24h Le Mans
Every year, the day before the 24 Hours of Le Mans, all driver line-ups participate in a parade in downtown Le Mans. On Friday, June 16th, five-time winner Derek Bell will serve as parade marshal of the 23rd edition of the Drivers' Parade, the path of which has been slightly modified.
Once again, the Place des Jacobins will serve as the starting and ending points of the Drivers' Parade, and like last year the Wilbur-Wright tunnel (one of the two Wright brothers, aviation pioneers who conducted flight demonstrations at the Hunaudières in 1908) will not be on the path of the parade, which has been slightly shortened to include a sizable portion of Pierre Mendès-France Avenue.
Yesterday, Thierry Hamon, President of the organizing association Classic automotive, promised at the presentation of the path at the Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie, the Drivers' Parade will be just as spectacular and exciting as always. He also announced Derek Bell as parade marshal for the 23rd edition this year.
The British driver has participated in the 24 Hours of Le Mans 26 times in 27 years, with five wins. The first victory was clinched with the Gulf Mirage GR8 in 1975, and the four others with Porsche between 1981 and 1987. In addition to his nine podium finishes at Le Mans, Derek Bell also won the Rolex 24 at Daytona three times between 1986 and 1989, and the World Endurance Championship (WEC) in 1985 and 1986.
So Derek Bell will lead the festivities Friday, June 16th kicking off at 5:30 p.m. the 23rd edition of the Drivers' Parade which brings together more than 150,000 people in downtown Le Mans thanks to the work of 500 volunteers, 120 emergency personnel, 95 safety officials and 16 doctors and nurses.
Photo: Like it does every year, the Drivers' Parade drew a huge crowd to downtown Le Mans the day before the 2016 24 Hours of Le Mans.
