Finish of an period as Le Mans’ Dunlop Bridge is ready for rebrand

A bit of historical past is about to turn into a part of the previous, with the long-lasting Dunlop Bridge at Circuit de la Sarthe set for a reputation change.

A visible image of the world’s best endurance race, the Dunlop Bridge has lengthy been a gathering level whose identify resonates with everybody on the Le Mans 24 Hours.

Situated on the high of the chicane of the identical identify (whose identification might also evolve), it has allowed spectators for a century to cross the observe from the paddock aspect to the outer perimeter. Additionally it is adjoining to one of many circuit’s most sought-after viewpoints, the Goodyear grandstand, which was beforehand referred to as the Dunlop grandstand.

The circle will quickly be full, because the bridge can be renovated and modernised whereas retaining the construction of the present one, earlier than being renamed the Goodyear Bridge.

This operation is a part of a sequence of works aimed toward enhancing the spectator expertise on the Bugatti Circuit website, because the Vehicle Membership de l’Ouest has additionally introduced the entire renovation of the Goodyear Racing Membership positioned on the finish of the pit straight, in addition to the Goodyear grandstand. The latter additionally borders the 24 Hours of Le Mans Museum, which is presently present process main enlargement works, with a reopening deliberate earlier than the 2026 version of Le Mans.

Dunlop Bridge

Picture by: JEP / Motorsport Pictures

“In tribute to the historical past of the Dunlop bridge, the ACO and Goodyear will donate memorabilia to the 24 Hours Museum in an effort to protect the reminiscence of this legendary place,” the organisers promise, possible conscious that the choice could ruffle just a few feathers. “These modifications replicate the care taken by the ACO to guard the race, the circuit and its attributes, whereas guaranteeing an evolution in keeping with its imaginative and prescient for the way forward for the self-discipline.”

Whereas the British model Dunlop was lengthy a part of the Goodyear group, it was bought to the Japanese group Sumitomo Rubber Industries initially of the yr, which explains the American tyre big’s robust need to take over the naming rights to the bridge.

Stephane Andriolo, ACO director of buyer and occasions, believes that “the partnership with Goodyear permits us to honour the previous whereas trying towards the way forward for endurance racing”.

It should be mentioned that the tyre producer has lately developed a technique strongly centered on endurance racing and motorsport generally, having additionally introduced the well-known Goodyear Blimp again to the skies over La Sarthe in recent times.

“Le Mans is the flagship occasion of the endurance season and the keystone of Goodyear’s heritage in motor racing,” mentioned Xavier Fraipont, vp of worldwide racing at Goodyear. “On the event of the forty fifth anniversary of the Eagle vary and the sixtieth anniversary of our first victory on the 24 Hours of Le Mans, we’re proud to forge even nearer ties with the ACO. The strengthened presence of our model on the circuit displays our imaginative and prescient for the long run and our ardour for innovation in motor racing.”

The Dunlop bridge at Le Mans all through historical past