24h Le Mans
Photo : Frédéric GAUDIN - ACO/NIKON
Prototypes of the 24 Hours of Le Mans are still required to be (notionally) two seaters, something that dates back to 1923, when the race was originally named "Grand Prix of Endurance," it was designed to test the strength of sports touring cars. This still applies today in GT classes, but they now have to be closed. The 'open or closed' choice is set aside for prototypes.
If we look at the history of the 24 Hours of Le Mans since 1970, after the first success of Porsche, the current record holder for victories, we find that twenty editions were won by closed prototypes, including the time of Group C technical regulations of the 80s, which imposed this configuration, among others with Jaguar, Sauber Mercedes, Peugeot, and Porsche once again with the 956. But Audi changed the situation in the late 90s.
In its first appearance at Le Mans in 1999, the German manufacturer conducted a twin technical programme with two open cars, the R8R (R for Roadster) and two closed R8C (C for Coupé). The third and fourth place finishes for the R8R tipped the balance toward an open configuration which together with the R8, R10 TDI and R15 TDI, gave Audi nine of eleven victories in La Sarthe. But for the top prototype class, LM P1, the performance of the Peugeot 908 HDi FAP have tipped the balance, especially in terms of aerodynamic efficiency. Audi has finally went this route with the R18, winner in 2011 and 2012.
That said, besides the Audi era, other open prototypes have entered the history books at the 24 Hours of Le Mans since 1970, including Matra (1972-73-74) Gulf Mirage (1975), TWR ( 1996-97), BMW (1999) and Porsche with the 936 (1976-77-81). In 2013, Honda will be something of an exception: the HPD ARX-03a of the English team Strakka racing, will be the only open LM P1 prototype on the grid of the 90th anniversary edition, facing Audi, Toyota and Rebellion Racing Lola.
The 90th anniversary 24 Hours of Le Mans is on the 22nd and 23rd June. Click HERE for ticket information.
Entry List HERE.
Jean-Philippe Doret - ACO
Photo : CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES (LE MANS, SARTHE), 24 HOURS OF LE MANS, RACE, 11 JUNE 2011. The first closed top Audi since the R8C of 1999, the R18 TDI won at its first attempt in La Sarthe, with Marcel Fässler, André Lotterer and Benoît Tréluyer.
