Making your Marque at Le Mans: Richard Mille Le Mans Classic 2012
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[The running start is still a feature of the Le Mans Classic – where applicable. The running start ended after 1969 when Jacky Ickx refused to run to his GT40. Ickx walked, started his car, and duly won the race. One of the closest finishes in Le Mans history, Ickx in his GT40 traded places with Herrmann in his Porsche 908 throughout the final lap]
This was the sixth time that the Le Mans Classic had been run at the Circuit de la Sarthe in Le Mans. What is notable is that the event is as old as the Richard Mille SA company itself. This was the first sponsorship deal Richard signed, for something that was close to his heart and interests, and the event has grown along with the success of Richard Mille. This was the fourth time I had been invited along to enjoy the cars being pushed to the limit on the circuit where they once raced.
[The quintessential Le Mans Classic car: the Ferrari 250 LM leaving the pit lane]
[The all conquering Porsche 917 from 1970: the car that made the Porsche marque at the Le Mans 24 Heures]
Le Mans has always been a particular race where cars have made their marque. A car firm’s reputation could be made or lost in the race itself. A car firm could learn from the Le Mans race and this would feed through into the production line. It struck me that this same philosophy has been used by Richard in his watches. There is the research end that produces watches such as the RM006, RM027 and RM050, and what was learned from the technology, the new materials, the method for manufacture fed through in time to the rest of the Richard Mille watch line.
[A pattern language and a rare sighting; from right to top left: RM027, RM011 Carbon, RM035]
As Richard Mille SA is now 12 years old, it is now possible to look back and see some of the ways this racing car/production car philosophy has influenced the progression of the watches. As this was a classic car race, it is also worth considering how Le Mans influenced a couple of (English – yes I know, I am biased on that one) car manufacturers so that they truly did make their marque at Le Mans.
[Making Ford’s marque at Le Mans, a GT40 flies through the finishing straight in front of the stands]
Comments:
219 July 26th, 2012-15:19
Making their marque: Bentley. http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww45/andrh_ppro/LMC2012/lm_1_19.jpg [Two of the ‘blower’ Bentley’s in the racing paddock.] Initially, Walter Owen Bentley (known as W.O. to one and all) was not interested in the fledgling endurance race held in a small ...
foversta August 2nd, 2012-14:01
I love these powerful Bentley of the 20's. They make me think about one which belongs to the Ralph Lauren's collection. Thanks a lot for the superb pics! Fx
219 August 5th, 2012-02:08
I have to confess that I have a soft spot for the old 20's Bentleys Even though most prefer the Bugatti's. Great to see them race against each other again and that is the joy of the Le Mans Classic. Thanks Andrew H
219 July 26th, 2012-15:19
Making their marque: Jaguar. http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww45/andrh_ppro/LMC2012/lm_1_24.jpg [The future car ‘now’: the alluring curves of the 1955 Jaguar D-Type] http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww45/andrh_ppro/LMC2012/lm_1_23.jpg As post-war austerity gave way to post-war ...
DonCorson July 31st, 2012-12:56
Love those Jags The D-type is marvelious, but the C-type is so classic (at least now) C-type gets my vote. Don
219 August 12th, 2012-02:59
For me - loved the D-Types that were being raced for all they were worth. I have to admire the owners of these cars that will still push the speed limit in machinery that is over 50 years old! Thanks Andrew H
219 July 26th, 2012-15:21
Making his marque: Richard Mille. http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww45/andrh_ppro/LMC2012/lm_1_36.jpg Looking back, it is difficult to think of Bentley being the success it was, and perhaps now is, without the victories at Le Mans. Jaguar's reputation is still linked to its successful ...
Mark in Paris July 28th, 2012-03:23
What an exhaustive report! Thanks Andrew for this overview of the event. I'm a bad boy, I live in Paris and didn't manage to go there yet. Next year ! Cheers, Mark
219 August 12th, 2012-12:17
In two years! The Le Mans Classic is every two years.... However, it is a great vintage car event to attend. Andrew H
dxboon July 31st, 2012-10:58
Great pictures... ...as always, and a very informative read! Even if you are not a car buff, there is something very compelling about the designs of these vintage race cars. They have a soulfulness that is hard to put into words. I commend Richard Mille for following his p...
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Back to the racing line! Richard Mille sponsors a watch enthusiast racing at Le Mans!
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After years of being involved with the Le Mans Classic (and Richard still is for that matter), Richard will now sponsor a team in the Le Mans 24 Heures endurance race in June. This year, Richard has joined forces with Nissan and Greaves Racing (check the name) to sponsor Martin Brundle, Alex Brundle (Martins son), and Lucas Ordonez. This is a new team and a return to LeMans for Brundle senior. I was invited along to Silverstone for the day to both drive one of the new Nissan GT-R cars for the Le Mans race around the British circuit, and interview Martin and (his son) Alex Brundle.
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