2023 TORA 24 Heures du Mulsanne - Driver's Briefing and Track Limits

While there are other 24-hour endurance races around the world, none of them are nearly as famous nor infamous as the 24 Hours of Le Mans. This race dates back to 1922 when the ACO received an unexpected offer of 100,000 francs from the French subsidiary of the Rudge Whitworth wheels company to facilitate a suitable 24-hour race. The first 24 hours of Le Mans took place on May 26, 1923, with a field of 33 cars from 18 different manufacturers. The rest, as they say, is history. As far as TORA's 24 Heures du Mulsanne, this will be the 13th time we have hosted this race. Sportscar racing is very much in the DNA of TORA and we are glad to bring this race to the community again. 

Race - This is a 24-hour Endurance race. Drivers will be competing in 12 stints of two hours each. However, drivers are reminded that the stint actually only lasts 1 hour and 40 minutes. You can see the stint schedule on the stint thread. Drivers are expected to be familiar with the rules and regulations come race time, so please review them before July 22nd. Drivers are also reminded that they cannot have a driver double stint between stint 6 & 7 and stint 11 & 12.

Pit Stops - There are required numbers of pit stops for this race. For P1 that will be 5 stops, and for P2 and GT that will be 3 stops. Remember that drivers will not be permitted to drive on the track backward to the pit entrance once they pass it. If they miss the pit entrance, drivers will have to drive around the track again to get back to the pit entrance. To be absolutely clear, if you drive backward at any point, you are subject to disqualification from the entire stint. It's not worth it, don't do it.

Stint Starting Procedures - Stint 1 will begin with a full warm-up lap behind the safety car, at 80 MPH, concluding with the safety car entering the pit lane, and the field proceeding 2x2 at 60 MPH for a standard start. All other lobbies are instructed to do the out lap in the same manner, just without the safety car (unless one is available, in which case it will be used). Reduce speed to 60 MPH at the pit lane entrance in all lobbies. Stints 2 through 12 will be a single file start at 60 MPH, starting as cars pass under the Dunlop Bridge as shown below. Remember that drivers are not to accelerate to race pace until THEY pass the designated start point, violations of which are subject to a distance penalty.

Track limits for this year are slightly relaxed compared to previous years at some places. These will be highlighted below. At all other places, track limits for qualifying are FORZA CLEAN. See below for a track map with named corners.



Pit Entrance/Exit

Here is a video highlighting the pit track limits. All drivers are expected to adhere to the pit entrance line, remain on the paved area in the lead up to the pit entrance, and to observe the blend line when exiting the pits. Failure to adhere to any facet of the pit guidelines will incur an instant 5,000 ft. penalty, per infraction.


Virage du Tertre Rouge Entrance and Exit

Drivers are permitted to use the entire curb on entrance. However, at least two wheels must remain on the curb at all times, as is shown below.


Same track limits apply to the exit. Two wheels must remain on the curb at all times.

stricken adjustments, now clean in this section: