24h Le Mans
The 24 Hours of Le Mans has always welcomed drivers of many different backgrounds. Whether they be celebrities like Patrick Dempsey or Paul Newman, an Olympic champion skier like Jean-Claude Killy and soon a football star like Fabien Barthez in 2014, illustrious foreign personalities in motorsports have stepped foot on La Sarthe ground.
Photo : Nicolas COUSSEAU / ACO
Drivers specializing in rally have also made their mark in the history of the Le Mans classic. Besides Jean Ragnotti, Michèle Mouton, Walter Röhrl or Sébastien Loeb, to name a few, Colin McRae relished in the challenge of participating in the biggest endurance race in the world. It was ten years ago. A notable experience…
World Champion in 1995 with Subaru, the Brit created a sensation in 2004 by joining the Prodrive delegation in charge of entering the Ferrari 550 Maranello cars in the GTS class. Well-known for putting heart into his work in the rally world, many doubted that Colin McRae would be able to channel energy during an endurance race. With team-mates Darren Turner and Rickard Rydell, the Lanark, Scotland, native would silence naysayers with his top-notch experience and speed. At the finish of the 72nd edition on Sunday, June 13, 2004 the No. 65 Prodrive Racing line-up finished third in the GTS class, behind the untouchable official Chevrolet Corvettes. One more time a great rally driver put a spotlight on his capabilities and achieved a significant finish at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Tradition was respected!
Particularly appreciated in the motorsports world for his kindness and spirit, Colin McRae tragically lost his life in a helicopter accident on September 15, 2007.
PHOTO: LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES, 24 HOURS OF LE MANS, SATURDAY & SUNDAY JUNE 12-13 2004, TECHNICAL VERIFICATIONS. The Prodrive team in full pose for its official photo.
Pierre-Yves RIOM / ACO - Translation by Nikki Ehrhardt / ACO
