The Le Mans 24-Hours race writes history and Le Mans Classic tells the story!
In 2018 Le Mans Classic staged for the ninth time as it is held on a biennial basis. The event created by the Automobile Club de l’Ouest and Peter Auto almost 20 years ago has become a red-letter date in the world of the motor car. Rendezvous after rendezvous this fantastic retrospective has conquered the public, the entrants, the makes clubs, guardians of our marvellous automotive heritage, as well as exhibitors who flock to the circuit in increasingly large numbers. In 2016 there were 123 000 spectators, 600 cars on the track and 8500 cars brought along by the clubs. So what more is needed to confirm the growing success of this meeting the second biggest motoring event in France in terms of spectator attendance?
In 70 years of the history of the greatest endurance event, the 2018 Le Mans Classic will celebrate the 40th anniversary of Alpine’s victory in the 24 Hours, the 25th of the historic triple of the Peugeot 905, some of which will add excitement to the Group C race that has been the curtain- raiser since the last meeting. And 70 years ago Porsche really came of age with the launch of its first series production car, the famous 356. There will also be numerous celebrations of other iconic makes and models starting with the 50th anniversary of Ligier, the Ferrari 365 Daytona, the BMW 2002…
Le Mans Classic extends the past, which is not forgotten but has to be cultivated: a past that belongs to us which must be lived. “For mankind the past bears a striking resemblance to the future. By telling him what was, isn’t it always telling him what will be?” said the great French thinker Honoré de Balzac who influenced the writers of his day and the following centuries
SIX GRIDS, 24 HOURS OF ON-TRACK ACTION
GRID 1(1923-1939)
Models representing famous makes which shone on the Le Mans circuit in the pre-war era are back on the scene of their exploits. These include Aston Martin Speed Models, 4,5L Blower Bentleys, BMW 328s, Bugatti Type 35s, Delage 3 Litre Sports, Delahaye 135 Ss, Lagonda LG45s, Mercedes- Benz SSKs, Morgan 4/4s, Talbot 105s, etc. This grid presents a wide variety of makes and models transforming it into an unprecedented retrospective of this period.
GRID2 (1949-1956)
The post-war period marked a turning point in car technology with better developed engines and more attention paid to aerodynamics. The result was faster cars entered by increasingly professional works teams. Henceforth, the on- track battles between entrants were much closer. It’s this epoch that the drivers in this grid at the wheel of Aston Martin DBs, Austin Healey 100 Ms, Jaguar D -Types, Lancia Aurelias, Lotus XIs, Maserati 250 Ss, Porsche 550s, Triumph TR2s, etc.
GRID3 (1957-1961)
AC Ace Bristosl, Aston Martin DB4 GTs, Austin Healey 3000s, Chevrolet Corvette C1s, Ferrari 250 GT Berlinettas, Lotus XVs, Maserati T61 Birdcages, Porsche 356s, etc. Among cars to watch out for the spectators is the unique Lister Knobbly and the famous Ferrari 250 GT Breadvan.
GRID4 (1962-1965)
This grid illustrates the increase in the number of America-built cars entered for the Sarthe event as it includes several GT40s, Shelby Cobra 289s Shelby GT 350s and Chevrolet Corvettes. Back in that era the main opposition to the American cars came from European machines and it is again the case. Leading the charge is Ferrari with a 250 LM and several 275 GTBs. There are also E-Type Jaguars including chassis 49 FXN, the low-drag special built as part of the run of 12 lightweight cars produced in 1963. Porsche represented by several 904s. Two Alpines w also present with one M63 (the first car developed by the Dieppe firm for sports car racing) and one M64.
GRID6 (1972-1981)
This grid is a mix of major makes (BMW, Ferrari, Porsche) and small constructors (Duckam’s, Moynet, Tecma). It comprises a number of models that marked their epoch, including the 1976 Inaltera, the first prototype designed by Jean Rondeau, which is also on the entry list with Henri Pescarolo and Julien Beltoise (whose father was one of the team’s works drivers at the time) at the wheel. Other cars that will attract a lot of attention are the Gulf Mirage Gr7 and a Ford Gran Torino from the very popular NASCAR Championship
Among the thousand drivers from more than 30 nationalities who will be behind the wheel during the ninth staging of Le Mans Classic on 6-7-8 July on the big Le Mans circuit are ten former winners of the Le Mans 24 Hours: Jürgen Barth (D), Romain Dumas(F), Loïc Duval(F), Jan Lammers (NL), Gérard Larrousse (F), Klaus Ludwig (D), Jochen Mass (D), Stéphane Ortelli (F), Henri Pescarolo (F) and Marko Werner (D). In all they have racked up a total of 19 victories and 147 participations in the greatest endurance race in the world between 1967 and 2018.The outstanding figure among them is Henri Pescarolo who holds the record for the most starts with 33 crowned by four victories.
CLUBS
The many makes and multi-make clubs are key players and also guardians of the heritage of the motor car so they enjoy a choice welcome at Le Mans Classic.Le Mans Classic is the opportunity for the car clubs to join the biggest European, perhaps even global, club gathering. In 2016, the Club Enclosure counted 120 car make clubs, together with 80 multi-make clubs as well as the private owners hosted in the Collectors’ Enclosure. Thus over 8,500 cars told the automobile history until 1966, except a Happy Few that were built before this date.
And from Abarth to Volvo (in alphabetical order), every car manufacturer has an anniversary to celebrate… Some have a victory, preferably at the 24 Hours; some others the birth of a model which has enriched t he make’s history.
Track discovery laps, contests, picnics, and more entertainment are part of the program for these cars. The pinnacle is to be among the 24 handpicked automobiles displayed inside the Le Mans Heritage Club, which key is to present the proper car which raced in the 24 Hours from 1923 to these days.
GLOBAL ENDURANCE LEGENDS NEW IN 2018
PORSCHE AND FFVE EXHIBITION
To celebrate the 70th anniversary of the make’s sports cars, some of the most beautiful racers made by Porsche will be on display in an exhibition.
For the 40th anniversary of Alpine’s outright victory in the Le Mans 24 Hours, the “Fedération Française des Véhicles d’Epoque” is putting on a Retrospective of the most beautiful cars made in the Dieppe workshops since 1955.
LITTLE BIG MANS
Value has nothing to do with you age, passion neither. For one hundred or so kids, from 7 to 12 years old, the dream has come true. With a “Le Mans style” start just in front of the grandstands, the budding drivers from all over the world leap into their racing cars encouraged by a standing ovation from the public!
These hundred or so mini replicas of the racing cars entered in the Little Big Mans are displayed in their own paddock specially dedicated to the kids, activities included. The cars, produced in limited numbers or as one -offs, are powered by an internal combustion or electric engine and, for the most part, are faithful replicas of cars that have raced in the Le Mans 24 Hours. Among them are several Ferrari 330/P2s, Ford GT 40s, Chevrolet Corvettes, BMW 328s, Type 35 Bugattis, Porsche 550s, D- Type Jaguars, etc. On Saturday 7 th July in the early afternoon, the young drivers will set off for a lap of the Bugatti circuit after a Le Mans -type start. On Sunday, the y will get back b ehind the wheel to do a tour of the Le Mans Classic village. This event, which is great fun for young and old alike, will end with a prize giving ceremony in the village.