24h Le Mans
If you've ever been to the 24 Hours, you've noticed British spectators come out in droves, bringing with them excited enthusiasm and everything from tents to supercars in the colours of past Le Mans icons. Why are Brits such big fans? It’s a story as old as racing.
To gain a better understanding, let's go back in time. The 24 Hours attracted a British fan base right from its maiden running in 1923 thanks to the conspicuous presence of a Bentley on the decidedly French starting grid. Race founders Georges Durand and Charles Faroux preferred not to restrict this test of production cars solely to French marques. The next year proved key in their international approach after Bentley's shocking win skyrocketed the race's reputation across the Channel.
Dynamics began shifting during the Roaring 20s. Lorraine-Dietrich dominated the 24 Hours in 1925 and 1926, but the number of manufacturers from Italy, the UK and even the US continued to grow. The ACO felt the more the merrier! Race director at that time, Charles Faroux: The high number of entrants representing America, England, Italy, France…places the Endurance Grand Prix at the very top of the world’s major automobile events.
After the withdrawal of Lorraine-Dietrich in 1927 and the stock market crash two years later, a plethora of small French constructors, regulars at Le Mans, were forced to close their doors. Bentley took advantage of the absence, kicking off the era of the famous Bentley Boys, a group of well-to-do gentlemen drivers led by three-time 24 Hours winner Woolf Barnato. Bernard Rubin, Glen Kidston, Henry Birkin and other British (or from countries under crown influence) drivers won every running of the race between 1927 and 1930, all for Bentley.
The Brits were welcomed with open arms in France during those extremely difficult times, but the ACO nevertheless regretted not having serious French competitors to give them a run for their money. This period saw the emergence of Lagonda, Alvis and Aston Martin (who jumped to tag certain models with the moniker “Le Mans” in lower categories). Spectators from across the country flocked to the race to cheer on their heroes. The 24 Hours of Le Mans was without a doubt the biggest British event of the season...run in France.
In 1935, Luis Fontés and Johnny Hindmarsh claimed the top step on the podium with their Lagonda M45R Rapide, bringing the win scoreboard to Britain 6-3 France. A nine-hole golf course was constructed in 1935 as an additional draw for enthusiasts across the Channel. The British press was unanimously supportive of the role played by the race during this period. As published in MOTOR magazine: No race has pushed our sports cars to the front of the global automotive stage with more prestige than the 24 Hours.
After WWII, which caused the 24 Hours to go on hiatus from 1940 to 1948, Brits still held a strong foothold at Le Mans, and it was Jaguar's turn in the spotlight. The innovative Type C was the first racing car equipped with disc brakes (1953), and the iconic lines of the Type D marked a generation. Le Mans has always played a major role in British motorsport culture, and Jaguar's five victories from 1951 to 1957 only strengthened those unbreakable ties.
Aston Martin won the race in 1959, and even Ferrari's domination failed to dampen British passion for the 24 Hours. The same can be said for Porsche's reign of seven consecutive wins between 1981 and 1987. And when the Jaguar XJR-9LM won the race in 1988, a massive crowd flooded the track with Union Jacks as far as the eye could see. Team principal Tom Walkinshaw and his guys managed to defeat the titan that was Porsche at that time. It was a celebration for the ages.
No matter the state of car manufacturing at any given time, the Brits have always answered the call of Le Mans. The Volkswagen Group, owner of the likes of Audi, Porsche and Lamborghini, chose in the early 2000s to evoke the Bentley Boys' glory days. The famed Bentley EXP Speed 8s competed against the legendary Audi R8s equipped with the same engine. In 2003, Tom Kristensen/Rinaldo Capello/Guy Smith won Le Mans at the wheel of an iconic British racing green prototype a stunning 73 years after the marque's last triumph at the race. Fans went wild.
The 24 Hours of Le Mans sees Brits arrive in staggering numbers every year to relive cherished memories and create new, unforgettable ones. Events like the Classic British Welcome, created in 2001 and held at Saint-Saturnin, allow everyone to enjoy and embrace this extraordinary atmosphere.
The unwavering loyalty of British fans will soon be rewarded. This year, Aston Martin is set to make its big return to the top category with the Valkyrie Hypercar fielded by the Heart of Racing team!
