Practical comfort is the name of the game: a cooler, a folding chair, a blanket, hats and drinks in the shade on the grass behind the safety barrier….as the sun set over the Le Mans circuit and mosquitoes went on the attack, Eduardo Freitas (56 years old) stood sentinel track-side outfitted in extremely hot orange coveralls at the Mulsanne Corner. The native of Portugal, who serves at circuits across the globe throughout the year, had a rare free weekend, but not for long. “I heard from Vincent Beaumesnil (Automobile Club de l’Ouest Sporting Director, Ed.) marshals were needed for the Le Mans Classic, so I signed up immediately,” explains the 24 Hours of Le Mans Race Director.  

So, in early July, under the orders of the head marsal, the man who normally reigns over entire World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC) and European Le Mans Series races took hold of his blue flag to signal to oncoming cars that faster competitors were approaching. With a hawk eye down the track, he waved the flag as directed. “I am thrilled to be here. I’ve never seen an LMP1 racing at track level. For me, the cars are primarily numbers I follow on screens in my office. What I’m experiencing this weekend at the Le Mans Classic is a real treat. I wait, I sense, I see, I’m living the action on the ground with my marshals. I’m one of them and I’m soaking it all in. On top of all that, with this race we get a chance to see true collection cars do their thing,” he says as he can’t help but watch a passing GT40 with admiration in his eyes.

His gravelly voice, calm but respect-commanding, is well-known in the world of endurance racing. It’s the one heard nonstop over the radio during all WEC races. At the heart of any motorsport competition is its race director, and as such Eduardo Freitas follows, manages, decides, observes, anticipates, considers, acts, reacts, summons, alerts and/or reprimands every player involved on or off the track. He introduces new procedures to keep up with the constant evolution of the competition. For several years now, he has agreed to sleep a few hours during the 24 Hours of Le Mans, briefly leaving the helm to his second-in-command to be able to return with optimal focus. “The stress is much more significant today than it used to be. The pressure in each decision has become tremendous. Everything we do is scrutinized. Now I must think and decide while considering the consequences, and how my decisions will be interpreted. It’s a heavy responsibility.”

The Le Mans Classic also served as a much-needed and informative respite. “Track-side as a marshal, I experience what my marshals do, so I can better understand the challenges they face and what they are talking about. It’s important not to have tunnel vision. I have to say, I’ve been very warmly welcomed.” The marshals are his family in every sense after starting out 30 years ago, climbing the ladder little by little to become Race Director.

On a personal note, Eduardo Freitas met his wife at a circuit. She too is a marshal, and their two daughters have wanted ‘’to do what daddy does, with the flags,” admits Freitas with pride. ‘’I’ve brought them to some races with me and given them little jobs to do. Both said to me ‘we want to be a marshal like you!’"

The icing on the cake: in Portugal, for certain racing competitions, the Freitas family is known to spend the weekend with him and he couldn’t be happier! 

PHOTOS (Photo 1, Copyright - Dominique Breugnot/ACO): During the Le Mans Classic, Eduardo Freitas found himself manning a post at the circuit once again, this time as a track marshal. (Photo 2, Copyright - Nicolas Cousseau/ACO): Normally, the native of Portugal serves as Race Director.