The La Mans 24 hours is here and once again nearly 250,000 racing fans will be making the journey to northern France for an epic race that starts at 3pm on Saturday. So, why should you be thinking of packing your bags to join the hordes crossing The Channel?
If you're a petrolhead, then that's reason enough but for the uninitiated who are curious about a race that lasts for a day, here are a few pointers to help prepare you for a road trip to remember.
10 great reasons to go to Le Mans
Racing(01 of10)
There are many people who go to Le Mans and never see a racing car turn a wheel but most are drawn for the sheer drama of an epic race. When the French tricolour is lowered at 3pm on Saturday (this year double Formula 1 world champion Fernando Alonso has that honour) in front of the packed grandstands more than 50 cars thunder into action. By the same time on Sunday their number is fewer as errors, reliability, accidents and sheer bad luck take their toll. You don't need luck at Le Mans, you just don't want bad luck. (credit:AP)
Brits at Le Mans(02 of10)
It may be French but Le Mans has a distinctly British flavour about it, borne from the very early British successes in the 1920s and '30s. Easy access across the channel helps too as thousands of fans, car clubs and competitors turn a corner of a foreign field into their own. This year there is extra entertainment for the English contingent with their football side playing their world Cup opener at midnight. On past experience though, most fans keep their eyes on the track. (credit:Getty Images)
Endurance(03 of10)
Let's face it, staying up for 24 hours can have its romantic appeal but it's also exhausting. Fans can enjoy putting their heads down after a few ales but for drivers, mechanics and others actually working, sleep is a precious commodity to be taken when the chance arises. (credit:PA)
The night(04 of10)
Roughly eight of the 24 hours at Le Mans are run in darkness and it can be one of the most evocative experiences for a race fan to enjoy. As the air cools, the cars can go faster and the sight of an LMP1 car, headlights ablaze, storming towards Indianapolis at more than 190mph before turning the corner with brake discs aglow is something to behold. Many drivers love racing at night but as dawn begins to break everyone realises there is still nearly half the race to run. (credit:PA)
History(05 of10)
Le Mans is steeped in history with some of the world's greatest drivers and manufacturers taking on the challenge. However, it is no respecter of reputations; many racing stars have tried their luck and failed while others have made their names on the 13-mile circuit. Derek Bell, pictured here in a 1929 Bentley Super charge during the 2012 Le Mans classic race, is Britain's most successful driver at Le Mans with five victories to his name. He will be back again this week for the classics race at the grand age of 74. (credit:Getty Images)
Heroes(06 of10)
Many race fans come to Le Mans to support particular manufacturers, teams and drivers. Over the past 15 years, more and more Danes appeared as their hero, Tom Kristensen, racked up yet another victory. Known as Mr Le Mans, Kristensen has a record nine overall wins to his name. For British fans, Aston Martin hold a special place in their hearts and their battles with US rivals Corvette have become legendary. (credit:Getty Images)
Camping(07 of10)
A stroll through Le Mans' many campsites is as enlightening as it is entertaining. Fans will pitch tents early in the week and create mini-villages, many with their car club as the focus so there's often plenty of exotic machinery to gaze at. Naturally, with so much time on their hands, fans can enjoy tucking into the beers and the green bottle walls that build over the week are a testament to the sheer hard work of having a great time. (credit:Getty Images)
Innovation(08 of10)
Le Mans has long been a test bed for new innovations and technology, something that has become ever more important as environmental concerns point the spotlight on motorsport more and more. Manufacturers entering the leading LMP1 class must compete with prototypes powered by hybrid sources while a new class has been introduced for experimental machinery with green credentials. Known as Garage 56, 2014 will feature Nissan's Zeod RC (pictured), with the aim of completing one fully-electric lap per stint. (credit:PA)
Luck or no luck(09 of10)
It's not always the fastest car that wins at Le Mans, a fact that can confuse the casual viewer. Reliability, teamwork, strategy and the ability to steer clear of trouble can equally play important roles and be the difference between success and failure - and that's what separates endurance racing from other forms of motorsport. The general view is that you don't need good luck at Le Mans, you just need to avoid the bad and the car that spends the least amount of time in the pits can expect to still be in contention come 3pm on Sunday. (credit:AP)
Spirit of Le Mans(10 of10)
In 2012 the Nissan DeltaWing driven by Marino Franchitti, Michael Krumm and Satoshi Motoyama was the first occupant of the new Garage 56 class. It failed to reach third distance, not because of its own problems but because it thumped the walls at the Porsche Curves after being hit by a Toyota. Motoyama then spent 90 minutes singlehandedly trying to repair the damage and get the car back to the pits. He failed but his determined effort was one of the standout moments and summed up the spirit of this great race. (credit:AP)