24h Le Mans
At the 24 Hours of Le Mans there is also a line-up in the commentator box, not only with the essential voice of Bruno Vandestick but also that of David Waldron, his anglophone counterpart from Ireland.
Photo : CHRISTOPHE JOUNIAUX / VSA
The 24 Hours tandem has been known for a long time: two decades for Bruno Vandestick and a quarter of a century for David Waldron, who has lived in France since 1974. Other than the English version of the race commentary, the latter also officiates as interpreter during the Scrutineering interviews and during the press conference that will follow the end of the 82nd edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
How did you come to commentate at Le Mans?
David Waldron: Previously, there were English speakers, like journalist Bob Constanduros. It was in 1988 that Jean-Marc Desnues, who at the time was press officer for the Automobile Club de l’Ouest, proposed to me to be the English commentator at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. During the race, Bruno and I are completely independent of each other, I do my commentary, he does his.
What are some of your great memories as commentator at the 24 Hours?
First of all was 1988, with the sixth Jaguar victory at the 24 Hours after a very good fight. Another is linked to a personal anecdote in Ireland, when I had followed the 24 Hours on the radio in 1951, the year of Jaguar's first win in La Sarthe. Bentley's in 2003 brought the race back to its own origins. In 2007, Peugeot could have won, and I also hold from that year a great memory of the Aston Martin victory in the LM GT1 class.
Jean-Philippe Doret / ACO - Translation by Nikki Ehrhardt / ACO
Photo: LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), PLACE DE LA REPUBLIQUE, 24 HOURS OF LE MANS, MONDAY 9TH JUNE 2014, SCRUTINEERING. David Waldron (left) and Bruno Vandestick, the two voices of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
