Richard Mille 2023 Le Mans Classic

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Legendary cars, smoking tires and a historic return: join forces with Richard Mille for the 2023 Le Mans Classic

Since its inception in 2002, the Le Mans Classic has uniquely recreated the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans. With the active support of Richard Mille replica watches for sale, a major sponsor since its inception, the event has firmly established itself in the calendars of classic car enthusiasts around the world. As hopeful cries of "Gentlemen, start your engines" rang out at this year's Le Mans Classic, the elite of classic motorsport came together for the eleventh time to relive the glory days of vintage Ferraris, Porsches and Fords. But who better to describe the emotions these games evoke than the active participants? We spoke to Peter Oberndorfer, who is celebrating his historic comeback at this year's 2023 Le Mans Classic, and shares exciting insights from a driver's perspective.

2023 Le Mans Classic
On the centenary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, this year's 2023 Le Mans Classic celebrates passion for vintage motorsport more than ever. Organizers even disrupted the event's usual biennial rhythm. This historic car racing event runs around the clock, with record-breaking attendance this year. The 235,000 spectators' thirst for adrenaline and the smell of burning tires had to be satisfied - more than ever. Spectators watched as 900 drivers in more than 800 race cars from 1923 to 2010 prepared to transport the record-breaking crowd into another era.

Few other events offer such an opportunity to admire true greats, such as the Porsche 917 (which first drove the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1970), the Ferrari 250 LM or the Alpine A442 that simultaneously claimed the overall victory. Novelties such as the 1950 Cadillac Monster or the 1968 gas turbine-powered Howmet sparked controversy and enthusiastic reactions from audiences. They are both legends in the automotive world, proving once again that they are still looking for a sporting challenge. Best watches for men


Although motorsport's most legendary title is no longer at stake, every second is still fiercely contested - in the classic event, all six vehicle categories compete in a 45-minute warm-up session. The total number of laps driven during this period gives the final overall ranking. However, there is one unique detail that cannot be ignored: after each race, the driver is changed, and at the end of the classic Le Mans race, the driver must rush to his car and jump onto the track after the starting signal is given. and start the engines to finally get themselves and their cars onto the track.

legendary track
The 13-kilometre Circuit de la Sarthe, home of the Le Mans Classic, is a historic monument in its own right and very unique. The circuit is more than 9,207 kilometers long and is located on public country roads in the Le Mans region set up for racing. In addition, there are 4,419 kilometers of permanent racing tracks. This high-speed track has a full throttle percentage of over an astonishing 85%, posing a huge challenge not only to driving skills, but also to the car, engine and brakes. replica Jacob & Co. EPIC X

42 years later: Peter Oberndorfer celebrates racing's return
The 2023 Le Mans Classic is a high-level event that is about much more than frivolous enjoyment. Let's look back and see what it was that fascinated racing enthusiasts 50, 60 or even 70 years ago. When the award-winning cars of yesteryear roll out of the museum and their six-, eight-, and twelve-cylinder engines rev up, everyone can feel the atmosphere of a bygone era. Who better to tell us this than a driver who lived through this era firsthand?

We spoke to Peter Oberndorfer, who competed in the legendary Le Mans race 42 years ago and celebrated his racing return this year. Helmut Käs, Chairman of the BMW Group Classic, offered him the unique opportunity to repeat the 1981 race with the same car and three drivers. Prince Leopold of Bavaria, Christian Danner and Peter Oberndorfer formed the carefully rehearsed team for the 11th edition of the Le Mans Classic and once again took the meticulously restored M1 to the track. .

Contest
One rainy night, Peter Oberndorfer found himself speeding down the French country roads of Le Mans at nearly 250 km/h. It's been 42 years since the original incident, and a sense of nostalgia and excitement washes over him. Although it is no longer a 24-hour competition, competitions for six different age groups are held around the clock. This time, the game is scheduled to start at 3 a.m. Saturday. As Oberndorfer reports, it wasn't an easy task for him: "I had a really hard time keeping myself awake at first, but once I got in the car, the adrenaline kicked in." replica Chopard Mille Miglia GTS

The weather was nice, the track was dry and Oberndorfer was running at a good pace. On lap five, he handed the wheel to his partner Christian. But at that moment, as he accelerated onto the final straight, the engine failed him - the connecting rods gave out. Memories of his early Le Mans races came flooding back. Shortly after midnight the cars returned to the paddock for the next run. Therefore, time becomes the most valuable commodity as the engine must be replaced. His team did a great job rebuilding the clutch and gas tank. "Mickey, Marcus, Harry, Marco and Sasha did something heroic. They accomplished the impossible and in the process became a show in the paddock in their own right." Peter Oberndorfer tells us enthusiastically.

The engine ran on time, the race started and Christian and Boldi performed without any issues. Despite a difficult start, their M1 managed to finish second. Oberndorfer's chance finally came - he was allowed to start Game 3 on Sunday afternoon in daylight and dry conditions. Christian was well ahead at the start thanks to a great lap time in the second race. The worry of being overtaken from behind followed him until the last corner. "The Wirte M1 with the new engine was running brilliantly and I managed to fight off the 250hp Nascar car and pass the M1 in front of us." But the safety car caused interference.

Leopold took over for the final few laps, the last of his long racing career. Despite leaking pipes and oil splattering on his paper, limiting his vision, he continued driving while nearly blind, displaying great skill. They reached the finish line and finished third in their class. Peter Oberndorfer declared: “After 42 years, mission accomplished. Furthermore, we have proven that we are still competitive – that's simply fantastic!” Replica Zenith watches

RM 72-01 Le Mans Classic
If you wanted to pick one event that the Richard Mille brand has always been a loyal supporter of, it would be impossible not to mention the Le Mans Classic. Although Richard Mille has also proven his passion for the world of classic cars as the main sponsor of the ICE St. Moritz and Nürburgring Classics, the Le Mans Classic feels like a real event for the soul. As co-founder and sponsor, Richard Mille acts as a promoter of teams, drivers and cars, ensuring that classic cars can once again deliver aural excitement. The event was also opened by two of his long-term partners, Rafael Nadal and Didier Drogba.

To commemorate this event, Richard Mille has launched a special limited edition for every Le Mans Classic since 2008, featuring the colors of the event while showcasing the manufacturer's watchmaking expertise. This is the case with this year's RM 72-01 Le Mans Classic watch, limited to 150 pieces, using a white and green quartz TPT case with matching dial decoration and green rubber strap. The tonneau case measures 38.4mm x 11.68mm x 47.34mm, the same as other existing versions of the 72-01.

However, inside the watch, it's possible to see why it earned the title of special edition. That is, the RM 72-01 Le Mans Classic watch is equipped with the brand's first flyback chronograph movement CRMC-1. The movement features a patented coupling mechanism with two oscillating drives, ensuring a 50-hour power reserve regardless of whether the chronograph is running.

Basically, with the RM 72-01 Le Mans Classic, Richard Mille is doing what the brand does best: producing technically impressive watches in small batches. So bringing a €335,000 chronograph to an audience that can afford the luxury of a classic car might not be a coincidence but a smart move. Still, one thing is certain: the brand, which describes its watches as "racing machines on the wrist," has proven not only its penchant for luxury watches but also its fascination with racing with its Le Mans Classic special edition enthusiasm. replica Patek Philippe Watches

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