The French city that gives its name to the 24-hour endurance race first held in 1923 is Le Mans. The race is staged near the city on the Circuit de la Sarthe and is formally known in French as the 24 Heures du Mans.
The event was created to test more than outright speed. Its 24-hour format challenges teams to combine pace, reliability, fuel efficiency, tire management, and disciplined pit-stop strategy. Unlike a fixed-distance race, the winner is the car that covers the greatest distance during the allotted 24 hours.
The inaugural running took place in 1923, making the event the world’s oldest active endurance race. It is organized by the Automobile Club de l’Ouest and has become one of motorsport’s most prestigious competitions. Since 2012, it has formed part of the FIA World Endurance Championship.
Le Mans is often confused with the Circuit de la Sarthe, but they are not the same thing: Le Mans is the city, while the Circuit de la Sarthe is the track. The race is also distinct from the motorcycle version, which is a separate event held at the same general location.