Le Mans 2023 Centennial Anniversary! - Show us your Speedmaster.

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Hi Speedy Owners/Fans. Join this post with your Speedy photo and any other image, Le Mans related, you would like to share with us.




I wish Omega would surprise us with a new Speedmaster edition, commemorative of the 100 years of Le Mans... Godspeed!


EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE 24 HOURS OF LE MANS
The flagship race of the FIA WEC World Endurance Championship, the 24 Hours of Le Mans is one of the world’s oldest motor races and is admired around the globe. The French endurance classic is the ideal testing ground for a multitude of technology developments which can be subsequently applied across the motor industry. Every year, the race draws drivers and teams from around the world and is resolutely forward-looking, as proved by the introduction of a hydrogen class in 2024.


THE RACE’S HISTORY
The 24 Hours of Le Mans was created by the Automobile Club de l’Ouest, a motoring organisation founded in 1906. The first race was held on 26-27 May 1923 on a circuit near Le Mans. The competition was designed to boost and promote technical innovation and to encourage the development of the automotive industry. From the radial tyre to the emergence of the hybrid engine, it has been one innovation after another. And now the ACO has set itself a new challenge - Mission H24, with the aim of fielding a car driven by hydrogen power at the 2024 race.

THE CIRCUIT
The 24 Hours of Le Mans circuit has one distinguishing feature in that sections of it are made up of public roads. It is now 13.626 km long but has been modified several times over the years to maximise safety for competitors. From the Pit Straight to the Dunlop Chicane, the Forest Esses, Mulsanne and the Ford Chicane, the 24 Hours of Le Mans circuit is designed for speed and spectacular racing action.

THE CLASSES
The French endurance classic is part of the FIA WEC World Endurance Championship and is split into four classes: Le Mans Prototype 1 (LMP1) hybrid and non-hybrid, Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2) , Le Mans Grand Tourisme Endurance Pro (LMGTE Pro), and Le Mans Grand Tourisme Endurance Am (LMGTE Am), each class with its own technical specifications (engines permitted, chassis, etc.). For this, the 88th staging of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, there are five cars in the LMP1 class, 24 in LMP2, eight in LMGTE Pro, and 22 in LMGTE Am, making a total 59 teams.

THE DRIVERS
There are 59 cars in the 2020 24 Hours of Le Mans with 177 drivers (6 women) from 30 countries. Great Britain boasts the highest number of drivers, with eight teams, 11 cars and 30 drivers, followed by France with six teams, seven cars and 28 drivers. Italy completes the top three.

STARTING PROCEDURE
The special “Le Mans-style start” lasted until 1970. The drivers were lined up on the left of the track, one behind the other, opposite their cars which were parked on the right. When the French flag was lowered, they ran to their cars, started their engines and set off around the track. For safety reasons, the starting procedure was eventually changed: now, after a formation lap, there is a rolling start.

THE FUTURE: MISSION H24
Mission H24 was launched in September 2018, following a partnership between the Automobile Club de l'Ouest, GreenGT, Total, Michelin, Symbio and Plastic Omnium. The aim is to design a prototype that is entirely powered by hydrogen and to introduce a hydrogen-electric class in 2024. Since spring 2019, H24Racing, the team created especially for Mission H24, has pursued the work initiated by GreenGT to complete the development of the prototype. Mission H24 is fully in line with the ACO’s long-standing mission and will take motor racing and endurance into a new zero-carbon era as part of the ecological transition. The new car is emissison-free as the only thing it will give off is water!
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What does the Speedmaster have to do with the 24 hours of Le Mans or its 100th Anniversary?

Rolex is the official time keeper. The Heuer Monaco was famously worn by Steve McQueen in the movie. But I don't know of an Omega Speedmaster connection, is there one?
 
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I will be wearing my Speedmaster Solar Impulse when I watch Porsche crush the opposition and send them packing. I will be at the track to hand out tissues in case anyone needs one.
 
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Great reason to hunt down a #PCA Speedmaster.

...just sayin'
 
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What does the Speedmaster have to do with the 24 hours of Le Mans or its 100th Anniversary?

Rolex is the official time keeper. The Heuer Monaco was famously worn by Steve McQueen in the movie. But I don't know of an Omega Speedmaster connection, is there one?
I will be wearing my Speedmaster Solar Impulse when I watch Porsche crush the opposition and send them packing. I will be at the track to hand out tissues in case anyone needs one.


 
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298
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1,869
What does the Speedmaster have to do with the 24 hours of Le Mans or its 100th Anniversary?

Rolex is the official time keeper. The Heuer Monaco was famously worn by Steve McQueen in the movie. But I don't know of an Omega Speedmaster connection, is there one?

Speed, Celebrities, Fame, Marketing, and Asphalt Legends...

 
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Speed, Celebrities, Fame, Marketing, and Asphalt Legends...

Yes, the Speedmaster has its roots in Motorsport in general. But nothing you've posted so far has anything specific about Omega & Le Mans. The race drivers referenced are Formula 1 (and Indy/CART), not Le Mans/Endurance racing. Porsche is currently partnered with TAG Heuer.

Not trying to rain on the Speedmaster's parade (I own one), just trying to understand if there's an actual connection. But it seems not.
 
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Why would Omega do a call-out for a race they have never sponsored and is indelibly tied to another brand and a very specific watch?

On the other hand I really wish they had done the 7750 based racing with a slate grey dial... Best pics I have seen of that model.
 
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Yes, the Speedmaster has its roots in Motorsport in general. But nothing you've posted so far has anything specific about Omega & Le Mans. The race drivers referenced are Formula 1 (and Indy/CART), not Le Mans/Endurance racing. Porsche is currently partnered with TAG Heuer.

Not trying to rain on the Speedmaster's parade (I own one), just trying to understand if there's an actual connection. But it seems not.

1967 Omega Speedmaster Professional "Red Racing"



Hi!

I did not investigate if there was any historical, direct connection of our beloved Speedmaster to Le Mans, other than some drivers, celebrities, political figures, etc., that sported the Speedmaster in those races. The Le Mans relation I established with the Speedmaster, was just a metaphorical/figurative intent more than establishing a true historical reference. It was mostly framing a mind divertimento in which we all could share our Speedmaster favorite with racing related images...

In my mind as a kid, I always relate the Speedmaster other than with the flight to the Moon; to Speed Racer's Mach 5 car, and Grand Prix racing images like Le Mans.


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Why would Omega do a call-out for a race they have never sponsored and is indelibly tied to another brand and a very specific watch?

On the other hand I really wish they had done the 7750 based racing with a slate grey dial... Best pics I have seen of that model.

It could be a good, feasible marketing strategy to capture the Omega brand in the minds of young generations that are fans of racing events like Le Mans. You see? That 7750 based racing with a slate grey dial (imaginary Speedy that I would also love to see made), could be on the 2023 Omega Speedmaster Le Mans LE lineup or maybe the Speed Racer Mach 5 LE lineup...
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I think we are right! and agree to disagree.



I have the same statement on my refrigerator. Does two wrongs = one right?
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Don’t care about marketing relationships, so I will not be one of the other million guy there wearing a Daytona… instead, planning on wearing my Tintin next June!! 😁
 
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Don’t care about marketing relationships, so I will not be one of the other million guy there wearing a Daytona… instead, planning on wearing my Tintin next June!! 😁

@MTROIS
Tintin Speedy pics please 😎
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Obviously we need an Omega tribute to 50 Jahr of Motorsport.
 
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OK, I'll play. My Speedy on a strap made from the leather seats of a vintage Porsche 356.