24 Hours of Le Mans

The 24 Hours of Le Mans, in French 24 Heures du Mans, is an endurance sports car race held every year near the city of Le Mans in France. First run in 1923, it is the oldest active endurance racing event in the world and is widely considered one of the most prestigious races. It forms part of the informal Triple Crown of Motorsport with the Monaco Grand Prix and the Indianapolis 500, and of a Triple Crown of endurance racing with the 24 Hours of Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring. Unlike races decided on minimum time, it is won by the car that covers the greatest distance in 24 hours, so teams must balance speed against the ability to run a full day without mechanical failure. The Automobile Club de l'Ouest organizes it on the Circuit de la Sarthe, and since 2012 it has been part of the FIA World Endurance Championship.