76th 24 Heures du Mans - preview

14th/15th June 2008

With four Aston Martin DBR9's and a AM engined Lola LMP1 car planning to start the 76th running of this most famous motor race, I'm hoping for another vintage year. The works DBR9's, now in the famous Gulf colours, are defending their GT1 title again against the Corvettes. The new AM engined Lola, competing in the top LMP1 class will have a huge mountain to climb against the favoured diesel powered Audi's and Peugeots. I'd love to see the Lola finish as the top petrol powered car but for a first appearance, just finishing will be a success.

Last year we had six AM's to follow, this year, four GT1's and a LMP1 - still a wonderful turnout and plenty for the supporters to get behind. With a little bit of luck, next year might see AM's in LMP1. GT1 and GT2 - now that will be a spectacle.

Test day was a very wet affair - will the race itself follow the same way? Whatever, the LMP1 Lola-Aston achieved 9th fastest in class, and works DBR9 009 in the hands of David Brabham was quickest of the GT1's closely followed by a Saleen and a Corvette. Will 2008 be a three way battle - the Saleen looks strong.

I'll be at the circuit from Wednesday and will be adding pictures to this site and the forum on www.amoc.org. So if you cannot make it this year and want to see a very biased Aston view of the event, you know where to come.