FIA WEC under scrutiny in Le Mans city centre
Pesage is over and the cars are set to take to the track for the official test day at Le Mans
The first part of the build-up to the third round of the 2022 FIA World Endurance Championship, 24 Hours of Le Mans, is over after the final car was hung and drawn in front of the crowds in Le Mans historic quarter at the Place de la République this Saturday afternoon.
The #92 Porsche LMGTE Pro 911 RSR-19 was the final car to be weighed on day which saw reigning World Endurance Championship champions Toyota submit their two GR010 – Hybrid Hypercars for checks as well as the Glickenhaus Racing entries amidst a collection of predominantly GT cars after yesterday’s LMP2-focused checks.
The last two days saw all 62 entries for this year’s 90th running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans presented to the fans with scrutineering once more a public affair after two years of being behind closed doors due to the pandemic.
In local terminology, the technical and administrative scrutineering checks are known as pesage, in reference to the weighing of the cars, with the final check in front of the crowds of hanging the cars by the recovery straps.
The cars are measured for length, girth, overhang, wheelbase and wing height amongst other things. The underside of the car is checked, especially for any aero tricks which may have been attempted.
Next the safety elements are checked, with fire extinguishers, engine cut-offs, headlights all assessed, as well as elements such as sticker placement, transponder operating and the car black box ensured to be right on time as well as other functionality.
During this process, which takes around 50 minutes per car, the drivers are also put through their paces, with clothing checked for being in keeping with the latest FIA safety standards and a licence producer mandated. It’s also time for the driver weigh-in, with the figure recorded valid for deduction from that of the car in the qualifying session checks.
Official duties over, it’s time for photos, autographs and selfies-a-plenty and pre-race interviews in front of all the fans in attendance.
Tomorrow cars and drivers take to the circuit for the official test day, taking place from 09:00 to 18:00. Following that it’s two days preparation before the cars return to the track on Wednesday afternoon, with the first practice session starting at 14:00.
The World Endurance Championship will return to Le Mans city centre on Friday afternoon for the Driver Parade, before returning once more to the track for Saturday’s start to the 90th 24 Hours of Le Mans.
