Most significant sports car race?

[skycafe]

I will say 1949 LeMans, first victory by Ferrari as a manufacturer (driven by Chinetti and Selsdon).

While Ferrari had gained fame for preparing Alfa's, the victory by a car of his own manufacture at LeMans, and in the first running of the race after the World War II years had to be what established Ferrari as a great marque, and at the same time drew so much attention to the renewal of the running of LeMans. It was the new Spring of Europe, rebuilding itself up out of the rubble of war and a race won by a car of someone's dreams. In a lot of ways it is bigger then life.

My personal one however is Porsche's 1970 LeMans victory. As a boy hearing, seeing and reading about the little giants and their class wins, and sometimes overall wins around the world, and then to hear they had built the 917 aimed at the prize they most wanted-LeMans. The Porsche name was made before the 917, but that car certainly solidified Porsche's fame around the world.

robert

[Fab]

As a frenchie, I think we still dream about the first Matra victory here... 1972.

But the First Ferrari-Ford battle won by Ford was something (1966).

[Aysedasi]

I could go for 1970 as well, but only because of Le Mans.......


For me, by far the most significant Le Mans of all was 1986.

[Fieldgate]

Any Sebring race that secures your entry to LeMans

[simon c]

Silverstone 1000km 1982 - 956 debut

[Nordic]

Le mans 1955. the impact of this tragic race changed the face of motor sport around the world.

[Aysedasi]

Yes, you're right there Nordic. Rather takes the term significant to a different level altogether........

[Mal]

Where it all started - 1923!

[Andrew Gunnell]

I agree with Nordic and Aysedasi on the 1955 Le Mans race. But also I think the 2003 Le Mans Race, because of Bentley's win since their last 73 years ago.

[pirenzo]

1923 - First race
1988 - Jaguar winning
1972 - Matra's first win, Jo Bonnier killed.
1969 - Closest Le Mans finish (I think?)
1982 - Porsche 956's first race, probably one of the most influential Group C cars ever.

[Tim Northcutt]

Two answers:

1. 1967 Le Mans - Foyt teams with Gurney to win in the Ford GT 40 just 3 weeks after winning the Indy 500...Why? My first race that I ever attended was the 1967 Indy 500, and I watched Foyt & Gurney win it on "Wide World of Sports" ...been hooked on sportscars ever since....

and

2. The Next Race that I have bought a ticket to see (regardless of the event...but in this case, it is 2005 Sebring...and in April, it'll be 2005 ALMS at Mid-Ohio)

[Rich R]

spa 1000kms 1985. after bellof's accident f1 team bosses were even more reluctant to let their drivers race in other series.

[jhansen]

Well the most significant sportscar race for me personally was the 1981 Monterey Triple Crown, which was Round 5 of the Camel GT Championship. This was back when Laguna Seca had its traditional spring date. A great time of year to be there. Brian Redman won that day in a stunning yellow Lola T-600 Chevrolet. And I saw a number of Porsche 935 Turbos. My first race ever.

But there are many significant sportscar races.

I would say that the 1000K of Monza 2004 was a significant day for sportscar racing, as it saw the birth of the LMES.

Petit Le Mans 1998, which was a kick off of sorts for the ALMS.

Those are a couple of recent ones that come to mind.

[rdjones]

In the modern era it has to be the 1998 Petit Le Mans, because without that race and the birth of the ALMS we would not be where we are now.

But the most significant sportscar race of all time, well that took place on May 26-27 1923 and took place in Le Mans, France and with out the race the last 71 years of sportscar racing would not have taken place.

[skycafe]

Originally Posted by jhansen

This was back when Laguna Seca had its traditional spring date. A great time of year to be there. Brian Redman won that day in a stunning yellow Lola T-600 Chevrolet. And I saw a number of Porsche 935 Turbos. My first race ever.

Now there is a first race, Redman's first victory in the Lola, in his championship year, and Porsche 935's!

Porsche 935's

robert

[billnchristy]

Significant to me would be the first one I saw, ALMS DC 2002...A great race, a great field, a close finish and a one time deal (unfortunately)...

My next fav. would be the 2003 LRP GP Trans am race in the rain...so much action...probably the last good trans am race...

2003 LRP Historics...first time ever seeing a GT40 in the flesh...ahhh...truly significant, and the Historic T/A cars did significant damage to my hearing!!

2004 WGI 6hrs...The roar of 40+ cars taking the green flag (even if it was shortlived) sent chills down my spine and brought tears to my eyes...

2004 LRP ALMS...the closing moments when it looked like Butch could catch Llheto (werner?) were magical...

Ahhh...significance is a diverse thing isnt it?

[tblincoe]

1998 - last Porsche overall win???

[stevebrown]

Le Mans 1972 Not for Matra's first win but Graham Hill completing the triple crown.
Then it would be Jaguars 1988 win followed by the one ALMS race at Silverstone. It was a great event and I like many others came away that evening grinning like a cheshire cat.

Steve B

[cybersdorf]

Either the first one ever, or the last one to date.

[Foster]

One of my favourites would be 1999 LeMans, were else could you see all the great makes, in such an array of machinery. After that I agree with tblincoe. Who knows when such a great make such as Porsche will be back to tackle the pinnacle of sportscar racing in the new era of making money.

As for most significant race I ever saw, has anybody ever heard of the Moosehead Halifax Grand Prix?

[krt917]

Originally Posted by Foster

One of my favourites would be 1999 LeMans, were else could you see all the great makes, in such an array of machinery. After that I agree with tblincoe. Who knows when such a great make such as Porsche will be back to tackle the pinnacle of sportscar racing in the new era of making money.

1999 and 1967 probably stand out as being amongst the best grid of cars seen at Le Mans. For significance, I'd have to go for the first ever Le Mans (1923) or the first after the war (1949) as it helped kick-start the race, and Sportscar racing, again after hostilities.

Of course, outside of Le Mans, then the last Targa Florio or Nurburgring 1000kms (on the proper track) stand out - the last true road racing sportscar events.

[PascaLM]

Le Mans 1984.