Steve McQueen from 1970 to 1980 - The film "Le Mans" came out in 1971. It was directed by television director Lee H. Katzin after the departure mid-filming in Le Mans by John Sturges who had directed McQueen in "The Magnificent Seven" (1960) and "The Great Escape" (1963). During the last 10 years of his life, McQueen made seven movies, two of which enjoyed great international success: "Papillon" (1973) and "The Towering Inferno" (1974). In the latter of the two, he starred alongside Paul Newman...who finished second at the 1979 24 Hours of Le Mans. McQueen passed away on November 7, 1980. That day, French television scrapped its regular programming and showed "Le Mans."

The 24 Hours of Le Mans from 1970 to 1980 - After 19 years of trying, in 1970 Porsche won its first victory with the 917. The next year, the car set a speed record in the Mulsanne Straight at the preliminary tests in April, then the in-race distance record two months later, which would not be beaten until 1988 and 2010, respectively. The German manufacturer won five times during that decade (1970-71-76-77-79). Already victorious in 1969, Belgian driver Jacky Ickx won three times in a row (1975-76-77) matching his fellow countryman Olivier Gendebien, win record-holder at the time. It was also a good period for French motorsports at the 24 Hours of Le Mans thanks to Matra (1972-73-74), Renault-Alpine (1978) and Le Mans native Jean Rondeau, the only winning driver-constructor at Le Mans (1980). Matra's three wins belong to Henri Pescarolo, first French driver (and sole to this day) to win three consecutive victories at the 24 Hours. Pescarolo teammate in 1972, British driver Graham Hill became the only driver in the history of motorsports to win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans (1972), the Indianapolis 500 (1966) and the Grand Prix of Monaco (1963-64-65-68-69).

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Tickets to the 2016 24 Hours of Le Mans will be available for purchase on Tuesday, November 3, 2015 (for ACO members) and Friday, November 6, 2015 (for the general public).

Jean-Philippe Doret / ACO - Translation by Nikki Ehrhardt / ACO

Photo: LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES, 1970, FILMING THE MOVIE "LE MANS." Steve McQueen as Michael Delaney, driver of the Porsche 917, whom he played in the film "Le Mans."