Le Mans Classic will take place for the seventh time from July 4 to 6, 2014. Every two years, almost 500 historic racing cars come to Le Mans, accompanied by over 8,000 club cars that line up in the infield of the circuit.
The list of all participants has just been published, which will bring enthusiasm for many, but also a few disappointments for others.
450 vehicles in six groups (plateau)
Once again, all participants were divided into six groups (plateaus) to make the competition more exciting:
- Plateau 1: 1923-1939 (pre-WWII)
- Plateau 2: 1949-1956
- Plateau 3: 1957-1961
- Plateau 4: 1962-1965
- Plateau 5: 1966-1971
- Plateau 6: 1972-1979
Plateau I is also dominated by Bugatti in the seventh edition of Le Mans Classic. In terms of numbers, Bentley, Talbot and Lagonda can still keep up. The winner of this group from 2012 is also back at the start: a Talbot Lago Ex Monoplace 1939 from the Swiss Team Traber. Can it win again this year?
Fierce battles like in 2012 are also expected in Plateau II, where the first racing cars after the Second World War will compete for the title. The field is widely spread and offers a wide variety of brands. We will see in July whether another D-Type will win the race.
Plateau III shines with vehicles such as the Maserati 300S, Lister Knobbly, Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta and Aston Martin DB4 GT. But exotic cars also add to the appeal of this field: Deep Sanderson 301, Tojeiro Climax 1100 or a Peerless GT Phase One are not often seen at the start.
No fewer than six Ford GT40s are competing in Plateau IV. In 2012, only GT40s finished on the podium. Will the competitors stand a chance this year? Nine Shelby Cobras, seven Porsche 904s or an Iso Grifo could have more luck this year...
Fans of the Porsche 917s that race in Plateau V will probably be a little disappointed this year, as only one 917 is on the grid this time. Instead, there are five Porsche 906s at the start, two 907s and three 910s. But of course the legends of other brands are not missing from this field either: ten Lola T70s have found their way into this group, four Corvette C3s and another Alfa Romeo 33 TT-3...
The youngest group, the Plateau VI, will once again inspire many hearts: Nine Porsche 935s are at the start this time! Two BMW M1s, five Ferrari 512 BBs, three Sauber C5s, almost ten 911s and many other well-known cars make this group absolutely thrilling.
List of participants Le Mans Classic 2014
This PDF lists all six groups in detail.
Review 2012
For those who have never traveled to the Sarthe to take part in the Le Mans Classic, we recommend our detailed report on Le Mans Classic 2012. We show almost all vehicles of all groups and give a good overview of what the spectator can expect.
