Le Mans Race :Everything you want to know about ADV News, Photos & Exclusive stories.

<p>Every professional race car driver has one ultimate goal in life, to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Its historic past and treacherous layout have made it renowned, drawing in A-list racers and fans from across the world. The 24 Hours of Le Mans is not only a French event; it is also a test of speed and endurance. To go as far as feasible in a day, you need cutting-edge technology, teamwork, and a vehicle that can maintain high speeds for a long time. In 1923, Le Mans, France played host to the first annual 24 Hours of Le Mans, a race and festival that took place across the city's streets. Despite its instant popularity, the race was suspended from 1940 and 1948 to allow for French rebuilding after World War II. By 1949, it had returned, and ever since then, it has drawn some of the most impressive race vehicles and drivers in the world.</p>

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<h2>Le Man 24 Hours: Origins</h2>

<p><img alt="Le Mans" height="720" src="/uploads/2023/06/Le-Mans.jpg" width="1280" /></p>

<p>The Automobile Club de l'Ouest, a car club, started the 24 Hours of Le Mans race in 1906. The first event took place on May 26-27, 1923, at a track not far from Le Mans. The goal of the contest was to inspire further ground-breaking work in the realm of automotive technology and to spur on its further advancement. From the invention of the radial tyre through the development of the hybrid engine, technological progress has been rapid. With the goal of having a hydrogen-powered vehicle compete in the 2024 race, the ACO has given itself a new challenge, Mission H24. One unique aspect of the 24 Hours of Le Mans course is that it includes public highways. It has been redesigned multiple times throughout the years to improve racer safety and is presently 13.626km in length. The 24 Hours of Le Mans course has many high-speed corners, including the Pit Straight, the Dunlop Chicane, the Forest Esses, Mulsanne and the Ford Chicane.</p>

<h2>Le Mans 24 hours: Post-World War</h2>

<p><img alt="Le Mans 24 Hours Ford GT40 1 " height="720" src="/uploads/2023/06/Le-Mans-24-Hours-Ford-GT40-1-.jpg" width="1280" /></p>

<p>Le Mans was put on hold for eight years due to the onset of World War II (1940-1948), but it returned in 1949 with a whole new design and feel. Pit lanes and refreshment stalls, for example, had appeared by this time to accommodate the expanding crowd. With the race becoming more of an event, the latter group may even eat at a special restaurant. Pierre Marechal's untimely death three hours into the race when his brakes failed ruined a comeback that had been eagerly anticipated.</p>

<p>In 1955, one of the darkest periods in racing history, tragedy struck again. French driver Pierre Leveghchar's automobile crashed with spectators, killing 84 people in the so-called "Le Mans Disaster." Moreover, over a hundred individuals suffered life-threatening injuries. The day's events were a low point for the competition and for sports in general, and they prompted the implementation of new safety measures. The following year saw the installation of barricades.&nbsp;</p>

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<h2>Le Mans 24 hours: Track Changers</h2>

<p><img alt="64803caac7833" height="1000" src="/uploads/2023/06/64803caac7833.jpg" width="1500" /></p>

<p>About this time, opening laps underwent a major overhaul that had been long overdue. Sprint starts were popular from the first race until 1969. And we mean "sprint starts" in the most literal sense possible. Drivers, incredulously, would start a race on the side of the track opposite their car. They would literally sprint to their vehicles and crank the engines when the starting gun sounded. Despite widespread acclaim as iconic (if a little retrograde), this quickly became a source of potentially catastrophic issues.</p>

<p>John Woolfe, a British driver, tragically passed away on the first lap of the 1969 race after an ill-fated rush in which he neglected to tighten his seatbelt. The course had extensive alterations in the 1970s, most noticeably towards its conclusion. The purpose of creating these was to put the skills of professional drivers to the test even more. As the difficulty of the task increased, so did the quality of the show.</p>

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<h2>Le Mans 24 Hours: Records</h2>

