The 24 Hours - 17/06/2001   Le Mans Legends Race   The inaugural Le Mans Legends race this morning was initially greeted with a dose of the Bah Humbugs from the TMS editor. "Not proper racing....grumble,....just a parade.....gripe, expensive toys.......grizzle." Despite this, the race was well received by the race morning crowds as the huge grid composed of sixty cars that raced at Le Mans between 1949 and 1965, formed up. The grid, featuring famous Jaguars, Aston Martins, Ferraris, Maseratis, Alpines, ACs and many others, made for a magnificent sight, lined up for a traditional start for the warm up lap. The Editor's initial doubts appeared to be melting away as the front running cars went at it hammer and tongs from the off. Gary Pearson in the Lister Jaguar, David Piper in the Ferrari 250LM, Peter Hardman in the 1959 race winning Aston Martin DBR1, and Paul Haywood Halfpenny in the Lola Mk6GT were taking no prisoners and the frosty exterior of Editor Cracknell finally thawed. Many in the press room swear that there was a tear in his eye as he revealed that the bright green David Piper Ferrari LM was the car that initially kindled his passion for sports / GT racing (Ferrari and Piper have a lot to answer for!). Despite many cars falling by the wayside the race stayed exciting to the very end. The Editor's favourite eventually emerged victorious after Gary Pearson's Lister retired in the closing stages. Top 10 1. David Piper Ferrari 250LM 2. Peter Hardman Aston Martin DBR 1/2 3. Tony Dron, Ferrari GT Berlinetta 4. Graham Bryant AC Cobra 5. Jeremy Agace Iso Bizarrini 6. Barrie Williams Tojeiro Jaguar 7. Yvan Mahe AC Cobra 8. John Mayston-Taylor Lightweight Jaguar E-type 9. Julian Bronson HWM Jaguar 10. Jim Forrester Marcos 1800GT GRAHAM GOODWIN Official website of the Le Mans 24 Hours Copyright ©2000-©2023 TotalMotorSport