Friday 14th March 2014

Le Mans Porsche centre confirmed

Fancy yourself as a Porsche hero at Le Mans? From 2015 you can be!

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In a round-table at the LA show last autumn Porsche's Wolfgang Hatz let slip to us that Porsche was in discussion with the ACO about building another of its experience centres incorporating sections of the famous Le Mans circuit. A slightly nervous sounding PR man texted us soon after to say the plans were still TBC but it seems they now are, the ACO confirming that it will let Porsche put a permanent marker down at La Sarthe due to open this time next year.

Porsche (left) and the ACO (right) shake on it

In Porsche's comeback year to frontline LMP1 competition and a crack at the overall 24-hour win this is obviously hugely symbolic and a reflection of just how close Le Mans is to Porsche's heart.

The ACO has, since 2011, run the only official Porsche Sport Driving School in France and will continue to provide instructors and other support to the Porsche Experience Centre. Following an established pattern laid down by similar facilities at Silverstone, Leipzig, Shanghai, Atlanta and Los Angeles, it'll have a central hub housing new and classic Porsche cars, technology displays and hospitality. There will also be a service centre and a 'Porsche Exclusive custom tailoring area'.

Where it differs from the other centres is its physical integration with an existing and historic venue, just yards away from the finish line across which Porsches have come home in winning place 16 times over the years. The meat in this sandwich is a 1.8-mile circuit using 'an adapted version' of the Maison Blanc layout but also using sections of the proper Le Mans track we'd assume would take in at least part of the Porsche Curves and Ford Chicane.

911s in the Posche Curves - this could be you!

"Porsche has forged its sporting legend in the Le Mans 24 Hours," says ACO president Pierre Fillon in a press release. "It follows naturally that this new, modern innovative complex should take its rightful place inside our circuit. In the year in which Porsche is making its comeback to the event's blue riband category to try and add to its record number of victories, this Center will strengthen the increasingly-close links with this prestigious brand."

For his part Porsche's French MD Marc Quayoun says, "Opening a Porsche Experience Center here holds a special meaning for us. Porsche's return to LMP1 has opened up great prospects for the future. The Center will be a fantastic venue for all Porsche enthusiasts to come and share their passion. Our clients will also be able to test drive the model they are hoping to buy with their various chosen options."

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[Sources: ACO, Google maps, images Jean-Rene Roger/ACO and LAT Photo]

[truck71]

Ideal place for a burn up.

[type-r]

I suspect this will be one very special PEC. And if the food is anything like Silverstone, with a Gallic twist, it will be worth a hoon to France in itself!

[sideways man]

Ever since my first visit to the le mans 24hr in 1988,in my dreams I wanted to be an endurance driver and enter the race.
This might be the only way to achieve a lifetime ambition. Looks like my summer holiday has just arranged itself!

[Crusoe]

porsche said:

clients will also be able to test drive the model they are hoping to buy with their various chosen options.

unless it is a 991 gt3

[David87]

truck71 said:

Ideal place for a burn up.

[Dan Trent]

David87 said:

truck71 said:

Ideal place for a burn up.

[truck71]

Dan Trent said:

David87 said:

truck71 said:

Ideal place for a burn up.

Oh come on, at the time of posting right underneath the article was a picture of a fully lit gt3. An article written by ph..

[paranha]

IF the heat in the kitchen is TOO Hot-----Don't enter--Always be honest.

[Dan Trent]

truck71 said:

Dan Trent said:

David87 said:

truck71 said:

Ideal place for a burn up.

Oh come on, at the time of posting right underneath the article was a picture of a fully lit gt3. An article written by ph..

Ah yes, fair enough. We were thinking along different lines, mine being a fiery incident that took place not far from where the centre will be located. GT3 = open goal. The other thing not so much.

Carry on!

Dan

[Carl_Docklands]

Crusoe said:

porsche said:

clients will also be able to test drive the SUV they are hoping to buy with their various chosen options.

unless it is a Macan GT3

There, fixed it for you both....