On December 28, 1963, Jim Clark was crowned F1 World Champion for the first time after the Grand Prix of South Africa held at the East London circuit. On June 26, 1960, Jim Clark claimed for the first and only time a podium finish at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, with an Aston Martin DBR1 along with Roy Salvadori.

24H Le Mans

Le Mans Legendes

24 Heures du Mans

Historique

The #13 Courage C52 Nissan returns to the Circuit des 24 Heures du Mans during Le Mans Classic Legend (2–5 July 2026). Spectators will be transported back in time to one of the most fascinating races in 24 Hours of Le Mans history thanks to the LMP class prototype.

Le Mans Classic Legend sees the past of the 24 Hours of Le Mans through today&rsquo;s eyes. The #13 Courage C52 Nissan will take pride of place among the Grid 8 GTs and prototypes (1994&ndash;99). A symbol of French endurance racing savoir-faire, the car that was a star of the 1999 24 Hours of Le Mans symbolises a time when worldclass manufacturers and passionate independent carmakers shared a playground.

<h2>Happy times at Courage Comp&eacute;tition</h2>

At the end of the nineties, the 24 Hours of Le Mans was particularly vibrant. BMW, Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Nissan and <a href="https://www.24h-lemans.com/en/news/le-mans-classic-legend-the-panoz-lmp-1-roadster-s-from-the-1999-24-hours-is-back-60850">Panoz</a> all invested massively in endurance racing. Amid the big-name manufacturers, Courage Comp&eacute;tition promoted a different vision of the discipline.

Introduced for the 1999 season, the Courage C52 Nissan was the result of a collaboration between Yves Courage and Nissan. With a particularly finely-tuned V8 twin-turbo Nissan engine and a sleek chassis, it stood out for its elegance, reliability and efficiency.

At the 1999 24 Hours of Le Mans, the #13 driven by Alex Caffi, Andrea Montermini and Domenico Schiattarella (three Italian Formula One drivers) achieved a remarkable sixth place overall. The result confirmed that Courage Comp&eacute;tition was well and truly in the same league as manufacturers with much more financial sway and remains one of the highlights of the local constructor&rsquo;s history.

<h2>Grid 8, the reflection of a spectacular decade</h2>

For the C52, Le Mans Classic Legend is like racing in your back yard. Grid 8 is composed of cars that took part in the 24 Hours of Le Mans between 1994 and 1999, a period considered to be one of the richest in the race&rsquo;s modern era.

Sophisticated prototypes ran alongside legendary GTs. The period saw the emergence of new technology, prestigious manufacturers and memorable battles that sparked passion among motorsport fans.

On track this weekend, the roar of engines, the characteristic shape of turn-of-the-century prototypes and flamboyant demonstrations will give spectators a taste of past 24 Hours of Le Mans.

This is a rare opportunity. It&rsquo;s not every day you see the #13 Courage C52 Nissan return to the circuit where it made history.

<a href="https://www.lemansclassic.com/en/ticketing/">Book your tickets for Le Mans Classic Legend now!</a>

Le Mans Classic Legend – The Courage C52 Nissan out on track

From July 2 to 5, 2026, Le Mans Classic Legend transforms the legendary circuit of the Circuit des 24 Heures du Mans into a true journey through time. Featuring exhibitions, spectacular races, concerts, and entertainment for all audiences, the event celebrates cars from the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s in a festive and immersive atmosphere. Plan your visit to make the most of the experience.

<h2>Day-by-day schedule</h2>

Each day of Le Mans Classic Legend offers a distinct atmosphere and highlights, allowing everyone to build their own experience.

