There is a good chance that this year's 24 Heueres du Mans, scheduled for June 13-14, will be the end of an era. With the global financial meltdown as a backdrop, it is likely that the diverse field of new and old competitors will be greatly changed next year, as funding sources get thin, and manufacturers merge or (even worse) disappear.
A noteworthy victim will likely be the Corvettes, which have been a staple at the endurance classic for a decade in the GT1 class. They were already slated to downsize to the GT2 class, but the General Motors Bankruptcy will likely end their run. This year's GT1 class will feature four Vettes (two factory), as well as a privateer Lamborghini Murcielago and Aston Martin DB9 competitors.
The GT2 class has dramatically changed face this year. For the first time in ages, Porsche doesn't make up the majority of cars in the field - a role assumed by a plethora of Ferrari F430 GT vehicles. An Aston Martin Vantage and Spyker fill out the category.
There is plenty of diversity in the LMP1 and LMP2 (leMans Prototype) classes, as Audi and Peugeot battle it out with diesel power against a host of other major marques, including Aston Martin with three closed-cockpit cars (pictured above), Mazda, and Porsche. There is also a host of European one-off competitors, including Creation Judd, Ginetta Zytek, Oreca, Pescarolo, and more.
As in previous years, SPEED TV will run a good portion of the race on cable starting at 8:30 am eastern Saturday. And they are upping their coverage with live streaming with SPEED radio on the web, as well (http://www.speedtv.com/). There is a GREAT race primer that Aston Martin created: http://www.newspress.co.uk/LINKS/57867ast/57867ast.pdf
I predict another overall and LMP1 win by Audi, though Peugeot and Aston will give them a run for their money. The Porsche RS Spyders are my favorite for LMP2 with the Vettes and a Ferrari on the podium in the GT classes. Enjoy the competition, as next year's race will likely have a whole different look.
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