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[djned]

the dunlop bridge is a famous landmark seen on many racing circuits - le mans, donnington, etc.

are there any websites out there, or anecdotes you have about this enduring motorsport image?

The story of the Dunlop bridge

The first running of the 24 hours of Le Mans was in 1923. Dunlop supported the event from the beginning erecting a public footbridge at Pontlieue and placing advertising banners around the hairpin. The Passarelle Dunlop remained until 1928 when the track was changed and then Dunlop built a huge tyre straddling the circuit just beyond the pits on what was named ‘Avenue Dunlop’. It was not designed for pedestrian use and the ACO soon decided to ban advertising obliging Dunlop to remove the monument.

After the war the rules changed and in 1952 Dunlop constructed an 18 metre wide bridge at the end of the pit straight. The bridge’s ‘sidewall’ was branded with ‘Dunlop Fort’ – ‘Fort’ meaning strong or durable in French and also relating to the name of the Birmingham factory where the race tyres are still made.

More track changes in 1955 to improve safety levels meant widening the track and moving the Dunlop bridge past the bend which follows the pit straight and the bend itself became known as ‘Dunlop Curve’. Since that time the bridge has changed appearance with the wording changing to read Dunlop SP Sport and with the Addition of the famous ‘flying D’ logo and later ‘L’Esprit de Competition’.

The bridge was replaced in 1978 to meet very strict safety standards. It is pure arc in form, 50 metres long, 13 metres high and weighs 70 tons. It is able to withstand 200 kph crosswinds and the weight of more than 1000 people. The bridge concept was greeted with such enthusiasm around the world that other similar structures have appeared at circuits around the world. In England the Dunlop Bridge is a major feature of the Donington Park circuit with others at Mantorp Park, Sweden, Sugo and Suzuka in Japan as well as other venues such as Bercy for Supercross and Karting.