Torrential downpours made conditions tricky at the sixth Le Mans Classic, which drew a new record crowd of 109,000 (up 13,000) from 6-8 July.
Appropriately, given the event’s transatlantic special feature, American V8s still dominated Plateau 4, for cars made from 1962-’65, despite the conditions.
The first race began behind a safety car because of heavy rain between Arnage and the Porsche Curves, but the front-running GT40s didn’t have it all their own way. The super-quick AC Cobra of David Hart kept on terms with the Fords – taking strong seconds in two of the three heats – but GT40s locked out the podium places, Leo Voyazides winning with Rolland d’Abel de Libran, from Shaun Lynn and Hans Hugenholtz sharing with fellow Dutchman Hart.
Worst affected by the rain was the youngest, quickest group – Plateau 6 – spanning 1972-’79. A biblical hailstorm just before the first race meant that the early stages were run under yellows. The rain played into the hands of some of the nimbler, less-powerful cars, though, while the much-fancied, ’77 Le Mans-winning Porsche 936 struggled on the wet track.
Martin ‘Dangermouse’ Stretton stormed through from 47th place to second, power-sliding the ex-Clay Regazzoni BMW M1 of Paul and Michael Hinderer at will around the sodden track.
