24h Le Mans
Date and time: Friday 17 June, 09:00-16:00 at the Val de Vray centre in Saint Saturnin. Every year on the Friday before Le Mans 24 Hours around a thousand classic cars fill the park in the village of Saint-Saturnin, to the north of Le Mans.
There are cars of all shapes, sizes and origins, some from a bygone era and others contemporary classics.
The free event attracts a host of visitors who come to feast their eyes on the beautiful machines, take photographs to their heart’s content and chat with the proud owners. This year the central theme is French carmaker Alpine.
Stéphane Auvrignon, president of the club that organises the Classic British Welcome, is looking forward to playing host to Alpine fans. “It was an obvious choice this year, given Alpine’s past, present and future.”
Founded in 1955 by Jean Rédélé, Alpine’s record at the 24 Hours of Le Mans culminated in 1978 when the Renault Alpine A442B beat Porsche to claim the trophy. Back in racing since in 2013, Alpine is shining in the LM P2 class with race performances that help promote the brand’s road cars, in particular the new model to be released in the next few months. Members of the Alpine Bretagne Club will be displaying their superb cars and are sure to be the main attraction of the Classic British Welcome this year.
Special guests
Jean-Pierre Jaussaud, winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1978 with Alpine and in 1980 with Rondeau and Mauro Bianchi who drove for Alpine at Le Mans in 1968 will be among the guests of honour.
Programme
Free entry and parking. The display area is for classic cars only. Food and beverage stands. Display of artwork and scale models, jazz band, souvenir stands and the traditional Motoring Cavalcade of open-top cars, which leaves Saint-Saturnin mid afternoon and heads for the city centre ready for the Drivers Parade in the evening.
The car show is the high point of a whole week of 24 Hours-related events organised by the Classic British Welcome committee in Saint-Saturnin.
On Monday 13 and Tuesday 12 June, local pupils take part in a young driver’s contest designed to raise awareness about road safety. There is also a go-kart race on the Wednesday and on Thursday the club’s volunteers get the venue ready for the big day on Friday.
How to get to Saint-Saturnin
Classic British Welcome
Centre culturel du Val de Vray
Rue de l'église
72650 SAINT SATURNIN
GPS position:
Latitude 48°03’42.09’’ N
Longitude 0°09’19.17’’ E
The village is on the number 20 bus route from Le Mans
