Monday, 25 June 2018 / Published in Duckhams Events

A Well Kept secret: A Classic British Welcome at Le Mans

The Saint-Saturnin Classic British Welcome happens every year on the Friday before the Le Mans 24 Hour race and is a free classic car show held on the playing fields of a quaint French village on the outskirts of Le Mans city centre.

It provides a central point for the pilgrimage of so many British car fans that make the journey over to watch the 24-hour race in their classic and exotic cars every year and the atmosphere is incredible. A party, a jamboree, call it what you will there is something for everyone here and as the name suggests the welcome received, especially for those attending in a classic car is very warm and enthusiastic indeed.

The event is superb, with over 800 cars in attendance, numerous trade stands and food outlets and star appearances. This year Jan Lammers joined the fans for an intimate chat about his Le Mans career and how he has managed to stay in the sport so long. 2018 marked the Dutchman’s 24^th race at Le Mans and exactly 30 years since his victory with Jaguar in 1988 which, he told the crowds at Saint Saturnin, still brings him out in Goosebumps!

This year the featured marque was BMW to celebrate the marques return to Le Mans with their M8 racecar team in GTE Pro. Spectators can wave off the Saint-Saturnin Cavalcade of prestigious cars as they make their way into town for the Parade des Pilotes.

This event is a must – see for any classic car fan attending Le Mans so make sure you don’t miss out next year. Here are some pictures from the 2018 event that our Duckhams roving reporter attended.