Now in its third running, the Le Mans Classic has established itself as one of the highlights of the historic racing calendar. Nearly 400 cars, built from 1923 to 1979, are entered in a celebration of the one of the world’s greatest races.

The cut-off period is now 1979 so the entry has been opened up to Ferrari 512 BBLMs and BMW M1s and, as with so many of the entries, many of these are being driven by the racing drivers who made them famous at the time. 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 competed 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.

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.



This year’s list of ‘runners and riders’ is the best yet. You can see the full listing below but the following will précis each grid -

Grid 1 1923 - 1939

The early years at Le Mans where first Bentley and then Alfa Romeo and Bugatti dominated the winner’s podium. Aston Martin was also a regular and significant player for class victory and to celebrate this none other than the company’s CEO Dr Ulrich Bez will be sharing Richard Ashmead’s Aston Martin LM4 while several other Ulsters and ex-Team Cars are also entered. Expect the winner to be a BMW 328, although I wouldn’t be surprised if one of the Talbots pushed them all the way to the line.

Grid 2 1949 - 1956

Things get a bit faster now and the organisers have done some re-jigging of the classification to ensure the most exciting racing. So no D-Types but a plethora of Jaguar C-Types and Aston Martin DB3Ss, together with the very fast (and expensive!) Austin Healey 100S models that include an entry from Dire Straits’ Mark Knopfler, sharing with ex-Le Mans driver and commentator Alain de Cadenet. There are also a couple of big Ferraris, the 1953 375 MM Spyder of the Bamford family a notable entry while Gary Pearson in Carlos Monteverde’s 1955 750 Monza should be right up there too.



Grid 3 1957 - 1961

Dr Bez makes a return, this time sharing the actual car that won Le Mans in 1959, the Aston Martin DBR1 of Tim Samways Sporting and Historic Cars. Co-driven by Peter Hardman, the car is a front-runner and will be battling with the team’s 1960 Ferrari 246S, the Williams/Harper Jaguar D-Type and the Friedrichs/Clark Aston Martin P212 for overall victory. And don’t forget the horde of howling Ferrari 250 GT SWBs and the 1960 Aston Martin DB4GT of Thornton/Garrett, a car that did very well last time. In 2004 this grid provide the closest and most exciting racing.

Grid 4 1962 - 1965

It’s GT40 time as the earlier cars from Slough (or Venice, California depending on your standpoint) take the stage. There are also Iso/Bizzarrinis, Jaguar E-Types and AC Cobras aplenty, and look out for the various Porsche 904s really having some space to fly - their speed amazed me last time having been used to chicane-blighted modern circuits emasculating their performance. The three Ferrari 250LMs should keep the ‘Detroit iron’ honest – I’d never discount Hardman or Pearson but over a short distance per round it’s likely to be a GT40 that takes the top spot like F1 designer Adrian Newey's or the brilliant John Young in Leo Voyazides’ car.

Grid 5 1966 - 1971

There’s some serious stuff out on the track now. The later GT40s (with wider wheels and bodywork flared to match), Ansembourg’s Porsche 917, Laurence Stroll’s ex-Penske Ferrari 512M, Lola T70s, a Ferrari P3, Porsche 908s and a variety of super-quick 2-litre cars. There’s also the first of the Gp IV Ferrari Daytonas, Chevy Corvettes and Ford Shelby 350 GTs.



Grid 6 1972 - 1979

With an entry that included Henri Pescarolo in an Inaltera, Jurgen Barth in a Porsche 936 and Jean Ragnotti in an Alpine A 443 one might be forgiven for thinking the organisers had actually mastered the art of time travel. This race was superb last time for the very reason that it included so many ex-Le Mans drivers who really knew what they were doing. I can remember the start of the night race as they came into the Dunlop chicane for the first time - an unbelievable experience. Another car to watch is the 1976 Lola T286 of Skidmore/Rahal (yes, that Rahal...), a tremendously quick machine.

In addition to the racing, owners clubs have been actively encouraged to put on displays - the meeting is supported by the FFVE and the FIVA federations, and 5,000 cars are expected - and a much larger range of trade stands than last time will be present in the re-vamped Village that was so much improved for this year’s modern race. The infield of the ‘Bugatti’ Circuit will be the area to go to for club and marque displays.

There will be also be a "Le Mans Heritage Club" reserved for genuine ex-24 Hours cars not actually racing. These will be judged in a concours d’elegance.



Christie’s will be conducting a sale on Saturday morning with a stellar catalogue - full details in our separate preview .

The action starts on Friday at 08.00 and continues right up until the prizegiving around 17.30 on Sunday. Practice starts at 15.00 on Friday afternoon (until 20.00) with a two hour break before night practice from 22.00 to 02.00. Click HERE for a full programme from the organisers.

For details on ticketing, maps and all the action please visit www.lemansclassic.com

The very latest entry list produced by the organisers is as follows -

Grid 1 1923 - 1939

Story/Photos - Classic Driver