Le Mans Classic
Biennial vintage race on the full Le Mans circuit.
Y.Leclercq · via Wikipedia: Le Mans Classic · CC BY-SA 4.0
The Le Mans Classic is a vintage sports car meeting that takes place on the same grounds as the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It was founded by Peter Auto and Richard Mille in association with the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO). The first event was held in 2002, and it originally ran every two years in July on the full 13.65-kilometer circuit used for the modern 24-hour race. The 2002 edition marked the first time since 1923 that the full Circuit de la Sarthe—parts of which are public roads for the rest of the year—was closed for an event other than the annual 24 Hours of Le Mans with contemporary sports cars and prototypes.
Starting in 2025, the event will become annual and split based on a 50-year cutoff. The Le Mans Classic Heritage will cover the original classifications up to 1975 and run in odd-numbered years. The Le Mans Classic Legend will cover classes from 1976 onward and run in even-numbered years. To compete, a driver must hold an FIA International Competition license.
The event features a series of races for cars that have competed at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, or for similar models. The traditional classes originally covered cars from before 1981 (initially 1979, but 1981 was the last year of that formula), with vehicles divided into six eras. In recent years, Peter Auto added three new classes to reflect the event’s history. Car shows and auctions are held on the Bugatti Circuit grounds, where various car clubs display their machinery.
Each class races separately on the full 13.65-kilometer Circuit de la Sarthe. The classes are divided by era to balance the pace of the cars. For the Heritage event, the classes are: 1923–1939 (pre-WWII), 1949–1956, 1957–1961, 1962–1966, and 1967–1975. For the Legend event, the classes are: 1976–1982, 1983–1993 (Group C), 1994–2000 (GT cars), 2001–2005 (prototypes) or 2001–2010 (LM GTE), and 2006–2012 (prototypes) with 2011–2020 (GTE). Although the rules state 2015 for the final Legend class, any prototype up to 2020 and any GTE car up to 2023 is eligible, as those cars were retired at the end of the 2020 FIA WEC season for prototypes and 2023 for GTE. Some cars used in 2015 are eligible through 2023. Support races will be offered for retired GT3 cars whose homologation has expired and for NASCAR race cars up to 2021.
- Founded
- 2002
- Location
- Circuit de la Sarthe, Le Mans, France
- Organizers
- Peter Auto, Richard Mille, Automobile Club de l'Ouest
- Frequency
- Biennial (2002–2023); annual from 2025
- Circuit length
- 13.65 km
Lore & Background
The Le Mans Classic was created by Peter Auto and Richard Mille in association with the Automobile Club de l'Ouest. The inaugural event in 2002 marked the first time since 1923 that the full 24-hour Circuit de la Sarthe—part of which is public road the rest of the year—was closed for an event other than the annual 24 Hours of Le Mans. To compete, drivers must hold an FIA International Competition licence. The event features car shows and auctions on the Bugatti Circuit grounds, with various car clubs meeting to display machinery.
Beginning in 2005, the SERO organization launched the Le Mans Classic Japan event, held in alternate years from the French event. The initial event took place at Mine Circuit, moving to Fuji Speedway in 2007 as part of the Japan Le Mans Challenge. Drivers and cars must meet the same qualifications as their French counterparts.
Starting in 2025, the event splits into two annual divisions based on a 50-year cutoff: Le Mans Classic Heritage (odd-numbered years, classes up to 1975) and Le Mans Classic Legend (even-numbered years, classes from 1976 onward). The 2023 edition celebrated the Centenary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, drawing nearly 235,000 visitors.
Reader's Guide
The Le Mans Classic holds significance as a living museum of endurance racing, allowing historic cars to run on the same circuit where they originally competed. Its classes span from pre-war machines to modern prototypes and GT cars, with six traditional eras and three newer classes added by Peter Auto. The 2025 restructuring into Heritage and Legend divisions ensures that cars older than 50 years remain the focus in odd years, while more recent machinery takes the spotlight in even years. The event's association with NASCAR Holdings' Historic Sportscar Racing brings retired GT3 cars and historic NASCAR race cars into the Legend division. The 2026 Legend debut will feature Kurt Busch driving his restored 2020 South Point 400 race winner, reconfigured for circuit racing, with a tribute to his brother Kyle by renumbering the car No. 8. The Le Mans Classic Japan series extended the concept to Asia, though it ran only in the mid-2000s. The event's ability to draw nearly a quarter-million spectators for its centenary edition underscores its role as a major gathering for vintage motorsport enthusiasts.
Did You Know?
- The 2002 Le Mans Classic was the first time since 1923 that the full Circuit de la Sarthe was closed for an event other than the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
- The event splits into Le Mans Classic Heritage (odd years, cars up to 1975) and Le Mans Classic Legend (even years, cars from 1976 onward) starting in 2025.
- Kurt Busch will drive his restored 2020 South Point 400 winning car at the 2026 Le Mans Classic Legend, renumbered No. 8 in tribute to his brother Kyle.
More in Race History & Evolution
Elsewhere in 24 Hours of Le Mans
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced