Le Mans Classic 2018 - Group C Racing

Katsu Kubota in the impressively fast 1990 Nissan R90CK at the Esses on the first lap.  He led for three laps.

A grid of nearly forty cars meant that we were on for a good Group C race at Le Mans this year. Jensen Button’s entry in a Jaguar had unfortunately been scratched but we still had the treat of seeing five Jaguars present.  These Group C cars represent that classic period of Sports car racing from 1982 to 1993.  The top drivers in the race were lapping at an average speed of over 200kph or over 125mph.  Top speed in the speed trap was over 330 kph or 200 mph for Kubotas Nissan! 

A 1985 Porsche 956 battling it out with a 1989 Porsche 962.

This Classic Group C Racing is mainly for Group C and IMSA cars but other cars such as Japanese series cars are permitted and certain other cars by invitation. The grid was split into 6 classes based on age of car, specification and the original category it ran in.  The faster cars are those of the 1991 to 1993 era when these sports cars were powered by 3.5 litre Formula One engines.

Lots of variety with a Peugeot leading two Jaguars, a Porsche and a Tiga.

Lots of variety on the grid with something like fifteen different marques represented.  It was disappointing not to have a Mercedes-Benz on the grid, but overall a great field with the afore mentioned Jaguars plus the obligatory Porsches and a French feel with the Rondeau and the Peugeots. 

The 1985 Toyota 85C.  It didn't finish.

Especially, great to see one of the early 1985 Toyotas racing given that they finally scored a Le Mans victory three weeks ago.  The race at 43 minutes long was rather too long for some of these cars as about a third dropped out along the way but this added to the endurance feel of the event.  A number of changes of lead as cars began to hit reliability issues and another after the race as cars were penalised for incidents and slow zone infringements.  This was the second time that the Group C cars had been at the Le Mans Classic, long may it continue.  Most of them may only be gentleman drivers but they do a good job in these beautiful and fast cars. 

This 1987 Porsche 962 was first on the road but penalised a lap by the stewards.

Here are my photos of the race on Saturday 7^th July 2018 around noon, taken from the public areas at the outside of the Esses and from the inside of Tertre Rouge.  I didn’t get to the Group C paddock despite walking 20 kilometres over the weekend; there is always so much to see at the Le Mans Classic.  The conditions were sunny and hot throughout.  For those interested I was using a Canon 7D MkII with a Canon 70-300mm f4-f5.6 is usm lens.  

The eventual winner was Michael Lyons in the 1991 Gebhardt C91.

Shaun Lynn won the C1A class in this 1987 Jaguar XJR9 and came in second overall.

Mr John of B and Soheil Ayari  in the 1982 Rondeau M382 won class C1B.

The sole runner in class C2B was this 1984 Sthemo SM

Winner of class C2A was Xavier Galant in this 1988 Tiga GC288

This 1988 GKW 862 C2 won class C3B in the hands of the Guerras.

This 1989 Jaguar XJR12 led from pole position until the Nissan got past.

The Ralf Kelleners/Ivan Vercoutier Jaguar XJR11 was third overall.

The 1985 EMKA C84/1-Aston Martin had trouble on the warm up lap but got going again with the help of the marshals.

Leader at half distance was the 1992 Spice SE92 GTP of Campagne and Kalff.

This 1990 Porsche 962 was very competitive but didn't finish.  Here it is chased by a Spice and the eventual winner.

Another to lead the race was this 1990 Porsche 962C of Hubner and Werner.

John Etherton asserts his copyright to all of the photos on this blogpost.  However, you may post the photos elsewhere on the web as long as you credit the photographer, John Etherton, and this blog post, Rouenlesafx@blogspot.com and provide a link to this page.

John Etherton affirme son droit d'auteur à l'ensemble des photos sur ce billet de blog. Cependant, vous pouvez poster des photos ailleurs sur le web aussi longtemps que vous créditez le photographe, John Etherton, et ce blog, Rouenlesafx@blogspot.com et fournissez un lien vers cette page.

Always a pleasure to see and hear the 1993 Peugeot 905 Ev1 bis.  This one finished second in class.

H:O Scale Group C Slot Cars

First lap through the Esses!

The late eighties and early nineties was a time when H:O scale slot car racing was booming and the availability of a good selection of Group C cars was a major factor.   If you got the various versions produced in America, Japan, UK and France, a good collection could be built up. Considering the size of H:O slot cars which are 1:64th scale they were quite reasonable models.

Tomy made most of them but Tyco made a good selection of Porsches. Marchon also made one (a Sauber-Mercedes) but it is not featured here. Also not featured here are the high-intensity lighted Group C Porsche and Jaguar that Tomy made for their 45 lane Le Mans set - these were great for home racing but weren't as accurate in detail.

Here a few of the many that were available .  I was recently inspired to take 20 of my old collection out of the box for a run around the Rouen-les-AFX circuit after seeing the Le Mans Classic Group C race.

Porsche
Both Tomy and Tyco made versions of the Porsche 956 in both 956 and 962 colour schemes.  I think there were about 8 Tyco variants most of which I have but not all shown here.  There were even more variations of the Tomy version.

The particularly desirable Tyco Miller Porsche slides wide.

Tomy Kenwood Porsche leads Tyco Kenwood Porsche.

Tyco BF Goodrich Porsche

Tomy Porsche 956 Group C car in Dunlop/Shell colours.

Jaguar
The favourites in the UK were often the Tomy Jaguar XJR9 Group C cars.

The rare Japanese Tomy Jaguar with Silk Cut colours and wording.  It was not available elsewhere due to having cigarette advertising on a kids toy.

Not strictly a Group C car but the Group 44 Jaguar that led the way for the jaguar group C program.

Toyota
Winners in the Derby Le Mans 24 hours for HO slot cars even if they never won the real Le Mans 24 hours.  I didn't take my Silver/Grey Tenoras car out for this run.

Three versions of the Tomy Toyota group C car.

Probably the rarer of the three colour schemes I have of the Toyota.

Sauber-Mercedes
The C9 was another very popular car of the time.  For a while you could only get Black car in the UK in Beatties (remember them!).

Tomy AEG Olympia Sauber-Mercedes Group C car.

Nissan
These were a body not very available in the UK, most were imports from Japan. This is car March made for Nissan.  At least one other was available apart from those shown here.

Two Nissans lead the field.

Tomy Nissan Group C cars.

Tomy Mada Nissan leading a Porsche.

Tomy Nissan chasing a Porsche.

Peugeot
I seem to remember that one of the two numbers was only available in France.

Two Tomy Peugeot 905s

The No 44 car.

I tried to get some "movement" into these pictures - hope you enjoyed.

For pictures of the real Group C cars click here.

John Etherton asserts his copyright to all of the photos on this blogpost.  However, you may post the photos elsewhere on the web as long as you credit the photographer, John Etherton, and this blog post, Rouenlesafx@blogspot.com and provide a link to this page.

John Etherton affirme son droit d'auteur à l'ensemble des photos sur ce billet de blog. Cependant, vous pouvez poster des photos ailleurs sur le web aussi longtemps que vous créditez le photographe, John Etherton, et ce blog, Rouenlesafx@blogspot.com et fournissez un lien vers cette page.