Le Mans Classic 2014

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Opening Page

Story and Images by Joachim Gruchot

Story and Images by Patrick Wheeler

Story and Images Page 2 by Patrick Wheeler

Story and Images Page 3 by Patrick Wheeler

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Le Mans Classic On-going success!

The seventh Le Mans Classic was another big hit with a total of 110 000 spectators present. Three weeks after a record Le Mans 24 Hours, this fantastic retrospective of the greatest endurance race in the world has consolidated its success.

This weekend the weather in the Sarthe wasn't all that great. However, this didn't put off the spectators who flocked to the famous Le Mans circuit in large numbers, and the attendance figure didn't fall compared to the 109 000 spectators who watched the event in 2012, the first time that the 100 000-barrier had been broken in the history of Le Mans Classic (96 250 in 2010).

This repeat success in 2014 proves that the joint Le Mans Classic organisers, the Automobile Club de l'Ouest and Peter Auto, have got it right. The recipe consists of a few vital ingredients:

High-quality grids giving rise to battles between 450 cars in the hands of more than 1 000 drivers, including seven former Le Mans 24-Hours winners, on the big Le Mans 24-Hours circuit, - Some 8000 fantastic cars on display around the Bugatti circuit, the setting for a mouth-watering gathering of historic and exceptional cars, - Very popular sideshows like the race for children Little Big Mans with almost 100 cars, - The new drive-in cinema for more entertainment in the evenings, - An auction held by Artcurial Motorcars whose overall sales figure was 13 million euros, - An increasingly comprehensive and diversified village full of carefully selected entertainment, side shows and exhibitions to immerse the visitor in the magic of the history of the motor car, - The accessibility and proximity of the men and their machines for the public.

Three weeks after the 2014 Le Mans 24 Hours record crowd of 263 300 spectators who attended the 82nd running of the most famous endurance race in the world, Le Mans Classic has confirmed its status as the second-biggest event organised at the ACO circuit.

Thus, less than a month afterwards no fewer than 373 300 fans came to the Le Mans circuit united by their common passion for the Le Mans 24 Hours. In 2012, the combined figure for the two events was 349 000 people and in 2010, 334 400.

The chapter of the 2014 Le Mans 24 Hours, whether that of the blue riband event itself or of the retrospective, is now closed. In two weeks the Le Mans Bugatti circuit will host the sixth leg of the Coupes de France Promosport Moto 2014 before the big endurance race for two wheelers, the 37th 24 Heures Moto on 20-21 September.

The eighth Le Mans Classic will take place in 2016.

Old Porsche Rennsport Vans in the Porsche Club area at the Circuit Bugatti

The one and only Rotary engine Racecar which won the 24h of Le Mans, the Mazda 787B

In 1965 the BRM by Rover highly impressed the onlookers gathered for the 33rd edition of the 24h of Le Mans. It even became the main attraction. And for good reason as the no. 31 embarked a turbine powered engine

Classic bus for the Spectators of the Le Mans Classic 2014. Travelling to the hot spots of the Circuit like decades before

Advertising on the backside of the Grandstand at Start-/Finish Straight. Le Mans 24h took place three weeks ago

Rare Jowett Jupiter of 1953 passing Dunlop Bridge

Trouble from the rear. Porsche Carrera Abarth GTL of 1961 with engine problems

The british at the Esses. Lister Jaguar Knobbly, followed by Austin Healey, Aston Martin and MG

Regards to the Fans. Alain de Cadenet in a 1956 Jaguar D Type. Car was also driven by Brian Redman

Reflections. Ford GT 40 in Pit Lane

Start-/Finish Line of the Circuit

Old cars? Not to old! Hard Fights in all Classes

Porsche 917K from 1969. Drivers at the Le Mans Classic were Carlos Monteverde, Gary Pearson, Andrew Smith and Joe Twyman
This 917 is displaying the colors and number of the winning 1970 Le Mans car, chassis number 917-023 and is not the 917-023 car.

Porsche 911 RSR Turbo, driven by Francois Perrodo, Emmanuel Collard and Sebastien Crubile

Gulf Mirage Gr. 7 at the Ford Curves

Gijs van Lennep, winner of the 24h of Le Mans in 1971, in the legendary Porsche 911 RSR 2.8 l

American muscle power ... 1976 Dodge Charger of French Christophe Schwartz

Ferrari 512 BBLM entering Start-/Finish Straight

Porsche 935 at the Ford Curves. Car was driven by Stephan Meyers and Marc de Siebenthal

Maserati Exhibition

Having fun at the Village area

Good food, good wines ...

Some icecream please, vintage style ice wagon

Winner car of the 24h of Le Mans in 1971. Scale 1:8, price: EURO 6.275 !!!

Gulf Porsche 917K

Gerard Larousse - preparing for the Drive in the Martini Porsche 936

Little Big Mans. Little ones, big grid! Little Lady Drivers and their car waiting for the Le Mans Start

Roger Wills from New Zealand in the Lotus 17 at Arnage Corner

Ford GT 40 MK1 at Pit Lane at night

Great fun to watch the Races during Night. Peter Voegele in the Porsche 908/3 of 1971

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