Le Mans set for Blistering race of Endurance
by Nicholas Frankl,
TACH European Bureau
The 64th running of the 24hours of Le Mans will start tomorrow (Saturday) at the unusual time of 3pm. This race chronocalled so brilliantly by the Steve McQueen film of the same name has been won by all the greatest names in motor racing and ranks, along side the Indy 500 and the Monte-Carlo GP as one of THE races to drive.
This year sees a return of the big names in factory backed teams. Porsche have their brand new GT1 car, that has been so hastily developed in Weissach since the board gave the go ahead last July, it only ran for the first time March. The target is simply; to beat McLaren! Piloted by some of the best known drivers in the world of F1 and sport cars, including Yannik Dalmas, Karl Wendlinger, Hans Stuck and Theiry Boutson, the $1.5m cars will start from the 3rd and 4th rows of the grid.
Ferrari are back too, under the pretence of "Racing for Belgium". Eric Vandepoele in the 333SP was provisionally fastest yesterday but will now start from 3rd spot, behind the Courage C36 of Cottaz/Policand/Alliot. Qualifying was fairly uneventful, the highlight for me being able to get down to the Mulsanne straight and stand five feet off the barrier as the cars screamed past at over 200mph. I've had many wonderful motor racing experiences, Casino Square and Senna are full chat, Eau Rouge, the opening lap at Donnington '93, but I don't think I'll ever forget my first walk down the Mulsanne at night. Brilliant clear sky, stars winking and cars blasting by - so close that I could see the back of the 911 engine glowing red as it disappeared into the distance. Pole was finally taken in the last few moments by the Porsche TWR WSC. It's a mouth full and also bloody quick. Strangled at birth last year, the Joest team, who have won here twice before, are now running the car with Michele Alboreto, Manuel Reuter and Pierluigi Martini at the helm. It's really a 962 for the '90s.
After 6 State side victories and the Daytona and Sebring double, Riley & Scott are here flying the Star Spangled Banner. Qualified in 7th, the car was said to be "not right for Le Mans" but with proven reliability the car could well be there at the end and starts just behind the second of the TWR Joest Porsches.
The top McLaren is the BMW supported Fina backed squad with Laffite/Steve Soper/ and Duez. The new '96 spec cars have been running much better that the '95s of Harrods Racing who once again have Andy Wallace and Grouillard and not to mention 5 time winner Derek Bell. "I know this place so well it doesn't seem that I actually ever leave it. It's my second home and just competing again is great. I don't know if a 6th win is on the cards, I think it will be won or lost in the pits" He'll have his work cut out for him as the team, along with the GT Champion West McLaren, are starting way back in 23rd and 24th place.
Another great name back for a bit of a thrash is one Mario Andretti. Teamed up once again with the Courage C36, the car he broke last year and still finished 2nd in, and with the formidable duo of Jan Lammers and Derek Warwick. They will start from 9th and are certainly one of the favourites.
New to the scene (and most welcome I might add) is the Chrysler Viper GTS-R! No less than four cars are entered with two different teams, one American and one French. No guessing as to who cooks for both. Helary/Gache/Beretta lead the pact starting from 27th, with the Cobb car on 30th, Cudini in 33rd and my mate Justin Bell down in 44th. Whilst stuffing some pasta down Justin explained how he had taken delivery of a brand new Grand Cherokee on Monday to drive down in. Problem was that on their way home from the track on Wednesday he rolled it in a ditch and onto it's roof. I don't know what was more embarrassing, rolling at only 15 mph or having all your team mates sat in the back watching and rolling around laughing!
The best Gismo award goes to the Oreca bunch. Apparently when you get stranded out on the Mulsanne the radio don't work and the team can't send any mechanics out to help. The solution has been found in the shape of a mobile phone strapped to the roll cage and a map with numbers on all the race sections, so the driver can simply call for help and send for the cavalry!
It should be a hell of a weekend and best of all, for us writers anyway, is that the rain is staying away. It'll be a microwave in the cockpits mind.
Stayed tuned over the 24 hours and I'll try to keep you up with then latest gossip and reports, but be patient, it's a long race.
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