The biennial event was planned for July 2020 and was initially postponed for a year as COVID-19 took hold across Europe, but amid the current situation and restrictions on large spectator events the promoters have confirmed the event has been postponed this year and pushed back to July 2022.
A press statement said: “Due to the more than capricious changes in the constraints applied to large-scale events, Peter Auto and the Automobile Club de l’Ouest were forced to postpone once again the 10th edition of Le Mans Classic to the first or second weekend of July 2022.
“It is totally impossible to organise a miniature of the event, which normally welcomes 200,000 spectators, who will have needed to participate seated: no more clubs, no more villages, no more activities [are permitted].
“In summary, a Le Mans Classic [in 2021] would not be the celebration of the automobile that it has become in 20 years and 10 editions of existence.”
Track action
Photo by: Paul Lawrence
As well as running in 2022, plans are in place for the Classic to also run in 2023 to mark the centenary celebrations of the Le Mans 24 Hours.
Patrick Peter, event promoter for Peter Auto, said: “The maximum figures of people imposed by the government do not allow us to maintain this event on the initial dates.
“Moreover, even if it has been considered, a closed session would not do justice to this event and would considerably reduce the beautiful tribute to the great history of endurance. Le Mans Classic without public, without exhibitors and without clubs is not Le Mans Classic.
“Enthusiasts will have two successive years of Le Mans Classic since we will do another edition in 2023 which will be an opportunity to reinforce the tribute to the centenary of creation of the 24 Hours of Le Mans race.”
Pierre Fillon, President of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest, added: “Organising Le Mans Classic behind closed doors would not make any sense. This event is made for the public, and the lack of visibility on the current situation generates this logical decision.
“The Endurance Racing Legends support race for the 24 Hours of Le Mans this year will allow the automobile to be celebrated as it should be.”