Gallery: 77MM – Le Mans prototypes

Whether you’re a Le Mans veteran, or a first-time witness to LMP cars being driven on-track at speed, the closing moments of Saturday night was an occasion not to be missed. Waiting for these gladiators of endurance racing to emerge out of the chicane, before punching into hyper-drive, cutting through the chilled night air in a blur of lights and exhaust flame was a sight that will long live in the memory.

Viewing the likes of the Bentley Speed 8, the Lola-Judd B09/80, and the Peugot 908X blast down towards Madgwick, and being so close to the action, was a privilege. If the goal of the demonstration was to give us just a glimpse of the speeds these machines can achieve, then we’d say it was a total, and terrifying success. Just incredible. And a testament to modern race car engineering.

Saturday night wouldn’t go out with a whimper once the LMP cars were persuaded back into the paddocks, as the close of track signalled the start of the famous Members’ Meeting festivities. Drivers and fans alike would enjoy a night of entertainment before Sunday’s business of racing would start afresh come the morning.

If we’re honest though, all we were thinking of was getting to see these incredible machines take the track once again, and thankfully they did so again on Saturday afternoon. It's just a shame they won't be here every day for the next year... 

Photography by James Lynch, Tom Shaxson and Pete Summers.