<ul>
	<li>Thursday: arrival of competitors and clubs, entertainment, exhibitions</li>
	<li>Friday: practice sessions, paddock activities, evening concert</li>
	<li>Saturday: race start, Little Big Mans parade, concerts, and numerous exhibitions and activities</li>
	<li>Sunday: final track sessions and support races</li>
</ul>

&gt;&gt;&gt; <a href="https://www.lemansclassic.com/en/information/programme/" target="_blank">View the full program</a> &lt;&lt;&lt;

<h2 style="text-align: left;">Dress code: relive the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s</h2>

Le Mans Classic Legend is also a cultural and stylistic experience. Here, automotive passion extends even to outfits.

Fans of the 80s, 90s, and 2000s are encouraged to bring back their iconic looks: bold colors, denim styles, vintage polos, retro sneakers, and cult accessories.

Whether in the grandstands, the paddock, or the heart of the activities, your style contributes to the overall atmosphere. Le Mans Classic Legend becomes a true space of expression, where everyone can showcase their personality.

<h2>Access: getting to Le Mans Classic Legend easily</h2>

Whatever your mode of transport, everything is designed to make your journey to the circuit easier.

By car or motorbike 
Le Mans is easily accessible from many major European cities:

<ul>
	<li>Paris: 205 km &ndash; about 2 hours (A11)</li>
	<li>Rennes: 161 km &ndash; 1 h 35 (A81, E50)</li>
	<li>Nantes: 183 km &ndash; 1 h 40 (A11)</li>
	<li>Tours: 102 km &ndash; 1 h 30 (A28)</li>
	<li>Bordeaux: 425 km &ndash; 4 h 20 (A28, A10)</li>
</ul>

To smooth your arrival, it is recommended to check your ticket color in advance (parking or reception area) to follow the correct route. Waze QR codes are also available to guide you directly to the right entrance point. Before your visit, make sure to consult the circuit map to optimize your journey.

By train (TGV) 
Le Mans is at the heart of the rail network, with fast connections from many cities:

<ul>
	<li>Paris Montparnasse: 1 hour</li>
	<li>Rennes: 1 h 25</li>
	<li>Nantes: 1 h 30</li>
	<li>Lyon: 3 hours</li>
	<li>Lille: 2 h 40</li>
	<li>London: 5 hours</li>
</ul>

From the station, two main options are available to reach the circuit:

<ul>
	<li>Tram line T1 toward Antar&egrave;s &ndash; Stade Marie Marvingt (final stop, East Gate access)</li>
	<li>Bus line 5 to &ldquo;Oasis &ndash; Centre des Expositions&rdquo; stop (North Gate access)</li>
</ul>

Public transport and soft mobility 
To avoid traffic jams, public transport is recommended:

<ul>
	<li>Tram T1: toward Antar&egrave;s &ndash; Stade Marie Marvingt</li>
	<li>Bus line 5: from Viaducs to &ldquo;Oasis &ndash; Centre des Expositions&rdquo;</li>
	<li>Bicycle: dedicated parking areas are available at the main circuit entrances (East, Panorama, Karting Pedestrians, Maison Blanche, Annex, Expo)</li>
</ul>

Le Mans Classic Legend 2026 opens its doors for four days of spectacle, sharing, and passion. A unique experience blending track action, music, and automotive culture&mdash;where everyone finds their place.

Book your tickets for Le Mans Classic Legend via the <a href="https://www.lemansclassic.com/en/ticketing/" target="_blank">official event ticketing platform</a>.

Plan your visit to Le Mans Classic Legend 2026

From 2-5 July, the Le Mans Classic Legend is offering spectators a journey through the history of endurance racing.  Among the iconic cars set to participate in this event is the Panoz LMP-1 Roadster S. With its massive bonnet, thunderous naturally aspirated V8 and unconventional design, the American racing star flawlessly represents the intrepidity forever fuelling the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Any time&nbsp;the Panoz LMP-1 Roadster S barrels down&nbsp;the pit straight or emerges at the end of&nbsp;Mulsanne, its presence on the scene is undeniable. More than 25&nbsp;years after taking the start in the 1999 24 Hours, this&nbsp;car still causes a sensation, and to see it on the track at the Le Mans Classic reminds us of&nbsp;an era when engineers still dared to do things strictly their way.