<p>The 24 Hours of Le Mans has long since been a component of the unofficial Triple Crown of Motorsport along with the Indianapolis 500 and the Monaco Grand Prix. Only one individual has ever gone undefeated. The legendary Graham Hill finally succeeded on the ninth try in 1969. After finishing in second position in 1964, the Londoner finally took his winning lap at Le Mans. Fernando Alonso, Jochen Rindt, Bruce McLaren, and A.J. Foyt are among those who have accomplished this feat twice. But Hill is the only one who has ever won all three titles, making him the greatest driver of all time.</p>

<p><img alt="Tom Kristensen jpg" height="720" src="/uploads/2023/06/Tom-Kristensen.jpg" width="1280" /></p>

<p>However, he is not the most successful driver in Le Mans history. Tom Kristensen of Denmark earned this title as he sped into the pages of history with a total of nine wins and five other podium finishes in the world's largest endurance event.</p>


Le Mans 24 Hours History: Everything You Need to Know about World's Oldest Endurance Racing Event

The 24 Hours of Le Mans race is notable for its use of public roads. Its current length of 13.626km is the result of several redesigns throughout the years aimed at increasing racer safety.

<p>Since its inception in 1923, the Le Mans 24 Hours race has held immense significance for manufacturers, as they strive to claim victory in this demanding event. France, the birthplace of modern motor racing, has hosted the world's longest continuous endurance race for decades. In fact, it hosted the first organised vehicle race, from Paris to Rouen, in 1894. The 24 Hours of Le Mans, however, is not only a French event&nbsp;– it is a test of endurance as much as it is of speed. It takes technological know-how, collaboration, and a vehicle that can keep going at high speeds for hours and hours in order to cover as much ground as possible in a 24-hour period. While many have attempted and fallen short, those who triumph in this ultimate test of endurance racing have etched their names into the annals of greatness. As we eagerly await the 2023 FIA World Endurance Championship at the revered Circuit de la Sarthe, we have curated a list of the top five drivers and teams in the illustrious history of Le Mans racing.&nbsp;</p>

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<h2>Le Mans 24 Hours: Top 5 Drivers of All Time</h2>

<h2>Tom Kristensen</h2>

<p><img alt="Tom Kristensen" height="720" src="/uploads/2023/06/Tom-Kristensen.jpg" width="1280" /></p>

<p>Tom Kristensen, an Audi racer, concluded his career with an astounding nine overall victories and an additional five podium finishes in the renowned endurance race. He not only matched Ickx's achievement but also surpassed it with three more wins. Kristensen's remarkable string of wins and podium finishes earned him the revered title of "Mister Le Mans."</p>

<h2>Jacky Ickx</h2>

<p><img alt="Jacky Ickx 1 " height="720" src="/uploads/2023/06/Jacky-Ickx-1-.jpg" width="1280" /></p>

<p>Jacky Ickx won eight Grand Prix races in 116 appearances between 1967 and 1979 and finished second in the F1 championship twice (1969 and 1970). However, it was his performance at Le Mans that cemented his status as a motorsports icon. He raced fifteen times at Le Mans, with six triumphs and three further podium finishes.</p>

<h2>Derek Bell</h2>

<p><img alt="Derek Bell" height="720" src="/uploads/2023/06/Derek-Bell.jpg" width="1280" /></p>

<p>While British driver Derek Bell's Formula One career was brief and unremarkable, his endurance racing career saw him become one of the best drivers of all time, with two world championship crowns and five overall victories at Le Mans. Between 1970 and 1996, Bell raced in 26 Le Mans events. From 1981 to 1988, with three distinct Porsche models, the 936, 956, and 962C, Bell managed to achieve four victories and three podium finishes.</p>

<h2>Emanuele Pirro and Frank Biela</h2>

<p>All five of Emanuele Pirro and Frank Biela's Le Mans triumphs occurred when the two were teammates. Between 2000 and 2007, Pirro and Biela won the Le Mans race five times. Their success included an impressive streak of three consecutive wins from 2000 to 2002, followed by another remarkable back-to-back victory in 2006 and 2007.</p>

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<h2>Le Mans 24 Hours: Top 5 Teams of All Time</h2>

<h2>Porsche</h2>

<p><img alt="Le Mans Porsche" height="720" src="/uploads/2023/06/Le-Mans-Porsche.jpg" width="1280" /></p>

