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DRESS CODE
There has been much
debate over the 'dress code' for the Classic and all tickets
issued feature symbols regarding clothing the organisers are keen
to discourage.
The following excerpt
from the official website is reproduced as guidance - "On the
occasion of Le Mans Classic, the 24-Hour-circuit produces a set
paying tribute to fifty years of its history celebrated by Le Mans
Classic. Modern cars are prohibited inside the circuit to preserve
this unique past times atmosphere. All the actors, drivers
wherever they are –on the track or inside the paddocks-; club
members; partners and their guests endeavour to perform on the
stage.
The public, is
encouraged to do likewise. Thus, we kindly ask the spectators to
visit Le Mans Classic correctly dressed up. The actors of this
temporary show, who come often from abroad, will for sure
appreciate to receive in return their visitors' tribute.
To visit the paddocks
if no proper dress code is enforced, 'jacket and tie' is
preferred. On the other hand, tracksuits, shorts and bare-chested
are strictly prohibited."
Click here to download the Dress Code for the event
Aware that this
information is a little ambiguous, we have sought advice from
contacts in the ACO who advised that dress code is to be more
strictly enforced than in 2006. They are keen to avoid sportswear
(football shirts, leisure shorts etc.) but are happy with chino
style shorts and polo shirts.
This is obviously an
area that is extremely difficult to police effectively - one mans
smart is another mans tatty after all. We can only suggest that
you pack with the aims of the organisers in mind.
RACE WEEK TIMETABLE
Click here to download the 2008 Timetable
ENTRY LIST
The following
excerpts from the official site explain the organisation of the
event and.
"Everybody
understands that it is difficult for these historic cars, despite
their continued power, to remain on the track for 24 hours in a
row.
They are therefore
split up, for historical and security reasons, by period to form
six ‘grids’ which follow each other three times in order to offer
day and night races to each car and her drivers."
GRID 1 -
1923/1939 –Pioneers and Dust, then eight cylinders domination
"The first ever
winner was Chenard & Walker. Subsequently, in 1927, as soon as a
manufacturer had a reliable and proven car, the competition was
left with little chance to beat it. Bentley was the first with
five victories, including four consecutive wins.
The "Bentley Boys"
gain the upper hand over Chenard & Walcker on a 17.262, then
16.340km long and non-tarred track. Passed twice by Lorraine
Dietrich, the English keep the supremacy anyway thanks to a
capacity going along the years from 3 to 6.5 litres.
Then from 1931, the
super-charged 2.3 litre Alfa Romeos continued (four times) where
Bentley left off. Bugatti was next to dominate (twice), leaving a
single victory for Lagonda(1935) and Delahaye (1938)."
GRID 2 -
1949/1956 – The come back of the Greens
"At recovery time,
many makes have disappeared, leaving the track to newcomers. In
fact, a brand new manufacturer, Ferrari, wins this first post-war
race.
Nevertheless, the
'50s are beyond a shadow of a doubt the "Jaguar years" with the
help of the C and D Types. Talbot (1950), Mercedes (1952) and
Ferrari (1954) come out ahead.
An accident casts a
tragic shadow over the 1955 event.
Afterwards, new
facilities and a wider track to host the 1956 Le Mans 24 Hours
which, for the first time does not take place in June."
GRID 3 - 1957/1961 –
The Reds take over
"Having mastered the
1000 Miglia, Ferrari stands out at Le Mans with seven victories
from 1958 on.
The domination is
mistreated in 1959 when Aston Martin persists after its victory at
the Nürburgring, making David Brown's dream come true: first
across the finish line at Le Mans. World Champion at the end of
the year, the British company will unfortunately not repeat this,
in spite of two DBR1s featuring among the top ten the following
year.
With a fifth victory
(O. Gendebien/P. Hill) in 1961, Ferrari joins the Bentley and
Jaguar prize list."
GRID 4 - 1962/1965
–Ferrari at the front and America at the throttle!
"Le
Mans discovers the turbine in 1963 with a BRM/Rover which finishes
even though this was its first appearance. After modification,
Jackie Stewart and Graham Hill race this same car to tenth place
in 1965. The victory goes to Ferrari in 1963 but a Lola GT makes a
notable entrance on Le Mans turf.
We still don't know
yet but this is the start of the Ford adventure at Le Mans. The
following year, the American manufacturer enters three works GT40s
and two works Cobra Daytonas. In lieu of an absolute success, Phil
Hill sets a new lap record and Gurney/Bondurant win the GT class.
Even though Ferrari
takes their ninth victory in 1965, it was American since the 275
LM was from the team N.A.R.T. (North American Racing Team), a team
founded by Luigi Chinetti, three time winner of the event."
GRID 5 - 1966/1971 –
Americans af…Ford victory, but Porsche copes!
"No later than 1966,
the "mid-engine" takes the lead. Ford strikes the Cavallino down
with a spectacular fight, keeping the whole 1966 podium for
itself.
1967 sees the "24
Hours of the Century", with the most breathtaking grid ever. This
year, also with all the records, leads the Sporting Authorities to
regulate the prototype capacity.
The American giant is
back with more of the same in 1968, then again in 1969. The GT40
stars gets old…
Then Porsche changes
gear. Direct from Stuttgart a fabulous machine named the 917
arrives and beats records that have not yet been equalled. In
1971, Marko and van Lennep achieve 5335.313km in 24 hours with a
222.3km/h average speed. As for Jackie Oliver, he is credited with
a 244.387km/h lap time."
GRID 6 - 1972/1979 –
Ford confirms, Matra stands out, then Porsche takes off …
"But in 1972, a
change of regulations put the 917s out to pasture. The Matra V12s
were built and took over with three victories for Henri Pescarolo
and then they too were gone…
1975 was the year of
the Gulf Mirage (1st & 3rd), which allowed John Wyer to join the
very exclusive Endurance Masters Club. This was also the first of
Jacky Ickx’s consecutive triple wins (the second with Porsche),
which put the Belgian champion equal with compatriot Olivier
Gendebien for the record of victories.
In 1978, it was
France’s turn to stand out on home ground. Renault was ever
present, winning hands down. Firstly, the Alpine driven by
Frenchmen Didier Pironi and Jean-Pierre Jaussaud held off Porsche
from start to finish. Meanwhile, another French driver,
Jean-Pierre Jabouille, broke the track record.
The following year
the circuit was modified just before the Ferrari BB LMs and BMW
M1s turned up and Porsche strung together a collection of
triumphs, which is yet to be equalled."
Click here to download the 2008 Entry List
Additional
information will be added to these pages and the
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