge. Additional modifications in 1986 and 1987, including the addition of a chicane to the fast Dunlop curve, aimed to address safety concerns and regulate speeds.
The iconic Mulsanne Straight, renowned for its 6 km (3.7 mi) length, witnessed remarkable speeds during various eras of racing history. Safety measures introduced, such as the addition of chicanes in 1990, aimed to mitigate high-speed risks and ensure regulatory compliance.
Subsequent track modifications, including reconfigurations in 2002 and 2006, continued to prioritize safety and improve racing dynamics. The tragic crash of Danish driver Allan Simonsen in 2013 prompted further safety enhancements, including the re-profiling of Tertre Rouge.
The current iteration of the track has been operational since 2018, reflecting ongoing efforts to balance speed and safety in motorsport.
1923-1928
Length: 17.262 km
The first track layout for the 24 Hour race was completely different to that used for the very first French Grand Prix in 1906.
The track entirely comprised of public roads south of the city and ventured into the suburbs as far as the Pontlieue hairpin.
Distance record was set by the 1928 winners: 2,669.27 km, average speed: 111.219 km/h.
Fastest lap was set during the 1928 race by Henry Birkin in his 4.4 liter Bentley with a time of 8:07, an average speed of 127.604 km/h
1929-1931
Length: 16.340 km
The track was shortened for safety reasons to avoid the town suburbs that were expanding rapidly.
The new link road constructed at the ACO’s expense was named the ‘Rue du Circuit’.
Distance record set by the 1931 winners: 3,017.65 km, average speed: 125.735 km/h.
Fastest lap was set during the 1930 race by Henry Birkin in his 4.4 litre Bentley with a time of 6:48, an average speed of 144.362 km/h.
1932-1955
Length: 13.492 km
The track was further shortened with a new purpose built section connecting the pits straight and the Tertre Rouge corner on the Le Mans – Tours road.
The section included the erection of the famous Dunlop bridges.
Distance record set by the 1955 winners: 4,135.38 km, average speed: 172.308 km/h.
Fastest lap was set during the 1955 race by Mike Hawthorn in the winning Jaguar D-type with a time of 4:06.60, an average speed of 196.963 km/h.
1956-1967
Length: 13.461 km
In the aftermath of the 1955 accident, the whole pit area was rebuilt. Track width and pit lane modifications led to a change in the Dunlop curve, shortening the track by 31 meters.
Distance record set by the 1967 winners: 5,232.90 km, average speed: 218.038 km/h.
Fastest lap was set during the 1967 race by Denny Hulme & Mario Andretti (both Ford Mk IVs) with a time of 3:23.60,an average speed of 238.014 km/h.
1968-1971
Length: 13.469 km
To reduce the speeds past the pit area, a chicane was installed immediately prior to the pit entrance.
Named the Ford chicane, the track was slightly redirected from Maison Blanche.
Distance record set by the 1971 winners: 5,335.31 km, average speed: 222.304 km/h.
Fastest lap was set during the 1971 race by Jackie Oliver in the number 18 Gulf Porsche 917LH with a time of 3:18.40, an average speed of 244.387 km/h.
1972-1978
Length: 13.640 km
Starting on the Arnage to Maison Blanche stretch, a new section was constructed, by-passing Maison Blanche completely.
This joined the existing track with another slow corner at the Ford chicane.
Distance record set by the 1978 winners: 5,044.53 km, average speed: 210.188 km/h.
Fastest lap was set during the 1978 race by Jean-Pierre Jabouille in the A443 Renault with a time of 3:34.20,an average speed of 229.244 km/h.
1979-1985
Length: 13.626 km
Due to the construction of a new public road, Tertre Rouge corner had to be reprofiled, changing it from a right angled corner to a faster, but more complex double apex. Second Dunlop Bridge removed.
Distance record set by the 1985 winners: 5,088.51 km, average speed: 212.021 km/h.
Fastest lap was set during the 1985 race by Jacky Ickx in the works Rothmans Porsche 962 with a time of 3:25.10, an average speed of 239.169 km/h.
1986
Length: 13.528 km
Mulsanne corner was modified to avoid a new roundabout that had been installed to reduce accidents at the junction.
The new layout kinked right just before the original corner, with the new corner slightly offset.
Distance record set by the 1986 winners: 4,972.73 km, average speed: 207.197 km/h.
