24 Heures du Mans | 18:00:00
It's hard to believe we're only one quarter of the way through Le Mans. Of course, that's why it's called endurance racing. The battles on track remain amazingly close, with Peugeot & Audi constantly trading the P.1 class lead (which is also the overall race lead) & Chevrolet (Go Corvette Racing!), B.M.W., & Ferrari regularly swapping the G.T.E. Pro. class lead.

I am also thrilled to see an increased Japanese presence in the great race: Nissan & Toyota have joined Honda as engine suppliers ("Honda"-branded chassis are manufactured by the French constructor Courage [not "courage" but coo-raj]). I am informed that this year is the twentieth anniversary of the only overall win by a Japanese marque, Mazda in 1991 with the 787B. There is of course additional attention to & affection for the Japanese in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake & tsunami, but it's also nice to see the Japanese again expanding their rôle in international motorsport after the '08 economic crisis & its lingering malaise lead both Honda & Toyota to withdraw from Formula One.