1988 Le Mans 24hr

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1988 Le Mans 24hr
Review added by
David Beckett

11 -12 June 1988 Review
Certificate: E
Running Time: 60
Retail Price: £12.99
Release Date: 14/07/2008
Content Type: TV Series

Synopsis:
The greatest endurance race in the world is the ultimate mix of high-speed action, drama and skill and the 1988 running of the Le Mans 24 hours race was no exception.

Jaguar lined up five of the awesome Tom Walkinshaw-prepared XJR-9s in the determined hope of taking the British marque's first Le Mans victory in more than 30 years. However, the V12 Jags would have to overcome the trio of works Porsche 962Cs, as well as a huge number of privately-entered machines.

The fantastic footage contained in this superb review brings you fast and furious action as Jaguar and Porsche do battle over more than 3,300 miles, at an average speed in excess of 130mph. Excellent camera positions capture the vital moments, while the Camel Brun Porsche of Manuel Reuter, Walter Lechner and Franz Hunkeler treats you to the driver's-eye view courtesy of the in-car camera - at least until the car's race-ending spin!

Overheating, reliability problems and fuel consumption issues dented the challenges of both Porsche and Jaguar, leaving just one car from each marque battling for the win. With the end in sight, and the XJR-9 of Johnny Dumfries, Andy Wallace and Jan Lammers out in front, a sudden rain shower allowed the second-place Porsche of Derek Bell, Klaus Ludwig and Hans-Joachim Stuck to catch up. As the dramatic footage of this amazing duel shows, it was too little, too late. Nothing could stop Jaguar at last claiming victory.

In addition to amazing fast and furious race action, this review features interviews with the stars, including Dumfries, Bell, Ludwig, Mario Andretti and Martin Brundle, a look inside the workshops of Walkinshaw and Porsche and the colour and atmosphere that surrounds this amazing event.

Special Features:
None