Before Le Mans, Only Endurance were invited to experience something very special: a trip in the famed Goodyear Blimp, in its 100th anniversary year, to take place during the race.
First, a few facts about the Goodyear blimp. Goodyear's first Blimp, Pilgrim, flew in 1925. While the 20th century versions of the Blimp were built by Goodyear, the current versions are built by Luftschiffbau Zeppelin, a German company.
There are currently four Goodyear Blimps in existence. Three are stationed in the United States, while one is based in Germany. This was the Blimp that Goodyear brought to Le Mans, which they've done every year since they returned as a tyre supplier to the French endurance classic.
The Blimp is around 75 metres long, or 246 feet. It's 17.4m high (57ft). Its ideal cruising range is 300 metres, around as tall as the Eiffel Tower.
Goodyear were lucky enough to invite Only Endurance for a trip on the Blimp in the early hours of the race. It gave us a chance to see the race from the skies, showing the huge scale of the track nestled in the French countryside, where racing has taken place since 1906 and the 24 Hours since 1923.
See below for a selection of shots from the Blimp! Thank you to Goodyear for inviting us — it was a very special experience and we're very appreciative.
All images credit Phil Oakley and Only Endurance.
The Blimp takes off for a trip before ours.The French countryside surrounding Le Mans as we flew towards the track.The first chicane of Circuit de la Sarthe.Tertre Rouge corner, with the Marie-Marvingt Stadium to the left.A wide shot of the track with Tertre Rouge to the right and the first chicane to the left.An overhead shot of Tertre Rouge and the Forest Esses.
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The Forest Esses and paddock in the background, plus the Bugatti circuit.The Dunlop chicane, which starts the lap.A wide shot of the exit of Porsche Curves leading to start finish and the Forest Esses.The Blimp had 'windows' that the crew opened mid flight. Don't drop anything out!The Mulsanne Straight, before Mulsanne Corner.The kink in the Mulsanne Straight before Mulsanne Corner.Indianapolis, at the top of the image, and Arnage.The part of public road heading down to Indianapolis.Arnage, showing the 'new' roundabout installed a few years ago.
Indianapolis corner. Hi Goodyear!Porsche Curves, my personal favourite section of track.Another shot of Porsche Curves, showing the Beausejour campsite.Did you know there's a Silverstone-shaped lake in the middle of the circuit? Neither did we.A wider shot of Porsche Curves, showing the kart track as well.You can clearly see public road heading under the track here at Porsche Curves.The run off area, at the top of the image to drivers' left, was added a few years ago.The Ford Chicane and pit entry.It was very cool to see the racing from above - not our usual vantage point!Which cars can you see?
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The Blimp ride really showed the scale of the track.The Marie-Marvingt stadium, where the ACO press conference is held every year.Want a go?The first chicane, rechristened 'Daytona chicane' after IMSA and ACO's partnership.The Mulsanne Straight, with the kink at the top of the image.The second chicane.A Corvette and McLaren navigate their way through the second chicane.Mulsanne Corner. Hitting the apex is important here, to get a good exit for the long run to Indianapolis.The roundabout at Mulsanne corner.The track stretching off into the distance, taken from Mulsanne corner. The grey area on drivers' right exiting Mulsanne Corner is the old signalling pits, no longer used.The run down to Porsche Curves, approaching the end of the lap.It was incredible to see the track from above.A very wide shot of the track, showing the first sector of the lap to Tertre Rouge.Looking backwards down the track towards Tertre Rouge, roughly above the first chicane.Our trip was over — we waved goodbye to the Blimp, off on another trip for more guests, invited by Goodyear.
Once again, thank you to Goodyear for an amazing experience that neither Only Endurance founder Tim, or I, the website editor, will ever forget. Just incredible!
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