24 Hours of Le Mans

Book review: “More Than 24 Hours”

Le Mans is already a few months behind us, as a matter of fact we are now half way towards the 2005 edition. Last week great memories of last June’s race returned after receiving a copy of the book “More than 24 hours”. ’More than 24 hours’ - the authors, Ruben Anders, Michel Bresser and Joost Rijkhoek, are right! Le Mans is more than just the twenty-four hour race in the weekend, it is the passionate fans of this legendary race that create the unique atmosphere that surrounds this event.

© Ruben Anders, Michel Bresser and Joost Rijkhoek.

As co-author Ruben says in the preface, their objective was to capture this special experience with their pictures. “More than 24 hours” is a photobook (limited edition!) with over 800 illustrations spread over 230 pages.

After the preface written by Jan Lammers and Racing for Holland co-drivers Andy Wallace and Chris Dyson, the first pages display the beginning of the Le Mans week with a collection of images of the deserted Sarthe circuit, taken the weekend before the race. Fans are using their bikes to get acquainted to the track, the teams are building their pitboxes and preparing the cars for scrutineering on Monday or Tuesday, ACO staff are finishing the paint job of the traditional painted sponsor logos opposite the paddock.

The days after, the cars are being transported to Le Mans centre. The famous “la place des Jacobins: is the centre of all action early in the Le Mans week with the traditional ’pessage’ or scruteneering. The book continues with pictures of the first fans to arrive and the ACO officials verifying every detail of the cars. Tens of photographers shoot the cars from every angle — among them the three authors of this book.

Friday, the pit lane is opened for the fans, which arrive by the thousands now. The authors added a full page with pictures of Racing for Holland fans trying to get a glimpse of their favourite cars and drivers. We counted 1, 2, 3 planetlemans team members in the middle of the crowd Later that day, in Le Mans centre ville, the driver parade takes place. We particularly like the amount of attention that has been paid to capturing the famous Hawaiian Tropic girls!

The main part of their book is filled with great pictures of every car and team. The clever format, with a big picture of each car and its number on the right pages allows you to easily browse trough the book. Every team has great coverage with no less than 4 pages with photographs per car, two pages with a big picture and the details of drivers, number of the car and result followed by two pages filled with a photo compilation of the car.

We think Ruben, Michel and Joost succeeded in their wish to share their experiences via pictures. The book is filled with great pictures of all the cars and is without doubt one of the best Le Mans photography books around. Get your copy now!

© 2005 Planetlemans.com.