The 24 Hours of Le Mans is one of the oldest and most well-known of all motor races. The race is not concerned with which car is fastest, but which car can travel the furthest distance over the 24-hour duration. The event is a test of endurance, rather than of outright speed. The 2022 race will be the 90th running since the inaugural event in 1923.

The Le Mans is popular with racing drivers from all motorsports categories and forms one part of the "Triple Crown of Motorsport", which also comprises the Monaco Grand Prix and the Indianapolis 500.

Technological innovation has played an important role over the years in the development of the famous endurance race. For example, organizers are now seeking to introduce hydrogen-powered cars into the event, for sustainability purposes. Here are some of the coolest facts you may have forgotten about the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

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8 24 Hours Is Significant

Toyota-Le-Mans-Winner-1
Via: 24h-lemans.com

The event was devised by the Automobile Club de l’Ouest, as a way of proving the reliability of manufacturer's cars. The event was released during a time when Formula One was the most popular racing category. Offering a new spectacle, the race quickly became established as an annual favorite.

The high-speed nature of the race places extreme stress on the participating cars and their components. The winner is crowned based not on the fastest time to complete a specified number of laps, but on the greatest distance covered by a competitor over 24 hours. Several technological advancements have arisen from the research and development put into the series. Fuel efficiency is one area that has been an important aspect, the more fuel-efficient the car is, the fewer refueling pits stops are needed.

7 There Is A History Of Tragedy

Ford GT40 Le Mans 1 2 3 Finish
Via: Youtube

There have been numerous accidents during the history of the race, many resulting in a fatality. In total, 22 drivers have been killed on or around the circuit.

Arguably, the most terrifying and high-profile crash occurred during the race of 1955. The incident involved Pierre Levegh, where his Mercedes SLR was launched skyward into the crowd following a collision. A massive fire resulted, and 84 people were killed and more than 180 injured. It was one of the darkest days in motorsport and led to a re-evaluation of many safety and procedural regulations.

6 Drivers Had To Run To Their Cars

1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa at the racetrack
Via: Testarossaj.com

One of the most iconic parts of the race was the starting procedure. In what became known as a "Le Mans style start," drivers were positioned opposite their cars, and had to run to them as the starting flag was lowered.

Unsurprisingly, there was a health and safety risk associated with this style of starting procedure, and the practice was discontinued in 1970. At a modern-day race, following a formation lap, there is a standing start.

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5 There Is An Esports Version

Porsche 911 RSR Green
Via: 24h-lemans.com

2020 saw the launch of an Esports version of the Le Mans race called the 24 Hours of Le Mans Virtual. This was primarily in response to the Coronavirus pandemic, that had resulted in a postponement of the 2020 24 Hours of Le Mans. Many other categories have also seen a rise in Esports, including Formula One.

The event was organized by collaboration between Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO), the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), and Motorsport Games. The race was hosted on the rFactor 2 gaming platform, on a virtual version of the circuit. 50 teams of 4 drivers each shared one car, Rebellion Williams Esports won the race. The event returned in 20/21 as a five-round championship with a 24-hour live finale and a $250,000 prize fund.

4 Porsche Has Had The Most Success

2017 Porsche 919 Hybrid
Via Porsche

Over the years, many well-known manufacturers such as Ferrari, Audi, Alfa Romeo, Bugatti, Bentley, and Ford among others have taken victory. Audi has been very successful and has won the title 13 times. Many of these victories were taken in the early 2000s, this follows the exit of many teams in 1999 due to financial constraints.

One manufacturer stands above the rest when it comes to success. Fellow German brand Porsche holds the record for the most Le Mans wins. Porsche has won no fewer than 19 titles, the first in 1970 and most recently in 2017. Their latest victory was won with their 919 Hybrid, this is the most technically advanced car ever run by Porsche. The car was powered by a 500 hp gasoline engine alongside electric motors producing 402 hp. What is particularly impressive, is that the turbocharged gas engine is a relatively small 2.0-liter four-cylinder unit.

Related: 2022 Ford GT Holman Moody Heritage Edition Celebrates 1966 Le Mans 1-2-3 Finish

3 Multiple Safety Cars Are Required

Porsche 911 RSR
Via: 24h-lemans.com

At most other World Endurance Championship (WEC) races, there is one safety car. The safety car is a vital component of modern motor racing, and as its name suggests, helps maintain the safety of the drivers and spectators. By controlling the pace of the cars, incidents can be safely dealt with, and the racing can get back underway.

WEC regulations state only one safety car can be active at one time, except on circuits over 7 km in length. During the Le Mans, three safety cars are used. The first is stationed at the Module Sportif on the Grandstand Straight, the second at the first chicane on the Mulsanne Straight, and the third at Arnage.

2 It’s Been Run For Almost 100 Years

One of the Morgan Motor Company models races on Le Mans in 1937.
Via: Morgan Motor Company

The inaugural Le Mans 24-hour race was held by the Automobile Club de L'Ouest on the 26th and 27th of May 1923. There have been very few years that the annual race has not taken place, the first being the 1936 race, which would have been the 14th event. Due to striking workers, the event was canceled.

Over the years, especially around World War 2 in the 1940s, a few other events were canceled. On the whole, however, the race has been completed religiously and will be approaching its centennial running soon. The race is the oldest currently active endurance event, a record that sees no sign of being broken anytime soon.

1 The Circuit Is Semi-Permanent

Pit Lane
Via: 24h-lemans.com

The circuit the race is run on consists of both temporary and permanent sections. The complete track is known as "The Circuit de la Sarthe", in its current form it is 8.467 miles long. The layout has remained fairly unchanged since its inaugural race, but several modifications have been made to improve the safety of both drivers and spectators.

The circuit is high speed, and around 85% of the lap is spent at full throttle. With parts of the circuit being public roads, during the rest of the year, anyone can have a drive around. The Mulsanne Straight is one such section, as is the length between Mulsanne Corner and Porsche Curves. The ability to experience these sections makes the area an attractive tourist attraction, there is even a museum and store adding to the enjoyment of a trip. Aside from the circuit, the immediate area is also very pleasant to visit, with lots of sights to see.