When I discovered the existence of Sports Car Graphic, AutoWeek and Road & Track at the tender age of 10, in 1963, the very first issues of those magazines I purchased featured coverage of Le Mans. I had watched Indy on TV and thought that was pretty neat but not magical.
But a 24 hour race in faraway France, on public roads, 2 or 3 drivers per car, an 8 mile track, 4 miles of straights, stops for fuel and tires, major repairs made to the cars in the pits/paddock, Ford was in the first stages of their assault to defeat Ferrari's dominance, Indy paled in comparison.
The magic remains with me today.
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