24h Le Mans
Le At the end of 24 hours of racing, comprising three races per class, Le Mans Classic Legend had revealed all its insights. This edition was marked by a spectacular show: nearly 350 models took to the track, and 104 clubs brought together around 3,200 cars on display around the track in front of nearly 160,000 spectators.
Le Mans Classic Legend left no one unmoved. The presence of modern endurance racing legends (from 1970 to the present day) was complemented by numerous activities in the village, as well as outstanding concerts (Étienne de Crécy, Superbus, Bon Entendeur). Following this tribute to recent history, the date has been set for 1–4 July 2027 for another exceptional event: Le Mans Classic Heritage.
To stay informed about Le Mans Classic Heritage, click HERE.
The parades and demonstrations gave the public the chance to see – or see again – the legendary Mazda 787B, winner of the 1991 24 Hours of Le Mans, and, above all, to hear it; the sound of its four-rotor engine has ensured its place in history. On Sunday morning, the M24 – Motorsport Museum, which celebrates the history of motorsport in its entirety, brought out rare models from its collections. Amongst others, visitors were able to admire the Bentley 3 Litre, winner of the 1924 24 Hours, a Porsche 917K, a Shelby Daytona Coupe, and a Ford GT40.
Here are the results for grids 6 to 10, as well as those for the support races.
Grid 6 of Le Mans Classic Legend brought together iconic models from 1972 to 1984. Maxime GUENAT, in the 1976 Lola T286 #1, capitalised on a minor mistake made by a rival to win quite comfortably in the first race, held on Saturday at 4 pm. This gave him a significant advantage for the rest of the weekend. Jan MAGNUSSEN, class winner at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, alongside Chris WARD, took their revenge in the second race in their 1973 Lola T292 #70, but GUENAT was hot on their heels. Finally, in the third race, GUENAT repeated the feat, this time ahead of the TOJ SC304 driven by MILLE and SCEMAMA. He therefore won the overall classification thanks to his consistency.
Grid 6 overall standings:
1. Maxime GUENAT – Lola T286 1976 #1
2. Christian VAGLIO-GIORS/NELSON – Osella PA8 1980 #82
3. Jan MAGNUSSEN/Chris WARD – Lola T292 1973 #70
Grid 7 showcased endurance cars from the 1980s and early 1990s – the golden age of Group C, the category that gave rise to some of the most legendary prototypes. Olivier GALANT had masterfully dominated the first race at the wheel of the 1990 Nissan R90CK #1, but a problem during the second race saw him drop quite far down the order. Ivan VERCOUTERE and Ralf KELLENERS took advantage of this in the 1990 Porsche 962 C #7, securing victory at the end of a nail-biting race against another Porsche 962 C, the #00 driven by Klaus ABBELEN. The pair repeated the feat in the decider, this time ahead of Olivier GALANT and his Nissan. Over the combined race times, ABBELEN – the only driver to have finished all three races in the top three – came out on top.
Grid 7 overall standings:
1. Klaus ABBELEN – Porsche 962 C 1991 #00
2. Olivier GALANT – Nissan R90CK 1990 #1
3. Ivan VERCOUTERE/Ralf KELLENERS – Porsche 962 C 1990 #7
Next, it was grid 8’s turn to tackle the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans circuit. The class featured a wide variety of cars built between 1994 and 1999. In the first race, it was Olivier GALANT, at the wheel of the 1999 Panoz LMP-1 Roadster S #1, who got the better of his rivals. He was followed by Emmanuel COLLARD in the #61 1995 McLaren F1 GTR. The order was the same in Race 2, but the results do not tell the whole story. Brothers Loris and Mike HEZEMANS, in the 1997 Lotus Elise GT1 #43, were contenders in every race, but suffered various problems. During the final race, it was Olivier GALANT’s turn to suffer a breakdown, leaving the field open for Emmanuel COLLARD, who has 25 appearances at the 24 Hours of Le Mans to his name. Thanks to his two earlier victories, Olivier GALANT was nevertheless declared the overall winner at the end of the three rounds.
Grid 8 overall standings:
1. Olivier GALANT – Panoz LMP-1 Roadster S 1999 #1
2. Emmanuel COLLARD – McLaren F1 GTR 1995 #61
3. Mark SUMPTER – Porsche 993 GT2 1999 #36
It felt like a treat for those nostalgic for the early 21st century: Grid 9 brought together prototypes and GT cars from 2000 to 2010. The sound, the looks – it had it all. Just as in qualifying, it was the 2002 Ascari KZR-1 #21 that stood out in the first race, thanks to the talent of Sam HANCOCK and Oliver HART. The duo won by the narrowest of margins against Christian ALBRECHT’s 2002 Audi R8 LMP #5, leaving the door open to all possibilities for the remaining races. HANCOCK and HART shone once more at night, again ahead of Christian ALBRECHT, who this time was a little further behind.
