24h Le Mans
The logistics involved in organising a racing car procession in the city centre of Le Mans are unimaginable, but the event is well worth the effort every year. Throngs of exhilarated fans line both sides of the two-kilometre route to feast their eyes on their favourite competitors.
The sun was out this Saturday afternoon along with a massive crowd glued to route barriers, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the racing cars. Fans applauded #7 Toyota GR010 Hybrid driver Kamui Kobayashi, the only competitor to do recon on foot. Soon a marshals' car slipped by with a sign to signal the 5-minute countdown! Smartphones were readied above people's heads. Balconies and windows were filled with onlookers. A few moments later, the #2 Cadillac made buildings tremble in its path.
The French fan-favourite Peugeot took its turn in electric mode like the #19 Lamborghini Hypercar. Jean-Karl Vernay (#11 Isotta Fraschini) and Louis Delétraz (AO by TF's #14 ORECA 07-Gibson) put on quite a show for the crowd, and Sarah Bovy at the wheel of the Iron Dames #85 Lamborghini drew huge cheers as she waved to spectators. The Bentley 3 L Sport winner of the 1924 24 Hours closed the event after 18 cars had filed passed, demonstrating just how far racing cars have come.
Marion and Sarah are two local students truly passionate about the 24 Hours of Le Mans. They arrived full of excitement and left overwhelmed by the splendor of what they'd just witnessed. Sarah, who appreciated that the event was free, only has eyes for Porsche and Ferrari: But all the cars are beautiful. And, I have to say the French cars, Alpine and Peugeot, are really wonderful! Marion painted her nails in Alpine's colours: Alpine is my favourite, it's gorgeous! But, I really did like the Peugeot in electric mode. And, of course the Iron Dames! The two friends recorded everything on their smartphones. Sarah: I'll put it all in my story to show my friends! Marion: I post in my story and on Instagram to show my parents what I saw! They have their tickets for the 24 Hours of Le Mans race week and have their programme all laid out. Marion: Monday we're heading to the 24 Hours Museum for the Alpine exhibition. Thursday, we're going to see the new A290. Sarah also intends to take a turn in the simulator in the Village at the circuit.
Will we see you in the grandstands? That is now the only way to get a look at the #15 BMW M Hybrid V8, the sole car that failed to start at the beginning of this city run.
