The Le Mans Classic is a classic sports car event that pays tribute to the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Held on the grounds of the iconic endurance race, it brings together classic sports car fans for a weekend of fun, racing, and shows. About 30,000 spectators graced the Circuit de la Sarthe for the inaugural edition in September 2002. Apart from the 2020 edition that was called off because of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been held every two years since 2002.
In the space of two decades, it has grown into one of the highlights on the motoring calendar. In addition to the on-track action, there is no shortage of fun with the countless off-track activities on offer. With more than 200,000 spectators in attendance, history was made yet again in the 10th edition of the Le Mans Classic. Here are 10 things every gearhead should know about this biennial classic sports car event.
10 Held On The Original Le Mans Circuit
To fully capture the essence of the 24 Hours endurance race that it honors, the Classic is also held on the same full circuit. Measuring 8.467 miles, the Circuit de la Sarthe, located in Le Mans, France, is one of the longest racecourses in the world.
Although other racing events are hosted on the iconic track, it is most renowned for the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race. The full layout of the track which incorporates some public roads was previously only available for the 24-hour race.
9 Exciting Tickets For Every Taste
Many ticketing options and packages are available at the Le Mans Classic. All types of tickets grant access to all entertainment, exhibitor villages, club enclosures, and all the public areas. With higher-end tickets, you can either enjoy a breathtaking view of the starting line and Dunlop curve or a front-row seat above the starting line.
Meals, drinks, private parking, VIP shuttle service, and access to the paddocks are some perks of the premium tickets. In addition, you can also get a guided paddock visit, a track discovery lap, or even a 10-minute chopper flight over the circuit.
8 The Brainchild Of Patrick Peter
The Le Mans Classic was born out of Patrick Peter's desire to create a historical retrospective of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Convincing the Automobile Club de l’Ouest to open up the full circuit was one of his biggest obstacles.
But, he finally got the green light after he successfully organized a race with Ferraris at the 2000 24 Hours. Despite opposition from local businesses and the costs of closing public roads, the first edition was flagged off in September 2002. Although Peter has organized many racing events, the Le Mans Classic is his most successful.
7 Brand Clubs Are Brought Together Under The Manufacturer's Banner
One of the many attractions at the Le Mans Classic is the stunning array of classic cars on display. Car clubs are encouraged to attend. In the make-specific clubs' enclosure, all the clubs from the same manufacturer are grouped under one banner.
Apart from the make clubs, themed clubs with at least 10 cars are also given their spot in the display area. The elites of the show are the 24 hand-picked cars that make up the Le Mans Heritage Club. Cars in this club are all previous Le Mans competing cars.
6 The Drive-In Brings Theater To The Tracks
Apart from recreating the history of one of the most popular motoring events, the Le Mans Classic also brings two major industries together. The drive-in theater originated in America where patrons sat in their cars and enjoyed movies on a large outdoor screen.
At the Le Mans Classic, the outdoor movie theater offers comfortable deck chairs and a set of headphones. To ensure that everyone enjoys the entire program, foreign films are shown with French subtitles while French films come with English subtitles. What a way to relax after hours of excitement at the track.
5 Cars Are Grouped By Age
Although the original Le Mans Classic in 2002 featured five grids, the number of grids had since grown to six. Each grid consists of cars from similar eras of Le Mans racing to ensure that they are equally matched in terms of performance.
For instance, grid one consists of 1923-1939 cars while grid two features 1949-1956 cars. In case any of the 75 cars in a grid withdraws, it can be replaced with any of the 10 reserve cars that each grid is entitled to. With the addition of the sixth grid, the Classic now celebrates the history of the 24 Hours from 1923 to 1981.
4 Support Races Add A Modern Tough To The Weekend
To make sure that the weekend is packed with nonstop action, several support races are offered in addition to the six grids. The four support races hosted in the 2022 edition include the Jaguar Classic Challenge and the Porsche Classic Race Le Mans.
Also on offer was the Group C racing by Le Mans cars from 1982 to 1993. Finally, with the Endurance Racing Legends, the Le Mans classic now covered the 24 Hours history up to 2010. More than 70 GTs and prototypes from the 1990s and 2000s were unleashed on the famous track.
3 A Perfect Venue For An Auction
The Le Mans Classic has exhibitor villages where vendors sell auto-themed articles, books, historic relics, and much more. However, a classic sports car event of this magnitude also attracts serious collectors with deep pockets. That is why Artcurial presented more than 130 collectors' motorcars, exceptional motorbikes, and automobilia for auction at the 2022 event.
Top sales included a 1954 Maserati A6GCS/53 Fiandri Spyder and a 1958 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster. There was also a signed helmet that exchanged hands for $9,386 and a 1928 Hispano-Suiza Type 49 Coach.
2 Children Are Not Left Out
Apart from celebrating the history of the 24 Hours race, the Le Mans Classic also celebrates the future of sports car racing. The Little Big Mans features children from seven to twelve years old as they "battle it out" on a 2.5-mile course.
It is always a sight to behold as the helmeted future champions sprint to their cars in a "Le Mans-style" start. Escorted by the police, they drive in gasoline or electric-powered miniature replicas of real Le Mans cars. And just like the adults, the little drivers have their paddock and their own Junior Drivers' club.
1 Nonstop Entertainment For The Weekend
The organizers of the Le Mans Classic leave no stone unturned to make sure that the scores of participants are properly entertained throughout the long weekend. Apart from the exciting track activities, the drive-in cinema, and the auction, there are many other activities to keep one busy, day or night.
You can spend time exploring the shops in the exhibition villages or feasting your eyes on the hundreds of unique cars on display. Furthermore, there are dances, displays at the wall of death, and classic plane displays to ensure that there is no shortage of fun for everyone.