All-driver photo
All 186 drivers set to take part in the 2023 running of the Le Mans 24 Hours gathered earlier today for a photoshoot (featured) with the ‘100 ans’ trophy that will be handed to the winner of the race.
Setting the scene on pit lane
Tuesday on pit lane at the Circuit de la Sarthe, and there’s a noticeable escalation in the business of preparation, practice wheel changes, some notable livery adaptations, and a growing presence of fans as race weekend gets a day closer.
Graff Racing and DKR Engineering are neighbours on pit lane and in visible collaboration, sharing experience and equipment (pic).
Graff’s LMP2 entry, courtesy of the French team’s Asian Le Mans Series LMP3 championship, sees Francois Heriau’s seat now filled by Roberto Lacorte, who brings previous LMP2 form and additional support from Cetilar Motorsport. DKR’s first full season in ELMS LMP2 is on the back of multiple LMP3 championships and sees the first ever Le Mans entry from Luxembourg running the already well campaigned ex-Graff Oreca 07 – Gibson.
TF Sport’s #72 Aston Martin Vantage AMR livery of French blue and fluorescent green is a particularly sentimental tribute to Henri Pescarolo, the legendary four-time Le Mans winner is sadly absent from the centenary celebrations due to poor health (below). Sibling drivers Arnold and Maxime Robin are from the Sarthe region, but the squad’s Gold driver, Valentin Hasse-Clot, shares a particularly close relationship with the French veteran, whose sporting colours adorn the LMGTE-Am entry.
Valentin’s grandfather was a successful local farmer, who built a kart track on one of his fields to support his grandson’s racing aspirations. The owner of the neighbouring field was a certain Monsieur Pescarolo, who took close interest in Valentin’s progress. A strong bond endured beyond Valentin’s grandfather’s eventual passing, Henri and his wife Maddie becoming firm friends and to all intents surrogate grandparents. Henri’s famous sporting colours are proudly carried by the TF Sport crew for the 91st edition of the 24 Heures du Mans in his honour.
TF Sport continues historic associations in its charge of the #923 Racing Team Turkey Oreca-07 Gibson. The car has looked strong in the run-up to this year’s 24 Hours, taking an impressive overall win in at Barcelona in its first full ELMS season although running as a Pro-Am entry. The team’s choice of #923 reflects not only 100 years since the first Le Mans 24, but also co-incidentally the 100 years anniversary of the establishment of the State of Turkey, driver Salih Yoluc a proud Turk.
Sticking with race livery, Francois Perrodo’s AF Corse Oreca 07 carries his native Brittany’s red, white and blue flashings over the distinctive chrome and black of the #80 car. The AF Corse LMP2 prototype is a good bet for a strong performance, still chasing the Le Mans winning form enjoyed by the rapid French Bronze driver prior to his transition from LMGTE-Am.
Henri Pescarlo unable to attend Le Mans
Le Mans icon Henri Pescarolo has revealed that he will not be able to attend the Le Mans 24 Hours this week as part of the centenary celebrations.
The four-time overall winner said in a recent interview with local news channel LMtv Sarthe that he isn’t well enough to make the journey to the circuit.
“I really hesitated,” he said. “I went to the ACO night reception at the Musée Rodin (in Paris) and it was fabulous. Seeing five Le Mans cars in the alleys of the museum was extraordinary. Unfortunately, I had to tell President Fillon that I could not be on-site during Le Mans week.
“I have to take it easy and wait for the results of examinations that I recently undertook at the hospital of La Salpetrière (Paris). I knew that this Le Mans week would be hard for me… it’s my 45th overall!”
New Mazda and Toyota presented in the village
This morning the Japanese National Tourist Board (JNTO) held a press conference at their site in the Manufacturers Village. The board was accompanied by ACO President Pierre Fillon, ACO Ambassador Yojiro Terada – Japan’s ‘iron man’ of Le Mans – and representatives from Toyota Gazoo Racing and Mazda Spirit Racing: Masaya Kaji and Hiroyuki Matsumoto respectively.
The press conference also served as a presentation for two vehicles, one from Mazda and one from Toyota.
Mazda showcased the MX-30 e-SKYACTIV R-EV, the company’s latest plug-in hybrid vehicle equipped with a new-generation rotary engine.
Toyota, meanwhile, unveiled a special version of the latest Toyota Prius, the “24h Le Mans Centennial GR Edition” – a concept vehicle with enhanced aerodynamics, wide-track suspension, and special headlamps.
Another vehicle on display from Toyota is the GR Corolla H2 Concept which competes in the Eneos Super Taikyu Series.
The car exhibited is, actually, the 2022-spec model which was fueled by cartridges of gaseous hydrogen, powering the 1.6 litre, three-cylinder combustion engine used in the Toyota GR Yaris.
It comes straight from its last overseas racing appearance, the Idemitsu 1500 Super Endurance at Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand.
Garage 56 updates from MP
Marshall Pruett has posted further video updates from the Garage 56 programme today.
Go inside the creation and development of the special Garage 56 Camaro ZL1 Cup car with @NASCAR’s VP of vehicle design, Brandon Thomas, in the first of a multi-part tech tour ahead of this weekend’s @24hoursoflemans. #LM24 #NextGenGarage56 pic.twitter.com/XOfLI7Np0B
— Marshall Pruett (@marshallpruett) June 5, 2023
Part 2 of our @nascarg56 @24hoursoflemans technical tour with @nascar vehicle design VP Brandon Thomas focuses on suspension and @GoodyearRacing tires. #LM24 #NextGenG56 pic.twitter.com/wbfhGyjVBK
— Marshall Pruett (@marshallpruett) June 6, 2023
Pit stop challenge champs!
There were heart-warming scenes down at the Hendrick Motorsports pit this afternoon when its pit crew won the Pit Stop Challenge that every team took part in.
Watch the amazing @TeamHendrick pit crew win the #LeMans24 pit stop competition using a full @NASCAR floor jack and Cup tire changing skills with the @nascarg56 @TeamChevy Camaro ZL1. #LM24 pic.twitter.com/6EZ12QabBB
— Marshall Pruett (@marshallpruett) June 6, 2023
Even with a NASCAR-style pit stop, the pit crew, which is primarily made up of Division 1 American college athletes relatively fresh from their degrees, managed to complete a stop in 10.364 seconds, faster than all of the GTE teams and all but four of the prototype teams.
It was a hugely impressive sight, and attracted huge crowds of fans that have arrived at the event at this early stage of the week.
After completing the stop, the celebrations were joyous before the team members were invited to spray champagne on the new-look Le Mans podium.
The NASCAR Garage 56 effort really is stealing the show in the early part of the event!
New lid for Bamber
In addition to Alex Lynn’s Derek Bell tribute helmet, the #2 Cadillac line-up will feature a second new helmet decision, as New Zealander Earl Bamber has revealed a patriotic matte-white design for his helmet.
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