Le Mans 2004 Review

The official review of the world´s greatest 24 hour endurance race.

It´s called the greatest endurance race in the world, and in its 72nd year, the 24 Hours of Le Mans did not disappoint in providing plenty of drama and excitement. Drivers (some veterans, some making their Le Mans debuts) and fans from all over the world make the trip each June to the Circuit de la Sarthe in northwestern France and this official review captures all the spectacle, color, and thrills.

With the last year´s winner Bentley absent, it looked to be mostly Audi affair at the front. And the predictions were correct, as the Audi Team Goh entry from Japan with Seji Ara at the wheel held off the late charge from Johnny Herbert and the Audi Sport UK Team Veloqx in one of the closest finishes ever. The win for Team Goh was indeed historic as it gave Tom Kristensen his 5th consecutive victory, and record-tying (with Jacky Icxx) 6th Le Mans title. Plus, this was the first victory for a Japanese team since 1995.

There were other battles throughout the grid as well. In what is now becoming a traditional rivalry in the GTS class, the Corvettes came out on top in their battle with the Prodrive Ferrari teams, avenging last year´s results. Ferrarri did reach the podium, with former rally champion Colin McRae switching from gravel roads to speedway driving in his Le Mans debut. The White Lightning Porsche team took the honors in the GT class, and it was the Lola taking the top spot in the LM P2 category.

And it´s not just race coverage, as we´ll meet the teams and their cars during the test weekend and the race week qualifying. You´ll get a taste of many of the pre-race activities, along with the ´historic race featuring Group C GTP cars from 1983-1991.

Upplagd i sortimentet: 25 Augusti, 2006