TEXT: JAVIER ROMAGOSA AND JULIO SANTAMARÍA / PHOTOS: UNAI ONA / VIDEO: PETERAUTO
[quote align = 'left'] WITHOUT PASSION THERE IS NOTHING! [/ quote]
This phrase coined by the first secretary of the Mustang Club of Spain can summarize everything seen and enjoyed in the eighth edition of le mans classic, the biannual event that Patrick Peter created together with the ACO (Automobile Club de l'Ouest) owner of the circuit and that for some time has been progressively enriched until reaching full maturity, reaching this year the figure of 123.000 visitors compared to 110.000 in the previous edition of 2014.
For lovers of competition and especially endurance racing, attending this event means without any doubt, living the entire history of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Any viewer has access to numerous points where he can enjoy and see from any pre-war model to the last. Group C which by the way were joining this automobile festival for the first time, in this edition.
On this occasion the rain has not made an appearance, but in exchange a scorching sun and a suffocating atmosphere accompanied us the three days making the visit more difficult, but without preventing us from becoming passionate about a thousand and one different offers from the stores there present and before each and every vehicle on display of which there was every conceivable Le Mans-related model, including a good handful of one-of-a-kind specimens with market quotes also unique!
Race 4 start, in true Le Mans style. As we will see there were 7 + 1
Race 5, from 1966-1971, was contested by numerous English machinery (and some other German 😉
Porche 917 (!) Participant in race 5 (1966-1971)
March 84G from Group C (1984)
This pilot went well with his Bugatti 44 from 1929, without a doubt ...
Race 1, that of the veterans (1923-1939), with a Talbot Lago in the foreground
Race 2, from 1949 to 1956, with the characteristic Mercedes 300 SL and Aston Martin DB2 at the helm
This 1952 Jaguar C was not going for a ride ...
Running has its risks, as this Lotus Elite and its owner can attest.
Small Abarth Simca of the Repsol Classic Team. 1.300cc
Ferrari 512 BB LM from 1980 runs in his sauce
312 Ferrari 1969 P speeding at night
Several Matra Bonnets in a row. There was absolutely everything in the car parks
Our special envoys were from Álava on the back of a pony called 'Carnaval'
Incredible exhibition and parade of competition transports
Barchetta DB HBR from 1953, at the Le Mans Heritage space
The seven races of Le Mans Classic
From Friday 8 to Sunday 10 July, the preparations and races that were carried out took place, divided into 7 groups of 70 registered according to the time of the participating racing cars. More than 1.000 drivers supported by 115 clubs, who together contributed some 8.500 cars (!), Gathered at the famous French event.
- Race 1: 1923-1939
- Race 2: 1949-1956
- Race 3: 1957-1961
- Race 4: 1962-1965
- Race 5: 1966-1971
- Race 6: 1972-1981
- Race 7: Group C
Chaotic departure from race 4 (1962-65)
Race 4 participants, with an MG B and an Alfa Romeo TZ at the tail
Race 3, from 1957 to 1961, was quite showy ...
The 275 Ferrari 1964 GTB of the Repsol Team faces the finish line
Porsche 917, one of the kings of the 24 Hours
Aston Martin Ulster followed by Bugatti. Note the size of the Bentleys behind ...
Peugeot 402 Darl'mat from 1938 in race 1, not many of these!
