Originally known as The Grand Prix of Endurance. Just like the basis of auto racing in general, the initial purpose of this race was to showcase the durability and endurance of production vehicles, especially including the durability of headlights. Nowadays, this race take their headlamps for granted and concentrate more on long term high speed travel and aerodynamics. The 24 hours of Le Mans is quite possibly the most grueling endurance race held annually in the world. Car companies and models have come to fame and shame with this one race, producing some of the fastest cars in the world, both in acceleration and top speed. As the name suggests, the race lasts for exactly twenty four hours and whoever has completed the most laps and is in the lead after this time has expired is the winner. The tracks have changed in distance and location, to add variety to the race, but each still uses circut and city streets of Le Mans France. The first race was held in 1923 and have basically continued yearly from then on. (The race was cancelled in 1936, and from 1940-48). Driving teams consist of two drivers, but since 1977, teams have had the option of using three drivers. Although this was not necessary, it was just more spectacular to view. I still think it is amazing how every little detail plays a major role with each vehicle, from aerodynamics and air foils to the driver's exhaustion.
It is interesting how the ideaology of the choice of cars to use have reversed over the years of this race. Originally, production cars were taken to this track to see how well they fared. Now, car companies practically create cars just for this race; however, all the cars used in this race must be production or prototype for the "public"! This is why there are actually 5 Dauer 962s out there somewhere on the streets. Actually, I believe the only one in the United States is owned by Ralph Lauren, so you go call him to ask for a test drive.
Winners and circut lengths since 1923:
Year Car Distance driven
Circut: = 17.262 km
1923 CHENARD & WALCKER SPORT 2209.536 km
1924 BENTLEY SPORT 2077.340 km
1925 LORRAINE-DIETRICH B3-6 2233.982 km
1926 LORRAINE-DIETRICH B3-6 2552.414 km
1927 BENTLEY SPORT 2369.807 km Back in the day,
1928 BENTLEY 2669.272 km When Bentley was young
CIRCUIT = 16.340 km
1929 BENTLEY SPEED SIX 2843.830 km
1930 BENTLEY SPEED SIX 2930.663 km
1931 ALFA ROMEO 8C 3017.654 km Alfa Romeo's legacy here
1932 ALFA ROMEO 8C 2954.038 km
1933 ALFA ROMEO 8C 3144.038 km
1934 ALFA ROMEO 8C 2886.938 km
1935 LAGONDA RAPIDE 3006.797 km
1936 Race Cancelled
CIRCUIT = 13.942 km
1937 BUGATTI 57 G 3287.938 km
1938 DELAHAYE 135 S 3180.940 km
1939 BUGATTI 57 C 3354.760 km
1940-48 Race Cancelled
1949 FERRARI 166 MM 3178.279 km
1950 TALBOT LAGO T 26 GS 3465.120 km
1951 JAGUAR XK 120 C 3611.193 km
1952 MERCEDES-BENZ 300 SL 3733.800 km
1953 JAGUAR XK 120 C 4088.064 km
1954 FERRARI 375 PLUS 4061.150 km
1955 JAGUAR D 4135.380 km This was the tragic year that had
Mercedes leave racing for a long time
CIRCUIT = 13.461 km
1956 JAGUAR D 4034.929 km
1957 JAGUAR D 4397.108 km
1958 FERRARI 250 TR 4101.926 km
1959 ASTON MARTIN DBR 1 4347.900 km
1960 FERRARI TR 59/60 4217.527 km And thus spake Ferrari: neigh!
1961 FERRARI TR 61 4476.580 km
1962 FERRARI 330 LM TRI 4451.255 km
1963 FERRARI 250 P 4561.710 km
1964 FERRARI 275 P 4695.310 km
1965 FERRARI 275 LM 4677.110 km
1966 FORD MK II 4843.090 km Ford?! Beat Ferrari?! No way!
1967 FORD MK IV 5232.900 km
CIRCUIT = 13.469 km
1968 FORD GT40 4452.880 km However, this car is amazing.
1969 FORD GT40 4998.000 km
1970 PORSCHE 917 L 4607.810 km
1971 PORSCHE 917 K 5335.313 km All-time distance record right here
CIRCUIT = 13.640 km
1972 MATRA SIMCA MS 670 4691.343 km
1973 MATRA SIMCA MS 670 B 4853.945 km
1974 MATRA SIMCA MS 670 B 4606.571 km
1975 GULF MIRAGE GR 8 4595.577 km
1976 PORSCHE 936 4769.923 km Porche sticks around for...
1977 PORSCHE 936 4671.630 km
1978 RENAULT ALPINE A 442 B 5044.530 km
CIRCUIT = 13.626 km
1979 PORSCHE 935 K3 4173.930 km ...ever...
1980 RONDEAU M 379 B 4608.020 km
1981 PORSCHE 936/81 4825.348 km
1982 PORSCHE 956 4899.086 km
1983 PORSCHE 956 5047.934 km
1984 PORSCHE 956 4900.276 km ...and ever...
1985 PORSCHE 956 5088.507 km
CIRCUIT = 13.528 km
1986 PORSCHE 962 C 4972.731 km
CIRCUIT = 13.535 km
1987 PORSCHE 962 C 4791.777 km
1988 JAGUAR XJR 9 LM 5319.960 km Jag comes back...
1989 SAUBER C9-MERCEDES 5265.115 km
CIRCUIT = 13.600 km
1990 JAGUAR XJR 12 4882.400 km ...with some of the sexiest cars ever!
1991 MAZDA 787B 4922.810 km Whats this? Japanese?
1992 PEUGEOT 905 4787.200 km I still think WRC
1993 PEUGEOT 905 5100.000 km first when I say Peugeot.
1994 DAUER PORSCHE 962 LM 4685.701 km A contraversal win here.
1995 McLAREN F1 GTR 4055.800 km Sweet nectar.
1996 TWR-PORSCHE WSC 95 4814.400 km
CIRCUIT = 13.605 km
1997 TWR-PORSCHE WSC 95 4909.600 km
1998 PORSCHE 911 GT1-98 4783.781 km
1999 BMW V12 LMR 4967.991 km
2000 AUDI R8 5007.988 km
2001 AUDI R8 4367.205 km
CIRCUIT = 13.880 km
2002 AUDI R8 5118.750 km And Audi continues to reign.
Sources:
www.lemans.org
http://www.maisonblanche.co.uk
http://www.hickoksports.com/history/24lemans.shtml