For a second consecutive year, Le Mans Classic will take place from June 29 to July 2, 2023, to celebrate the centenary of the most emblematic endurance race in the world on the 24 Hours Circuit.
The second entry list for grids 1 to 6 has just been released and is available here. Soon, the entry lists for the support races (Group C, Endurance Racing Legends, Porsche Classic Race Le Mans and Benjafield’s Bentley Race Le Mans) will also be announced.
In the meantime, below is a presentation of some of the key cars of this 11th Le Mans Classic: the Ferrari 750 Monza for grid 2 (1949/1956), the Maserati Tipo 61 “Birdcage” for grid 3 (1957/1961), and the Porsche 908 LH for grid 5 (1966/1971).
Grid 2
Ferrari 750 Monza
This is a rare example of the Ferrari 750 Monza that raced in the United States in 1955 in the hands of Phil Hill, Jim Hall and Carroll Shelby. During its career, this Ferrari took part in numerous races, including the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1955. The bodywork was designed by Scaglietti, based on a design of Dino Ferrari. After its racing career ended, the car was stored for almost four decades. In 1990, Jim Hall decided to have the Ferrari restored and repainted in blue and white, as it was when it left the factory. Until this day, the Ferrari has participated and been awarded in prestigious elegance competitions. Good news! The car will be back in competition and will take part in this new edition of Le Mans Classic, thanks to new owner Patrick Ottis who, with son Tazio, will take the wheel.
Grid 3
Maserati Tipo 61 “Birdcage“
Few sports cars of the 1960s have acquired such a legendary status as this Maserati Tipo 61 ‘Birdcage’. The car competed in the 1960 24 Hours of Le Mans and was specially fitted with a ‘long tail’, a body modification designed to improve aerodynamics and top speed on long straights. This Tipo 61 offers discerning collectors and vintage racing enthusiasts the opportunity to experience what Carroll Shelby once called “the best cornering car” he ever drove.
Grid 5
Porsche 908 LH
This Porsche 908 LH (“Lang Heck” in German, “long tail” in English) was one of five cars built in January 1969 for the 24 Hours of Daytona. Driven on this occasion by Vic Elford teaming up with Brian Redman, the car qualified 1st. A lap record was even set, the 908 LH beating the best Lola T70s in the competition. This is the same Porsche that Brian Redman will drive at Le Mans Classic 2023, 54 years after their first meeting! Another notable fact: driven by Gérard Larrousse and Helmut Marko during the 1970 season, this Porsche 908 ranked 3rd overall of the 24 Hours of Le Mans that same year.
