The seed of Denmark’s love affair with Le Mans was sowed 27 years ago, when John Nielsen shared victory with Martin Brundle and Price Cobb for Jaguar and Tom Walkinshaw Racing.
The win left an indelible mark on Tom Kristensen, who made that seed blossom. “I remember being at a karting event back home,” he said before sitting down for a Royal Automobile Club Talk Show earlier this year. “Everything stopped so we could watch him win Le Mans. It was massive.”
Just seven years later, a 29-year-old Kristensen won Le Mans at the first attempt – with just a few weeks’ notice.
Eight more wins later the baton has been handed to Jan Magnussen, Nicki Thiim, Marco Sørensen, Christina Nielsen and Michael Christensen to fly the Danish flag at Le Mans.
Thousands upon thousands of Danish fans make the pilgrimage every year, so Mobil 1: The Grid took a trip to the Danish campsites to find out more.
Jenson Button predicted "something very special" at Le Mans from him and illustrious team-mates Jimmie Johnson and Mike Rockenfeller, who have been unveiled as the drivers for a NASCAR Chevrolet Camaro entry at this year's 24-hour race
James Calado will follow in the footsteps of John Surtees, Brian Redman and Derek Bell by driving a Ferrari Hypercar at Le Mans – he speaks to Rob Ladbrook about realising a dream
Gary Watkins runs through all the competitors, as the might of Ferrari and Porsche takes on Peugeot and Toyota in endurance racing's new golden era
Camping places for next year's Le Mans 24 Hours went on sale last week and promptly sold out. Andrew Frankel looks at the one remaining way to stay on site during next year's race, and recaps why it's so highly anticipated