Like you, we at the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) are faced with an unprecedented situation caused by the coronavirus and its sanitary and economic repercussions.
We are doing our best to inform everyone of the steps we are taking and are happy to answer questions relating to our calendar of events for the remainder of this year.
This is a critical situation and in the light of the measures announced by the government, our overriding priority is the protection of our staff, volunteers and subcontractors and, in the longer term, the safeguarding of our operations. Two weeks ago, our executive committee set up a task force to monitor this crisis. As a result, we have a plan of action to get through this period together, responsibly.
We have issued reminders to staff, relaying the preventive measures announced by the government. Our employees have been working from home since Monday, with the necessary flexibility to enable parents to look after their children. The staff canteen opening hours have also been adapted to suit new requirements.
All ACO venues – the 24 Hours of Le Mans museum, karting track, Bugatti and Maison Blanche Circuits, and the Porsche Experience Center – have been closed since the morning of Sunday 15 March and will remain closed until further notice. We shall await government instructions.
All events and races scheduled at the Bugatti, Maison Blanche or Karting du Mans tracks or at other ACO venues between now and the end of April 2020 have been postponed where possible. The 24H Motos scheduled for April will now take place in early September. See this page for the full list of postponed events: newsroom.lemans.org.
We are looking to maintain or postpone events scheduled beyond April. Outright cancellation of our main events is out of the question. On this note, we express our heartfelt thanks for the constructive, positive responses we have received in our effort to find solutions that suit everyone concerned. We have set ourselves the deadline of 15 April to announce our decision concerning our main events this summer, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans scheduled for 13-14 June. You can be sure that everyone at the ACO is doing their utmost to honour contracts and fulfil expectations.
You can rely our unfailing support throughout these trying times. In turn, we know that we can count on your support and understanding at a time when we shall surely need it.
Please take care of yourselves and of others.
Pierre Fillon
President
ACO Official Communication