The 24 Hours of Le Mans

Calling all gear- heads and all the fanatics affiliated to our world – motorsports. The entire world is now wrapped in one almighty ball –football! The World Cup Finals begin tomorrow and as such the four year drought is finally over. Football fans will thirst no more. Their parched throats will be comforted by rivers of exciting, pulsating and entertaining matchups, which will definitely spill into millions/billions of homes worldwide.

If you are passionate about both motorsports and football, this weekend may be the most significant, since you came screaming, after the doctor butt slapped you, announcing your arrival to the third planet from the sun.

Carroll Shelby

The Holy Grail to some, the coveted trophy for others, a milestone, a major accomplishment for car builders/ manufacturers, a feat every race car driver wants to accomplish, to hold his head high and saw –“I won” – is on this weekend. What am I talking about? The 24 Hours of Le Mans of course! If I need to expound the significance of this race, which transcends all races, you probably should not be reading this page. But, being the philanthropist I am, I will give you a gentleman’s name and the name of one car. The gentleman’s name is Carroll Shelby. The car – Shelby Daytona Coupe. Do the research and you may begin to understand the prestige of this event.

Manufacturers all know the importance of this event and as such nothing is spared to ensure that, the car that represents their effort, will not only go the distance, but also secure a spot at the top of the podium. High hopes, high stakes racing and as in any race, all that is required is a simple oversight or the failure of a $5 clamp and all of the preparation goes up in smoke. The victorious drivers are promoted to superstardom and the manufacturer is immediately envied, because in this race only one position matters – #1.
Four Classes

There are four classes of cars. There are prototypes (2 classes) and Grand Touring cars (GT cars – 2 classes). The prototypes (Peugeot, Audi and company) are at the top of the food chain. These cars deliver Formula 1- like performance, from cars which are a designers wet dream. What makes them remarkable in my book, is the fact that they deliver this consistent ferocious assault on speed and handling non-stop for 24 hours. The abuse is relentless, the pace breathtaking and the drivers are carbon fiber-men!

GT cars resemble road cars (Corvette, Ferrari, Porsche, etc), but obviously, that is where the similarity ends, because they are on 24 hour duty as well, which means – dem no normal!

SPEED TV

God bless SPEEDTV! Check their schedule. Coverage begins early Saturday morning – about 8:30 am. Stock up on food and refreshments, pay down on your space in front of the TV, send the wife shopping and prepare for the exhaust spouting fire drama, that will define the 78th running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Cecil Munroe Gleaner On-Line Writer