24h Le Mans
Vincent Vosse is the leader of WRT, the team that came second in the European Le Mans Series 4 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps with a Ligier JS P2 last season. The team also fields the Audi R8 LMS in the Blancpain Endurance Series. Vosse has an excellent record as a driver (winner of the 24 Hours of Spa in 2002 and champion of the Le Mans Series in 2006 with the Larbre Compétition Aston Martin DBR9). As team manager, he can boast victories at the 24 Hours of Spa (2011, 2014) and the 24 Hours of Nürburgring (2015). The Belgian looks back on his six Le Mans races.
Memories of the 24 Hours of Le Mans: “I only have good memories of Le Mans. Just being there is a privilege for a driver. Unfortunately I have never been in a position to take a class win, but I almost got there a couple of times."
1999, Porsche 911 GT2, Roock Racing, with Claudia Hürtgen and André Ahrlé (20th overall, 8th in GTS): “It was my first time at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Unfortunately, the gearbox broke a few hours in, which put us to the back of the pack. It was a great learning experience just to be part of the iconic race, and to be able to say we finished it."
2001, Chrysler Viper GTS-R, Paul Belmondo Racing, with Vanina Ickx and Carl Rosenblad (retired): “The beginning of the race stands out in my mind. There was a sudden, violent storm with torrential rain. I managed to stay on track. I was the only madman to have kept slicks on. I was in the lead, two laps ahead of the other GTs and I’d done a triple stint. We were still in the lead when Vanina aquaplaned and went off on the Mulsanne Straight and we had to withdraw."
2002, Chrysler Viper GTS-R, Larbre Compétition, with Patrice Goueslard and Christophe Bouchut (18th in race, 4th in GTS): "I have quite good memories of that race. We stood third with a half hour to go when the gearbox broke. We finished fourth in class.”
2003, Lister Storm LMP, Lister Racing, with Nathan Kinch and Jamie Campbell-Walter: “The one black mark of my Le Mans record was 2003. I was driver of the Lister prototype but the car couldn’t start the race. I think I only managed to do one lap in the practice sessions!"
[Campbell-Walter made a mistake in the Forest Esses during the second qualifying session and the car was too damaged to be repaired in time for the race.]
2005, Ferrari F550 GTS, Larbre Compétition, with Olivier Dupard and Patrice Goueslard (12th in the race, 4th in GT1): “It was a truly great race. I clocked the best time in the class in the first practice session on the Wednesday night, beating the Aston Martin and Corvette factory teams. At the time Christophe Bouchut was the man to beat in GT. He was driving the Ferrari F550 Maranello for Russian Age Racing. Beating him was a feat in itself. I did fourteen hours in that race. We fought hard for third place but came fourth in the end.”
2007, Corvette C5-R, Luc Alphand Aventures, with Jean-Luc Blanchemain and Didier André (24th overall, 11th in GT1):“It was my last Le Mans, and it was very special because I shared the car with my friend Jean-Luc Blanchemain.”
Photo: Vosse’s best performance at Le Mans was fourth place in 2002 in the Chrysler Viper GTS-R.
