The ninetieth running of the iconic race
Organized by the Automobile Club de l’Ouest, the first vingt-quatre heures was held for four-seater sports cars. It was quite unusual at the time to race through the night. Similar endurance races were often split like the famous Brooklands Double Twelve. This was run over two twelve-hour heats to avoid racing in the dark. Le Mans’ motorsport history actually dates back further as the public roads around the city were also used for the very first French Grand Prix. As such, Le Mans has played a pivotal role in both sports car and Grand Prix racing.
During the very first 24 Hours of Le Mans, a 17.6 kilometer road course was used that ran on the public roads connecting Le Mans with the villages of Mulsanne and Arnage. Many of the sections used back then are still in use today with subtle changes made for safety reasons like the chicanes in the legendary Hunaudières or Mulsa
In order to distinguish the event from the already established Grand Prix events, the 24 Hours of Le Mans was intended as the ultimate test of speed and endurance of production cars. Among the earliest regulations was the mandatory use of four-seater body work and all open tourers had to run with the roof up during the first ten laps of the race. The idea clearly resounded with manufacturers and entrants alike, as the first edition attracted a staggering thirty-seven cars from ten different manufacturers.
French manufacturer Chénard et Walcker won the rain-soaked first edition in 1923 but it was Bentley that dominated during the following years with five wins between 1924 and 1930. This short but successful spell at Le Mans gave Bentley a racing pedigree on which the company has built for many decades after. The 24 Hours of Le Mans has done much the same for Ferrari and Porsche, and more recently Audi. Even though the cars used were no longer derived from road cars, the manufactures earned their credentials and reputation at Le Mans.
“I believe a lot in the value of history [of the 24 Hours of Le Mans], having been run for the first time a stunning ninety-nine years ago,” said five-time outright winner Emanuele Pirro of the longevity of the event. “Taking part in it is already an achievement, crossing the finish line is definitely a major one and winning it is…priceless. The satisfaction is huge because there is so much effort that everyone puts into the preparation. So much work goes in, it makes winning very, very sweet.” He continued: “It is almost impossible for anyone to have a completely trouble-free race. This makes winning very special.”
With cars reaching speeds of up to 400 km/h, the 24 Hours of Le Mans was also fraught with danger, of which Pirro was well aware: “This iconic race has had several tragedies including the never forgotten one of 1955 when eighty-three spectators plus Pierre Levegh lost their lives in a single crash.” To this day, it is still the worst accident in motorsport history, but it was more the result of an unfortunate series of events than an inherent danger of the Le Mans track. Fortunately, major, fatal accidents have largely become a thing of the past.
The 24 Hours of Le Mans is still the ultimate endurance test of man and machine but as a result of the ever-improving reliability, it is now effectively a 24-hour sprint. Drivers no longer have to pace themselves to make sure the car actually reaches the finish and instead have to deliver a competitive lap time every time, whether it is night or day. The event also very much has real-world relevance as a rolling laboratory for new, more efficient technologies—for example, through its current generation of hybrid prototypes and also through the hydrogen-powered experimental prototype that will race at Le Mans in the near future.
While the nature of the race has changed, it remains the most coveted of all sports car races with major manufacturers like Ferrari, Porsche, Toyota, and Corvette all vying for victory in their respective classes this year. The future looks bright for sports car racing with Peugeot, Porsche, BMW, Cadillac, Acura, and Lamborghini all busy developing new prototype racers that should race for outright success at Le Mans from 2023 onward.
The 24 Hours of Le Mans is still the ultimate endurance test of man and machine but as a result of the ever-improving reliability, it is now effectively a 24-hour sprint. Drivers no longer have to pace themselves to make sure the car actually reaches the finish and instead have to deliver a competitive lap time every time, whether it is night or day. The event also very much has real-world relevance as a rolling laboratory for new, more efficient technologies—for example, through its current generation of hybrid prototypes and also through the hydrogen-powered experimental prototype that will race at Le Mans in the near future.
For many of the spectators, the 24 Hours of Le Mans is an annual pilgrimage with most camping on site. They are well taken care of, not only by the action on track, but also by the many entertainments in and around the venue. Among the traditions is the pesage, or scrutineering, in the city center where all teams are introduced to the spectators one by one. There are also pit walks that offer fans a chance to get a close look at each of team’s setups. Around the track, there are many great vantage points, giving the spectators plenty to do throughout the 24 Hours.
“The end of the race is very special, in my opinion because, regardless of who are you and what you have done, everyone has given everything, and you can see it on their faces.” Pirro concludes: “Spectators, officials, journalists, team members and, of course, drivers! I just love this race!”
It will be a busy couple of weeks at Le Mans, as three weeks after the 24 Hours, the Le Mans Classic is scheduled, where historic racing cars will also compete throughout the night on the full circuit as a tribute to the event’s right heritage. More celebrations are scheduled for 2023 when the 24 Hours of Le Mans celebrates its centennial.
