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Le Mans du 24 Heures support races

Started by bigears , Jan 24 2007 22:11

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9 replies to this topic

#1 bigears

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Posted 24 January 2007 - 22:11

A couple of weeks ago, I stumbled into a discussion thread regarding about Le Mans somewhere in this forum.

I remember one member posted a link of his photos of a Renault 5 support race at a Le Mans 24 Heures race sometime in the late 1970s. I am still not sure if I did read the information correctly if it did race along the La Sarthe or the Bugatti circuit at the time.

Now it did make me wonder if the Le Mans Sarthe circuit have been raced by non-sportscars before? Or was there ever any support races at all?

During my visit to Le Mans in 2004, I only saw a Group C support race.

Posted Image

But is there any examples of any non-sportscars/support races at Le Mans in the past?

Thank you.

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#2 bigears

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Posted 01 February 2007 - 18:40

Anyone?

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#3 doc knutsen

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Posted 01 February 2007 - 18:55

1n 1989, there was a support race for Peugeot 309s. Later, one for Venturis (Venturii?), a sort of a Gentleman's Cup with some interesting angles adopted by certain drivers. Last few years the supports have been Historic parades and Historic races. All these used the full Circuit des Vingt-Quatre Heures.

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#4 bill moffat

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Posted 01 February 2007 - 20:10

Off the top of my head I can remember Venturii's, Lamborghinis, Renault Spyders and Clio V6's. Not to mention those junior lawnmower-powered GT40 and P3/4 replicas that used to race around a mini-circuit up by the Welcome bar !

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#5 David Shaw

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Posted 01 February 2007 - 20:16

I would be surprised if the Bugatti circuit was used, as apparently this area was a carpark for the 24 hours race.

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#6 Hubert Baradat

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Posted 01 February 2007 - 20:27

Since many years support races are organised on saturday morning : national cup for Venturis, Renaults or Simcas.
Or revival races as we know this year.

As the Bugatti circuit is closed (used as a car park !), they always used the large circuit during the 24 Hours week for any event.

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#7 Haine Kane

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Posted 02 February 2007 - 10:57

Hello BIGEARS

I look your thread and I can tell you that in :

- 1989 , two races (1 with PEUGEOT 309 - 1 with PORSCHE 944)

- 1990 - RENAULT 21 TURBO

- 1991 - PEUGEOT 309

- 1992 - PEUGEOT 905 SPIDER

- 1993 - PEUGEOT 905 SPIDER and VENTURI TROPHY

- 2000 - FERRARI

- 2001 - LE MANS LEGEND

I check just the years where I've got photos.

If you want some photos I can post here.

Bye

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#8 bill moffat

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Posted 02 February 2007 - 13:17

http://imageshack.us] Posted Image

[/URL]

Big Ears, a very hot Saturday morning at Le Mans in 1996. After the excesses of a Maison Blanche Friday night the lads stumble upon the Lambo paddock on their way to the first beer and merguez of the day.

Apologies for the grainy image, I think there was a problem with focus that morning....

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#9 T54

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Posted 02 February 2007 - 16:17

In the April tests sessions in the 1960's, there were two motorcycle races, one for 250-350cc and one for 500cc. I drove my G50 there in 1964 or 1965, can't remember, as well as my 250cc Benelli. Both times the engine blew up in the Hunaudieres, covering me and the track in a pool of Castrol and very expensive repair bills. :

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#10 bigears

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Posted 25 February 2007 - 15:37

I found the website I was referring to:

http://rupert8766.fo.../p11518767.html

You can see there was a Renault 5 support race at the Le Mans du 24 Heures in 1981.