Le Mans Classic will become an annual fixture from 2026 following a landmark announcement by Peter Auto at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The decision marks a significant evolution for one of the world’s important historic racing events, which has run biennially since its inception in 2002. The change responds to growing public demand and reflects the increasing breadth and generational diversity of the historic motorsport landscape.
The new format will alternate each year between Le Mans Classic Heritage (1923-1975) and Le Mans Classic Legend (1976-2015). The split format is designed to accommodate the increasing number of eligible cars and to welcome younger audiences into the fold.
Complementing the expansion of Le Mans Classic itself, Peter Auto also confirmed the launch of a new elemnt: the Legends of Le Mans grid. Created in partnership with the ACO and Le Mans Endurance Management, the series will give LMP1, LMP2 and GT cars from the 2010s a new lease of life. With rounds expected to run on selected WEC circuits, including the full Le Mans layout, the series aims to attract privateer collectors, gentleman racers and former teams eager to see these technologically advanced cars in action once more.
From 2026, Peter Auto’s broader historic racing calendar will be unified under a new banner: the Le Mans Classic Series. This renaming applies to established fixtures such as Spa-Classic, Dix Mille Tours, the Grand Prix de l’Âge d’Or, Imola Classic and Estoril Classic. The rebranding is intended to strengthen ties between the regular Peter Auto season and the main Le Mans Classic event, with priority grid access granted to those running eligible cars in the newly renamed series.
Further broadening its scope, Peter Auto also announced the GT3 Revival Series, a collaboration with SRO Motorsports Group and Stéphane Ratel. The new series will pay tribute to the first wave of GT3 racing, covering cars homologated between 2006 and 2013. It will run alongside SRO events on key European circuits and will provide a dedicated historic platform for a category that has shaped the modern GT racing landscape.
For more info, see peterauto.fr
