LE MANS CLASSIC PUSHED BACK TO 2022 DUE TO ONGOING PANDEMIC

Much to the disappointment of many Classic Porsche readers, this year’s Le Mans Classic has been postponed until July 2022 as a consequence of the ongoing struggle French healthcare authorities are having keeping on top of COVID-19. The biennial event was scheduled to take place in July 2020, but was held over until 2021 due to the pandemic. With continued fears surrounding mass gatherings at what’s become one of the world’s most popular historic motorsport events, organiser, Peter Auto, took the decision to delay for another year. Peter Auto has also postponed this year’s Spa Classic, formerly scheduled for 14th-16th May.

“The Le Mans Classic is an international event bringing together close to 200,000 spectators in one place. As you can imagine, keeping this event at the original dates in the current context wasn’t an option. We have, in line with our partners and the Automobile Club de l’ouest, decided to postpone Le Mans Classic to 2022, when we hope everyone can take full advantage of this magnificent retrospective of the 24 Hours of Le Mans,” said Patrick Peter, founder of Peter Auto. Pierre Fillon, Automobile Club de l’ouest CEO, echoed Peter’s message. “The Le Mans Classic is a monument in the automotive world. Safety and quality are key to the organisation of such a prominent event. We are currently unable to guarantee these essential requirements and postponement is our only option. We can now focus on welcoming visitors in 2022.”

The exact date of the event will be announced in September of this year, but Peter Auto confirms mid-july 2022 is its new target, despite some calling for a limit on ticket sales to ensure the classic motorsport bash can proceed in 2021. “The Le Mans Classic without big crowds, without exhibitors and without clubs it is not Le Mans Classic,” remarked Peter. “Nevertheless, we will meet again in August, during the 2021 24 Hours of Le Mans, thanks to our Endurance Racing Legends competition serving as support race. Later, enthusiasts will enjoy two successive years of the Le Mans Classic — following 2022’s outing, we will host another in 2023, an opportunity to celebrate the hundredth anniversary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans,” he added, before revealing that Le Mans Classic competitors will have the opportunity to ride Sarthe’s Bugatti Circuit at an all-new meeting: Historic Racing By Peter Auto will be held on the weekend scheduled for this year’s postponed Le Mans Classic (July 3rd-4th), bringing together all Series by Peter Auto: Classic Endurance Racing I & II, Fifties Endurance, Sixties Endurance, Heritage Touring Cup, 2.0L Cup, The Greatest Trophy, Endurance Racing Legends and Group C. For full details and a revised calendar of events, visit the Peter Auto Le Mans Classic website at lemansclassic.com.