With several teams from the American Le Mans Series competing at Le Mans this year, some of the drivers revealed just what this special event means to them as they take their machinery over to compete in France.
Seth Niemen from the Flying Lizard squad is currently leading the GT2 stakes in the States, and despite competing on such illustrious circuits such as Sebring and Mid-Ohio, in domestic duties, Niemen believes nothing comes close to the Le Mans experience.
"For me, you have to start with not just the history, but why it has that history," explained Niemen. "It is the kind of history and place that sports car drivers have to test themselves. It also is an unbelievable circuit on which to drive, there is nothing else like it in the world."
For Intersport Racing's Liz Halliday who leads the LMP2 class is competing in her second Le Mans 24 Hours and is the most successful female racer in ALMS history, the challenge and privilege of racing at Le Sarthe has no comparison.
"It's really the most spectacular event I have ever been a part of," enthused Halliday, "I remember the awe of taking to the track for the first time and thinking, 'wow, I'm actually here! Also the fans were incredible - it was totally unbelievable to be around the hundreds of thousands of people who come to watch the race."
Corvette Racing's three-time Le Mans winner Johnny O’Connell competing 'over the pond' and returning to race at Le Mans reveals the thrill and sense of competition is just as strong as it is for his fellow American racers.
"The Le Mans 24 Hours is the second oldest auto race in the world, and you can feel its history and tradition," said O'Connell. "I've raced in the Indy 500, and I can tell you that this race is every bit as big, every bit as spectacular, and about 21 hours more difficult!
