Selected grapes
Sérgio de Almeida Correia
1. The Sotheby’s auction pavilion was very crowded, and numerous curious individuals had the opportunity to admire some classic car models, some of which had participated in endurance races. I would like to highlight the 1984 Lancia LC2 Martini, with an expected sale price between €2,300,000 and €2,400,000, the 1985 Porsche 962, which raced in Le Mans, with a value set between 6 and 9 million Euros, and the fantastic 1955 Ferrari 121 LM Spider, a classic car with a value set between 5.5 and 6.5 million Euros. These are extraordinary values for “old” cars.
2. It is remarkable how the organization maintains cleanliness and hygiene throughout the circuit, despite the presence of 300,000 people. There is no litter scattered, whether it’s papers, cups or anything else on the ground. The trash bins and containers, always with recycling containers, are kept impeccable, with the lids always closed.
3. The campers at Le Mans are in a league of their own. Camping is usually associated with a kind of budget tourism accessible to the less fortunate. But at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, it is a spectacle in itself to see the motorhomes, caravans and tents aligned with the owners’ vehicles. It must be the only place in the world where campers come in top-of-the-line brands such as Porsche, Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, Mercedes, Jaguar or Bentley, leaving them parked until the end of the races.
4. The manufacturer pavilions were another pleasant surprise, with the Ford pavilion standing out. The brand is also preparing a return to Le Mans to relive the successes of a few decades ago.
5. This year, more Americans came to Le Mans. NBA star LeBron James was among the newcomers, and had the honor of starting the race. The friendliness of the Hendricks Motorsports Garage 56 team did not go unnoticed. They brought the Chevrolet Camaro from the NASCAR championship, which also celebrates its 75th anniversary, to race by invitation from the organization in the Innovative Car category. They entered with a fifth overall place in the Pit Stop Challenge, a tire-changing contest between mechanic teams, using a manual jack and completed the race in 10.364 seconds.
6. The drivers’ parade continues to be a must-see event. The contagious joy, the good spirits, the wide and polite smiles, the perfect harmony between the public, residents and visitors are constant, always under the watchful eye of discreet security personnel, police and firefighters in an atmosphere of total peace and freedom.