<h2>a&nbsp;silhouette that defies&nbsp;convention</h2>

In the late 1990s, most prototypes entered in the 24 Hours adopted a mid-rear engine architecture, but&nbsp;Panoz choice otherwise.

The&nbsp;car&#39;s carbon-fibre&nbsp;bodywork houses&nbsp;a carbon-fibre&nbsp;single shell&nbsp;chassis. But its&nbsp;truly distinctive feature is found at the&nbsp;front, namely&nbsp;a massive, naturally aspirated 6-litre&nbsp;Ford V8 prepared&nbsp;by Robert Yates, a renowned&nbsp;figure in American motorsport and NASCAR. Producing around 600 hp, this engine gives the Panoz a one-of-a-kind&nbsp;mechanical signature.

With its extended bonnet&nbsp;and pushed back cockpit, the LMP-1 Roadster S looks&nbsp;more like the&nbsp;Batmobile zipping around the circuit&nbsp;than it does a traditional prototype. It is no surprise the car&#39;s&nbsp;striking silhouette&nbsp;quickly made it a crowd favourite!

<h2>1999 24 hours of Le Mans: all eyes on&nbsp;the underdog</h2>

Unveiled mere&nbsp;weeks ahead of&nbsp;the pre-qualifying sessions in&nbsp;1999, the Panoz immediately dazzled the crowd thanks to its show-stopping&nbsp;appearance and the inimitable roar of its V8 engine.

The American team fielded two cars in the race&nbsp;manned&nbsp;by an impressive&nbsp;list&nbsp;of celebrated&nbsp;drivers&nbsp;including&nbsp;David Brabham, &Eacute;ric Bernard, Jan Magnussen, Johnny O&rsquo;Connell, Butch Leitzinger&nbsp;and Max Angelelli.

If any uncertainty existed relative to the Panoz&#39;s true potential, it&nbsp;centered more on reliability than performance. A few weeks before the race, an endurance test was conducted at the Paul Ricard circuit, cut short after 20 hours due to a head gasket failure. The team&nbsp;focused its&nbsp;final efforts on cooling and aerodynamics.

During the 1999 24 Hours, the&nbsp;#12 shared by&nbsp;Brabham, Bernard and&nbsp;Leitzinger managed to overcome&nbsp;a gearbox change and the replacement of an oil cooler to finish in seventh place overall. The impressive result solidified&nbsp;the project&#39;s credibility up&nbsp;against&nbsp;the giants of that era.

<h2>experience it in person</h2>

Seeing a photo of a Panoz is one thing, but seeing it in action is something else entirely.

The Le Mans Classic Legend is making this&nbsp;rare opportunity a reality. Don&#39;t miss the chance to watch&nbsp;up close a car designed in an era when regulations still left plenty to the&nbsp;imagination, and to&nbsp;hear the distinctive thunder&nbsp;of its V8 echoing&nbsp;again around the 24 Hours circuit!

Along with the Panoz LMP-1 Roadster S, Grid 8 will re-shine a well-deserved spotlight&nbsp;on&nbsp;some of the most legendary&nbsp;cars of the second half of the 1990s.

<h2>living history</h2>

The Le Mans Classic Legend is not an open-air museum. It is a living celebration of the history of the 24 Hours of Le Mans!&nbsp;Every car that hits the track tells a chapter of this century-long adventure. The Panoz LMP-1 Roadster S is all about&nbsp;boldness, the story of an American manufacturer who&nbsp;chose to follow its own path.&nbsp;

The Le Mans Classic Legend will be held from&nbsp;2-5 July.&nbsp;Purchase your&nbsp;tickets now on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lemansclassic.com/en/ticketing/" target="_blank">official ticketing website</a>.

Le Mans Classic Legend: the Panoz LMP-1 Roadster S from the 1999 24 Hours is back!

