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Portfolio 24-hour ride John Murray looks ahead to the 2015 edition of one of the world’s most gruelling 24-hour races, Le Mans, to see what’s in store for fans this year

t speaks volumes about the power – to make sure it is going prestige of the 24 Hours of Le to come my way this year.” IMans that Davidson is by no means is more interested in winning the alone in his obsession with race than defending his world Le Mans. Such is the allure of title. Together with France’s the historic race that 263,000 drivers per car, teams compete Above: drivers Sébastien Buemi, the British spectators flocked to the Circuit for 24 hours at the Circuit de la and Alex Buncombe driver won the 2014 World de la Sarthe to watch Audi record Sarthe, which blends elements will be testing their skills at the Endurance Championship for their 12th victory in 14 years i of a specialist racing track with legendary Circuit de la Sarthe but, in 2015, he has his n 2014. And don’t be surprised closed public roads. racetrack this June (main) eyes firmly set on one goal – if those attendance numbers are It is as much a test of stamina as on the outskirts of a city in even higher on 13-14 June speed, with the car that travels Great Britain dominated the early north- France. for the 83rd edition of the the greatest distance being years of the race, before Ferrari “I would love to win as much hugely popular race. crowned the champion – in and Mercedes-Benz among resurgence in popularity with racing name – Ligier – will fight Chilton, who will compete for the the drama. With world-class as I can, but that one race [Le Since it was first held in 2014 the victorious Audi team others developed a keen interest production-based cars that for glory in the LMP2, LM GTE- Nissan team. drivers, top teams and 24 hours of Mans] keeps slipping away,” 1923, the event has grown to completed an eye-watering 379 after World War Two. Following continues today. The race Pros and GTE-Am classes. Another notable thing to action, it promises to be another Davidson says. “I want to try become the world’s most famous laps of the 8.47-mile course. a tragic accident in 1955 when even inspired a film, the 1971 With drivers from all over the look out for in 2015 will be the memorable chapter in one of the everything I can – at least in my endurance race. With three Teams from France, Italy and Pierre Levegh’s car crashed into classic Le Mans, starring Steve globe desperate to test their skills safety upgrades to the Circuit de most grueling motor races. For the crowd, new safety measures McQueen. Packed full of racing,it at Le Mans, it is no surprise that la Sarthe. Automobile Club de updates and more information, led to drivers sitting in closed retains a cult following with motor this year’s event will have a star- l’Ouest sporting manager, Vincent visit www.lemans.org. ■ cockpits. This in turn resulted in sport fans today. studded line-up. That includes Beaumesnil, explains: “We will increased speeds, with the likes In 2015, there are 56 team several drivers who can boast still have white lines and kerbs, Above: Nissan’s ZEOD RC is of Ford – a four-time consecutive entries in all, competing in Formula One experience, such as but there will be asphalt rather not only speedy, but is environ- winner in the 1960s – travelling four separate categories. Four Davidson, , Nico than grass on the other side. This mentally friendly too at over 200mph.Further manufacturers – Audi, Nissan, Hulkenberg and Max Chilton. will make it much safer if one car Below: The race inspired the technology advances over the Porsche and Toyota – will contest “Le Mans has always had an has to go off the circuit to avoid 1971 film Le Mans, starring years have added to the drama the overall title in the LMP1 amazing following and to be another.” While the amendments American actor Steve McQueen of the event, which enjoyed a category, while the likes of Jota racing there as a works driver is to the track will enhance safety, Below left: The ferris wheel is an Sport and that famous French a dream come true,” says they will take nothing away from iconic landmark of the racetrack

April-June 2015 Upward Curve 67