Run biennially, the Le Mans Classic is one of the best events on the worldwide historic motor racing calendar. The entries are already coming in, and it's time to make plans for a summer visit to the famous circuit of 'La Sarthe'.

The criterion for entry to the Le Mans Classic is simple - a vehicle that is either an actual ex-Le Mans car, or of an identical type that competeed in the 24 Hours race from 1923 - 1979. Drivers can share the car and either elect to do a complete round each, or swap over during the individual races. Many drivers choose to do the whole event solo.

So you can expect to see pre-war Alfa Romeos vs Mercedes SSKs and Bentleys, early Ferraris against Aston Martin DB2s and DB3Ss, Jaguar D-Types, Ferrari 250GT SWBs, Ford GT40s, Porshe 917s, Lola T70s et al. The opening up of the event to cars up to 1979 brings in really fast prototypes from Inaltera, Lola and Alfa Romeo, as well as GT cars like the BMW M1 and Ferrari 512 BBLM. A tremendous experience and even better considering the entry of actual Le Mans veterans like Pescarolo, Tambay, Herbert and Rahal. And at night too!

For those unfamiliar with the format it can be summarised thus; the maximum 396 car entry (plus 50 reserves) is divided up into six grids (or ‘plateaux’) by date, with the object of completing 3 races per grid within a 24-hour period starting at 16.00 on Saturday and finishing 16.00 Sunday. As in 2004, the oldest cars (Grid 1, cars from 1923 to 1939) start the event, then Grid 2 (1946 to 1956) and so on until 18 individual races have been completed. The second races are due to start at midnight on Saturday, the third at 08.00 on Sunday morning.

The event opens on Thursday 6th July when the competitors arrive, and scrutineering will take place (as is traditional with the main event) at the circuit and the centre of Le Mans itself. Clubs and spectators are welcome from 08.30 on Friday morning, with practice scheduled to start at 15.00. A seperate night practice will be held from 22.00 - 02.00 the same day.



A major event at this year's race, as last time, will be Christie's Auction of Exceptional Motor Cars, held on Friday 8th July. In 2004 of course this was the location for the record-breaking sale of Le Mans Bentleys, including the ex-Barnato, Clement, Watney, Works No. 2 Team Car, 1930 Bentley Speed Six, for EUR 4,188,250. For further details on this year's auction visit www.christies.com

In addition to the racing, Owners Clubs are actively encouraged to put on displays - the meeting is supported by the FFVE and the FIVA federations - and a large range of trade stands will be available selling automobilia in The Village. The organisers are expecting to beat the 2004 figure of 4,000 classic cars on display.

The dates for the 2006 event are 7/8/9 July.

Further information can be obtained from - www.lemansclassic.com. There are various ways of booking tickets in advance as well as additional hospitality packages.

The latest provisional entry list (#04) has been announced by the organisers as follows -

Grid 1 1923 - 1939

Story/Photos - Classic Driver