The President of the Republic, François Hollande, will attend the start of the Le Mans 24 Hours on Saturday 13th June at 15h00. The Automobile Club de l’Ouest is delighted that the French head of state is coming as it proves the fact that the greatest endurance race in the world is a not-to-be-missed event, which has been on the French sporting calendar since 1923. It is also recognition of the work carried out by the ACO to give the race worldwide status. In addition, it is a way of honouring the role played by the Le Mans 24 Hours in sustainable development thanks to its new technical regulations.

It’s a great honour for the Automobile Club de l’Ouest and the Le Mans 24 Hours to welcome the President of the Republic forty-three years after Georges Pompidou. Pierre Fillon

Today, the visit noted in the presidential agenda of the French President to the Sarthe has been made official. François Hollande will attend the start of the 83rd Le Mans 24 Hours on 13th June. He will be accompanied by Stéphane Le Foll, the Minister of Agriculture, the food processing industry and forestry and government spokesman, who is from Le Mans, as well as Bernard Cazeneuve, the Minister of the Interior.

While several ministers have given the start of the Le Mans 24 Hours, François Hollande will be the third President of the Republic to come to the Sarthe for the start of the great Le Mans race after Vincent Auriol in 1949 and Georges Pompidou in 1972.

The President of the Republic will attend the start and he will be able to feel the popular enthusiasm generated by this fantastic endurance festival. It is proof of the importance that this event enjoys today.

The Automobile Club de l’Ouest is very much aware of road safety and eco mobility; it has invested its efforts in the defence of road users, and is a pioneer in regulations taking into account the challenges linked to sustainable development which today’s society has to face. These problems are shared by the government.

Remember that the President of the Republic’s Cup is awarded every year to the winning drivers of the Le Mans 24 Hours.

Pierre Fillon, President of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest: “Our association has always played a major role in road safety and technological innovation applied to the motor car. Road safety and motor sport are at the very heart of our activities. It’s a great honour for the Automobile Club de l’Ouest and the Le Mans 24 Hours to welcome the President of the Republic forty-three years after Georges Pompidou. It’s further proof of the very important place occupied by this event both from a sporting and social point of view.”

A.C.O.