Marc Ouayoun: “Le Mans Classic is a transgenerational event”

What can we expect for the return of Le Mans Classic after a one-year hiatus?

This is a very special event that brings together all generations on the track, but also around the paddocks and in the village. It is certainly the largest historic racing event in the world, since we welcome around 700 cars and 1 drivers to the track. We expect between 200 and 230 visitors over the three days. On the Bugatti circuit, 250 club cars from all eras will be present, from supercars to cars from the 000s, including youngtimers. We will also innovate with exceptional concerts, reflecting what the 24 Hours of Le Mans, that is, a party. DJs Kavinsky and Cerrone will be the headliners on Friday and Saturday. An outdoor cinema will finally show major automotive films like Le Mans et Rush.

ALSO READ > Le Mans Classic 2025 – Entrants, program, live video: follow the guide

To give an idea of ​​the human investment behind the event, how much time does it take to organize the Le Mans Classic? 

It's a year-long effort. Things accelerate in September-October, when we receive the first registration files. Le Mans Classic is also a huge logistical undertaking. We work hand in hand with the ACO. We're keeping the circuit in its 24 Hours configuration, with some of the same infrastructure, such as the footbridges and the concert stage. Several hundred track marshals are needed along the route, many of whom were already present for the Modern version three weeks earlier.

@autohebdo.mag

We met Marc Ouayoun, CEO of Peter Auto, before the Le Mans Classic kicked off!

♬ original sound – AUTOhebdo – AUTOhebdo

How did you go about selecting the cars on the track?

It is impossible to gather only cars that have raced in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The goal is to have cars that have actually competed in the 24 Hours – and we have some in each Grid on the program – and also cars with identical configuration. There are also reconstructions of vehicles strictly identical in their technical configuration to the period vehicles. What is authoritative is the homologation, called PTH (Historical Technical Passport. Ed.), their FIA passport which guarantees that the car is in keeping with the spirit of the times, while not omitting modern safety (roll bar, secure fuel tank, etc.. Ed.). It is clear that today, the owner of a Ferrari The original car that competed at Le Mans will be sure to be selected. If you have a replica or a car that has already been entered in multiple copies, it will be more complicated.

The diversity of the grids is also a strong point of Le Mans Classic…

Indeed, the grids must be a snapshot of each era of motor racing. This is achieved through the diversity of models entered. For example, it is impossible for us to accept all Porsche that are submitted to us. On the other hand, we choose enough so that they are representative of a period. Finally, the organizer carefully looks at the history of participation in the Series by Peter Auto.

Porsches will be making up the numbers in support races, whether in Porsche Classic Race Le Mans, in Group C Racing or in Endurance Racing Legends (ERL). Why these three additional races?

These are races that provide a different kind of spectacle. The Group C races are highly anticipated. The ERL remains a support grid, but will become one of the official grids of Le Mans Classic from 2026, in the new formula we are preparing. (see elsewhere). It makes sense, because Le Mans Classic was created in 2002. The youngest cars were 20 years old. Today, if the formula doesn't change, the youngest cars are 40 years old. We therefore need to rejuvenate the grids, because a younger clientele is arriving in this world of Historic. Young adults grew up with the prototypes and GT1 and GT2 cars of the 1990s and 2000s. Le Mans Classic is therefore a transgenerational event.

You don't intend to part with the older trays?

Absolutely not. On the contrary, there's a real craze for 1960s racing. These cars provide emotions, the driving is pure. Young drivers arrive in Classic through the ERL and get into a Chevron, Lola, or even pre-war machine, and become fans. I was talking with some of them, who drive Bugatti Type 35s, and they told me: “We don’t go very fast, but what a pleasure to ride machines with very strong driving sensations.”

Since 2022, several historic vehicles have been using synthetic fuel as a rolling laboratory. Where are we, three years later?

Three of our grids strongly encourage competitors to run on synthetic fuel, which is 70% carbon-free. This fuel, developed by Aramco, is a solution specifically adapted to historic vehicles. This fuel will gradually become mandatory at Peter Auto. Today, it's safe to say that a car dating from 1950 to 1975 can run perfectly well on synthetic fuel, without requiring major modifications beforehand.

Le Mans Classic is so rich in events that spectators can feel lost. What are the highlights that should not be missed under any circumstances?

On the track, you have to witness the start of a Plateau 1 race, the oldest pre-war vehicles. It's extraordinary and so moving! I also recommend seeing the start of the Group C race on Sunday at dawn. In my eyes, these prototypes embody the golden age of endurance racing, with high-performance cars, whose ground effect was considerable. Then, you absolutely have to wander through the paddocks. It's a must! The layout hasn't changed since 2023, and the cars will be able to be approached very closely.