Published on April 10th, 2013 | by Daniel Sherman Fernandez
090 Years Of 24HOURS Racing At LE MANS
A sporting and cultural icon, the 24 Hours of Le Mans celebrates its 90th anniversary this year. Renowned drivers, leading automotive manufacturers and hundreds of thousands of spectators will grace the world’s most famous endurance race, held at the legendary Circuit de la Sarthe in Le Mans, France, over the weekend of 22-23 June 2013.
Founded by event organizers the Automobile Club de l’Ouest in 1923, the 24 Hours of Le Mans has become one of sport’s greatest tests, a celebration of both endurance and speed: a gruelling contest for both man and machine. Each competing team is formed of three drivers who must share the duties behind the wheel. Success requires 24 hours of constant attention over the 5,000 kilometres or more needed to win the race. Achieving this level of focus throughout the whole team is critical. Consistency is vital. Cars need to be driven as fast in the final lap as they are in the first. Resources need to be balanced and race strategy executed to perfection. The race has created legends of individuals, marques and locations: Derek Bell, A.J Foyt, Henri Pescarolo, Bentley, Porsche, Audi, Mulsanne Straight, Tertre Rouge, through to its most successful driver, Rolex Testimonee Tom Kristensen. The eight-time winner of the event says of the 24 Hours of Le Mans: “This is the race to overcome, this is the race to win, this is the greatest challenge. This race is the race.” The 90th anniversary edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans begins on Saturday 22 June at 15:00 CET when the symbolic dropping of the famous green flag signals the start of one of sport’s great odysseys. Log on to www.dsf.my as we will bring you the start, middle and results as it happens.