Le Mans Panoramic
By Gavin Ireland
If you understood not a word of either English or French, the two languages of this book, it would still be a treasure simply for the author’s images as he captures the spirit of the legendary event on a historic racing circuit near a fabled French town. Some 220 pages burst with illuminating images of not only that town, but also the cars and teams competing there and the throngs of enthusiastic fans who travel from all over the world in the several hundreds of thousands just to watch them.
This book shows both city and circuit before giving glimpses of what it’s really like out there in the heat of competition. When that action has run its course twice around the clock, one of racing’s most inspiring moments transpires as the victorious are celebrated by fans converging from all around the circuit, flooding the pit lane and main straight seeking a glimpse of those who prevailed over time and distance. The result is a podium scene unrivalled in all of racing—save perhaps for Monza when a Ferrari wins the Italian GP. This book may not be a trip to France, but it’s pretty close to the next best thing.
Available for US$69.95 / GB£35.00 at enthusiast bookstores or direct from publisher Veloce at www.veloce.co.uk
