On May 11-12, the Rotary Club of Le Mans and the Automobile Club du Mans held a charity event to honor all French-built cars which have competed in the 24-Hours of Le Mans.
Known as Les Journées Bleues, the event centered around two days of track action on the Bugatti circuit at Le Mans. An impressive array of French racing machinery took part in the on-track activities including three Matras from the Museum Matra (620-01, 630-04 and 650-03), as well as a 670B-06 from the Le Mans Museum.
In addition to the wide variety of French racing cars, there was also an impressive collection of French racing personalities including famed engineer Gerard Ducarouge and drivers Johnny Servoz-Gavin, Francois Migault and Henri Pescarolo.
This year’s event also paid special tribute to Pescarolo on the occaision of the 30th anniversary of his first of four Le Mans victories. Pescarolo first won the French endurance classic co-driving a Matra with Graham Hill in 1972, followed by victories in 1973 and 1974 with Gerard Larrousse and again in 1984 driving a Porsche 956 with Ludwig.
Submitted by Thierry Lesparre