The 82nd Running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans Looks to be Epic

By Tim DeLong - June 6, 2014

The big news out of the Circuit de la Sarthe this year is the return of Porsche. For the first time in 15 years, they’re putting forth a factory effort with their 919 Hybrid. Porsche practically dominated the 24 for nearly three decades after their initial win in 1970. After leaving the 24 as a factory team in 1998 Audi has had a grip on the top of the podium winning 12 times since 2000.

This week Audi released an awesome video taunt to Porsche. The video features an Audi R18 E-TRON Quattro being driven through the heart of Stuttgart to Porsche’s doorstep. The Audi even passes a vintage Porsche tractor along its journey through the German countryside. Once the Audi arrives, the tire smoke begins leaving a “Welcome Back” message in burnt rubber at their feet.

6SpeedOnline – Porsche Prepares 919 Hybrid for the LeMans

It’s not only the German manufactures battling it out at Le Mans this year. Toyota—who nearly won the event last year after finishing second four times—will be there with their hybrid TS040. Nissan will run their innovative Deltawing variant: The ZEOD RC.

Several American teams will be competing as well. The most red, white, and blue team there will be the bright yellow LM GTE Pro Corvette C7’s of, USCC top GTLM competitors, Corvette Racing. Joining the usual Corvette squad of Jan Magnussen, Antonio Garcia, Oliver Gavin, and Tom Milner will be Corvette Dayton Prototype drivers Jordan Taylor and Richard Westbrook. Team Viper was forced to cancel their Le Mans effort and halt production due to poor sales figures.

Also representing the Stars and stripes in the LM GTE Am class will be, Dempsey Racing – Proton in their Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, and a pair of Ferrari 458 Italias from teams Krohn Racing and 8 Star Motorsports.

Fox Sports is serious about covering every second of this year’s 24 Hours. Here is a breakdown of their television and on-line streaming coverage.

Saturday June 14 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM on FOX SPORTS 1
Saturday June 14   4:00 PM to 5:00 PM on FOX SPORTS 2
Saturday June 14   5:00 PM to 6:30 PM on FOX SPORTS GO
Saturday June 14    6:30 PM to 1:00 AM on FOX SPORTS 2
Sunday    June 15    1:00 AM to 7:30 AM on FOX SPORTS 1
Sunday    June 15    7:30 AM to 9:30 AM on FOX SPORTS 2

The entire flag-to-flag coverage will be streamed live on FOX SPORTS GO.

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