Everything was set to be decided in the final race on Sunday morning; and what a race it was. The #21 Ascari immediately took the lead but was closely followed by the 2002 Dome S101 #15 driven by Ivan VERCOUTERE and Alex MÜLLER. The two engaged in a battle for the ages, but after the pit stops, the Dome had built up a comfortable lead. Behind them, HANCOCK and HART were pushing hard to close the gap, and their strategy was paying off. Just as the Ascari was about to overtake the Dome at Mulsanne on the final lap, the latter suffered a major mechanical failure. HANCOCK and HART thus secured a sensational victory, completing a treble this weekend. Joe MACARI and Dario FRANCHITTI finished second in the final race in the #46 2005 Maserati MC12 GT1, whilst Gregor FISKEN (#008 2006 Aston Martin DBR9) completed the podium.
Grid 9 overall standings:
1. Sam HANCOCK/Oliver HART – Ascari KZR-1 2002 #21
2. Gregor FISKEN – Aston Martin DBR9 2006 #008
3. Ivan VERCOUTERE/Alex MÜLLER – Dome S101 2002 #15
One of the main attractions of Le Mans Classic Legend could be summed up in four words: Legends of Le Mans. This exceptional line-up featured some of the most memorable modern cars from 2006 to 2020. As usual, it was a spectacular event from start to finish.
As the last rays of sunlight followed the competitors to the start of Race 1, Christian ALBRECHT pulled clear. He was driving the 2008 Lola Aston Martin DBR1-2 #008 and wasted no time in building up a lead. Philip KADOORIE, in the ‘sister car’ – the 2009 Lola Aston Martin DBR1-2 #009 – was also a force to be reckoned with. However, he incurred a penalty for speeding under yellow flags. Christian ALBRECHT won this first race by just over thirty seconds ahead of Michel FREY, at the wheel of the #5 2007 Lola B07/18. Alfie BRIGGS (2001 Lola B11/83 #33) followed.
At daybreak, the entrants in Class 10 were back in action. In these conditions, Philip KADOORIE, still in the #009, got the better of his rivals. At the end of the nine-lap race, he had gained nearly thirty seconds on his main rival and third-placed driver, Christian ALBRECHT. Michel FREY, in the #5 Lola, slotted in between the two. The final race was therefore decisive.
The long-awaited battle on the track took place on Sunday at midday. Christian ALBRECHT and Philip KADOORIE battled it out for 11 laps, constantly swapping positions. This duel between naturally aspirated V12s left an permanent mark on Le Mans Classic Legend. In the end, Christian ALBRECHT emerged victorious, beating Philip KADOORIE by less than five seconds. Behind them was Shaun LYNN in the #4 2008 Peugeot 908 HDi FAP. Overall, ALBRECHT was the clear winner of this memorable weekend of racing.
Legends of Le Mans (grid 10) overall standings:
1. Christian ALBRECHT – Lola Aston Martin DBR1-2 2008 #008
2. Michel FREY – Lola B07/18 2007 #5
3. Shaun LYNN – Peugeot 908 HDi FAP 2008 #4
The first round of the HSR NASCAR Classic by Goodyear was eagerly anticipated by all the fans at the venue. Fittingly, the first NASCAR race at Le Mans took place on the day of the United States’ 250th birthday. The drivers put on a spectacular show for the occasion, led by the 2004 series champion, Kurt BUSCH, in the 2020 NASCAR Chevrolet Camaro #1A, who launched a series of attacks. Andrew JORDAN (2011 Toyota Camry #15A) and Joe NEMECHECK (2010 Toyota Camry #47) also distinguished themselves at the top of the standings.
After several epic battles, BUSCH, ROBERTS and JORDAN – who had led from the very first lap – suffered a series of setbacks. An incredible turnaround allowed JC France, in the 2014 NASCAR Chevrolet Camaro #24A, to beat Nigel ARMSTRONG (2007 NASCAR CoT Toyota Camry #44) by less than a second. Ryan GEMMELL crossed the line in third place at the wheel of his 2002 NASCAR Chevrolet Monte Carlo #55.
The second race took place on Sunday morning, already under a clear blue sky. Ryan GEMMELL quickly took the lead, but was caught by one of the drivers who’d been unlucky the previous day, Andrew JORDAN. Once again, it was a tight contest all the way, but it was JORDAN who came out on top, two seconds ahead of Ryan GEMMELL. One moment left all the spectators speechless: coming out of the final bend, Kurt BUSCH managed to overtake JC France to take third place. Just 11 thousandths of a second separated them at the finish of this second race.
A third race was scheduled to bring Le Mans Classic Legend to a close. Andrew JORDAN immediately pulled clear once again, gradually extending his lead over his closest rivals. Behind him, however, the battle was in full swing. Kurt BUSCH, Joe NEMECHEK, Nigel ARMSTRONG and JC FRANCE were locked in a fierce battle. But a series of incidents, which notably affected Kurt BUSCH, calmed things down. Andrew JORDAN secured a second consecutive victory, ahead of Joe NEMECHEK and David ROBERTS.
