74th 24 Heures du Mans - page 1

17th/18th June 2006

A pictorial review of the 2006 Le Mans 24 hour race

I arrived at the circuit a day before normal (for me) on Wednesday lunchtime so that I could witness both evenings practice. Four Aston Martin cars were entered and I have detailed these below. The two works cars have 3 digit numbers, 007 and 009, which of course links them the the 2006 James Bond film, Casino Royale. This is the first time that the ACO, organisers of the race have permitted cars to have three digit numbers.

Wednesday Night practice

Le Mans has a reputation for being either very hot or very wet. Wednesday night practice was very wet and I got soaked as I walked up to the Esses du Tertre Rouge which was some distance from my camp site. None-the-less, despite the failing light, I managed to get some shots that I think conveys the damp conditions well. For the second session, I walked back to the Ford Chicane, much closer to my tent since the session lasted until midnight.

Thursday afternoon - Meet the Drivers

A photo opportunity was arraigned by PokerStars.com, a major sponsor of the 2006 AM works team with all the drivers having a game of poker a few hours before the evening practice. And after the game, the drivers signed some AM race posters for the sponsors.

The Drivers of 007

Tomas Enge, the 29 year old from the Czech Republic, has again joined AMR for their second Le Mans. Very quick in qualifying with five pole positions in GT1 class in five years at Le Mans.

Andrea Piccini, the 27 year old Italian is driving he first Le Mans. Pervious experience in FIA GT races with Ferrari, Lamborghini and Lister. Took the privately owned Phoenix DBR9 to 2nd place in 2006 FIA GT at Brno.

Darren  Turner, 32, is the only Briton driving for AMR. Regularly seen driving the works DBR9 and also McLaren F1 test driver. Took the DBR9 to 3rd place in GT1 last year at Le Mans.

The Drivers of 009

Pedro Lamy, former F1 driver, 34 and from Portugal. A regular driver for AMR and with plenty of Le Mans experience including 911, Viper and Mercedes CLR.

Stephane Ortelli, 36 year old from Monte Carlo and veteran of 10 previous Le Mans including winning in a 911 GT1 in 1998 and 2nd in 2000 in an Audi R8.

Stephane Sarrazin, the 30 year old Frenchman and regular AMR driver. Four previous drives at Le Mans but also experienced in a WRC Subaru.