Just a week after the closing date for entries for the 2004 Le Mans 24 Hours, the 72nd race on Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th June has attracted a top class varied field. Of course, the list of the 50 cars and 6 reserves invited to take part in preliminary practice on Sunday 25th April will only be announced after the Sebring 12 Hours (20th-21st March) but here are a few tantalising hints of what it will contain.

The A.C.O has received 77 entries compared with 72 for the 2003 event. "With another five cars, our choice has been made all the more difficult," said Daniel Poissenot, the club's sporting director. The list can be broken down as follows: 40 for the Le Mans  Prototype category made up of 27 LM P 1s and 13 LM P 2s. The GT category has attracted 37 cars including14 LM GTSs and 23 LM GTs.

The entries received abound in quality and diversity and 2004 looks like being a very open race. The battle for victory will be fought out between the Audis entered by 3 private teams, the Domes, Courages (the Pescarolo cars will be powered by Judd engines) Lister and Panoz. Audi GB has already given clear warning of its ambitions by announcing its driver line up with big names like Johnny Herbert, Alan McNish, Guy Smith (victorious last year with Bentley) and Frank Biela. Corvette will be back for revenge in the GTS category but stiff opposition will come from the well-tried Ferrari 550 Maranellos and the new 575GTCs.

-Entries for the 2005 event will be selected as follows: 45 out of the 50 will be announced at the start of the year and the Selection Committee will give the names of the remaining five after the Sebring 12 Hours in March. The forty-five will be made up as follows: 8 from the 2004 Le Mans 24 Hours, 8 from the ALMS, 8 from the 2004 Le Mans Endurance Series and 21 announced by the Selection Committee after the opening date for entries.

Booking office by phone +33 (0) 892 69 72 24  (0,34 euro/min)