Passion and Le Mans go hand in hand: one simply could not exist without the other. Rolex’s presence in Le Mans is a perfect compliment to this symbiotic relationship. Every year, the ACO presents the “Spirit of Le Mans” Award and a specially engraved Rolex timepiece to personalities who best embody the spirit of this legendary endurance race. Danish driver Tom Kristensen, who hold the ultimate record for his eight wins in Les 24 Heures du Mans, is a Rolex Ambassador, and is hoping to add a ninth win to his long-standing record this year.
Spirit of Le Mans Award 2012: Gérard Larrousse…
“After doing Les 24 Heures du Mans once, you always want to come back,” said former race winner Gérard Larrousse. Each year, the organizing Automobile Club de l’Ouest honors an individual who reflects the true spirit of this event and promotes his passion. This year it was two-time race winner Gérard Larrousse that was honored with this award and a specially-engraved Rolex timepiece. “As I hear from many former drivers, ‘once you’ve done the 24 hours’ it will follow you for the rest of your life,” he said, upon receiving his award.
Following his driving career, Larrousse became Directeur Sportif of Renault and as such was in charge for the French company’s first-ever 1978 Le Mans victory. Larrousse is now Vice President of the Le Mans 24 Hours International Drivers Club.
But it is not only drivers that love to come back to Le Mans each spring; hundreds of thousands of fans visiting Les 24 Heures du Mans return in an annual pilgrimage. Le Mans is a passion shared by millions. Endurance racing has always been a meeting place for passion and determination, and there is no better place for this than at Le Circuit de la Sarthe.
‘Mister Le Mans’ Tom Kristensen Greets His Fans…
To watch Tom Kristensen in action on the track is one thing, but to watch this race hero in action outside of racing is clearly part of what makes him a star in the motor sports world. Kristensen is an exceptional example of a driver that goes above and beyond his call to duty as a driver here at Les 24 Heures du Mans. “This is much more than a job,” he explains, “it’s passion. You have to have passion or you won’t do well here. To be a race car driver was my childhood dream, it’s what I wanted to achieve, and to think that my hobby has become my career I would say that I’m very privileged.”
Yesterday (Friday) just after noon, Kristensen made his traditional visit to the Danish campgrounds before the official Audi press conference, an event typically attended by about 300 journalists. While some may hesitate to get close to the real fans at Le Mans, Kristensen jumps in with enthusiasm. The most impressive of these visits is at the K-REJSER campground, set up by the Danish company that organizes travel and tent accommodations for Danish spectators at various motor sports events around the world. Every year Kristensen, along with co-drivers Allan McNish and Rinaldo (Dindo) Capello, greet a roaring crowd of Danish fans under a large tent at the campsite. If Kristensen’s non-stop power on the track is not impressive enough, seeing how he interacts with each of his fans is enough to convince one of the man’s incredible energy.
But while Tom takes a solid amount of time to cover all his bases outside of racing, it is racing that he has come here to do, and he is ready to face the start of this year’s 80th running of the race, and do his best to notch up a ninth win here in Le Mans.
Race Village Houses Special Rolex Boutique…
The Le Mans race village hosts a Rolex boutique, a temporary installation put in place exceptionally for this annual motorsport festival. This year it is Rolex and Doux Joaillier (headquarters in Avignon) that have brought this installation to life. “We are delighted to be here in Le Mans for the first time,” said Managing Director Samuel Taquet. “Here we have discovered a unique opportunity to build a connection with the thousands of fans that are in Le Mans for the race; this is very new and exciting for us.”
The boutique is open daily during the race weekend. Some may be entering a Rolex boutique for the first time, seeing an opportunity to bring the power of racing and the beauty of luxury closer together, all within a Le Mans-specific environment: the walls of the boutique feature full size race photos from various editions of Les 24 Heures du Mans.
“This is an incredibly international event,” continued Taquet, “we have had people coming in from Mexico, England, the United States, and of course many from France as well. Our most popular inquiry is definitely in regards to the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona: we have at least four people asking about it daily, particularly the model in steel as it is an iconic watch in the world of motor sport.” This model is particularly sought-after as every year the three winning drivers of Les 24 Heures du Mans are presented with a specially engraved version of this exclusive timepiece.
“The common link between Rolex and everyone in Le Mans here for the race is clearly a passion for perfection,” said Taquet. “Both Rolex and all involved in Les 24 Heures du Mans are on a constant quest for ultimate refinement, total precision and quality.” Rolex is a proud partner and has been the Official Timekeeper of Les 24 Heures du Mans since 2001.
Yet in the end it is the actual race itself that captures all attention. In addition to the few hundred thousand spectators gathered around the 13.629-kilometre circuit, millions at home also follow the race on television. 56 cars will take the green flag today when the Rolex clock at start and finish line shows 15:00.
Source : Rolex