An exceptional group of Porsches - Photo : Pierre-Yves Riom / ACO

For Jean-Paul (47) of Grenoble, there's nothing like the Le Mans Classic. For the seventh edition, this happy owner of a 1985 930 Turbo made the trip to La Sarthe with his son. Visibly, the spell of the beautiful cars has already affected his descendant: "What a pleasure to be here! It's the second time that I have come to the Le Mans Classic and I am particularly enthusiastic this year because I'm here with my son. His eyes are wide open, it's beautiful to watch! It's also an opportunity to commune with other Porsche owners and those of other prestigious marques. What is very revealing about the passion for Porsche is that everyone is interested in everyone else's cars. The owners of the 911 GT2 naturally come to talk with the Boxster drivers and vice versa. It's really great and what a crowd! The attendance is incredible at the Bugatti and around the circuit."

Though for Jean-Paul these three days of sharing make him a happy man, he is looking for more in two years: "I had not planned to do track laps this year, but I've decided it will happen at the next edition. I am already imagining rolling in my car on this legendary cicuit. The Mulsanne Straight, the Arnage and Mulsanne turns, all these names have marked motorsports and Porsche history so I owe it to myself to experience it, and why not with my son if he wants to."

Decidely, Porsche and Le Mans are ingredients when combined that help to maintain the passion of Porsche amateurs and one of the biggest endurance races in the world. At the heart of the fantastic, improvised paddock at the Bugatti circuit, the energy is electric. The talk is lively and the eyes are wide among the hundred or so cars. 911, 914, 924, 928, 944, 968, Boxster, Cayman, Carrera GT…a real open-air musuem!

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