The bi-annual Le Mans Classic made a triumphant return this past weekend after a four-year hiatus. In case you missed it, it will return next year to celebrate the centenary of the most famous 24 Hour race on the planet.
This year's Le Mans Classic was the tenth running of the historic motorsport event. It also coincided with the 50th anniversary of the 911 Carrera RS 2.7, which gave Porsche the perfect excuse to send five generations of RS models as part of the central display.
The 911 Sport Classic, the second product created by Porsche's Heritage Design program, was also on display. Equipped with a detuned 911 Turbo engine, it's currently the most potent manual 911 on sale.
Since the event is focused on the ultimate endurance race, Porsche shipped its brand-new 963 hybrid racer to France shortly after its dynamic debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. It served as a reminder that Porsche will return to Le Mans in 2023, along with several other manufacturers. This year it was only Toyota, but next year the grid will be stacked with manufacturer teams.
Team Porsche Penske will compete with the 963 in both the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and the World Endurance Championship. That way, Porsche can simultaneously compete in the two most-prestigious endurance racing formulas. A win in both will cement Porsche as the top endurance racer of the modern era.
Attendees were also lucky enough to see various iconic Porsches on the move as part of the Porsche Parade and the Porsche Classic Race. The latter included several classic Porsche production and racing cars taking on the famous 8.5-mile circuit. Numerous classic 911 models were flanked by examples of the 904 Carrera GTS, the rare late 1960s 910 prototype, and several turbocharged 935 cars and early 911 RSR examples.
Around 2,000 privately owned Porsche classics were parked along the track as enthusiasts flooded to the event to see the action.
Alas, a one-off Ferrari GTO Breadvan shunted in a tire wall in spectacular fashion, which gave fans something else to talk about.