Race 1 standings:
1. JC FRANCE – Chevrolet Camaro NASCAR 2014 #24A
2. Nigel ARMSTRONG – Toyota Camry CoT NASCAR 2007 #44
3. Ryan GEMMELL – Chevrolet Monte Carlo NASCAR 2002 #55
Race 2 standings:
1. Andrew JORDAN – Toyota Camry NASCAR 2011 #15A
2. Ryan GEMMELL - Chevrolet Monte Carlo NASCAR 2002 #55
3. Kurt BUSCH – Chevrolet Camaro NASCAR 2020 #1A
Race 3 standings:
1. Andrew JORDAN – Toyota Camry NASCAR 2011 #15A
2. Joe NEMECHEK – Toyota Camry NASCAR 2010 #47
3. David ROBERTS/Mike SKEEN – Dodge Charger CoT NASCAR 2012 #2
The first race, held this Saturday morning, saw competitors in the GT3 Revival Series go head-to-head to mark the 20th anniversary of the GT3 category’s creation. Thanks to an excellent start, Heiko NEUMANN, in his Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 #65, quickly pulled away, but Alvaro PARENTE, at the wheel of the Audi R8 LMS Ultra #47, had other ideas. It was a spectacular battle, but NEUMANN held on to first place.
A mandatory pit stop was due. As he slowed down to enter the pits, PARENTE, caught off guard, crashed into the back of NEUMANN’s car. Both cars sustained fairly significant cosmetic damage, and whilst the Mercedes-Benz was able to get back on track fairly quickly, the Audi R8 was held up for some time for further repairs. Benjamin RICCI, in the Ferrari 458 GT3 Evo #10, took advantage of this to take the lead, which he held until the chequered flag was waved. Heiko NEUMANN finished second, ahead of Jonathan MITCHELL and his Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3 #007.
In the second race, Heiko NEUMANN got off to an equally strong start, attempting to extend his lead over Jonathan MITCHELL and Benjamin RICCI. But after the pit stop, MITCHELL took first place. NEUMANN did try to fight back, but MITCHELL was simply too quick in the second half of the race. MITCHELL finished first, NEUMANN second and RICCI third.
Race 1 standings:
1. Benjamin RICCI – Ferrari 458 GT3 Evo #10
2. Heiko NEUMANN – Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 #65
3. Jonathan MITCHELL – Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3 #007
Race 2 standings:
1. Jonathan MITCHELL – Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3 #007
2. Heiko NEUMANN – Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 #65
3. Benjamin RICCI – Ferrari 458 GT3 Evo #10
The Porsche Classic Cup sees Porsche Cup cars from all generations – from the 944 Turbo to the 996 GT3 – go head-to-head. This series, which continues to uphold the German manufacturer’s legacy through one-make championships organised around the world, is being celebrated today at Le Mans Classic Legend. During the race, Ivan REGGIANI (1999 Porsche 996 GT3 Cup #196) pulled clear of his rivals right from the start, keeping Henrik BOLLERSLEV (2004 Porsche 996 GT3 Cup #76) at a safe distance.
After a flurry of pit stops, Andrew JORDAN (2002 Porsche 996 GT3 Cup #10) stepped up a gear and overtook Henrik BOLLERSLEV to claim second place. Following the leader’s pit stop, JORDAN even took the lead. Andrew was sharing the driving with his father Mike; the pair, who had dominated qualifying the day before, went on to secure a fairly comfortable victory. Mike and Andrew JORDAN took the win, ahead of Henrik BOLLERSLEV and the duo of Charles KAUFFMAN and Ivan REGGIANI in the #996.
Standings:
1. Andrew JORDAN/Mike JORDAN – Porsche 996 GT3 Cup 2003 #10
2. Henrik BOLLERSLEV – Porsche 996 GT3 Cup 2004 #76
3. Ivan REGGIANI/Charles KAUFFMAN – Porsche 996 GT3 Cup 1999 #996
The Berlinetta Challenge is a superb field made of Ferrari Challenge cars from various generations, ranging from the 1993 348s to the 2011 458 Italia. The Ferrari Challenge championship, first established in 1993, is a one-make series that is now successful all over the world, with series in the UK, Europe, North America, Japan, and Australia/South-East Asia.
The sole race held on Saturday evening was unfortunately cut short due to an oil leak between Arnage and the Porsche bend. Joe MACARI, in the 2006 Ferrari F430 Challenge #12, started from pole position and was never under threat. Blake ROSSER, in the 2008 F430 Challenge #43, crossed the finish line in second place, less than two seconds behind, ahead of the duo Philippe RAFFIN and José BELTRAMELLI at the wheel of the 2007 F430 Challenge #430.
Standings:
1. Joe MACARI – Ferrari F430 Challenge 2006 #12
2. Blake ROSSER – Ferrari F430 Challenge 2008 #43
3. Philippe RAFFIN/José BELTRAMELLI – Ferrari F430 Challenge 2007 #430