<p>It's hard to dispute Porsche's status as the best Le Mans car manufacturer of all time. It has created some of the best sports cars and won numerous class championships, making it the undisputed winner in terms of total victories. With victories in 1970, 1971, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2015, 2016, and 2017, Porsche has a 19-race win record in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.</p>

<h2>Audi</h2>

<p><img alt="Le Mans Audi" height="720" src="/uploads/2023/06/Le-Mans-Audi.jpg" width="1280" /></p>

<p>In 1999, during the height of the manufacturer boom at Le Mans, Audi, which was known more for its triumphs in rallying and touring cars, entered the event. Despite being overtaken, the two open-topped R8Rs placed third and fourth in 2000. Audi has been victorious in the 24 Hours of Le Mans on 13 separate occasions: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>Ferrari</h2>

<p><img alt="Le Mans 24 Hours Ferrari" height="720" src="/uploads/2023/06/Le-Mans-24-Hours-Ferrari.jpg" width="1280" /></p>

<p>Given its early success, it is astonishing that Ferrari is only third on this list despite not competing in the premier class at Le Mans for over 50 years. Ferrari has won the 24 Hours of Le Mans nine times, i.e. in 1949, 1954, 1958, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, and 1965.</p>

<h2>Jaguar</h2>

<p><img alt="Le Mans Jaguar" height="720" src="/uploads/2023/06/Le-Mans-Jaguar.jpg" width="1280" /></p>

<p>After a successful 1950 season with slightly modified XK120s, Jaguar decided to pursue Le Mans seriously. As a consequence, the C-type shifted the goalposts and won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1951. Jaguar has taken first place in the 24 Hours of Le Mans on seven separate occasions (1951, 1953, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1988, and 1990).</p>

<h2>Bentley</h2>

<p><img alt="Le Mans Bently" height="720" src="/uploads/2023/06/Le-Mans-Bently.jpg" width="1280" /></p>

<p>The original Le Mans was a race for true trailblazers, and it looked considerably different than it does now.&nbsp;John Duff and Frank Clement won the 1924 24 Hours of Le Mans in a Bentley 3 Litre Sport. In 1924, 1927, 1928, 1929, 1930, and 2003, Bentley took first place in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.</p>


Le Mans 24 Hours: 5 Most Successful Teams and Drivers at Circuit de la Sarthe

To get you excited for the 2023 FIA World Endurance Championship race at the iconic Circuit de la Sarthe. Many have tried and failed, but those who have won the most prestigious race in endurance racing have gone on to great success. We've ranked the best drivers and teams in Le Mans history.

<p>Le Mans 24 Hours:&nbsp;At Le Mans, we have seen the arrival and departure of many amazing automobiles throughout the years. Companies with strong teams were able to come up with innovative models to compete with the competition. Since its inception in 1923 in France, the 24 Hours of Le Mans has evolved from a modest event to the world's premier endurance competition, taking place almost every year. Manufacturers have spent hundreds of millions of dollars on research and development on vehicles designed for Le Mans, and the homologation criteria for the event have led to some of the best road cars ever created. There have been many notable vehicles present, but we've chosen our five favourites and included a sixth as a bonus.</p>

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<h2>Le Mans 24 Hours Iconic Cars: Ford GT40</h2>

<p><img alt="Le Mans 24 Hours Ford GT40" height="720" src="/uploads/2023/06/Le-Mans-24-Hours-Ford-GT40.jpg" width="1280" /></p>

<p>Before the mid-1960s, American manufacturers were noticeably absent from Le Mans, but that was about to change with the introduction of the Ford GT40. After a heated struggle with Ferrari and Porsche in 1959, Carroll Shelby guided the GT40 to its maiden championship in 1966. Between 1967 and 1969, the GT40 won three more times, catapulting the vehicle into the international spotlight and leaving a legacy to which Ford now pays tribute.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>Le Mans 24 Hours Iconic Cars: Mazda 787B</h2>

<p><img alt="Le Mans 24 Hours Mazda 787B" height="720" src="/uploads/2023/06/Le-Mans-24-Hours-Mazda-787B.jpg" width="1280" /></p>

