In this clip you can re-live the Le Mans 24 Hours 2012 of Gulf Racing Middle East, founded by the French driver Fabien Giroix in the UAE. Behind the wheel of one of the two Lola-Nissan coupes was Japan's Keiko Ihara, the only female driver in the 24 Hours 2012.

At the 80th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans three teams wore the legendary blue and orange colours of the Gulf Oil Company, victorious three times at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1968, 1969 and 1975: Aston Martin Racing (LM GTE Pro and Am), OAK Racing and Gulf Racing Middle East (LM P2). "When I went to the Le Mans 24 Hours with my father, it was the time of the Gulf Mirage cars that had success with the Porsche 917”, said Fabien Giroix. “Today, these colours arouse extraordinary enthusiasm. We hope to continue this historical lineage, and we propose two different liveries on our Lola coupes, as was done in 1970 and 1971 with the Porsche 917.”

For the owner/driver, this immense heritage is combined with a pioneering spirit that motivated its installation in the Middle East: "Seeing the facilities and financial means, I thought it was important to be based in this area and to enliven the sport here. There is still no real racing culture, but a lot of desire as shown by the incredible facilities at the circuits of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. " Gulf Racing Middle East aims to take a special place in the revival of endurance racing and write the main chapters of its history in the Middle East, as well as the 24 Hours of Le Mans (with two cars entered in 2013) in the FIA World Endurance Championship".

For more clips go to www.lemans-tv.com.
The 90th anniversary 24 Hours of Le Mans is on the 22nd and 23rd June.  Click HERE for ticket information.
Entry List HERE.

Jean-Philippe Doret