A crowd of 109′000 people have enjoyed a great weekend of racing and memories at the 2012 Le Mans Classic.
Held every two years the 2012 Classic featured cars from the 1920’s through to the end of the 70’s including famous Le Mans winning machines like the iconic Porsche 917 and the Alpine Renaults.
Australian Vern Schuppan was among the big name drivers of the past taking to the famous track, sharing a 917 Porsche with GT racer Richard Westbrook.
In the presence of Jean Todt (FIA President), Patrick Peter (organiser of the event) and Pierre Fillon (ACO President) a Le Mans herringbone style start launched Plateau 4 getting the meeting under way. The horde of Ford GT40s immediately hit the front followed by AC Cobras, E-Type Jaguars, Porsche 904s, Lotus Elans, etc. Eight laps later victory went to the Roger Wills-Joe Twyman-Emanuele Pirro (5-time Le Mans winner) Ford GT40. Next up was Plateau 5 in which Lolas T70s, Chevrolet Corvettes, Chevrons and Ferrari 512 MS went at it hammer and tongs. Bernard Thuner’s T70 Mk IIIB, the Metzger-Piquet Corvette and the Stepak-Bourdin Alpine A220 fought a thrilling battle and only 1.5 seconds separated them at the flag. In Plateau 6 the unique De Cadenet Lola ran away from its rivals finishing in front of two BMW M1s.
While there was no coverage of the event down under there is at least some footage available, so pour a Champagne, fire up the crepe pan and enjoy just some of the sounds and sights of the 2012 Le Mans Classic.
And start saving your pennies for the 2014 edition.