Viva La Mans

Few auto races in this world come with as much history as the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France, officially known there as the 24 Heures du Mans.

Introduced in May 1923, cars have sped each spring along the country roads in France with few exceptions . . . money problems in 1936, World War II from 1940 to 1948, and political unrest in 1968.

In 1999, the series floated the ocean and came to America as the American Le Mans Series — same cars, similar format, same drivers, different circuits or tracks.

It will stop, for the first time, this week on the snakelike track at the Miller Motorsports Park. Drivers will make tune-up and practice runs on Thursday, make qualifying runs on Friday and race on Saturday.

It will be, for the American racing crowd, used to the straight-out runs on drag strips and left-hand-only turns in NASCAR action, a very different type of racing.

• Instead of one category of car on the track at one time, all four categories in Le Mans racing — LMP1, LMP2, GT1 and GT2 — will have the same start time with the fastest qualifiers in front, slowest in the rear.

• Instead of the one-car, one-driver concept, Le Mans racing will come with one car and two drivers sharing duties.

• Instead of several pit stops to change tires, fuel and offer water to the driver, Le Mans cars will stop for fuel twice and change tires and drivers on one of those stops.

• Instead of pit crews converging on the car all at once, Le Mans rules require fueling be completed first before crews are allowed in to change tires and freshen-up the driver.

• Instead of counting laps, the race will last for 2 hours and 45 minutes. The car and drivers covering the greatest distance win the overall title, regardless of category. Winners of the various categories will, of course, be recognized, but the crowning glory comes with the overall trophy.

• Instead of top speed and average speed carrying the highest ratings, and the fastest cars are capable of speeds of over 200 miles per hour, fans will no doubt find cornering speeds more exciting.

"It is a mistake to judge the quality of our series on average speed," said Emanuele Pirro, the finishing driver of the Audi R10 that won this year's 24-hour Le Mans. "Our cars are fast, yes, but our cars are made for turns so they develop a lot of down force. So, in order to go fast we must go fast in the corners.

"Braking and cornering speeds are going to be a lot higher than people expect and a lot higher than what people have ever seen."