Fastest lap was set during the 1986 race by the number 7 Joest Porsche 956 of Ludwig, Barilla and ‘Winter’ with a time of 3:23.3, an average speed of 239.551 km/h.
1987-1989
Length: 13.535 km
Due to excessive speeds attained by the bikes on the approach to the Dunlop bridge during their races, the Dunlop curve was altered and a chicane installed before the bridge, slowing speeds dramatically.
Distance record set by the 1988 winners: 5,332.79 km, average speed: 221.622 km/h.
Fastest lap was set during the 1989 race by the number 4 TWR Silk Cut Jaguar of Alain Ferté with a time of 3:21.27,an average speed of 242.093 km/h.
1990-1996
Length: 13.600 km
The Mulsanne straight was split into three sections by the introduction of two mirror-imaged chicanes to comply with an FIA directive on maximum length of straights. New pit lane entrance in readiness for the new pit complex in 1991.
Distance record set by the 1993 winners: 5,100.00 km, average speed: 213.358 km/h.
Fastest lap was set during the 1993 race by Eddie Irvine driving the number 36 Toyota TS010 with a time of 3:27.47, an average speed of 235.986 km/h.
1997-2001
Length: 13.605 km
A slight reprofiling of the Dunlop chicane, moving the turn in further away from the bridge itself to accommodate a larger run off area/gravel trap, again mainly for the safety of the bikes.
Distance record set by the 2000 winners: 5,007.988 km, average speed: 208.666 km/h.
Fastest lap was set during the 1999 race by Ukyo Katayama in the no.3 Toyota GT-One with a time of 3:35.032, an average speed of 227.771 km/h.
For 2001, the profile of the “hump” at the end of the Mulsanne Straight was lowered as part of the FIA recommendations in the wake of the Mercedes’ accidents in 1999, but this did not affect the overall layout.
2002-2006
Length: 13.650 km
A major change between the Dunlop Bridge & the Esses with the straight run down the hill being replaced by a series of sweeps. This was to facilitate a better entry to the short Bugatti circuit.
Distance record set by the 2006 winners: 5,187.00 km, average speed: 215.409 km/h.
Fastest lap was set during the 2006 race by the no.7 Audi R10 of Capello, Kristensen & McNish with a time of 3:31.211, an average speed of 230.182 km/h.
2007-Today
Length: 13.629 km
Reprofiling of Tertre Rouge corner, smoothing away the apex into a longer flowing curve onto the start of the Mulsanne Straight.
Addition of a run off area at Arnage corner was added in 2012
Addition of a new protection system at Porsche Curves in 2016
Changes to the road and banking at Indianapolis and Arnage Corners in 2016
Distance record set by the 2010 winners: 5,410.713 km, average speed: 225.228 km/h.
Fastest lap was set during the 2015 race by the no.9 AUDI R18 E-Tron Quattro of Andre Lotterer with a time of 3:17.475
Which Assetto Corsa track goes best with what era?
There are many tracks available for Assetto Corsa to race at Le Mans and some are better at others. A selection of those can be found at this link.
1920-1965
The more historically accurate 1967 version of the Le Mans track works best for these grids, although the billboards will be 1960s era specific and might not give the best vibe for earlier races. Hopefully some modders will make different skins for earlier eras. This version that was included also in our 1960 release has the ‘Le Mans’ start.
This track is a modified THR track and I can highly recommend checking them out at their website and Discord.
1965-1967
When compiling mid-late 1960s grids, there are specific cars that have trouble going around the Mulsanne corner (specifically the GT40 is a well known one). For these grids we recommend the RJ 1967 version of the track which can be found here. To fix the AI issues, we recommend installing the AI line update you can download here.
1968-1972
We aren’t sold on this GTR2 conversion when the barriers were installed as they seem to narrowing the track too much. It does however change the feel for this particular era and you can download the 1970 version here. Barriers were added to the pit in 1971 which would need to have you use this version.
1972-1984
For this era we recommend using the excellent 1982 version which is available here.
1985-1989
There are two track versions, for this era, and neither are as good as the 1982 one, but 1985 and 1989 should give you updated track layouts as the circuit changed dramatically during this era.
1990-1996
For this era we recommend using the 1991 version which is available here.
1997-2002
For this era we recommend using the 1998 version which is available here.
2002-current
The best version for current racing so far is the FM7 conversion mimicking the 2017 layout of the circuit that is available here, which can be expanded to having 112 pit boxes using this mod.
Some content courtesy wikipedia
The Assetto Corsa Le Mans Project 
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