24 Hours of Le Mans Review 1999

Le Mans saw the overdue demise of the GT1 class in 1999, with cars like Toyota’s GT-One TS020 now more appropriately categorised as prototypes. Newcomers Audi entered two works supported teams in the form of Audi Sport Team Joest and Audi Sport UK – the start of a long and fruitful association with the race for the German manufacturer. As one German sportscar manufacturer arrived another departed: Porsche followed up their 1998 triumph by taking a break from Le Mans which was to last until 2014. With Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Panoz and Toyota there was no shortage of quality in the field and fans eagerly anticipated a mighty tussle for the top spot. 1999 will forever be remembered for one of the most shocking moments of Le Mans history as Mercedes-Benz driver Peter Dumbreck found the take-off speed of his CLR on the Mulsanne Straight – fortunately with no serious injuries.