The Race: Le Mans 24 Hours
Broadcast to an audience in the tens of millions across the globe, the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans represents the foremost test of driver and machine. The race takes place annually in the French region of La Sarthe with four categories of 55 racing cars piloted by 165 drivers staking their claim for the coveted Le Mans crown. As the name implies, an entire day stands between each three-man crew and the Grand Prix d’Endurance title.
Le Mans is steeped in history. Comprising sections of permanent circuit and closed public roads, the ultra-fast 13.65km track will host the race for the 79th time in 2011. First staged as far back as 1923, the race has run continuously from 1949 following a hiatus during the Second World War. Since racing resumed the 24 Hours has been a firmly established highlight of the motorsport calendar, standing alongside the Monaco Grand Prix and Indianapolis 500 in racing's fabled Triple Crown.
The 24 Hours has made legends, broken dreams and played host to some of racing’s most memorable battles. That only goes part of the way to explaining why close to a quarter of a million people flock to the circuit during the week of the event, hoping to catch a glimpse of practice, qualifying, the Drivers' Parade and the Grand Prix d’Endurance itself. On-track, world-famous marques such as Audi, Peugeot, Aston Martin, Ferrari and Porsche do battle for the sport's ultimate honour.
But Le Mans is much more than a motor race: it represents an embodiment of the passion, hard work and sacrifice that success in motorsport is forged from. It is no wonder that every driver would rank a win at the 24 Hours amongst their ultimate career goals.
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