Le Mans Classic 2016 - Plateau 6 - 1972 to 1981

The rolling start of the second race for Plateau 6 which features mainly cars from the seventies.  This is the famous Le Mans start-finish straight with the pits and grandstands.

This plateau represents Le Mans after the Porsche 917 era and before the Group C era.  This was the era when French cars did very well with three victories falling to Matra-Simca and a victory each to Renault Alpine and Rondeau.  Victories also fell to Porsche and Gulf-Mirage.  All of these marques were represented.  A number of famous drivers were also taking part including Henri Pescarolo, Alain Serpaggi, Jean Ragnotti, Eric Helary, Emmanuel Collard, Jochen Mass, Emanuele Pirro, John Fitzpatrick and Gijs van Lennep.

This is a little earlier with the three fastest cars coming from the pre-grid onto the main circuit.  A 1982 Porsche 936 leads a 1977 Lola T286 and a 1973 Gulf Mirage.  

1974 Gulf Mirage and 1978 Osella-BMW PA6 run together through the Ford Chicane.

A variety of cars led by a 1975 Chevron B31 BDG on the first lap.

A 1976 Sauber-BMW C5 executes a quick spin.

The twelfth place 1979 Porsche 935 K3 spits flames out of the exhaust on the over-run.

It was great to see Henri Pescarolo race again in the 1976 Inaltera-DFV.  He shared the car with Julien Beltoise the son of Jean-Pierre Beltoise.  In 1976 Henri and Jean-Pierre drove this car into eighth place and won their class in the 24 hours.

To find out more about the Inaltera, click here.

A 1975 Chevron B31 BDG pulls off an overtaking manoeuvre into the chicane.

The 1978 Renault Alpine A443 which was driven by Jean Ragnotti and Alain Serpaggi.

1969 Aston Martin DBS V8 that reminded us of Robin Hamilton's brave efforts at Le Mans.

1973 Ligier-Maserati JS2

1974 7 litre Dodge Charge.  A reminder of when NASCAR type cars came to Le Mans.

1975 Moynet LM75

To find out more about the Moynet LM75, click here.

1973 Gulf Mirage driven by Chris MacAllister.   This combination won the race in 2014 but was not so lucky this year.

1978 Rondeau M378 DFV

To find our more about the Rondeau M378, click here.

1979 Lola T298 BMW

The 1982 Porsche 936 won the race in the hands of Schumacher and Werner.

1976 Cheetah G601 overtakes a 1975 Datsun 240Z.

1974 Porsche 911 RSR 2.1 bumping over the kerbs.

Another flame-throwing 1979 Porsche 935.  

1979 Lancia Beta GrpV.

The end of the second race for this plateau.

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