Le Mans Classic
The most prestigious classic car race in the world
The first and only Citroën to race on the famous 24 hour Le Mans circuit since 1932.
Our Citroën C4 has an entry into this unique race, driven by two experienced lady racing drivers.
Owned, entered and driven by Antonia Loysen with Celia Stevens
as co-driver.
The Car
In 1932 Henri de la Sayette entered a Citroën C4 Roadster in the famous 24 Hour Race at Le Mans - the ONLY Citroën EVER to have raced in the famous 24 hour race.
Henri was 27 years old and had inherited a large sum from his father six years previously, which he had spent on cars! The second driver was Charles Wolf, who in fact was the only one that actually drove the Citroën in the race. The car lasted three laps and expired out on the circuit with electrical problems.
THE DRIVERS
Antonia Loysen
Antonia is no stranger to Citroëns, to racing or to 24 hour events. She started
her racing in a Citroen Light 12 in Classic races, winning her first ever race, and has gone on to race single seaters, Formula Fords, a Formula 2 Chevron and back to saloons with BMW 2002’s again in Classic racing. Other Citroëns she has raced are a MEP (GS engined single seater which was very popular in France in the 70’s) at Charade, France and various 2cvs in the British and Belgian championships.
Regarding 24 hour events, she has competed in two 24 hour 2cv races at
Mondello Park in Ireland, gained 10 National Speed Records at MIRA in a
Lancia Delta Turbo in a ladies team where the 24 hour record was smashed by
30% as well as participating in a 24 Hour record attempt at MIRA in a Jaguar
D-Type with with former Grand Prix driver Innes Ireland where seven records
were achieved by the team.
Celia Stevens
Celia has raced in the Le Mans Classic twice, in 2006 racing a 1958 Peerless GT
Phase One, coming 36th of 65 starters, then in 2008 also in a Peerless coming 30th of 65. In 2007 she raced in the Legends race supporting the main Le Mans 24 hour event. These races were all shared with Ian McDonald who also prepared the car. In 2008 she raced the car at Angoulême, all over the UK, Spa and the Nordschleife. Prior to that she raced a BMW 7 series in Group One Touring Cars and she is currently racing a Warwick GT 350 winning her class in the last race of the 2009 season Celia is a qualified ARDS racing instructor and shows people how to drive performance cars on circuit. Her other day job is driving coffins around England – surprising how fast they go!
What is Le Mans Classic
The event is held over three days every two years at the famous Le Mans circuit in France, using the full 24-hour track, which includes road sections, including the famous Mulsanne straight. Practice takes place on Friday 9th July, through the day and night with racing starting at 16.00 on Saturday and going on for 24 hours until the chequered flag at 16.00 on Sunday, with other events around the track from Friday morning.
The Race
The fifth Le Mans Classic, which has become part of motor sport heritage, brings together nearly 450 historic racing cars, from 1923 to 1979, split into 6 grids, relaying each other on the 13 kilometre long circuit for 24 hours. There are over 1000 drivers from more than 30 countries.
The Car Clubs
- In 2008 the meeting was supported by over 200 car clubs displaying more than 6500 cars inside the Bugatti circuit. Any car built before 1966 plus other more recent notable classics are accepted.
And more clubs are expected this year. There are also concours prizes for the best clubs and cars.
The Spectators
– Over 100,000 spectators attended Le Mans Classic in 2008, making it the 2nd biggest sporting attendance in France (less than the Le Mans 24 hours and more than F1). A Goodwood style village with public entry to all the plateaux, where the race cars may be seen in tented garages. There is also an automobilia village for books, paintings, and rare automobile items. Plus Le Mans Heritage Club where 24 former Le Mans cars which participated between 1923 & 2010 will be exhibited. The cars represent the history and evolution of the race over nearly 90 years.
For more information see their website:
www.lemansclassic.comContact: Antonia Loysen
Tel (France): +33 (0)386 212 581
UK Mobile: 07815 007 231
Email: antonialoysen@hotmail.com
Contact: Celia Stevens
Tel (UK): +44 (0)1440 786 325
UK Mobile: 07785 574 564
Email: epona@hotmail.com
Sponsor this rare car and watch it race at this truly unique event - Contact Antonia or Celia
1932 Citroen C4 at
Le Mans Classic 2010
News sheet 1
12 May 2010Citroën Story - 24/25 April
Zolder Circuit, Belgium.
At virtually the last minute, Celia and I decided to take the C4 to Citroën Story in Belgium, to show it off to
everyone.
It isn’t finished yet, but it was a great incentive to get most of the bodywork painted. Ian, who is building the car, has to wait for the radiator, which is being specially made, before he can finish the front of the car.
We set off from Suffolk on Friday morning, and arrived at the circuit later than expected, due to Brussels
traffic and roadworks, and unloaded the car in the ‘museum’ area with the help of Marc Roelandt and Guy. Many
thanks indeed! We were among various pre-war Citroëns as well as some lovely special-bodied tractions.
Then it was off to the camping area, put up tent, and find some food,which we did, despite the late hour, at
the very helpful hotel that overlooks the circuit called “the Pits”! Saturday was a beautiful day and we
sat / stood with the Citroën telling people about Le Mans Classic and the car. Lots of Citroëns of all ages and
models arrived during the day - the main program being the use of the circuit on the Sunday. There were ‘shops’ in the pit garages selling parts, books and clothing. Unfortunately no pre-war parts and not much Traction stuff (I still have an 11 légère or Light 15). There were some nice books, and a new Citroën one has just come out. Celia and I shared one
plate of sausages & chips between us, and couldn’t finish it! The sizes of the portions were enormous!
Saturday evening we had a barbeque with the organisers and representatives of Citroën, which was great fun.
We organised a hotel for Saturday night in nearby Hasselt as we were going to be driving through the following
night to get home so were fully rested by the time we got back to the circuit on Sunday morning. This time
we had a wonderful breakfast on the trailer - Celia making proper tea (with teapot) and a lovely brioche! Magnificent
in the sun. During the day, all sorts of cars went out on the track, racing cars being separated from road
cars. There were also cars from the conservatoire, with some spectacular driving from the Belgian rally driver
Bruno Thiry. We saw various UK club members (TOC, CCC and Panhard) as well as Denis Huille the Citroën Heritage
manager. It was especially nice to see Fred Annells. By 6pm we were loaded up and set off
back to the UK. We just missed a boat, again due to the Brussels traffic (must go another way next time!) and
arrived back at 4am!
Great weekend - many thanks ABCC!
