Long awaited for 4 years, Le Mans Classic will take place on the legendary 24 Hours of Mans circuit from June 30th to July 3rd 2022. In the meantime, here are the entry list and some of the most important models of this 10th edition. Soon Le Mans Classic will publish the support grids’ entry list – Group C, Edurance Racing Legends, Porsche Classic Race Le Mans and Jaguar Classic Challenge.
Grid 1: 1923 – 1939
8C 2300 Zagato Alfa Romeo 1932 (#2111034)
Martin Halusa (AUT), driver and owner will enter this beautiful Italian car for the 3rd time. This sports car is considered as one of the most successful racing cars of its time, it won many titles in the early 30s. One will remember its 3 victories in the Targa Florio and in the Mille Miglia, for 3 consecutive years in 1932, 1933 and 1934. The 8C 2300 with the “Le Mans” bodywork were unbeatable on the Sarthe layout between 1931 and 1934.
Grid 2: 1949 – 1956
T26 Grand Sport Talbot Lago 1951 (#110057)
Robert Kudela (CZE), driver and owner will compete with his T26 Grand Sport Talbot Lago. This car was originally designed for Formula 1 and its Grand Prix, but it was slightly modified to be able to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It remains to this day the only Grand Prix car to have won Le Mans, in 1950, driven by Louis Rosier and son Jean-Louis, a record that will certainly never be beaten… In 1951, Louis Rosier teamed up with Juan-Manuel Fangio, but the duo had to withdraw due to an oil tank leak. At the wheel of the model that will be on the track this year!
Grid 3: 1957 – 1961
D-Type Jaguar 1955 (XKD505)
Nigel Webb (GBR) will be behind the wheel of this fabulous English car which did not miss Le Mans Classic since 2002. It is easily recognizable thanks to its white painted radiator grille/air intake which differentiates it from the other D-Types when it enters the pits. This car is also known for having won the dramatic 24 Hours of Le Mans 1955. It was driven by the Mike Hawthorn – Ivor Bueb team, who took it for 24 hours to a record average speed of 172 km/h.
Grid 4: 1962 – 1965
SP66 CD Peugeot 1966
This model with the evocative name, takes the initials of its creator, Charles Deutsch. This beautiful model of racing car was designed to win the performance index, notably thanks to its featherweight of 740 kg, its refined line or its four-cylinder engine of Peugeot 204 made of aluminum alloy. It is easily recognizable thanks to its two vertical fins designed to improve its stability at high speed on certain circuits like Le Mans. It has already been displayed at previous Le Mans Classics, but this will be its very first time on the event track.
Grid 5: 1966 – 1971
312 P Ferrari 1969 (#0872)
Driver Arnold Meier (CHE) will take the start with his 312 P Ferrari equipped with its V12 engine -displacement of 3.0 Liters, double camshaft and 2 valves per cylinder, directly derived from Formula 1. 420HP for a weight of only 680 kg, it is a real rocket that points to 320 km/h. A car not unknown by the audience as it has participated in all Mans Classics since 2012. As beautiful as rare, there are only two samples left in the world.
Grid 6: 1972 – 1981
GTO Chevrolet Camaro IMSA 1981
This is a premiere for owner/driver Gilles Ceron (FRA) who will enter his GTO Chevrolet Camaro IMSA in Le Mans Classic. The 70’s were marked by the oil shocks of 1972 and 1979 which dissuaded several teams from competing at Le Mans. It was at this time that some NASCAR and IMSA cars were allowed to participate in this mythical event to revitalize the quite empty grids. This Camaro with its spectacular body was one of them, equipped with drum brakes at the rear, which would fail after only 13 circuit laps!
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