In 2027, the 24 Hours of Le Mans will be welcoming McLaren Racing to the Hypercar class. In addition, McLaren Trophy Europe will one of the curtain raisers, making Le Mans race week a celebration of the British marque.

A spectacular field of McLaren racing cars is set to gather next year at the 2027 24 Hours of Le Mans, with rounds three and four of McLaren Trophy Europe on the billing as support races for the 95th running of France&rsquo;s endurance classic. These fixtures are scheduled before the main event, which sees two <a href="https://www.24h-lemans.com/en/news/in-2027-mclaren-return-to-le-mans-to-pick-up-where-they-left-off-60760">McLaren MCL-HY Hypercars</a> compete in the top class, in addition to the McLaren GT3 EVOs fielded in LMGT3.

<h2>Le Mans, the ultimate playground for a McLaren get-together</h2>

McLaren Trophy Europe at Le Mans weaves a thread, making the special occasion a celebration of history and future. The 2027 support races will allow drivers from McLaren Trophy America to compete as guest entries, alongside teams running current McLaren GT3 EVO and GT4-spec customer racing cars. The multi-class format will make the event the largest gathering of McLaren GT racing cars ever assembled in competition.

Nick Collins, CEO, McLaren Automotive: &ldquo;To have McLaren Trophy Europe racing at Le Mans in 2027, the year we make <a href="https://www.24h-lemans.com/en/news/mclaren-mcl-hy-a-name-with-a-hint-of-promise-for-the-24-hours-of-le-mans-60533">our debut in the Hypercar class</a>, will make the event incredibly special. The fact that it will also be an invitational race for our GT3 and GT4 clients, as well as open to our McLaren Trophy America competitors, will mark this out as a true celebration of McLaren. What better place than Le Mans &ndash; part of our Triple Crown legacy &ndash; to recognise this.&rdquo;

Pierre Fillon, President of the Automobile Club de l&rsquo;Ouest: &ldquo;Welcoming McLaren Trophy Europe to Le Mans in 2027 will add another strong dimension to what is already shaping up to be a very special edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. McLaren is part of the history of our race, and its return to the top class with the MCL-HY is a powerful symbol of the momentum currently driving endurance racing. Bringing together Hypercar, GT3, GT4 and McLaren Trophy competitors during the same week will create a unique celebration for the brand, its customers and the fans. Le Mans has always been a place where heritage and the future meet, and this announcement perfectly reflects that spirit.&rdquo;

The 95th 24 Hours Of Le Mans will be more than a race. It is already set to be a culmination of racing joy, with McLaren treating its fans to its full spectrum of race cars, from GT to highly-developed prototype.

McLaren Trophy Europe to be a support fixture at next year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans

24 Heures du Mans 1960

The two-time F1 World&nbsp;Champion,&nbsp;who passed away in 1968 during a&nbsp;Formula&nbsp;2 race at the Hockenheim circuit in Germany, took the start at the 24 Hours of Le Mans three times between&nbsp;1959 and&nbsp;1961, always with the Border Reivers team. The outfit facilitated the meeting of young&nbsp;Jim Clark and&nbsp;Colin Chapman, the renowned founder of Lotus. It was at the wheel of a Lotus Elite that the Scot competed at Le Mans for the first time&nbsp;(10th overall and second in his class) and with Lotus that he won all of his 25 F1 victories.

Photo (Copyright -&nbsp;Archives/ACO): The #7 Aston Martin DBR1 driven by&nbsp;Jim Clark and&nbsp;Roy Salvadori at the&nbsp;1960 24 Hours of Le&nbsp;Mans.

Today's Photo Story - Jim Clark at the 1960 24 Hours of Le Mans

Related News

Le Mans Classic Legend – The Courage C52 Nissan out on track

Plan your visit to Le Mans Classic Legend 2026

Le Mans Classic Legend: the Panoz LMP-1 Roadster S from the 1999 24 Hours is back!

McLaren Trophy Europe to be a support fixture at next year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans

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