<p>Even though the Mazda 787B only won the championship once, that victory came in a race that went down in history as a classic. Although the 787B was not an early favourite, it eventually finished in first place after a string of mechanical failures for other rivals. Johnny Herbert, a British racer, gazed his vehicle cross the finish line first, but he was so weary that he couldn't even get out of it and had to skip the podium ceremony to seek some medical help. The 787B has the distinction of being the only vehicle ever to win Le Mans with a rotary engine.</p>

<h2>Le Mans 24 Hours Iconic Cars: McLaren F1 GTR</h2>

<p><img alt="Le Mans 24 Hours McLaren F1 GTR" height="720" src="/uploads/2023/06/Le-Mans-24-Hours-McLaren-F1-GTR.jpg" width="1280" /></p>

<p>During Porsche's strong run in the 1990s, McLaren was the only team who could compete with them because of their new F1 GTR despite being a smaller, less well-funded outfit. The F1 only had one championship win, in 1995, but it was an impressive one. It was widely expected that a top-tier prototype vehicle would win the championship since the GT1 class F1 GTR wasn't even among the top class of racers. Yet, one by one, practically all the prototype vehicles had problems and withdrew, and McLaren emerged victorious after a hard-fought struggle.</p>

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<h2>Le Mans 24 Hours Iconic Cars: Nissan DeltaWing</h2>

<p><img alt="Le Mans 24 Hours Nissan DeltaWing" height="720" src="/uploads/2023/06/Le-Mans-24-Hours-Nissan-DeltaWing.jpg" width="1280" /></p>

<p>Spectating the 2012 Le Mans was a thrilling experience. The debut of the Nissan DeltaWing added a new level of drama to the event. This vehicle reminded us of a cross between the Batmobile and a drag racer, a super jet automobile. Its designers were hoping to influence the future with its radical new look, but they saw it fall to the ground when the vehicle crashed on lap 75 of the race. Nonetheless, the vehicle has become one of the most recognisable icons of the Le Mans.</p>

<h2>Le Mans 24 Hours Iconic Cars: Audi R10 TDI</h2>

<p><img alt="Le Mans 24 Hours Audi R10 TDI" height="720" src="/uploads/2023/06/Le-Mans-24-Hours-Audi-R10-TDI.jpg" width="1280" /></p>

<p>The Audi factory team and the Kolles team raced the Audi R10 TDI, a Le Mans Prototype, from 2006 to 2010 in sports car competitions. In 2006, the automobile made history by being the first diesel-powered vehicle to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Before its replacement by the R15 TDI in 2009, the Audi R10 TDI won three consecutive overall Le Mans titles. The R10 TDI won the American Le Mans Series title three years in a row (2006-2008), with highlights including back-to-back victories at the Sebring 12 Hours in 2006 and 2007.</p>

<h2>Le Mans 24 Hours Iconic Cars: Porsche 917 (Bonus)</h2>

<p><img alt="Le Mans 24 Hours Porsche 917" height="720" src="/uploads/2023/06/Le-Mans-24-Hours-Porsche-917.jpg" width="1280" /></p>

<p>With Le Mans having completed 100 years of racing and Porsche completing its 75th anniversary, it was tough to narrow our choices down. As a special treat, we've included the Porsche that helped the German automaker make its imprint in the world of Le Mans.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Porsche 917 from 1970 exemplifies timeless cool. The most thrilling part, though, is that it was this vehicle that helped Porsche win the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the first time ever in 1970 and 1971. At first, the vehicle was a rogue tiger for the crew, difficult to tame and overpowering for the chassis and suspension. After receiving some driver-friendly upgrades, it won the race handily and set the stage for a new way of thinking about Le Mans.</p>


Le Mans 24 Hours: 5 Most Iconic Cars that Raced in WEC

Porsche, Audi, and Ferrari have all left indelible marks on the event, but the tales of the numerous manufacturers that came close to taking home the famous Le Mans Winner trophy are just as intriguing. Check out these historical race cars that have competed at Le Mans.

Le Mans Race

Le Mans 24 Hours History: Everything You Need to Know about World's Oldest Endurance Racing Event

Le Mans 24 Hours: 5 Most Successful Teams and Drivers at Circuit de la Sarthe

Le Mans 24 Hours: 5 Most Iconic Cars that Raced in WEC

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