Le Mans Classic 2008: A Race Team’s View
Despite only having been run every alternate year since its inception 2002, the Le Mans Classic has quickly built up a reputation as the most prestigious classic motorsport event in the world. Pick up any classic car magazine and you will find journalists waxing lyrical about the cars, the atmosphere and the people. But they are not the only ones who can’t get enough of this unique event. As soon as the dates are announced the organisers are swamped with entry request from all over the globe, from owners of exotic race cars desperate to come and compete at this Mecca of motorsport. To their credit the organisers do not just choose the rare multi million pound supercars. They are careful to try and include as many different makes and types of cars as possible. This results in most wonderful mix of cars on the grids, from Cobras and Aston Martins to little Renault Gordinis and MGs. It is this that gives the event such universal appeal.
The event not only attracts the best cars but also many top drivers and celebrities. Previous years have seen Sir Stirling Moss and Rowan Atkinson taking part. Whilst mingling in the paddocks you find the likes of Basil Wales (Head of BMC Special Tuning in the 1960’s) and the legendary 1950’s & 60’s Jaguar test driver, Norman Dewis.
For any team lucky enough to have their entry accepted there is a lot for work to do, both before and during the event. Whilst many of the entries may look like the road going cars they are based on, most are highly tuned and beautifully crafted pieces of precision engineering. A good example of this the 1965 works MGB originally driven by rally ace Paddy Hopkirk and works BMC driver Andrew Hedges. Since the early 1970’s this car has been owned by legendary MG racer Barry Sidery-Smith, who has competed in it at every Le Mans classic held so far. Whilst the car may look like a standard MGB roadster, its body panels are all hand built in aluminium and the 1800cc engine has almost twice the horse power of the ones fitted to cars on the production line.
The majority of motor races in the UK last less than 30 minutes, with most drivers arriving, qualifying and racing on the same day, before heading home in the evening. The Le Mans classic is very different, with teams arriving several days in advance to set up, scrutineer and test the cars prior to the weekends racing. The format is unique, with the cars divided up into one of 6 “Plateaus” dependant on the era they originally ran in. The cars from each Plateau then compete in a series of 45 minute races throughout a 24 hour period. This means that spectators get to watch cars from the 1930’s up to the 1970’s in a series of thrilling races which run right through the night. For both teams and spectators alike, there simply is no comparison with any another event for sheer excitement and non stop action. It is an unforgettable experience to be on the pit wall at 4 0’clock in the morning as 75 classic race cars come thundering down the pit straight at full speed, throttles wide open and lights blazing. It literally makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up and tingle.
Whilst the modern race gave up the traditional “Le Mans Start” after 1969 for safety reasons, the spectacle is recreated for the first race by each Plateau. It is a wonderful sight to see the cars lined up along the pit wall with there drivers waiting on the far side of the track. It may only be for fun, but very driver wants to be the first to run across the track, jump into their car and pull away. All of which is accompanied by cheers and the support of a large and appreciative crowd.
The atmosphere away from the track is just as good, with spectators allowed unprecedented access to the cars and teams in the paddocks. For each Plateau the 5 hour break before their next race is an opportunity to fix the cars, catch up with old acquaintances and, if you’re really lucky, grab a couple of minutes rest in the back of the transporter. Like the Goodwood Revival meeting, teams are encouraged to dress up in period outfits, with mechanics resplendent in white overalls and cloth caps, whilst drivers tend to opt for tweed jackets and the occasional cravat. All of which help conjure up images of a bygone era.
One thing that is often remarked upon by visitors, is the great friendship between competitors. Teams frequently lend whatever spare parts they can to other teams, in order to help them get back out for the next race. Many of the mechanics perform quite incredible feats of engineering, with everything from wheel bearings to entire engines being replaced with only a handful of tools and whatever spare parts could be crammed in to the back of a van when leaving their workshops. But there are always some things that have to be left behind. I spoke to one American mechanic who was bemoaning the fact that the team had been unable to bring the 8 golf buggies the crew usually used when racing their Shelby Cobra in America!
It really is a very special event for everyone involved. I can think of no other race meeting that combines excitement and organised chaos with such style. Long may it continue.
Thank you to James Pitt for the contribution of this article.
James is part of the Surrey Sports & Classic Historic Motorsport team that is racing an MGB again at the Le Mans Classic 2010.
