The Ford turns at night - Photo : Pierre-Yves Riom / ACO

Saturday, July 5, 2014 at 11:10 p.m., the platform was abuzz. The weather was not very favourable, but spectators' passion and curiosity were in full force. The light rain that sprinkled upon the 24 Hours of Le Mans circuit only served to spice up the show put on by the competitors of the seventh edition of the Le Mans Classic.

While the quiet atmosphere fit perfectly with the darkness of the late hour, the fifth grid (1966-1971) was in group formation at the Mulsanne Straight, in the safety car's wake. The public was chomping at the bit since the popularity of the cars present in that group is absolutely incredible. Porsche 917, Lola T70, Ferrari 312P, Matra 660, Alfa-Roméo Typo 33…they haven't aged a day.

As the leaders approached, the tension was palpable and was probably most likely heightened by the misty rain on the track's asphalt. In a concerto of engines whose different builds afford a multitude of sounds, the around 60 cars snaked through the Ford turns under the wide-eyed stares of the many spectators gathered in the grandstands. The drivers gave wholeheartedly. With slight drifts when the powerful machines revved, the cars lit up the night with long flames straight out of their exhausts. Decidely, there was a 70s vibe in the air. The Le Mans Classic is also that - a marvelous time machine!

Pierre-Yves Riom / ACO - Translation by Nikki Ehrhardt / ACO