Group C racing will open this year’s Le Mans Classic and will be one of the highlights of the event, to be held for the 10th time from 30 June to 3 July on the celebrated 24 Hours of Le Mans circuit. These prototypes, which first appeared on track in 1982, have written some of the greatest chapters in the history of the French endurance classic and the world endurance championships. This year, we will be celebrating the class’s 40th anniversary. To mark the occasion, almost 50 cars will take to the track!

 

The names that make up Group C include Porsche 952 and Lancia LC2, as well as Jaguar, Mercedes, Toyota, Nissan and Mazda. However, the regulations of the time also gave “artisan” car makers such as Cougar, Dome, Rondeau, Spice and VM the chance to shine alongside the competition’s big favourites. Ask any specialist and they will tell you that Group C racing was the golden age of endurance.

 

The show will culminate with the presence on track of a Mazda 787B, and not just any Mazda 787 but the chassis that won the 1991 Le Mans 24 Hours. The opportunity to hear the sound of its quadrirotor engine: its roar when it hit nearly 9,000 rpm down the Mulsanne Straight left an indelible impression on anyone who had the chance to see and hear it at the time.

 

Group C Racing will be on track:

 

Friday 1 July from 09:35 to 10 h 20 (qualifying) then from 19:40 to 20:30 (qualifying)

Saturday 2 July from 11:30 to 12:25 (race)

See the full programme for Le Mans Classic here.