24 Hours of Le Mans
The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the world's oldest active sports car race in endurance racing.[1] The race happens each year near the town of Le Mans, France. It was first run in 1923.
The cars must run for 24 hours without mechanical damage. It is important to manage the cars' consumables, mostly fuel, tires and braking materials. The driver goes over two hours behind the wheel before stopping in the pits. Then a relief driver takes over the driving duties. Drivers then eat and rest before returning to drive. Today it is a rule that three drivers share each car.
At the end of the 24 hours, the car which has driven the most laps of the track wins the race. Different types of cars race in different categories. Currently there are four different categories, with the fastest cars racing in the 'LMP1' category.
The race is held in June. This can lead to very hot conditions for the drivers. The race begins in mid-afternoon. The drivers race through the night and following morning. They then finish at the same time the race started, the following day.[2]
Tom Kristensen has won the race 8 times. This is the most of any driver. Porsche cars have won 16 times. This is the most of any car manufacturer.
24 Hours Of Le Mans Media
- Le Mans Race Control.jpg
The pits in the daytime
- LeMans PitStop2.JPG
Description: Circuit Bugatti before the 24 heures du mans 2006 - Le Mans (France)
- Le Mans Pits at Night.jpg
The Le Mans Pit Garages during the night at the 2009 24 Hours of Le Mans.
- GT's Climbing up the hill to the Dunlop Bridge (48126931781).jpg
GT's Climbing up the hill to the Dunlop Bridge (48126931781)
- Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 NASCAR - Jenson Button, Jimmie Johnson & Mike Rockenfeller at Dunlop Chicane at the 2023 Le Mans (53368944895).jpg
Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 NASCAR racing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
- Nissan Deltawing Highcroft Racing Le Mans 2012.jpg
Nissan Deltawing Highcroft Racing Le Mans 2012
- Green GT H2 avant.jpg
Vue 3/4 avant de la Green GT H2, voiture de course propulsée par un groupe 100% électrique-hydrogène, pendant un roulage sur le circuit de Lurcy-Lévis.
- Le Mans 2014 - Garage 56 - -0 Nissan Zeod RC - Motoyama Ordonez Reip (14415686926).jpg
Le Mans 2014 - Garage 56 - -0 Nissan Zeod RC - Motoyama Ordonez Reip (14415686926)
- Avec ses équipiers.jpg
Christophe Tinseau, Frédéric Sausset et Jean-Bernard Bouvet aux 24 Heures du Mans (de G. à D.).
- WR BioMéthane.jpg
Projet WR Bio-Méthane, 24H du Mans (Garage 56)
References
- ↑ "Weekly auto agenda: Le Mans". The Independent. June 11, 2010. Retrieved 22 April 2011.
- ↑ "Schedule". lemans.org. Archived from the original on 7 August 2011. Retrieved 22 April 2011.