All systems go for 2019 24 Hours of Le Mans
The first cross-season edition of the World Endurance Championship that started in May last year with the Six Hours of Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium, reaches its conclusion this weekend (15-16 June) with the 87th running of 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Once again divided into four classes; LMP1, LMP2, LM GTE Pro and LM GTE Am, this year’s running of the French endurance classic marks the 50th anniversary of Ford’s fourth and final victory in-a-row at La Sarthe, with the Blue Oval being represented this year by the four Chip Ganassi run GTs in LM GTE Pro, and one privateer entry in LM GTE Am, all in a retro-inspired livery.
A total of eight cars, including the works Toyota Gazoo Racing team, will compete in LMP1 identified by their red number plates, while LMP2 will be contested by 20 entries and carry blue number marking.
In LM GTE Pro, a total of 17 cars from Ford (GT), Porsche (911 RSR), Ferrari (488 GTE), Chevrolet (Corvette C7.R), Aston Martin (Vantage AMR) and BMW (M8 GTE) will battle it out with their green numbers set to light-up the evening’s racing, while LM GTE Am will also be contested by 17 cars from Ferrari (488 GTE), Porsche (911 RSR), Ford (GT) and the older Aston Martin Vantage, identified by their orange number plates.
As in previous years, the 2019 edition will be shown live in its entirety on South African television via SuperSport 5 from 14h00 with a ‘Road to Le Mans’ feature on Saturday afternoon, with the race itself starting at 15h00 and ending at the same time on Sunday. The coverage will come from the international feed provided by the organising Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO).
A dedicated spotter’s guide detailing all of the 62 cars competing, as well as their respective drives and class representation can be download from www.spotterguides.com.
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