The French version pays tribute to Le Mans cars from the first race in 1923, up to 1979. Similarly, the HSR Classic 24-Hour at Daytona has six categories that span the history of the American race: Group A (1960-1972), B (1973-1982), C (1983-1993), D (1994-2002) E (2003-2012) and F (which features cars that were not eligible at Daytona).

Several former Le Mans 24 Hours winners will be in Florida from 11–15 November: Gijs van Lennep (who won in 1971 and ‘76), Derek Bell (1975, ‘81, ‘82, ‘86 and ‘87), Jürgen Barth (1977), Andy Wallace (1988) and Jochen Mass (1989). Derek Bell and Andy Wallace are also former 24 Hours of Daytona winners. Bell in 1986, ‘87 and ‘89 and Wallace in 1990 and ‘97. Also on the list of competitors is Christophe Tinseau, the driver who will be accompanying Frédéric Sausset in his Garage 56 challenge at next year’s Le Mans 24 Hours.

Jean-Philippe Doret /ACO – Translated from French by Emma Paulay

Photo: LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES, LE MANS 24 HOURS, SUNDAY 1st JUNE 1986, PODIUM. In 1986 and ‘87, British driver Derek Bell (centre) and American Al Holbert (right) won both the Le Mans and Daytona 24-hour races.