The rolling start at Le Mans is one of the most iconic elements of the 24 Hours of Le Mans race. The start of the race, in which the cars were released one by one onto the track, was an exciting moment for spectators, and one of the most defining elements of the race. But when did they stop doing the rolling start at Le Mans?
The rolling start was first introduced at the 1958 24 Hours of Le Mans. It replaced the standing start, which had been used since the inaugural 24 Hours of Le Mans race in 1923. The rolling start offered an advantage to drivers, as it allowed them to get up to speed before crossing the starting line. The rolling start remained in use until the 1968 24 Hours of Le Mans. After that, a standing start was reintroduced and remains in use today.
The rolling start was a popular element of the race, and some argue that it made the race more exciting for spectators. While the standing start offers more of a spectacle, with the cars all lined up and ready to go, the rolling start gave drivers a chance to get up to speed before crossing the starting line and gave spectators a chance to see the cars accelerating away from the starting line.
The history of the rolling start at Le Mans is a fascinating one, and it's clear that the race wouldn't be the same without it. While the standing start is still used today, it's the rolling start that will always be remembered as one of the defining moments of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The Le Mans 24 Hours endurance race has been an iconic event in motor racing since 1923. Throughout its long and storied history, the race has seen a number of changes, with one of the most significant being the discontinuation of the rolling start. The rolling start was first introduced at the 1925 race and continued until the 2008 edition of the race, when it was finally abandoned.
The rolling start was a unique feature of the Le Mans 24 Hours race, and it allowed for the cars to start the race in two groups, with one group starting the race at the front and the other starting a few seconds later. This meant that the cars had to be lined up in two rows, with the second row starting a few seconds after the first. This allowed for a much more exciting start to the race and allowed for some interesting tactical decisions to be made by the teams.
However, in 2008 the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO), the organisers of the Le Mans 24 Hours, decided to discontinue the rolling start due to safety concerns. As cars had become faster over the years, the rolling start was seen as a potentially hazardous situation, and the ACO felt that it was best to move away from this format. As a result, the 2008 edition of the race was the last to feature the rolling start.
The rolling start was certainly an exciting and unique way to begin the Le Mans 24 Hours race, and its discontinuation was felt by many. However, the ACO ultimately made the right decision, as safety was always the most important consideration when it came to the Le Mans 24 Hours. Although the rolling start may be gone, the race remains as exciting as ever, and its history continues to be celebrated and remembered.