24h Le Mans
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The three biggest motor car manufacturers in the world will all be at Le Mans in June 2012. General Motors, back again in the no. 1 spot in 2011, has entered its Corvettes under its own name and is aiming to score another victory in the GT category; VAG, now in second place behind the American company, will be defending its 2011 success with Audi while Toyota, also in the top 3, is back at Le Mans after a 12-year break with a revolutionary prototype.
The greatest names in the world of the motor car are still attracted by the lure of Le Mans as much as ever. To the above-mentioned trio can be added famous manufacturers like Ferrari, Porsche, Lotus, Aston Martin, Honda (via its American arm Honda Performance Development) Nissan (as engine supplier) and the much-loved Morgan, a niche make, also making its official comeback.
These heavy hitters in the car industry will have to do battle against private teams without which Le Mans wouldn’t be Le Mans: they will again be taking to the track while cocking a snoop at statistics. The magnetic attraction of the greatest endurance event in the world will give rise to an another absolutely awesome event in 2012 – the 80th - as proved by the list of 56 entries (15 LM P1s, 18 LM P2s, 9 LM GTE Pros, 13 LM GTE AMs and the car in the 56th pit) announced on 2nd February 2012.
Jean-Claude Plassart, President of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest: “In 2012, the Le Mans 24 Hours will, more than ever before, pursue its vocation as a test bed for the most daring innovators and visionary manufacturers. Thus, Audi and Toyota will cross swords with hybrid-powered cars, the new challenge of the eightieth race. Among the fifty-six entries the three major manufacturers in the world (GM, VAG and Toyota) will all be represented by works cars: proof that the values of endurance which combine technology, sporting spirit, passion, openess and popularity are flourishing as never before!”
Photo: Toyota TS030 LM P1 Hybrid
