French driver and former Formula One star Jean Alesi signs autographs at scrutineering. He'll drive a Ferrari in GT2. Photo credit: Rick Dole for Michelin North America

One of the highlights of Le Mans week is Scrutineering, the two-day event of technical inspection by Automobile Club l’Ouest officials (the Le Mans sanctioning body) of all 55 cars entered in the 24-hour race.

In past years the event has run on Monday and Tuesday but this year, the schedule was moved to Sunday and Monday to allow more fans to attend.

Scrutineering is as much an event for the fans as it is for the ACO officials. While officials oversee each car’s legality and conformity to the regulations, fans take days off of work and gather in mass quantities to see the teams, drivers and cars pass through inspection and then gather on the plaza for the official team photographs. Once you’re through Scrutineering, you’re officially confirmed as an entrant for the 24 Hours of Le Mans!

The event takes place in downtown Le Mans, near a historic church and away from the Circuit de la Sarthe. This is a great opportunity for fans who cannot attend the race to see the field at Le Mans, and it isn’t the only one. On Friday in basically the same area is the annual Driver Parade, when the field comes through and signs autographs for throngs of fans waiting along the wall.