This Talbot Lago came second in 2014
4.5 Bentley 1928 Liter Tourer, one of the fastest trucks in the world
962 Porsche 1989C in Group C race
6 Maserati A1955 GCS, driven by Argentine team in race 2
Aerodynamic Panhard Monopole from 1956
Barchetta Cooper Monaco T49 from the late 50s in race 3
Shelby GT350, flanked by two Cobra 289s
An Alpine A220 makes it difficult for the Ford champion
Porsche 917, a front end of legend
33 Alfa Romeo T3 / 1969, with 8-liter V3 engine
908 Porsche 3/1971 in action
In Le Mans Classic you run with enthusiasm, and if not let them tell this Porsche 911 RSR from 1974
Chevrolet through the night with its mighty 8-liter V7.5 engine
In addition, the Jaguar Classic Challenge, for models of the feline brand prior to 1966 and that truffled the circuit of models C and D, among others, both several times winners of the 24 Hours. Unfortunately, to this day the results of the races are not accessible in lemansclassic.com
As we said above, all the heroes of Le Mans They were present: from Porsches, Ferraris and Jaguars of different fur to Ford GT40, passing through an infinity of characters and models that we try to show you in the photos even if only in a small selection. Almost the entire history of endurance racing was there.
Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS from 1938, possibly a unique example
Race 1 start, veterans
It shouldn't be easy at all to jump into a rare 4 Citroën C1932 Roadster
Bugatti 51 from 1932. The cars of the French brand did not miss the appointment
The Allard J2R with the 5.4-liter inline 8-cylinder engine awaits ...
Lancia Aurelia B20 from 1953, with a Spanish flavor: It was that of the Repsol Team
Porsche 356 Pre-A and Maseratis A6 GCS in the race from 1949 to 1956
A first-series Porsche 911 crosses the finish line. The colors are more or less appropriate
1958 Lister Jaguar Knobbly. Remanufactured recently announced
63 Maserati T1961 Birdcage in race 3
This early Morgan Plus 4 also suffered the rigors of competition
Before jumping into the cars you have to warm up
16 Chevron B1970 Mazda followed by another Chevron and a Ford GT40, among others
Spaceships from race 7, here are Group C
Start of race 4 (1962-1965), with several of the cars prepared in their day by Carrol Shelby in the foreground
Guillermo Fierro, Spanish, pilots his Maserati Birdcage
The night is undoubtedly the magical moment of Le Mans ...
Alpine A220 from 1969, the quintessential endurance car of the French brand
Other important incentives
To begin with, we must highlight the magnificent truck exhibition to transport racing cars, which even made an impressive parade on the track accompanied by other classic 'heavy' vehicles.
On the other hand, the 'races' of toy cars they were spectacular, with dozens of these and their tiny riders to match; as was being able to contemplate the Jaguar XJ13, Competition prototype designed by the English brand in 1960 and riding a V12 in a central position. Introduced in 1966, it never got the chance to race although it would very possibly have been competitive, as the English brand was on the crest of the wave then.
On the other hand, those attending 2016 Le Mans Classic They were able to enjoy the BMW centenary celebrations, the Porsche Museum exhibits, the Artcurial auction and the Le Mans Heritage exhibition, which brought together several good pieces worth seeing. And of course, the magnificent atmosphere vintage and, above all, the colossal club space that we will talk about next ...
Toy races (Photo: Mathieu-Bonnevie)
And what toys! (Photo: Mathieu-Bonnevie)
Incredible exhibition and parade of competition transports
Porsche ...
Ford Cobra ...
Lotus ...
Ecuderie Ecosse (!) ...
Ligier ...
They were accompanied by classic buses
That they weren't exactly slow ...
General view of the parade
General view of the parade II
The Jaguar XJ13 could have been glorious
Delage 3 liters up for auction by Artcurial
Like this 935 Porsche 1977, ex Le Mans
This Talbot Lago was also looking for a father
Rust and dust, works quite well in auction
In the Le Mans Heritage space, beauties like this AC were exhibited
Or this Kieft
Aerodynamic Panhard Monopole from 1956 at the Le Mans Heritage expo
Bentley in space le mans Heritage
Crane-Tuburon
The clubs take to the track
Well yes, 115 clubs brought, according to the organizers, around 7.500 classics. It is said soon. Among them, and accompanying the French Mustang club, were the Spanish travelers who have contributed the material for this chronicle: Julio Santamaría, Unai Ona and company who, in an almost religious experience, had the opportunity to parade on the back of their Mustang Fastback '65 and along with the rest of the old machinery along one of the most legendary tracks in the history of motorsports.
