Roadworks at Arnage

[Jon_Bmw]

Looking at Lowdrags picture on another thread, you can see the Banking still in place and just starting to be turfed:



OK it is shorter than it was before because of the road carving through it, but it is still there plus the new banking towards Indianapolis is extra.

[icepop]

Yeah, blue area marked is wrong. Banking near the Arnage corner is there, then a split for the new road. It then continues to give good views of Indy, like Tetre Rouge. Just was hoping that it allowed a viewing area near the right hand corner at the end of the Golf straight, but doesn't look like it.

[Nosynchro]

Would be interesting to know if turfing the whole lot or just the bits you can already see on the aerial shot which seems to correspond with the spectator banking. If the rest is just seeded it will be like The Somme come June

[DS240]

From auto sport...

A new spectator zone at Indianapolis will be opened in time for the Le Mans 24 Hours next month.

The enclosure will allow fans to spectate at the fast right-hander at Indianapolis and give a new perspective on the left-hander that follows.

It will offer a proper view of this challenging corner for the first time since the early 2000s when increased run-off at the right-hander ate into the spectator zone.

Vincent Beausmesnil, sporting manager of Le Mans organiser the Automobile Club de l'Ouest, said: "This new spot will be incredible for the fans.

"For me, it will be the best place to watch the cars on the track."

The construction of the new spectator zone has been facilitated by a road building programme in the area by the local authority.

A roundabout has been built to the south of the crossroads at which the Circuit de la Sarthe turns 90 degrees right at Arnage Corner to eradicate an accident black spot.

The changes to the layout of the roads will also aid access to the Indianapolis and Arnage corners for spectators.

[lowdrag]

Calm down dears! Here are today's photos:-

Here I am standing just after the kink before Indy. You can see the spectator banking that goes from the start of the bend right the way down behind the big gravel trap.



Here I am on the inside of Indy and what I can't understand is why they have tarmacked the first third of the gravel trap. Might make for interesting viewing!



Here is Indy in the background but now coned off where the new road goes left to the new roundabout:-



Here I am on the new roundabout with Arnage viewing on my right and the Arnage bend in the background



This is a view inside the entrance to Arnage spectator area, and you can see just how far it goes back up the circuit now. Considerably better.



So all in all, except the camping looks smaller, the viewing is much improved.

[SimoN138]

That does indeed look to be quite an improvement without losing too much of the original banking ... I reckon arnage/indi is going to be pretty busy in 5 weeks time!

[Great Dane]

further away from the entry to arnage?

[DS240]

Inspired by the fact I haven't viewed from here for a few years and these changes look quite good for viewing.... Just bought some Arnage parking tickets.

Our Saturday routine for the last couple of years has been... leave the circuit around 1900, drive to village with great pizza place, freshen up then head back to the circuit for an hour or two. Think Arnage will be good for that late stint.

[surveyor]

We have found in the last couple of years, having a parking ticket is not an issue. Not getting moved on because the parking is full is an issue.

[Vette_1978]

Yep, parking can be tricky, we've been down there for the warm up in the morning and parked in the nearest field, once this fills the next one is a bit of a wander. Will definitely be seeing how the new layout works, be good to see the entry to Indianapolis..

[Rs2oo]

This may help, before and after views

[lowdrag]

Great images which explain more than a thousand words. However, what they don't show is the amount of parking to the right of the trees. It goes about as far up as the track on the left. In fact, you can see where it turns to the right and returns later to the entrance.

[icepop]

Hi Lowdrag, thanks for the pictures earlier, I see what you mean about the tarmacked section of run off, at Indy !!

Can you just clarify your comment in the post above, is the original parking still there, in the two fields, and have they provided new parking on what, I guess is now the newer camping area.

Many thanks

[Great Dane]

https://wec-magazin.com/new-spectator-opportunitie...

The bit with the short run up to arnage corner has probably gone because there is a new road in the way...

[Nosynchro]

Great shame if that's so. Looks a great new view at Indy though. Watched from the outside of the corner a few years ago which was fantastic. Definitely take the bicycle now.

[joema]

Maybe it was just me but I thought the old arnage viewing area was a bit dull? Indy will be way better. Hopefully they keep the screen.

The circuit going through the roundabout would be interesting.

[davidd]

I loved the old arnage viewing area.... Spend many a happy hour there. Will be interested to see how new layout is..

D

[DS240]

Great Dane said:

https://wec-magazin.com/new-spectator-opportunitie...

The bit with the short run up to arnage corner has probably gone because there is a new road in the way...

I think judging by the new pics, there is still banking on the approach to arnage corner. Obviously a gap on the new road, but then continues all the way around to Indy and its approach.

Looking forward to getting down there this year, the view at Indy will be great to see.

[//j17]

Nosynchro said:

Great shame if that's so. Looks a great new view at Indy though. Watched from the outside of the corner a few years ago which was fantastic. Definitely take the bicycle now.

Each to their own but Arnage is home to 3 of my favourite racing memories:
- Clutching a luke-warm cup of coffee, watching cars racing in the pre-dawn only yards in front of me, while at the bottom of the spectator banking, against the fence 2 guys were somehow fast asleep in their sleeping bags.
- Standing at the Indy. end of the banking thinking .oO(Is that rain? Going to be fun for the next car through)Oo. - followed by a string of dogs-on-ice cars.
- The Arnage end of the banking, again in the rain watching almost everyone have to really feed the power in to get any traction - other than the 911s that just turned right, sat their asses down to the ground like a dog with mustard on it's bum-hole and fired of in to the dark.

[White-Noise]

Arnage corner was one of the best viewing points. It was where you can get as close to the cars as anywhere, while at the same time they are going slowly. I also loved watching them try and get on the power. It will be a loss if that is gone.

I am excited about the Indy area though, maybe they will put a new grandstand in on the Mulsanne next year?