Competition

Grids

Edition Legend 2026

Grids 6 to 10

From 2026 onwards, the event becomes annual and opens a new chapter with Le Mans Classic. This Legend version celebrates grids 6 to 10, covering a period from the 1970s through to the late 2010s.

From the flamboyant beginnings of the turbo era to the most spectacular prototypes, via GT cars that have become legendary, Le Mans Classic offers an immersive journey into the heart of modern endurance racing, shaped by technological innovation, architectural diversity and the intensity of great on-track battles.

Edition Heritage 2027

Grids 1 to 5

En 2027, Le Mans Classic will be dedicated exclusively to Grids 1 to 5 – the Heritage edition – the true foundations of the Le Mans legend.

This format will highlight the founding golden eras of endurance racing, from the earliest decades through to the 1970s, showcasing iconic automobiles that shaped the sporting and technical DNA of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. A deep dive into history, where the elegance of design and the purity of competition take centre stage once again.

6

Grid 6

Proto 1972 - 1981
GT 1975 - 1984
This grid brings together prototypes entered between 1972 and 1981, as well as GTs produced between 1975 and 1984.
It marks a transitional era in endurance racing: prototypes were evolving rapidly, combining advanced aerodynamics with the emergence of turbocharged engines. On the GT side, cars derived from production models — such as the Porsche 935 or the Ferrari 512 BB LM — dominated their categories. Porsche enjoyed overwhelming success throughout the decade with models like the 936 and the 908/3, but other manufacturers also made a lasting impact, including Lancia and Rondeau. In 1980, Jean Rondeau even became the only driver to win Le Mans at the wheel of a car bearing his own name.
This grid highlights a period rich in technical diversity, on the eve of the arrival of Group C.
On the track
Qualification :
1x50m
Free practice:
1x35m
Races:
3x50m

Grid 7

Group C 1982 - 1993
This grid is dedicated to Group C prototypes entered between 1982 and 1993. The Group C regulations focused on fuel consumption rather than outright power, pushing manufacturers to innovate in aerodynamics and engine management. Porsche dominated the early part of the decade with its 956 and 962, before the arrival of major manufacturers such as Jaguar, Sauber-Mercedes, Nissan, Toyota, and Peugeot.
Mazda’s victory in 1991 remains a truly singular moment, featuring the only rotary engine ever to win at Le Mans.
This grid pays tribute to a period when performance was measured over long distance, and when 1000 km endurance races reigned supreme in the championships.
On the track
Qualification :
1x42m
Free practice:
1x35m
Races:
3x42m

7

8

Grid 8

Proto & GT 1994 - 1999
This grid brings together the prototypes entered between 1994 and 1999, as well as the GTs from the same period.
It was a transitional period in which GT cars returned to the forefront, at times proving as fast as the prototypes. This grid features iconic machines such as the McLaren F1 GTR, the Porsche 911 GT1, the Mercedes CLK-LM, and the Toyota GT-One. McLaren’s victory at Le Mans in 1995, achieved on its very first appearance, remains one of the defining moments of the era.
It also marked the rise of ultra-high-performance GT cars, sometimes produced in very limited numbers solely to meet race eligibility requirements.
On the track
Qualification :
1x50m
Free practice:
1x35m
Races:
3x45m

Grid 9

Proto 2000 - 2005
GT 2000 - 2010
This grid covers the years 2000 to 2005 for the prototypes, and up to 2010 for the GT cars.
This was the era in which Audi asserted its dominance with the R8, followed by the arrival of Pescarolo, Bentley, and manufacturers such as Dallara and Courage. On the GT side, the Ferrari 550 Maranello, Porsche 996 GT3 RSR, Saleen S7-R, Aston Martin DBR9, and Corvette C6.R battled in fiercely contested categories (GT1 & GT2).
Endurance racing entered a new era, with increasingly professional competition in both categories. This grid illustrates a decade marked by Audi’s growing dominance and the return of several major names to the Le Mans stage.
On the track
Qualification :
1x50m
Free practice:
1x35m
Races:
3x45m

9

10

Grid 10

LMP1 2006 - 2012
LMP2 2006 - 2015
GTE 2011 - 2020
This grid brings together the LMP1 prototypes from 2006 to 2012, the LMP2s from 2006 to 2015, and the GTE cars from 2011 to 2015.
It was a period of advanced technology and memorable rivalries: Audi versus Peugeot in LMP1, marked by the arrival of diesel engines. The prototypes reached an impressive level of performance, with record-breaking speed and efficiency. In LMP2, private teams played a central role, running chassis such as the Oreca 03, Lola or HPD, often paired with a variety of engines. The category became a true proving ground for emerging talent.
On the GTE side, Ferrari, Porsche, Aston Martin and Corvette continued their fierce rivalry, with cars that remained closely related to their road-going counterparts yet became ever faster and more sophisticated. This grid showcases a decade in which performance went hand in hand with endurance, and where technical innovation lay at the very heart of the competition.
On the track
Qualification :
1x50m
Free practice:
1x35m
Races:
3x40m
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2026
Le Mans Classic
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