When the Le Mans series first started, it was a showcase for the cutting-edge cars of its day. This spirit is still alive, and the 2014 series will feature vehicles that look more like spaceships than cars.
Way back in 1923, European racecar drivers decided to change the idea behind their sport. They abandoned the conventional race to the finish and embraced a new model: endurance.
Drivers found themselves strapped behind the wheel for 24 grueling hours, and whoever traveled the furthest in that day was crowned the winner. The contest began on the public roads of the French town of Le Mans and was dubbed 24 Heures du Mans. Now, more than 90 years later, that tradition has made its way to Asia.
Last year marked the first full Asian Le Mans Series, which spanned Inje (South Korea), Fuji (Japan), Zhuhai (China) and Sepang (Malaysia). Competitors came from around the world – medals were awarded to teams representing Hong Kong, France, Italy, Malaysia and Japan – and every driving group was required by regulation to have at least one driver of Asian nationality.
This year, the penultimate race once again takes place on the Zhuhai International Circuit (ZIC) – China’s first permanent motor track when it opened in 1996. By the time drivers reach Guangdong, they will already have proved their mettle in Inje, Fuji and – a new addition to the competition – Shanghai.
The Asian Le Mans isn’t quite the epic 24-hour race that’s held in France; the duration is trimmed to three hours – still grueling, but considerably easier to enjoy as a spectator. Each team has two or three members, one of whom must be from this continent, and the drivers of each heat are balanced based on their rankings to assure competitiveness. After the Asian series, three invitations will be extended for winners to compete in the original 24 Heures du Mans.
When Le Mans first started, it was a showcase for the cutting-edge cars of its day. Automakers were still divining the finer parts of aerodynamics, and European brands like Bugatti, Bentley and Alfa Romeo began to establish themselves as contenders on the racing circuit.
This spirit is still alive in 2014, and the series will feature vehicle prototypes that look more like spaceships than cars. The monsters on the track come from familiar names like BMW, Ferrari and Mercedes, as well as from specialist racing brands like Pescarolo Sport and Oreca.
The race is blazingly fast, with average speeds well over 100 miles per hour for its duration. Grab a comfortable seat and pick a team to support; with this many drivers from all over the world, there will surely be someone to root for.
// The Asian Le Mans Series will be held in Zhuhai on October 26 and will finish in Malaysia in early December. Visit www.asianlemansseries.com for more information.
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