Think Le Mans 1990, and what springs to mind?
A Silk Cut Jaguar one-two after Martin Brundle switched cars, for sure. Maybe Jesus Pareja collapsing into the arms of his team down at the old signalling pits after his Porsche lost second place with 15 minutes to go. And almost certainly Mark Blundell's big-boost pole lap for Nissan.
What you probably don't recall is that this was a race that the Japanese manufacturer could - and arguably should - have won.
Gary Watkins has, for reasons best known to himself, devoted all his working life to covering sportscar racing. This season is his 29th as a motorsport journalist, during which time he has reported on major long-distance events on four continents and approaching 70 24-hour races. He reckons a degree in political philosophy makes him well qualified for covering the sometimes Machiavellian world of international sportscars.
Gary, who also writes for Autoweek, Motor Sport, Autocourse, RACER and others, lives in Surbiton but spends more time on the road than at home for most of the year.
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The first time Le Mans was held in September This year is not the first occasion the Le Mans 24 Hours has been postponed from its traditional June date to September. Back in 1968, the legendary enduro was also delayed and it produced one of the wettest races in its history WEC
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Le Mans 2020: The team by team guide With the coronavirus-enforced delays and build-up to practice and qualifying over, the 2020 Le Mans 24 Hours is about to begin WEC
The first time Le Mans was held in September This year is not the first occasion the Le Mans 24 Hours has been postponed from its traditional June date to September. Back in 1968, the legendary enduro was also delayed and it produced one of the wettest races in its history WEC
What we've learned from the 2020 Le Mans 24 Hours so far Ahead of the 2020 Le Mans 24 Hours activity both on and off the Circuit de la Sarthe has been frantic in a condensed schedule, while the iconic endurance event prepares for both end of eras and the promise of new ones WEC
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