24 Hours of Le Mans
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| 24 Hours of Le Mans | |
|---|---|
 ™/®Automobile Club de l'Ouest · Public domain · source | |
| Name | 24 Hours of Le Mans |
| Country | France |
| Location | Circuit de la Sarthe |
| First race | 1923 |
| Distance | 24 hours |
| Most wins | Tom Kristensen (9) |
24 Hours of Le Mans. The 24 Hours of Le Mans is an annual endurance racing event held in Le Mans, France, and is considered one of the most prestigious events in the world of motorsport, alongside the Indianapolis 500 and the Monaco Grand Prix. The event is organized by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) and is part of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), which also includes events such as the 6 Hours of Silverstone and the 12 Hours of Sebring. The 24 Hours of Le Mans has a rich history, with notable winners including Ferrari, Porsche, and Audi, and has been won by famous drivers such as Juan Manuel Fangio, Stirling Moss, and Jacky Ickx.
● History of
the 24 Hours of Le Mans The 24 Hours of Le Mans was first held in 1923, and was created by Charles Faroux, a French sports journalist, and Emile Coquille, a French industrialist. The event was initially designed to test the endurance of cars and drivers, and was won by André Lagache and René Léonard in a Chenard & Walcker. Over the years, the event has been won by a variety of drivers and manufacturers, including Bentley, Alfa Romeo, and Jaguar, and has been the site of many notable moments in motorsport history, such as the 1955 Le Mans disaster and the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans. The event has also been influenced by notable figures such as Enzo Ferrari, Ferdinand Porsche, and Colin Chapman, and has been covered by media outlets such as BBC Sport, Eurosport, and Radio Le Mans.
● Circuit and Track
The 24 Hours of Le Mans is held on the Circuit de la Sarthe, a 13.6-kilometer track that includes a combination of public roads and purpose-built racing circuit. The track includes famous sections such as the Mulsanne Straight, the Porsche Curves, and the Ford Chicane, and is known for its high speeds and challenging corners. The circuit is also home to other events, such as the Le Mans Series and the French Grand Prix, and has been used as a test track by manufacturers such as Toyota, Honda, and Nissan. The circuit is located near the city of Le Mans, which is also home to the Le Mans Museum and the Circuit de la Sarthe Museum.
● Racing and Regulations
The 24 Hours of Le Mans is governed by a set of rules and regulations, which are designed to ensure the safety and fairness of the event. The event is open to a variety of cars, including Le Mans Prototype (LMP) cars, Le Mans Grand Touring Endurance (LMGTE) cars, and Group C cars, and is divided into several classes, including LMP1, LMP2, and GTE Am. The event is also subject to a variety of regulations, including rules on fuel efficiency, tire usage, and driver safety, and is monitored by officials from the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) and the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO). Notable racing teams that compete in the event include Audi Sport Team Joest, Porsche Team, and Toyota Gazoo Racing, and the event has been won by famous drivers such as Tom Kristensen, Allan McNish, and Rinaldo Capello.
● Cars and Categories
The 24 Hours of Le Mans features a variety of cars, including Le Mans Prototype (LMP) cars, Le Mans Grand Touring Endurance (LMGTE) cars, and Group C cars. The LMP cars are the fastest and most advanced cars in the event, and are divided into two classes: LMP1 and LMP2. The LMGTE cars are production-based cars that are modified for racing, and are divided into two classes: GTE Pro and GTE Am. The event also features a variety of manufacturers, including Audi, Porsche, Toyota, and Ferrari, and has been won by notable cars such as the Audi R18, the Porsche 919 Hybrid, and the Toyota TS050 Hybrid. Other notable manufacturers that have competed in the event include Bentley, Jaguar, and Corvette Racing.
● Winners and Records
The 24 Hours of Le Mans has been won by a variety of drivers and manufacturers over the years, including Tom Kristensen, who holds the record for the most wins with nine victories. Other notable winners include Jacky Ickx, who won the event six times, and Derek Bell, who won the event five times. The event has also seen a variety of notable records, including the fastest lap, which was set by Kamui Kobayashi in 2017, and the most distance covered, which was set by Porsche in 2015. The event has been covered by media outlets such as BBC Sport, Eurosport, and Radio Le Mans, and has been attended by notable figures such as Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Bernie Ecclestone, and Jean Todt. Other notable attendees include FIA President Mohammed bin Sulayem and WEC CEO Gérard Neveu.