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THE NEW SPECIAL EXHIBITION AT THE TECHNIK MUSEUM SINSHEIM

FROM 1 APRIL 2023 TO 31 AUGUST 2024

THE EXHIBITION

The magic of Le Mans is something no other race can emulate.

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The exhibition "One Hundred Years of the 24 Hours of Le Mans" celebrates a century of motorsport history and highlights the most exciting moments of the world's most prestigious race. We bring you closer to the fascination and history of the long-distance classic and let you experience the race full of excitement, adrenaline and unforgettable moments. Breathtaking photographs and images, historical documents and personal stories will captivate you.

We present major vehicles, grouped by decade, in racing groups on a specially installed "race track". In the midst of the 3,000 m² exhibition, 40 columns suspended from the ceiling tell exciting stories from the 100 years of the "Grand Prix d'Endurance" through photographs, paintings and texts. The exhibition is decorated with oversized banners showing watercolours by Le Mans enthusiast Uli Ehret and historical photographs of racing scenes that capture the atmosphere of the race through day and night.

Highlights include the legendary Ford GT 40, the futuristic Porsche 919 Hybrid, the fast Toyota GTOne, and the original winning car from 1926: the Lorraine Dietrich B3-6.

 

24 HOURS OF LE MANS - 100 YEARS OF MOTORSPORT HISTORY

24 hours of utter focus, always at the limit - a challenge for man and machine

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  • The history

    An event of superlatives right from the start

    • The 24 Hours of Le Mans is one of the oldest and best-known endurance races in the world and a pinnacle of racing.  
    • The aim of the race is to cover as much distance as possible within 24 hours then cross the finish line.
    • It was first held from 26 to 27 May 1923 and usually takes place each year during the second weekend in June. It was cancelled in 1939 due to a general strike in France, while from 1940 to 1949 it was suspended because of World War II. 
    • In the 1920s and 1930s, Le Mans was an important setting for the development of motorsport and symbolised the pursuit of technological progress and performance. It has always been considered one of the greatest challenges for car manufacturers and racing drivers. 
    • Until the 1980s, two-man teams competed in the races, but these days three drivers take turns.
    • Today, the 24 Hours of Le Mans is one of the most important events in international motorsport and part of the FIA World Endurance Championship. Every year it attracts thousands of spectators from all over the world.  
    • Le Mans is more than just a race – it is a piece of history that is rewritten every year.
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  • The route

    The legendary Circuit de la Sarthe  

    • The race route – better known as the Circuit de le Sarthe - has a total length of 13.626 kilometres. It is a combination of public roads and a permanent race track.
    • The route is known for its combination of fast straights and demanding tight corners, posing a unique challenge to drivers and teams. The famous Hunaudières Straight, the Mulsanne Corner and the Arnage Corner are just a few of the crucial stretches along the route.
    • The fastest point on the route is the Hunaudières Straight: nearly five kilometres of road which saw speeds in excess of 400 km/h before 1990. Since then, two chicanes built in for safety reasons have limited the top speed to around 340 km/h.
    • In 1965 the permanent Bugatti Circuit was added, sharing parts of the route. This also includes the pits and the start and finish area.
    • Besides the challenges along the route, various weather conditions can create additional difficulties for drivers.  
    • However, the route presents an enormous challenge not only for drivers but also for mechanics and engineers, who have to maintain and repair cars if they get damaged or experience problems.
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  • The vehicles

    A race that creates legends

    - a challenge for man and machine

    • The 24 Hours of Le Mans is one of the biggest stages for car presentations and test drives.  
    • Many renowned car manufacturers use the 24-hour race to put their latest vehicles to the toughest test, trialling technologies under difficult conditions and improving their ability to deal with stress, strain and wear. 
    • Le Mans also offers a unique opportunity to demonstrate the potential and performance of their vehicles, thereby establishing an image as a technological company.
    • The long duration of the race and the huge speeds along the route subject the vehicles to extreme loads that they would not otherwise experience. This allows manufacturers to identify and fix weaknesses in their vehicles before they hit the market. The findings help them improve their vehicles for road use and make them more reliable. A strong performance can also increase awareness of their brand. 
    • Le Mans is an important test for car manufacturers to promote their technologies and brands.
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  • The current vehicle classes

    Four classes on one route

    The starting grid at the 24 Hours of Le Mans is currently divided into four classes: two each for Sports Prototypes and Grand Tourers. While the two GT classes largely correspond to GT2 according to FIA guidelines, the two categories of Le Mans prototypes are designed by the ACO itself and were adopted by the FIA in 2012.

    • Le Mans Hypercar (LMH) - Minimum weight: 1030 kg; Displacement: unlimited; Hybrid optional
    • Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2) - Minimum weight: 900 kg; Displacement: Series-based engines up to 5,000 cm³ (naturally aspirated engines with a maximum of 8 cylinders) or 3,200 cm³ (turbo engines with a maximum of 6 cylinders)
    • Le Mans GTE Pro - close-to-production GT sports cars (line-up with professional drivers)
    • Le Mans GTE Pro - close-to-production GT sports cars (line-up with professional drivers)

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ALL ABOUT THE SPECIAL EXHIBITION

Experience Le Mans with us

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Twenty years of the Concorde supersonic jet at Sinsheim and the special exhibition "One Hundred Years of 24 Hours of Le Mans", all about what is probably the biggest motorsport event of our neighbours to the west.

The year 2023 is all about France at the Sinsheim and Speyer museums of technology. And because France's technical history has even more to offer than sleek airplanes and fast cars, we invite you to the Technik Museum Sinsheim on 29/04/2023 for a rally of French classics.

French vehicles of any make produced up to 1983 will come together in the courtyard and P1.

In addition, Le Mans expert and curator Uli Ehret and two other museum guides will be overseeing the newly opened special exhibition in Hall 3 from 1 pm – 5 pm and will answer questions from anyone interested.

INFORMATION FOR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES

We would be happy to add you to our press mailing list and assist you with your reporting. You can always find the latest press material on the special exhibition in our press area.

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