Le Mans Classic 2016

The Le Mans Classic is an event held once every two years, where the all time greats from the past gather to race once again through the famous Circuit de la Sarthe in the north of France. Like Goodwood and the Grand Prix Historique of Montecarlo, it’s pure vintage racing at its best. Enthusiasts collectors, former racers and winners all come to celebrate racing on one of the last road-racing tracks still in existence today. Organized jointly by Peter Auto, one of the leading event organizers in the World for historic motor racing and the Automobile Club de l’Ouest and sponsored by Richard Mille, the Le Mans Classic has gathered 123.000 enthusiasts in 2016, who came to celebrate one of the most highly anticipated events of the motoring year. 550 cars divided into 6 classes, 1000 drivers and 10 former winners all represented more than 80 years of endurance racing.
The 2016 event also marked the debut of the new class dedicated to Group C cars and the Jaguar Heritage Challenge, which added to the already rich selection of cars already present.
Also this year marked 60 years of Ford’s historic Le Mans win with the legendary #2 GT40 driven by Chris Amon and Bruce McLaren in 1966. A parade lap of 50 Fords, including the actual car that won, chassis P/1046, was held during the week end.
Jaguar was also celebrating their comeback at Le Mans with a parade of more than 100 cars which included Andy Wallace’s 1988 winning XJR9, the never-raced XJ13, which made its first ever lap at Le Mans and a vast assortment of every big Cat from the present and the past.
Kid-racers also entertained the crowd with their 1/3 scale replice cars, which were allowed to race competitively on the Bugatti Circuit during the week end. Parenting done right.
The Le Mans Classic is one of those events that are worth waiting for. It’s one of those places where history, truly feels like the present and eventually, the future.