DISCOVERED
THERE ARE A SMALL HANDFUL of motorsports events on the annual calendar that qualify for must-see status. Two of these races, the Monaco Grand Prix and the Indianapolis 500, are single-day competitions that offer spectators two to three hours of excitement. The other race, the 24 Heures du Mans, is a round-the- clock marathon that explores a season’s worth of highs -- and lows -- in one fell swoop. Of course, there are other worthy endurance races to consider, such as the Dakar Rally and the Rolex 24 at Daytona. But in terms of legacy and tradition and heightened drama, nothing compares to Le Mans. This year’s event, the 100th anniversary of the first 24 Heures du Mans, ratcheted up the pomp, the circumstance and the anxiety to the absolute redline. At this French classic, drama is always around the next corner. There’s the inherent pressure of wanting to win one of the most prestigious motor races in history. There’s the thought of earning that Rolex winners of the top class receive,
and placing it on your wrist, something so many racers have attempted without success—this can be a motivating factor or a self-destructive force. The competition has a role to play, too. There are so many cars in four different classes on so many different strategies, it’s difficult to keep track of the ebb and flow of the race. Things change all the time. But, in years past, the competition hasn’t always been so tough. From 2018-22, Toyota fielded the only factory supported team in the top LMP1 class and won the race each time out. At Le Mans, you effectively race against yourself—but that’s a simpler task when not chased by a pack of adrenaline-fuelled maniacs. This year, at the 100th running, things would be different. The headlining class at Le Mans, renamed Hypercar back in 2021, was the strongest it had been in many, many years. The class now combines top prototype machines running in the FIA World Endurance Championship—called LMH for “Le Mans Hypercar”—with those competing in the IMSA WeatherTech
“At Le Mans, you effectively race against yourself—but that’s a simpler task when not chased by a pack of adrenaline- fuelled maniacs. This year, at the 100th running, things would be different.”
18
Made with FlippingBook Online newsletter maker