Support races are nothing new to Le Mans Classic. In several previous editions, in addition to the 6 regular grids that have covered the history of the 24 Hours of Le Mans from 1923 to 1981, they have welcomed support races.
The first two of the support races can almost be called grids 7 and 8 as the cars registered for those grids have been integral in Le Mans history. These are grids from Series by Peter Auto: Group C Racing and the Endurance Racing Legends. Porsche Classic Race Le Mans is the third grid, and back for the third time, they gather Porsche GT cars that were produced between 1965 and 1981. Last but not the least is the Benjafield’s Le Mans Centenary Race which features around 70 pre-war Bentleys. For 2023, it will be a double celebration for Bentley as they are not simply celebrating the anniversary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, but also the first time that Bentley participated in the event back in 1923.
Group C Racing
This grid brings together what is arguably the most successful and and innovative endurance cars ever produced by some of the most brilliant minds in motorsport history.
From 1982 to 1993, Group C could be found in the Circuit de la Sarthe, where impressive battles between Porsche 956s, Lancia LC2s, Jaguar XJR12s, and Sauber C11s were held. These models from renowned brands were joined by ‘artisan’ manufacturers like Cougar, Rondeau, Dome, Spice, and WM who also formed spectacular and amazing grids.
Group C cars were the only ones that were able to approach the 400 kph speed mark at Le Mans, at least until the two chicanes on the Mulsanne straight were introduced in 1990. In the early 90s, Group C Racing era came to an end though it was still considered to be the real Golden Age of Endurance racing for a lot of the enthusiasts. Le Mans Classic 2023 will feature this lineup in 2 races which includes a new 30-minute race during the Sunday morning sunrise.
Endurance Racing Legends
Endurance Racing Legends (ERL) grid have the most modern cars of Le Mans Classic which includes the cars that are very popular with young spectators; the GTs as well as the 1990s and 2000s prototypes.
The GT category was brought back in this new era, after Group C and a few major manufacturers returned to Le Mans during the latter part of the 1990s. Taking advantage of the new favorable regulations, the GT1 models of Nissan, Porsche, Toyota, Mercedes, and McLaren were all the rage. In 1999, regulations were once again shifted towards prototypes. The Audi R8 LMPs, as well as the Bentley Speed 8s, started their rich and fruitful history at Le Mans.
The popularity of Endurance Racing Legends can be attributed to Peter Auto as they organized and greatly contributed to the history of these cars on the circuits. This is true during the 90s with the BPR (Barth-Peter-Ratel) as well as the Le Mans Series during the 2000s.
Porsche Classic Race Le Mans
An exceptional lineup of historic Porsches have been gathered by Porsche France and Peter Auto to once again race on the great Le Mans circuit.
The race has more than 70 cars consisting of the first 911s from 1965, where the race versions of the models are still true to their production models, to the latest 935s (1981), with the most powerful examples comes close and sometimes even exceeds 800 hp.
Benjafield’s Bentley Race Le Mans
In association with the Benjafield’s Racing Club, an exceptional lineup from the 1920s will be showcasing their victories and history with the race.
More than 60 ‘Bentley Boys’ will be behind the wheel of the pre-war Bentleys (3-liter Sport, 4.5LTourie, and Speed-Six) will go around the circuit to showcase the most famous cars during the early 20th century, and Bentley as one of the most renowned car manufacturers.
MOTORSPORT, HISTORICS: LE MANS CLASSIC 2022, CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES, LE MANS (FRANCE), 2022/06/30 – 2022/07/03 KRISTOF VERMEULEN / MPS AGENCY
