Le Mans 100 – A Century at the World’s Greatest Endurance Race

The Le Mans 24-Hour race is arguably the greatest motor race in the world. It started in 1923 on some public roads at Le Mans, France and continues to this day.  While there maybe a few older races, notably the Indianapolis 500 and the Isle of Man TT, Le Mans still commands more attention than either of those. Even as long ago as the late 1990s there were reportedly more press credential requests for the Le Mans 24- hour race than the Olympics! It has had the interest of major car manufacturers since it’s inception and has a world- wide following. The hundred- year history of this race is quite amazing. Glen Smale has written a new book to chronicle that history.

The Books report on the first race in 1923. This format is evident throughout.

The race started in 1923, and all but three of the 33 starters were French cars. Amazingly 30 would finish, the highest finishing record in the races 100-year history !  The circuit was laid out over public roads and highways in the area near Le Mans France, about 125 miles from Paris.  It continues today over the same roadways, albeit with some improvements and circuit changes over the years.  Except for a hiatus during the second world war, the race has continued and in 2023 was the centennial edition hosting some 300,000 plus spectators.