Le Mans: do you have the stamina?

In just over four weeks, around 90,000 Britons will congregate at one of the biggest events of the UK motoring year. Just like the film Le Mans starring Steve McQueen, there's little dialogue needed because the racing drama of iconic cars whizzing around the Circuit de la Sarthe with its long straights and high-speed sections through the S-bends, says it all. McQueen could easily have been a professional driver and did most of the driving for his part, but never competed in the race.

Fellow superstar Paul Newman, on the other hand, finished second in one of the most extraordinary Le Mans 24 Hours ever, in a privately-owned Porsche in 1979 against all of the factory entries.

The Le Mans 24 Hours, run by Automobile Club de l'Ouest, is the world's oldest race and stakes a very strong claim to being the world's greatest. It has grown from a simple race meeting in 1923 to a week-long festival of cars, sport and good living.

The drive to Le Mans from London, including Eurotunnel, takes around six hours and, in race week, will be a noteworthy experience in its own right. You will pass, and be passed by, dozens of other enthusiastic Brits who are regularly drawn to this Grand Prix of Endurance and Efficiency in every type of vehicle.