Power to the imagination

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Imagination and passion will be the predominant themes of the 80th Le Mans 24 Hours. With the arrival in force of hybrid engines, the healthy state of the prototypes, a dream GT field, and an avant-garde car, the blue riband event of the new FIA World Endurance Championship promises to be an absolutely thrilling race.

The three biggest motor car manufacturers in the world will all be at Le Mans in June 2012. General Motors, back again in the no. 1 spot in 2011, has entered its Corvettes under its own name and is aiming to score another victory in the GT category; VAG, now in second place behind the American company, will be defending its 2011 success with Audi while Toyota, also in the top 3, is back at Le Mans after a 12-year break with a revolutionary prototype.

The greatest names in the world of the motor car are still attracted by the lure of Le Mans as much as ever. To the above-mentioned trio can be added famous manufacturers like Ferrari, Porsche, Lotus, Aston Martin, Honda (via its American arm Honda Performance Development) Nissan (as engine supplier) and the much-loved Morgan, a niche make, also making its official comeback.

These heavy hitters in the car industry will have to do battle against private teams without which Le Mans wouldn’t be Le Mans: they will again be taking to the track while cocking a snoop at statistics. The magnetic attraction of the greatest endurance event in the world will give rise to an another absolutely awesome event in 2012 – the 80th - as proved by the list of 56 entries (15 LM P1s, 18 LM P2s, 9 LM GTE Pros, 13 LM GTE AMs and the car in the 56th pit) announced on 2nd February 2012. 

Jean-Claude Plassart, President of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest:  “In 2012, the Le Mans 24 Hours will, more than ever before, pursue its vocation as a test bed for the most daring innovators and visionary manufacturers. Thus, Audi and Toyota will cross swords with hybrid-powered cars, the new challenge of the eightieth race. Among the fifty-six entries the three major manufacturers in the world (GM, VAG and Toyota) will all be represented by works cars: proof that the values of endurance which combine technology, sporting spirit, passion, openess and popularity are flourishing as never before!”

Photo: Toyota TS030 LM P1 Hybrid