There are few places on Earth where the past comes roaring back to life with such conviction as it does at Le Mans Classic. Held on the hallowed twists and relentlessly long straights of the Circuit de la Sarthe, this isn’t just a historic racing event, it’s a time portal that allows thousands of visitors the chance to experience the intoxicating joy of racing during some of the sport’s best eras. Under the July sun, racing legends that made their mark during the 24 Hours of Le Mans were on full display, from screaming Ferrari V12s, and the thunderous chorus of Jaguar D-Types and Ford GT40s at full chat. The event’s modern sibling, which saw Ferrari claim a sequel to their triumphant victory last year, may be for the die-hard fans, but Le Mans Classic’s spirit is truly unrivalled. Each and every driver isn't just preserving history, they’re reliving it.
In the twilight hours of Saturday evening at Le Mans Classic, something happens that only those who have experienced it in person can truly understand, as the sun dips beneath the pines and the yellow-tinted lights flicker to life around the Circuit de la Sarthe. Every car and driver that tackles the circuit deserves recognition, but a highlight of the weekend is when the ghosts of the Group C era come back to life, arriving in all their flame-spitting, turbocharged fury.
As the daylight fell, so too did the raindrops, and the drivers were pushed to their limits with changable conditions as each lap ticked by. Undeterred by the showers, the show went on, bringing with it a wonderful mix of low-slung racers ranging from the 1980s right through to the Gran Turismo generation of the early 2000s. Despite their immense values and historical significance, these iconic machines are driven as hard as they were in period. Their proportions are low, wide, slippery, and resemble more spacecraft than sportscar, especially when seen slicing through the darkness at triple-digit speeds, stirring the memories of a generation who grew up dreaming of Rothmans blue and unlocking it on their favourite PlayStation game.
Over the three-day event, more than 800 racing cars, grouped into grids spanning from the 1920s to the late 2000s, competed as fiercely as they did in their day. The pre-war Bentleys are always a delight to see, with our friends Anna and Louisa Getley who we caught up with earlier in the year driving their stunning 'DD' all the way from Oxford to compete, displaying their commitment and passion for this one-of-a-kind event. Next to Bentleys roared Grand Prix Bugattis and Alfa Romeos, their leather-strapped bonnets gleaming as they passed under the Dunlop Bridge. Meanwhile, the Group 5 monsters like the Lancias, BMWs, and a flurry of Porsche 935s roared into the setting sunshine that coated Le Mans. These cars have become a true staple of the event and a must-see for any motorsport lover, especially as they spit 30 centimetre flames from their exhaust tips!
While there was plenty of on track battles and drama with every category of racing, there was a brief moment of fun and a chance to celebrate the future generations that will undoubtably be seen at Le Mans Classic events in years to come. The Little Big Mans parade is an unmissable moment during the weekend, designed to offer children a unique experience on the legendary Bugatti circuit. The grid is arguably as impressive as the real deal, and features miniature replicas of legendary race cars including Mercedes-Benz 300 SLs, BMW 328s, Alfa Romeos and plenty of Ferraris to name a few!
In a world of digital dashboards and electric silence, Le Mans Classic is a defiant roar from the past. It reminds us why we fell in love with motorsport in the first place, not just for the speed, but for the stories, the machines, and the people who breathe life into them. The dust and rubber may have only just settled on this year’s event, but now that Le Mans Classic will be running on an annual basis, we are already planning our trip for 2026’s edition!
Photos by Kevin Arechiga for Classic Driver 2025
