Racing 101, Part 4: 24 Hours of Le Mans Primer

It’s been over a year since I wrote a “Racing 101” piece, and with warm-ups complete for a big race today, I thought it was high-time to get back to helping expand readers’ knowledge, understanding, and interest in different aspects of racing. So everyone settle in, get out your paper and pencil, and take notes as we take a look at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. 

Introduction:

This weekend will see the greatest of all sport-car races-the 76^th running of the 24 Heures Du Mans, or 24 Hours of Le Mans. This marathon tests man and machine to and beyond the breaking point, as drivers pilot their vehicles around eight-plus miles (yes, I said “eight”) of road course at the Circuit de le Sarthe in Le Mans, France. Le Mans is located 186 kilometers (115 miles) from Paris. 

Speed Channel will provide 16 hours of coverage of this race, from the start at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Saturday morning, breaking for NASCAR coverage during the course of the day, then resuming broadcasting the balance from 9 p.m. through 9:30 a.m. Sunday. 

“Organized on a regular basis since 1923, it is the biggest sporting challenge for car manufacturers because it is based on ‘being the best over 24 hours.’” (lemans.org)

If you’re a fan of racing, especially the history of it, and have never tuned in for the 24 Hours, I highly recommend it. There is international flavor, four classes of amazing racing machines, speeds upwards and over 200 miles per hour, and the test of time and elements. Rain is fairly common during this time of year in France, making conditions treacherous for the competitors. Consider that over half of the race course is on what are public roads the remainder of the year.

For those of you with a Playstation game console, the old and new course at Le Mans are available to drive on Gran Turismo (versions 3 and 4 I believe) and is replicated in exquisite detail. It is quite thrilling to take a lap around the circuit, especially in an Audi R10 Diesel or the Corvette C6R.

Purpose:

The following is taken directly from the web site for the 24 Hours of Le Mans (www.lemans.org), and list the reasons that the race exists. 

- Sporting: Endurance racing tests performance over an extended time

- Technology: Endurance racing is the best test of technological achievement

- Spectator appeal: Endurance racing has an emotional appeal for the spectator that is continually renewed

- Media Interest: The history of Endurance racing is rich in stories of drivers, cars and manufacturers 

History:

The first 24 Hours was run in 1923, and Frenchmen Andre Lagache and Rene Leonard won the race in a Chenard et Walcker Sport, powered by a 3-Liter In-line 4-cylinder engine. The pair complete 128 laps and covered a distance of 2209.5 kilometers, or 1325.7 miles over the 17.262 km course. 

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