24h Le Mans
The #13 Courage C52 Nissan returns to the Circuit des 24 Heures du Mans during Le Mans Classic Legend (2–5 July 2026). Spectators will be transported back in time to one of the most fascinating races in 24 Hours of Le Mans history thanks to the LMP class prototype.
Le Mans Classic Legend sees the past of the 24 Hours of Le Mans through today’s eyes. The #13 Courage C52 Nissan will take pride of place among the Grid 8 GTs and prototypes (1994–99). A symbol of French endurance racing savoir-faire, the car that was a star of the 1999 24 Hours of Le Mans symbolises a time when worldclass manufacturers and passionate independent carmakers shared a playground.
At the end of the nineties, the 24 Hours of Le Mans was particularly vibrant. BMW, Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Nissan and Panoz all invested massively in endurance racing. Amid the big-name manufacturers, Courage Compétition promoted a different vision of the discipline.
Introduced for the 1999 season, the Courage C52 Nissan was the result of a collaboration between Yves Courage and Nissan. With a particularly finely-tuned V8 twin-turbo Nissan engine and a sleek chassis, it stood out for its elegance, reliability and efficiency.
At the 1999 24 Hours of Le Mans, the #13 driven by Alex Caffi, Andrea Montermini and Domenico Schiattarella (three Italian Formula One drivers) achieved a remarkable sixth place overall. The result confirmed that Courage Compétition was well and truly in the same league as manufacturers with much more financial sway and remains one of the highlights of the local constructor’s history.
For the C52, Le Mans Classic Legend is like racing in your back yard. Grid 8 is composed of cars that took part in the 24 Hours of Le Mans between 1994 and 1999, a period considered to be one of the richest in the race’s modern era.
Sophisticated prototypes ran alongside legendary GTs. The period saw the emergence of new technology, prestigious manufacturers and memorable battles that sparked passion among motorsport fans.
On track this weekend, the roar of engines, the characteristic shape of turn-of-the-century prototypes and flamboyant demonstrations will give spectators a taste of past 24 Hours of Le Mans.
This is a rare opportunity. It’s not every day you see the #13 Courage C52 Nissan return to the circuit where it made history.
