Glickenhaus Hypercar: Are we due an American revolution at Le Mans?
With new Hypercar rules and the German giants out of the picture, now could be the time for Glickenhaus to shine at Le Mans
Carroll Shelby was an American pioneer at Le Mans, winning in 1959 in an Aston Martin DBR1
Bernard Cahier/Getty Images
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The list of American successes at Le Mans is long and littered with star names such as Shelby, Hill, Gregory, Gurney, Foyt, Cunningham and more. Could Glickenhaus be the next to be added to the US roll of honour as the independent manufacturer prepares to make its Le Mans debut with a fresh Hypercar entry?
Jim Glickenhaus’ eponymous concern is gearing up to run two of its new twin-turbo V8 LMH 007s at this year’s event, and has already unveiled a star list of drivers – including Briton Richard Westbrook and two-time Le Mans winner Romain Dumas. The cars will also be operated by the Joest Racing outfit, which formerly ran Audi’s ultrasuccessful works efforts.
The team hardly smacks of an amateur effort, and the New York-based entrepreneur and film producer behind it insists that he wants to write a new chapter in American history at Le Mans. Speaking to Motor Sport, Glickenhaus said: “It’s always been a dream of mine to go to Le Mans, so when this magic moment in Hypercars came up, we were really the first company to say that we’re going to compete. I remember the incredible battles of the ’60s and people like Carroll Shelby, Jim Hall and before that, Briggs Cunningham, bringing American cars to Le Mans.
