2004

2023 saw the arrival of a legendary American model in the Cadillac hyper car category. That same year, a car from the American NASCAR speed races, the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, was invited to take up the challenge of endurance and occupied garage 56 which had been reserved for innovative prototypes.

It was a new team that would face this challenge whereas, the chances of the American manufacturer Chevrolet had been represented by a single team, Corvette Racing, since 2000. 

Engaged in the Grand Touring category, the Corvette team has not missed any of the 24 Hour races staged in the 21st century, with the exception of 2020 for reasons associated with health issues, and it has built up a first-rate record. 

The Chevrolet Corvette was engaged in a spectacular battle with the Ferraris and won in its category back in 2004. Better still, it was ranked sixth in the overall classification, and was only preceded by premier category cars, the LMP1s.

The former skier Luc Alphand crossed the finishing line for the first time behind the wheel having taken over the final leg for his team.

He was driving a Porsche no. 72, a double tribute to the Sarthois department and to the 2004 event which was the 72nd held at the Le Mans 24 Hours.

The LE PALACE cinema stood at no. 104 on the pavement opposite for a long time. It opened in 1920, and was one of the two large cinemas in Le Mans.

A large crowd dashed there on Monday 4th June, 1928 to attend the conference hosted by the aviator Marie Marvingt, who had been invited by the Aeronautical League of France.

It was above all the cinema of reference for American films with almost 600 people in attendance. Above all, it was the best place to see Steve McQueen's film Le Mans when it was released in 1971!

Flash McQueen, the NASCAR racing car heroine of the animation film Cars, is not directly inspired by an actual car. 

However, did you notice her smile? This is a fun depiction of the 'tooth grille', a typical opening in the body reminiscent of the very first Corvette car, called the 'C1' and manufactured in the 1950s.