Le Mans Classic to be an annual event from 2026

By Lizzie Pope

| 13 Jun 2025

Classic & Sports Car – Le Mans Classic to be an annual event from 2026

Le Mans Classic, one of the biggest and most popular events on the historic motorsport calendar, will take place every year from 2026.

Since its inaugural running in 2002, it has been a biennial race meeting, the only consecutive editions to date being held in 2022 and 2023, the latter to mark the centenary of Le Mans.

The event returns from 3-6 July 2025, but this year’s will be the final in the current format, it has been revealed today, on the eve of the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The Le Mans Classic in July 2025 will be the last of its kind

Organiser Peter Auto has announced two versions of the event, that will run on alternate years.

This is to satisfy the ‘growing demand, particularly for the more recent cars entered in endurance racing – from the 1980s to the 2010s’.

Le Mans Classic Heritage will cater for racing cars from 1923-1975, dedicated to the golden age of endurance racing.

Its more contemporary companion, Le Mans Classic Legend, will feature racers from 1976-2015.

Older classic cars will compete in the new Le Mans Classic Heritage

This is at least in part a reaction to the recent reframing of what cars should be considered as classic by world motorsport’s governing body, the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile).

As of 2025, the FIA’s Appendix K regulations, by which it awards Historic Technical Passports (HTPs) to confirm cars’ eligibility, have been upgraded to accept, for the first time, a range of race and rally cars dating from 1991 to 2000.

It is a generational shift that has been reflected elsewhere in the Peter Auto portfolio, with Europe’s biggest historic racing organiser already offering competition opportunities for even younger cars than those covered by the FIA’s updated-for-2025 legislation.

In a statement, Peter Auto said: ‘This new rhythm will make it possible to respond to the enthusiasm of the public and to open Le Mans Classic even more to all generations, while respecting the spirit and values that have made it such a success.’

Expect packed grids and fierce competition no matter what the era of racing cars

As well as the new-look Le Mans Classic, Peter Auto is rebranding some of its existing racing series and launching new ones.

Falling into the latter category is Legends of Le Mans, a brand-new grid for LMP1 and LMP2 prototypes and GTs from the 2010s, to be run by Peter Auto in collaboration with the Automobile Club de l’Ouest and Le Mans Endurance Management.

In addition, a partnership with SRO Motorsports Group and Stéphane Ratel has created the all-new GT3 Revival Series, for GT3 racers from 2006-2013.

And, from 2026, the Historic Racing by Peter Auto series will be renamed the Le Mans Classic Series, participants having the added bonus of receiving priority for Le Mans Classic grids, so long as they have an eligible car.

‘It’s a way of connecting the work we do all year round with the high point of historic racing,’ the statement explained.

Let’s hope the traditional Le Mans start remains

The 2023 Le Mans Classic, the last time the event was held, was a record-breaking edition, attracting around 235,000 visitors and approximately 900 cars on the track, as well as 9100 car club and collectors’ cars.

It is a sell-out every year, according to the organisers, and the fast-approaching 2025 meeting will be the end of an era.

‘The event's increasingly rich content could no longer be limited to a single edition every two years,’ said Peter Auto.

The dates for the 2026 Le Mans Classic are yet to be confirmed, nor has which format of the event will make its debut.

Images: Chris Gage

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