Le Mans. To many, the name of this French city means the most famous motor race in the world. The mere mention conjures up vivid images of speeds in excess of 200 miles per hour, including in darkness, and a day long test to the extreme of both man and machine.

The magic of racing throughout the day and night non-stop has enthralled many millions over the years here in France. With annual attendance by spectators between 200,000 to 300,000 it shows that the attraction is not just for those taking part. The spectacle is truly awesome and for many who have witnessed it once, the draw to come back year on year is very strong and it is easy to see why.

Many refer to the race just as "Le Mans", but Le Mans is the French city close by that has given its name to probably the most famous motor race in the world; "Le Grand Prix d'Endurance des Vingt-Quatre Heures du Mans" .. the grand prize of endurance of the 24 hours of Le Mans!

The initial concept was purely for a demonstration of reliability and efficiency for production motor vehicles. The first 24 hour race here was held in 1923, and with the interruption of war (1939 to 1948 inclusive) and strikes (in 1936), the 2002 edition of the race was the 70th.

Several changes to the circuit layout have occurred over the years, and this year saw the first change since 1997, with the modification between the Dunlop Bridge and the Esses de la Foret.

Where previously there had been a straight run, modifications to the entry of the permanent short Bugatti circuit have led to a reprofiling of the 24 hour circuit too, with sweeping curves and large run-off areas.

The 70th running of the Le Mans 24 Hours in 2002 was Gunnar's 3rd appearance at the classic event. In 2000, Gunnar created race history when he became the youngest ever finisher at the age of just 18 years and 44 days.

In 2001, Gunnar finished an incredible 7th overall and 2nd in the LMGT category, having fought a race long battle for the class lead. Gunnar's Freisinger Porsche GT3-RS (below) finished ahead of the class winners of the more powerful LMGTS class too!




At the age of just turned 20, Gunnar Jeannette drove in the top category for the first time in 2002, having already finished the event twice in 2000 and 2001 (2nd in class and 7th overall!). Driving with fellow Americans Bill Auberlen and David Donohue in car number 12, the "Spirit of America" entry looked strong.

Wednesday qualifying went without trouble as Panoz concentrated on banking a time for each car and getting all six drivers through their minimum lappery, including 3 night laps each. On Thursday, Panoz number 12 improved by a shade under four seconds, to line up 17th on the grid, but not without the slight drama of a cut tyre.

A steady race start brought the car from 17th up to 14th by the four hour mark. Gunnar started his first stint just before that point and went on to complete a fast and trouble free double stint for his first Le Mans race experience in the top category. But just before midnight, the car came in for a power steering repair.

Gunnar went out again in the early hours for another double stint but just before the half distance point of 4am, Gunnar suffered an input shaft failure. He was fortunate to roll to a stop just at the entrance to pit lane and after the Panoz crew pushed the car up to the pit garage, the team changed the complete rear end of the car and sent Bill Auberlen back out onto the track in only 22 minutes.




"We were really unlucky to have the problem, but really lucky for it to happen where it did," Gunnar said. "If it had happened anywhere else out on the track we would have been out of the race. These guys are just amazing. They have worked so hard this week and to do a complete rear end change and send the car back out again so quickly was incredible. Whatever happens in the rest of the race, our guys have still proved they are the toughest in the business."

"Despite the problem we had, the car is still running really strongly and we remain totally committed to making sure we get to the finish and pull out the best result we can."

Unfortunately it was not to be three finishes out of three for Gunnar. Panoz Motor Sports attack on this year's 24 Hours of Le Mans came to an end at 10.45am when car number 12 succumbed to overheating problems.

With Gunnar Jeannette at the wheel, the number 12 machine was wheeled into the garage to join the sister car in which Bryan Herta had taken the final exploratory lap moments earlier.

Both cars suffered terminal cooling problems, shattering the dreams of the Panoz crew which had put up an amazing fight to keep the cars in the race.

"We may not have won the race, but I could not be more proud of the effort our team put in," Team owner Don Panoz said

For more information on Gunnar Jeannette, go to www.gunnarjeannette.com.




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