This, the 87th running of “The Great Race”, had its fair share of drama, controversy and intrigue and again showed that multi-class racing is a tremendous spectacle. For the un-initiated, Le Mans is essentially four races in one – let me explain a little further.

The top class is LMP1 – where over recent years, Audi, Porsche and Toyota have dominated. These cars with extra punch from hybrid systems are achieving lap times faster than ever but using much less fuel in previous years. 

Audi Le Mans 24 hour 2016

Porsche Le Mans 24 hour 2017

Next is LMP2 – these too are prototypes but with a common engine and one of four defined chassis to choose from. The decision to restrict options in this category was initially seen as unwelcome, but in truth, the class is burgeoning and produces good competition.

In the E ranks there are two classes – GT Pro caters for predominantly works teams and all pro driver line-ups with cars based on road going equivalents, but look closely and you will see that these are very sophisticated devices. This is especially true of the Ford GT that is rarer than hen’s teeth on the road.

GTE Am requires that the driver line up includes non-pro drivers – often the team principal or funder – who are living the dream of driving at Le Mans. Cars in GTE Am need to be a year old, but for most manufacturers, this means the current car being run in GTE Pro can be used.

Having grown up in a household where Autosport was delivered each week by the paper boy, I was well aware of Le Mans and we made our first visit in 1982 just as the Group C era was beginning. 

We returned in 1985, the year that the works Rothmans Porsches self-destructed and the Joest New Man sponsored car went on to win ahead of the Richard Lloyd Racing car run from Silverstone. Again, this is one of my father’s photos at the Dunlop Curve.

Life then intervened in the form of children and it wasn’t until 1996 that I returned, but have a proud, unbroken record since then ! Photography didn’t feature again until 2015 when I started to explore what could be achieved. 

I’d originally thought about only using a point and shoot / iPhone for a different take on the event, but succumbed to the DSLR late in the day. I only took my 70-200mm and, for post race parc ferme shots, 24-120mm zooms, but next year (there will be a next year) I will take the 200-500mm zoom as well, especially if I can find a lens elf to carry it for me ! 

For this report, I will focus on the race, that starts at 15.00 on Saturday afternoon, but it is worth noting that there is a full week programme, from scrutineering of the cars in the town centre, practice and qualifying and the driver parade. I had booked a grandstand ticket – partly as an insurance policy against the weather, partly to give an elevated view of the race.

This time I chose T23 Raccordement – the grandstand overlooking the Raccordement and Ford Chicanes – the final corners of the lap. There’s a track map in the Spotter Guide – link at the end of the article. 

Soon enough the race got underway with Brit Mike Conway pulling away into an early lead in the #7 Toyota – not you may note, the Alonso car, more of that later. The GTE Pro class were running nose to tail for the first hour or so, despite last minute changes of “Balance of Performance” between the marques to the detriment of the class pole sitting Aston Martin. 

Leaving the grandstand, there are two locations for a rear shot through the fence at ground level at the Raccordement and Ford Chicanes. The usual rules apply, get close to the fence, at right angles and with as wide an aperture as possible.

I then headed up to a new location for me, the recently built pit building for the Maison Blanche circuit just before the Ford Chicane. The longer zoom would have been very useful here, so I regard these photos as a test for 2020 – there’s a view of the cars coming through the Porsche Curves and the Corvette Curve (aka Karting). 

Time then to head up to the Dunlop Curve through the Village behind the paddock. There’s trade stalls, food and drink and manufacturer’s stands here along with a tribute to Audi’s domination of the race in the early 2000s. 

The sky was clouding over and a Le Mans sunset looked unlikely. There is a good spot on the outside of the track at the Dunlop Chicane where that lovely evening light can sometimes be experienced. Sunset lasted about two minutes in the event. 

As darkness fell, I headed back to where I started, stopping briefly at the bar just across from the museum – for photographic reasons. This appears to be made from a couple of shipping containers stacked on top of each other and offers unhindered views in both directions.

Then it was back to Raccordement and Ford – for some night shots - which are atmospheric and I think work well. Despite only using the 70-200mm zoom, I used the monopod for a little extra stability. The ability to swivel to the portrait position on the monopod was very useful. There’s the occasional opportunity to see brakes discs glowing depending, it seems, on the driver’s style.

I’m beyond staying up all night, so it was back to our lodgings for some shut eye and then back to the circuit for 9am the next morning. While trying to catch up with which cars were still running, who had retired or were walking wounded through Radio Le Mans (FM 91.20), I returned to the Dunlop Curve on the outside.

Then it was walking round the circuit to the Esses. Here there is a spot by a wall where with a step, front and rear shots can be taken.

A little further on is another elevated bar like the one we found the evening before at the Dunlop Curve with clear views of the cars heading through the last part of the Esses. This is rather easier that perching on the step for the shots above.

There is a tunnel under the track before the Tertre Rouge corner which took me to the inside of the track. Here by turning right you can get shots of the cars heading through the Esses. A step is useful here to clear the fencing. It can be busy with many photographers with large lenses, although this year, mid morning Sunday was fine.

Walking past the tunnel gives a view over Tertre Rouge. A step is useful to get you above the fence line and the occasional loudspeaker. There is a good panning shot with spectators on the outside of the track – I knocked the shutter speed down here to get a better sense of speed.

By then it was time to start back to the Raccordement grandstand for the finish. I walked round the inside of the track. Here by keeping close to the fence, it is possible to get shots of the cars heading through the Esses.

By now the drama of the race was about to unfold. The leading #7 Toyota, not the Alonso one you will recall, was called in for one tyre to be replaced as the sensors had picked up a puncture. 

And so that was it until next year … or so we thought. By Monday evening two of the Fords, the #68 in GTE Pro and more significantly the #85 winning car in GTE Am, had both been disqualified for fuel tank irregularities. It’s a long story …

Was it a classic ? No, it was not. Will I be back next year ? Yes, of course !

See more of David Harbey Photography at the links below.

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