With its unique position in the history of the United States , Texas has always displayed a certain singularity ( read HERE ) . Do not forget that this is the only state in the country to have been an independent republic from 1836 to 1845 before joining the Union in 1870, after the Civil War (1861-1865) . Something its provided , for example, unusual characters in the musical industry ( e.g. romantic cowboys XXL, bearded  group ZZ Top), and also to the history of motor sport and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

AJ Foyt , a unique double . Today aged 78 , Anthony Joseph "AJ" Foyt , a native of Houston almost never raced out of the United States. The 24 Hours of Le Mans was a rare exception . And what an exception ! For his only participation , he won the race with fellow Ford driver Dan Gurney , exceeding for the first time 5000 kilometres. He also achieved a unique double : he is still the only driver to have won in the same year (and three weeks apart moreover ) the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Indianapolis 500 .

Tracy Krohn , on his regional stage . A regular competitor in the 24 Hours of Le Mans since 2006, and also the FIA World Endurance Championship since its inception in 2012 , Tracy Krohn , also from Houston , is going home to race in the fifth round in 2013 . The Ferrari 458 Italia of Krohn Racing is running in the LM GTE Am class, Tracy Krohn will drive on the Circuit Of The Americas along with Nic Jönsson and Maurizio Mediani .

Giuseppe Risi , the Sicilian Texan . The  Giuseppe Risi Ferrari dealership in Houston , is also rather unusual . Born in Sicily , he ran the Formula 1  private team of Spaniard Emilio de Villota for 70 races , before moving to the United States . In 1998, Ferrari had their last class victory in  prototypes at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, with eighth place in the 333 SP run by the Doyle / Risi team . Then, at the helm of his own Risi Competizione structure , he recorded two consecutive wins in the GT class at La Sarthe in 2008 and 2009 , with the Ferrari F430 GT . Supported by the Ferrari factory , Risi Competizione will start the American Le Mans Series race with a 458 Italia driven by Olivier Beretta and Matteo Malucelli .

Also HERE discover the history of Texas billionaire Jim Hall at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1967 .
Click below to learn more about the 6 hours of the Circuit of the Americas , the fifth round of the FIA World World Endurance Championship and the eighth round of the American Le Mans Series in 2013 .http://www.fiawec.com   http://www.alms.com

Jean -Philippe Doret / ACO

Photo: PLACE de la REPUBLIQUE (LE MANS , Sarthe ) TECHNICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE SCRUTINEERING OF THE 24 HOURS , 17th June 2013 . Tracy Krohn (right) , and his drivers and the Ferrari 458 Italia, easily recognizable thanks to its lime green paintwork.