Description

The Le Mans 24 Hours is the most famous endurance race in the world, and this year it celebrated its 80^th anniversary. The event, which has always been a technical laboratory aimed at cars for the everyday motorist, saw the maiden victory by a hybrid-engined vehicle. This is a first in its history and is in keeping with the development of new technologies with which the Automobile Club de l'Ouest wishes to associate itself. This Yearbook tells the story of the race in words and pictures starting with the preparations, then the behind-the-scenes action and the unfolding of the 2012 event in which Toyota took the fight to Audi, the current benchmark in endurance racing. While the German make won, all eyes are now turned to next year's race. In Grand Touring, Ferrari beat Aston Martin, Corvette and Porsche after a closely-fought battle. Joys for some, tears for others, a game of light and shadow, immaculate cars contrasted with damaged ones - Le Mans is pitiless ! The pages of this book recreate all these feelings and all the values, which make the Le Mans 24 Hours an event totally unlike any other.