1996

French actor Alain Delon started the 1996 24 Hours. The clash announced between the prototypes and the Grand Touring cars was getting under way. However it quickly turned into another. The two official Porsches and the two TWR-Porsches from the private Joest team were out in front.

The TWR-Porsche No. 7 of Manuel Reuter would occasionally be overtaken at the start of the event when refuelling, while Davy Jones and Alexander Wurz were leading the race without any mechanical issues. It was ranked first in each classification at the end of the 24 Hours.

Porsche sealed a hat-trick with the TWR followed by the two factory cars. The winning car is indeed a car with a German engine, but its chassis is English. TWR-Porsches are derived from chassis designed by British engineer Ross Brawn for the Jaguar XJR14. The English project inspired other manufacturers in the early 1990s and was acquired by Porsche. Ironically, the private Joest team took over the prototype project and made it successful at the 1996 and 1997 Le Mans 24 Hours! when the German manufacturer finally entered Grand Touring with its 911 GT1.

While Manuel Reuter was winning for a second time, his teammate in the 1989 race Stanley Dickens took part in the 1996 Le Mans 24 Hours alongside George Fouché… and with a third driver whose participation was more unexpected: Steve Fossett.

The man who has travelled around the world, sometimes nicknamed the "record holder" for his multiple records both at sea and in the air, serves as a reminder to us that the classic Le Mans has always attracted adventurers, starting with the legendary Bentley Boys in the 1920s!