24h Le Mans
Racing numbers have always been a fascinating subject for many spectators. A quick overview of some numbers that have marked history and which are sported today by several competitors.
The 0 that was first used in 2012 by the Delta Wing Nissan is absent. Note that the 00 was given in 1963 to the Rover-BRM Turbine participating unranked.
The No. 1, a twelve-time winner at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, this year goes to Toyota, the 2014 world endurance champion.
The No. 7 is reattributed to Audi Sport Team Joest. Remember that Team Joest won in 1984, 1985, 1996 and 1997 with this number but it was on a Porsche!
Porsche has been given the No. 17. Is it an omen for a 17th victory for the marque?
The No. 13 is still around. Since the inception of the race, only three marques have worn this number: Berliet in 1923, Diatto in 1925 then Cougar/Courage starting in 1983 (except in '92, '94, '96, '04, '07 and '08). In 2009, a Lola Aston Martin had the number and Rebellion Racing has had it since 2010.
The No. 23 has been given to a Nissan. A number claimed by the Japanese team since in the language 23 is pronounced "Nis-San."
Often coveted by competitors for obvious reasons, this year the No. 24 is not available.
A Ligier JS P2 will wear the No. 26 inevitably envoking the number worn by Jacques Laffite in the F1 Ligiers in the mid-1970s.
Since the 2000 edition, the No. 63 and No. 64 have been given to Corvette Racing except in 2003 as the 50th anniversary of a model released in 1953 was celebrated with the No. 50 and No. 53. From 2011 to 2014, the same with the No. 73 and No. 74. For 2015, the two Corvettes will once again wear the No. 63 and No. 64
The No. 72, the Sarthe county designation number, is given this year to SMP Racing for its Ferrari 458 Italia entered in LM GTE Am.
David Bristol / ACO - Translation by Nikki Ehrhardt / ACO
Source: Infos-Course
Photo: LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES, 24 HOURS OF LE MANS, SUNDAY MAY 31 2015, TEST DAY. The No. 72 will go to SMP Racing's Ferrari this year.
