The soirée - held at the Auto Passion Café, a Parisian restaurant dedicated to automotive passion - was energetically MC'd by none other than Bruno Vandestick. As the first of the 90 guests arrived, the man known as the voice of the 24 Hours helped himself to a session on a driving simulator set up in the restaurant as Vincent Capillaire looked on.

Capillaire kicked off the evening with humor and enthusiasm, mentioning his "double podium ceremony." Third under the checkered flag, Vincent Capillaire and his teammates Jonathan Hirschi and Tristan Gommendy officially finished second following the disqualification of G-Drive Racing..."a few centimeters gained on the podium," said the Le Mans native with a smile.

The 90-minute screening of the official film included major race action as well as behind-the-scenes stories shared by mechanics, drivers, spectators, fun fair-goers and the invaluable marshals. Some in attendance at the soirée got a noticeable kick out of seeing themselves on the big screen! Among the guests were friends of Julien Andlauer, visibly moved watching him on the top step of the LMGTE Am podium. They've followed this young prodigy since his early days in karting.

Above and beyond the passion, pressure and emotion, the official film is brilliant at highlighting small or funny instances as well, like superimposing an image of text exchanges between spectators, people buying official mugs and a couple trying to meet back up for the concert given by a band from Texas. A must-see moment of the movie: when winner Kazuki Nakajima, two years after the shock of his engine breaking down going into the final lap of the 2016 edition, admits during his last stint this year he considered getting on the radio and announcing his car had lost power!

After the screening, Vincent Capillaire and Gabriel Aubry took part in a friendly Q&A session with the crowd. Though they're a generation apart (42 years of age - or "24 backwards" according to Bruno Vandestick - for Vincent Capillaire and 20 years of age for Gabriel Aubry), both drivers share a passion for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. During the exchange, both confessed to being rather "talkative" on the radio when they're on the track!

Vincent Capillaire also highlighted the involvement and level of class of Fernando Alonso throughout 24 Hours race week. Track marshals were deservedly acknowledged and Bruno Vandestick gave them an opportunity to address the attendees. He put it best by saying: "Without them, there is no race," with Vincent Capillaire in obvious agreement.

This special evening ended with a confession made by Gabriel Aubry to a small group of inner circle members. He soon hopes to dedicate himself entirely to endurance racing and to the 24 Hours of Le Mans. At age 20 with already two LMP2 wins to his credit for his first season in the World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC), the world is his oyster.

Here's to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, forever and always!

PHOTOS: On top - Gabriel Aubry takes the microphone to respond to guest questions. Gallery below - Vincent Capillaire (at left) and Gabriel Aubry (at right) at the 2018 24 Hours, ready to hit the track. Center - Bruno Vandestick at the 24 Hours circuit on a simulator, photographed by Vincent Capillaire.