Le Mans prepares for a classic battle

10th June 2008

One of the biggest motorsport events on the calendar takes place this weekend, and it promises to be one of the best in years. The Le Mans 24 Hours will see Audi and Peugeot fighting it out for top honours.

National pride is at stake for the French firm, who lost out on home soil last year to an Audi team that notched up its seventh win at the event. Both squads will be racing their diesel-powered sportscars in the LMP1 category. Peugeot has signed a stellar line-up to drive its three 908 HDis, including ex-Formula One stars Jacques Villeneuve, Alex Wurz, Marc Gene, Christian Klien, Franck Montagny and Ricardo Zonta.

But the trio of R10 TDIs will be tough to beat. Last year’s winner has an equally strong entry, with seven-time Le Mans champ Tom Kristensen leading the charge. For British fans, the big interest will be in the GT1 class. Aston Martin Martin’s DBR9 beat the Chevrolet Corvettes in 2007, and the marque is back to defend its crown.

Decked out in the famous pale blue and orange livery of sponsor Gulf Oil, Aston’s driver line-up includes BTCC regular Darren Turner and three-time grand prix winner Heinz-Harald Frentzen. The action starts at 3pm on Saturday, and Auto Express will bring you a full race report next week.