Previewing the Not-To-Be-Missed Le Mans Classic 2022
By Marcel Hundscheid/Speed-O-Graphica
From June 30 to July 3, the Le Mans Classic will be organized by Peter Auto for the first time since 2018. It is arguably the largest and most renowned historic motorsport event in the world, with over 700 cars participating on track and around 8,500 on display. We’re looking forward to covering the event after the four-year hiatus.
Six different grids make their appearance, including Group C, Endurance Racing Legends and special Porsche and Jaguar races. The six grids are subdivided as follows:
Grid 1 1923 -1939
Grid 2 1949-1956
Grid 3 1957 – 1961
Grid 4 1962 – 1965
Grid 5 1966 – 1971
Grid 6 1972 – 1981
Endurance Racing Legends (GTs and Prototypes from the 1990s and 2000s)
This year Endurance Racing Legends will have their first race after performing a parade run during the 2018 Le Mans Classic. Expect some spectacular cars on track and an even more spectacular race, with a grid featuring more than 70 cars. Amongst the participating cars are DBR9 Aston Martin (2005), Speed 8 Bentley (2003), Northstar LMP-01 Cadillac (2000), GTS/R Dodge Viper (2002), 333 SP Ferrari (1999), 550 Maranello Prodrive Ferrari (2002), EX257 Lola-MG (2004), Elise GT1 Lotus (1996), MC 12 GT1 Maserati (2005), Esperante GTR1 Panoz (1997).
Group C Racing (Sports Cars from 1982 to 1993 that participated in the Le Mans 24 Hours and the Sports Car World Endurance Championship
Another crowd puller are the former sports cars that raced under Group C rules. For the 10th edition of the Le Mans Classic a 45-minute race held on Saturday acts as a curtain-raiser for the event. Amongst the 45 expected cars are several Jaguar XJRs, Porsche 956s and 962s, Nissan, Toyota, March, Spice, Gebhardt, Argo.
Jaguar Classic Challenge
The Jaguar Classic Challenge returns in 2022 with a single-make race opening the weekend on Saturday morning. The race, organized together with Motor Racing Legends, features 75 cars: 120XKs, 140 XKs, 150 XKs, C-Types, D-Types and E-Types.
Porsche Classic Race Le Mans
This race will be one to look forward to for the Porsche fans. Porsche France and Peter Auto put together an exceptional grid made of more than 70 historic Porsches to compete on the legendary Le Mans circuit, where the German manufacturer holds the historic record of 19 outright victories in the 24 Hours. Expected are around 74 Porsches including 911s, 914s, 930s, 934s and 935s.
Tickets for this not-to-be-missed event can be bought online at the Le Mans Classic website.
