2012 Le Mans Classic

We are soon off to Le Mans for the third time this year. The occasion now is the biennial Le Mans Classic. Attached is the entry list and here are some highlights of who to watch out for:

[QUOTE]DRIVERS TO BE WATCHED AT LE MANS CLASSIC
Ex. Le Mans 24 Hours winners

Seven ex. Le Mans 24 Hours winners will be on the starting line of the 6th Le Mans Classic; some with the cars that took them to victory at the time:

Derek Bell (GB)

5 wins : 1975/Mirage GR8, 1981/Porsche 956, 1982/Porsche 956, 1986/Porsche 962C, 1987/Porsche 962C)

Emanuele Pirro (I)

5 wins : 2000/Audi R8, 2001/Audi R8, 2002/Audi R8, 2006/Audi R10, 2007/Audi R10

Jean-Pierre Jaussaud (F) Alpine A442B (1978)

2 wins : 1978/Alpine Renault A442B, 1980/Rondeau M379

Gérard Larrousse (F) Porsche 911 RSR (1973)

2 wins : 1973/Matra MS 670/B, 1974/Matra MS 670C

Richard Attwood (GB) Porsche 917 (1971)

1 win : 1970/Porsche 917K

Vern Shuppan (AUS) Porsche 917 (1971)

1 win : 1983/Porsche 956

Eric Hélary (F) Chevrolet Corvette C3 Greenwood (1972)

1 win : 1993/Peugeot 905

Drivers that marked the Le Mans 24 Hours:

Vic Elford (GB)

Present as a guest, Vic will not be participating in the race this time. He has one of the most complete careers in motor sports, distinguishing himself on circuits and in rally races. On his prize-list, 13 Formula 1 Grand Prix between 1968 and 1971, 9 Le Mans 24 Hours participations between 1969 and 1983 (best result: 6th in 1973), a European Rally Champion title in 1967, a victory in the Monte Carlo Rally, the Daytona 24 Hours, the Targa Florio and the Nürburgring 1000KM on Porsche in 1968. Proof of his eclectism, Vic Elford also raced in Nascar, CanAm, TransAm, and Rally-raid…

The illustrious driver, stopped his race in the 1972 Le Mans 24 Hours to save a driver, imprisoned in his Ferrari Daytona, from the flames. After this courageous act he was named “Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Mérite” by President Georges Pompidou

Drivers having participated several times in the Le Mans 24 Hours:

Emmanuel Collard (18 starts at LM 24 Hours)

Brian Redman (14 starts at LM 24 Hours)

Jean-Pierre Jabouille (13 starts at LM 24 Hours)

Soleil Ayari (11 starts at LM 24 Hours)

Pierre de Thoisy (11 starts at LM 24 Hours)

Paul Belmondo (10 starts at LM 24 Hours)

Jean Ragnotti (7 starts at LM 24 Hours)

Raymond Narac (7 starts at LM 24 Hours)(2nd in GTE AM in 2012)

Xavier Pompidou (7 starts at LM 24 Hours)

Jacques Nicolet (6 starts at LM 24 Hours)

Alain Serpaggi (5 starts at LM 24 Hours)

Hernando da Silva Ramos (4 starts at LM 24 Hours)

Fabien Giroix (3 starts at LM 24 Hours)

Luis Perez Companc (3 starts at LM 24 Hours)

…

A triple world champion

Yvan Muller (Triple winner of the World Touring Car Championship)(2 participations in the Le Mans 24 H) will drive a Chevrolet Corvette 1971 in grid 5.

An ex-Prime Minister in the race

François Fillon will drive a BMW M1 in grid 6. The ex. Prime Minister has already participated in Le Mans Classic and has never hidden his passion for motor sports. In 2009, he also tested the Peugeot 908 HDI FAP, winner of the 24 Hours a few weeks earlier.

A charming driver

54 women have participated in the Le Mans 24 Hours. One of them, Swiss Natacha Gachnang (at the start of the 2010 edition), will be back at Le Mans with a Cooper Monaco 1960 in grid 3.[/QUOTE]

Looking forward to your report, Wouter... the '31 Talbot 105 GO52 is a friend, I think this is the 7th or 8th time running the Le Mans Classic.

Evocative scenes at a wet Le Mans last night.

Some pics of this incredible event. If you want I will post more pics