24h Le Mans
Die-hard fans of the 24 Hours of Le Mans often pass down their enthusiasm through the generations, as witnessed here at the museum during the school holidays.
Last week during the school holidays, a visit to the 24 Hours of Le Mans museum for 10 children and their parents was organized in partnership with the local newspaper Le Mains Libre. It was a perfect opportunity for younger generations to learn and begin to appreciate the legend that is the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
When he grows up and is asked about his passion for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Ewen will undoubtedly say it came from his granddad. This local boy of seven, "almost eight" he insists, dreams of becoming a mechanic: "What I like about the 24 Hours of Le Mans is when the cars are racing because they make a lot of noise. I also like to watch the mechanics changing the tires or making repairs. I would really like to become a mechanic to be near the cars and travel to other circuits." Stéphane, his 61-year-old grandfather, became a fan of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the 1970s when he was a student selling ice cream at the circuit. "I'm trying to share my passion for cars and the 24 Hours with Ewen through my collection of Ferrari miniatures and the two collection cars I own. It's important to show him that in France there is a savoir-faire with cars and that nothing is built with a snap of the fingers. The 24 Hours of Le Mans is a local treasure that we are fortunate to have and should definitely share."
After the visit, the children set about drawing on paper their idea of the cars that will participate in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the future, taking inspiration from those they saw in the museum. Killian (9) took it very seriously. Like his father, Denis, the young local boy was only three when he attended his first 24 Hours of Le Mans. "Since then I've only missed one edition." Killian roots for Porsche and assigned the number 8 (his dad's favorite) to the car he drew from his imagination.
For his father, this visit to the museum is a very special bonding moment. "You get a feel for the history of the race and that's magnificent. You go back in time through the photos, films and cars on display." It's the perfect way to pass his enthusiasm on to his son. "It's important to me to share the thrill of the 24 Hours with him because during the race you see things you just don't otherwise. Whenever we can, we stop on the street and admire beautiful cars. We also watch T.V. shows about auto repairs and the restoration of vintage cars. The 24 Hours of Le Mans is an extraordinary event in this region, so we should take advantage of it. When he's a little older, Killian will join me sleeping in the grandstands," says Denis.
