One of the oldest auto races in the world, the 24 Hours of Le Mans has been nicknamed "The Grand Prix of Endurance and Efficiency".

Series Overview: Born from an era of Grand Prix racing in the 1920s which involved racing from one city to another at high speeds Le Mans presents a different challenge. Grand Prix racing is all about which team can build the fastest car. Endurance racing focuses on speed and reliability instead as the race lasts for 24 hours.

Teams: 50

First Season: 1923

Next Season: 2016 (Race takes place usually 2nd week of June)

Classes: Le Mans is unique in that several different classes of sports cars are participating in one race at the same time. The top two classes are known as LMP 1 and LMP 2. Le Mans Prototypes are custom built and are the second fastest type of race cars constructed being only succeeded by Formula 1 cars. The second two are known as GT1 and GT2. Each class is governed by a strict set of rules which involve weight, engine displacement, Length, Width etc. The rules change frequently to keep competition close. Some cars are allowed to be open top and have no doors while closed tops must have two doors. These rules are what the manufacturers build their cars to comply to. Newer regulations have permitted the use of LMP hybrids which use electric motors to assist with acceleration.

GT Cars are essentially road going sports cars modified by a racing team to comply with the rules and be eligible to compete. This class includes vehicles such as the BMW M3, Porsche 911, Chevrolet Corvette, Dodge Viper etc.

Teams: In Le Mans, there are 3 different types of teams each competing for glory:

Manufacturer Teams: These are the teams which are founded and operated by the car manufacturers themselves. Because the manufacturers have the most money they can afford to field at least 2 race cars but may field as many as 4.

Racing Teams: Racing teams are full time teams which compete in several different types of auto racing and compete in different categories internationally. They usually can afford to race at least two race cars.

Privateer Teams: Are the smallest racing teams usually independent with only a few sponsors. They usually only have 1 car and managed to raise enough money to enter the race. (Think if you and 8 your friends build a race car and raise $50 grand). Competition between privateers is usually the most fierce. Most Privateer teams compete in GT classes but sometimes Privateer teams can be funded by a millionaire and build a complete race car and compete in the LMP classes.

All teams also take pride in representing their respective nation, even if the cars they are fielding were built in a different country.

Venue: The 24 Hours of Le Mans takes place at the Circuit de la Sarthe, in Le Mans, France. Taking part of the race track and closed public roads, it is one of the longest race tracks in the world at 8 miles long. The race track can host 100,000 race fans and has been changed several times across the years, currently it has 38 turns which each have a name helping drivers to memorize the course. This course places a heavy strain on race cars because 85% of the track allows for cars to race at full throttle.

Trophy: Trophies are awarded to the winners of each class as well as the winner of the overall race. Because each team has more the one team they are awarded the trophy collectively. Porsche currently holds the record for most wins with 18 Victories.