What’s on this week
TV
24 HOURS OF LE MANS: THE GREAT HISTORY
The Le Mans 24 Hours. For many it is, and always shall be, the truest test of endurance in motorsport as driver and machine battle to survive the gruelling event through day and night, come rain or shine.
Since its inception in 1923 the French endurance classic has grown in stature, its legacy enshrined in history, and for manufacturers it has become something of a holy grail, as well as an annual pilgrimage for the thousands of fans who flock to the north of France from across the globe.
The 89th running of the event has just taken place – albeit slightly later than its customary June date – and fans were welcomed back once more after missing the 2020 race thanks to COVID-19.
Even if their numbers were limited to only 50,000, it once again showcased why there’s nothing quite like the atmosphere at the Circuit de la Sarthe.
Toyota took its fourth win on the bounce courtesy of Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi and Jose Maria Lopez, as a new era dawns with the introduction of Hypercar regulations and hopefully a resurgence in manufacturers and greater competition at the front.
For motorsport fans, a long wait now beckons until the cars return to compete in the 2022 edition, but fear not, for if it is more Le Mans 24 Hours content you’re after then Motorsport.tv and Duke Video have you covered. Not quite possibly for the next 10 months, but probably not far off as there is a wealth of footage to sink your teeth into, from last year’s Toyota dominance right through to Raymond Sommer and the great
Tazio Nuvolari winning for Alfa Romeo in 1933 – there’s something for everyone.
Witness the heartbreak of 2016, when the Toyota of Anthony Davidson, Sebastien Buemi and Kazuki Nakajima broke down while leading in the dying minutes, or Tom Kristensen – also now known as Mr Le Mans – taking the first of his nine victories with the Joest TWR Porsche WSC95 in 1997.
If your interest lies in something a bit further back, then why not watch the Group C leviathans from 1982-1993, when the likes of Porsche and Jaguar dominated. And if it is more Porsche domination you want, enjoy almost any year from the 1970s as the German manufacturer became synonymous with the event, beginning with the fabled 917 at the start of the decade.
Brought into the public eye by the 2019 film Le Mans ‘66 – or Ford v Ferrari in other locations – watch how the American powerhouse took the fight to Enzo Ferrari and his scarlet red machines in the mid-1960s.
All races between 2019 and 1952 have their own standalone videos courtesy of 24 Hours of Le Mans:
The Great History, while Duke Video Classics are also available between 1980 and 1992.
Footage includes pre-race build-up, interviews with the great and the good (and not so good) of motorsport, as well as track guides for the various iterations of the circuit since it was first used nearly 100 years ago.
On track, there’s the best of all the action and all the thrills and spills that you could possibly wish for in the pits, while off track get into the party atmosphere with the fans via night-time montages, complete with funfair.
While not separate videos for each edition, the 24 Hours of Le Mans: The Great History series
also includes two episodes covering races either side of the Second World War, showcasing the early days of France’s greatest race (unless your main interest lies with two wheels, not four!).
If you don’t wish to watch every minute available for some peculiar reason, each video is broken into segments allowing you to pick and choose the best moments from each race.
Back to the present day, and there are still two rounds of the World Endurance Championship remaining with Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi and Jose Maria Lopez attempting to retain their crown.
Be sure not to miss the Six Hours of Bahrain (30 October) and Eight Hours of Bahrain (6 November) live on Motorsport.tv, the home of endurance racing.