Even some high speed sequences in the "Star Wars" saga give away their director's fondness for motorsports, like the Boonta Eve Classic race in the desert, one of the more stunning elements in "Star Wars Episode I-The Phantom Meance." A true enthusiast, George Lucas often visits circuits and was just seen in September at the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Italy interviewing Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel and Felipe Massa on the podium. Two entries in his career as a director involve cars in starring roles.

1966: "1:42.08" - When he was still a student at USC (University of Southern California), Lucas directed a silent short film about a competition car on a circuit. The title "1:42.08" was a reference to the time clocked during a lap filmed in wide shots, close-ups and even via on-board camera. The same year, Ford became the first American manufacturer to win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, thanks to Chris Amon and Bruce McLaren, and in the presence of Henry Ford himself who had come to give the start of the race.

1973: "American Graffiti" - Second feature film by Lucas (after "THX 1138" and prior to "Star Wars Episode VI," the movie was a tribute to the 1950s, their innocence...and to cars of that era, real symbols of the freedom of adolescents at the time. At Le Mans, the 50th anniversary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans was the scene of an epic duel between Matra and Ferrari, ending in triumph for Matra. Along with Gérard Larrousse, Henri Pescarolo won the second of his three consecutive wins. And for the last time ever were seen factory Ferrari prototypes before it turned ts efforts strictly to Formula 1.

Jean-Philippe Doret / ACO - Translation by Nikki Ehrhardt / ACO

Photo: LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES, 24 HOURS OF LE MANS, SUNDAY JUNE 19 1966, FINISH. As George Lucas was filming a short about motorsports, Ford was winning the first of its four consecutive victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.