They were accompanied by another 70 cars to which the safety car allowed to caress the barrier of 200 km / h ...
Our travelers pose for the cameras
Matching helmet and a return to Le Mans ahead
As co-pilot was Carroll Shelby ... And Unai Ona
'Carnival' integrated into the French Mustang club
The club and parking areas held, in addition to huge amounts of classics, surprises
Chevrolet Corvair uncopable
Fiat 130 Coupé, the FIat GT
Dusty Matra Bonnet ...
Two Alfa Romeo, a GTV Zagato and a 75 Evoluzione
We did not know the Kieft, and that day we had them twice
A great trip
As Unai Ona tells us, the experience it has been unforgettable. They left Rivavellosa, Álava, to travel the beautiful Spanish and French roads aboard a fierce 1965 Ford Mustang Fastback Restomod whose roar and beautiful lines delighted passersby. With Julio Santamaría at the controls, they passed Irun, Bordeaux, Angouleme, Poitiers, Tours ... until they reached the dreamed Le Mans.
Another of the highlights of his experience has been the hospitality of the team Repsol Classic Team. In his Motorhome he and the rest of the travelers were able to enjoy first-hand the experiences of the members of the sports team in this and other events, chatting relaxed until the early hours of the morning. Then, waking up at 8 in the morning so as not to miss anything, go out to stretch and find a Lancia Aurelia B20… it is priceless, Unai tells us. And so much that no.
It only remains to thank La Escuderia, Mustang Club of Spain, to Repsol Classic Team, Mustang Club de France, Ford Spain, without forgetting their fellow travelers, the incredible experience they had. We recommend it to all readers.
The road to Le Mans is quite impressive
The Mustang Fastback known as 'Carnaval' poses for us
Repsol Classic Team motorhome, guarded by his Lancia Aurelia
A seasoned DB pilot poses for us
A Facel-Vega, from the great French luxury car brand
In the parkines and spaces for clubs you could see absolutely everything, especially French
Austin Seven racing
More DB's, these types of cars are only seen here
Replicas of Shelby Cobra Daytona, in the sun
Bristol 411, rare to see outside of England
DeLorean DMC12, replica 'Back to the Future'
Very curious the doors of this prewar Bentley ...
Aston Martin, a V8 and a Vantage from the 90s
Wholesale racing classics
906 Porsche 1966, Le Mans meat!
The Abarth Simca passes under the Dunlop tunnel
The night makes Le Mans more magical if possible
40 Ford GT1965 at night trough
Toj SC304 participant in race 6 (1972-1981)
Aston Martin 2 Liter Speed from 1937
Peugeot 905 EV1 Bis from 1993, if I'm not mistaken, the winning model of the 24 Hours
Another fearsome Group C Porsche 962
An Aston Martin is chased by 2 undefeated Type S
The first race begins after climbing and starting the participants
Lagonda Rapier, 1.100cc English sportsmanship (1936)
5 DB HBR1956, a rare French twin-cylinder specimen
Race 3 start (1957-1961), with a Lister Costin (Costin was one of the fathers of aerodynamics) in the foreground
This Maserati A6 GCS rolled really well
1955 Jaguar Type D, short nose
Alfa Romeo 8C Monza, resting
Carrera 4 (1962-1965), with a Porsche 904/6 GTS, a Ferrari 250 LM and an Alfa Romeo TZ in sight
Arrival at the finish line of an Alfa Romeo TZ, a Lotus Elan, a 911 and a Shelby GT350
26 Talbot T1951 GS. Not the prettiest car on the track.
Austin Healey 100 M, one of the most radical versions of Donald Healey's car
250 Ferrari 1960 GT
What is this?
We close with two other photos of the Repsol Team
Until 2018!
The Escudería
