The four different class winners are not the only recipients of prizes at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.  The successful teams and drivers might be the most highly recognised, in terms of visibility, but the ACO joins with different organisations and groups of experts to honour some of the ‘back room’ talents and personalities of the race.  These awards are no less prestigious to the people who receive them.

The Spirit of Le Mans is the most high profile of these awards and, this year, the laureate was Gerard Larrousse.  Awarded by the Automobile Club de l’Ouest since 2001 to people who have best served the spirit of Le Mans, the two-time winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Matra in 1973/4, and then as Director of Renault Sport, Larrousse follows in a long line of esteemed recipients.  (See article) 

The Jean Rondeau Trophy is given to a young French hopeful, from amongst the 168 starting drivers, who displays talent, determination and courage.  Awarded in memory of the 24 Hours of Le Mans victor Jean Rondeau, who won in a car bearing his name, the 2012 driver to receive the prize was Nelson Panciatici. The 23-year-old made a very successful debut in the No.26 Signatech Nissan Oreca, qualifying third in class and then taking fourth in the LM P2 class, missing out on a podium only because of a late puncture. (See article).

For the 37^th year running, the ‘Ecole Superieure de Commerce des Reseaux de l’Automobile (ESCRA) awarded its annual prize to the team of mechanics who had provided outstanding technical back up during the race.  This year the winners were JRM Racing, the British team run by James Rumsey, who took their HPD ARX-03a to sixth overall on their first attempt at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The Prix de la Communication, which is awarded by a jury composed of international journalists, recognises and rewards the most effective media service or individual, in terms of communication, at the time of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.  The 23^rd winner was the Toyota Racing team of Silke Albus, Anthony Mégevand and Alastair Moffitt, the trio in charge of media relations for Toyota.

Photo:  CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES DU MANS (LE MANS, SARTHE), 24 HOURS OF LE MANS, 17TH JUNE 2012. Nelson Panciatici was winner of the Jean Rondeau Trophy at this year's 24 Hours of Le Mans.  The young Frenchman was teamed with Pierre Ragues and Roman Rusinov in the No.26 Signatech Nissan Oreca and finished fourth in LM P2, 10th overall.