Tutorial: 24 Hours of Le Mans - Bugatti Circuit

Characteristics:

This legendary circuit isn't very technical and is easy to memorize.
The track is wide and in excellent condition, with long straights allowing powerful motorcycles to shine.
However, it offers beautiful curves, especially the entrance to the Dunlop chicane, ideal for high-speed enthusiasts.

Reminder: Reference points are personal. They depend on engine size, motorcycle type, setup, and the rider.
On the track, you will find many reference points: signs, bridges, corner distance markers, and track markings.
Don't forget to identify them during your warm-up lap.

1. Dunlop Curve

Gear: 4th or 5th (6th for smaller engines)

Braking phase:
After the long pit straight, this famous right-hand curve deserves its reputation.
You arrive at full throttle in 6th gear and enter without closing the throttle until the curve significantly tightens.
There are some bumps before the braking zone that may unsettle the motorcycle slightly.
Markers include trackside signs and painted bands.
Two lines on the outside are ideal braking and turning reference points.
Initially, it's challenging to stay wide and comfortable at high speed here. Allow yourself some adaptation time.

Corner:
The hardest part is maintaining high speed, which significantly impacts lap times.
Speed and wind may be disruptive, so take your time.
Reapply gentle throttle to stabilize the motorcycle and relieve pressure on the front.

Acceleration phase:
Proper positioning for the next corner is crucial, avoid crossing mid-track to prevent braking at too much lean angle.
Apply throttle progressively.
Trajectory is key.

2. Dunlop Chicane

Gear: 2nd - 3rd

Braking phase:
Be cautious braking here; excessive force at high lean angles significantly increases crash risk. Strongly advised against.
Reposition well to the right to open the left corner. Braking is intense, requiring simultaneous angle changes, gear shifting, and trajectory management.
Avoid prolonged braking at lean angles; grip is limited, risking a front-end slide.

Corner:
Sacrifice the left corner to optimize the right.
Delay the apex of the left corner to better position for the right and ensure safer acceleration.
Using gentle throttle makes the motorcycle more responsive during quick direction changes.

Acceleration phase:
After hitting the right-hand apex, begin acceleration carefully.
The motorcycle tends to wheelie here—avoid abrupt throttle inputs. Good body positioning adds weight to the front, improving trajectory control.
Drift slightly rightward to avoid issues at La Chapelle corner.

3. La Chapelle

Gear: 2nd - 3rd

Braking phase:
After the chicane, closely pass the left-side curb before entering La Chapelle for better positioning.
Avoid immediate diving inside when braking. Begin braking firmly while gradually leaning into the corner, progressively reducing brake pressure.

Corner:
A higher entry speed naturally moves you away from the mid-corner apex; that's normal. Aim to reach the apex on exit while starting acceleration uphill.

Acceleration phase:
Moderate your throttle application to avoid drifting left. Quickly reposition to the right for the next corner.
Always anticipate upcoming corners.

4. Le Musée

Gear: 2nd - 3rd

Braking phase:
The bridge is an excellent braking reference.
Brake deep into the corner. Be cautious—bumps here can unsettle your bike.

Corner:
Smaller engines tend to widen faster due to early acceleration.
For powerful bikes, wait longer before fully opening the throttle.
Trajectories vary based on engine power.

Acceleration phase:
The goal is to open throttle fully as early as possible without needing to lift off due to running wide.
Avoid aggressive early throttle. As speed increases, grip improves.
Initial acceleration can sometimes be tricky.

5. Garage Vert

Gear: 2nd

Braking phase:
This corner offers abundant reference points: curbs, corner distance markers, and white lines.
The white line before the left-side curb is ideal for powerful bikes.
Brake hard while straight, then approach the inner curb.
Avoid excessive lean while approaching the first right-hander.

Corner:
Treat this as a double right-hand corner, prioritizing the exit.
Sacrifice the first part (finishing braking here).
Align early for the long straight ahead.
The second apex is critical. Look ahead early to spot it clearly.

Acceleration phase:
After releasing the brakes, apply gentle throttle quickly.
Gentle throttle stabilizes the bike, improves handling, and allows trajectory corrections.
Avoid premature acceleration at the second apex—compression here can disrupt your line.

6. Chemin aux Bœufs

Gear: 2nd - 3rd

Braking phase:
As with Garage Vert, you have plenty of reference points here.
Just before the right-side curb is a good braking reference for powerful motorcycles.
It's impressive braking as you arrive very quickly, and the first left corner is blind, making it tricky.
If you arrive too fast, remember there's an escape route on the left. It could prevent a fall.

Corner:
Aim for a late apex to open the right-hand corner.
At the left apex, start preparing your acceleration for the right-hand corner, progressively applying throttle.
Correct trajectory is important here, helping avoid danger in the right-hand corner and excessive lean angle during acceleration.
Highside crashes here are painful!

Acceleration phase:
The direction change is done on throttle, accelerating through the right-hand corner, pushing you toward the outside curb.

7. Les S Bleus

Gear: 2nd - 3rd

Braking phase:
The curb and the white band on the left, just before the curb, are excellent braking markers.
Brake strongly, but briefly, because you can throw the bike into the curve quickly.

Corner:
These are two quite long curves.
The first has positive camber, helping the bike turn and reach the apex after the middle of the curve.
A little throttle can help you exit smoothly.
The second curve has negative camber, making it more difficult to turn and easier to lose the front.
Its apex is quite late, allowing you to straighten the motorcycle earlier for safe acceleration.

Acceleration phase:
Be cautious of negative camber, especially in the rain.
Straightening the bike well is crucial to applying your motorcycle's power safely and avoiding running too wide, thus positioning yourself ideally for the next corner's braking phase.

8. Raccordement Corner

Gear: 2nd

Braking phase:
Brief but firm braking.
Pay close attention to positioning yourself wide outside to open the double right-hand corner and avoid excessive braking at lean angle.

Corner:
This is the slowest corner on the circuit.
It's not pleasant and could even be described as treacherous, especially in wet conditions.
After passing the first apex, prepare for the second right-hand corner.
Use throttle to reposition yourself near the outer curb.
The difficulty here is maintaining cornering speed while properly positioning yourself to enter the second right-hand corner as late as possible for optimal acceleration.

Acceleration phase:
Grip isn't strong at the start of the straight, so watch out for slides.
If you maintain the correct trajectory and straighten the motorcycle effectively, everything should go smoothly.