The excitement of the Le Mans race can be felt in Southern California, where big names involved in the race’s history will gather to commemorate “The King of Cool,” Steve McQueen. Thanks in part to his pet project — the film Le Mans — family and friends of the legend will unite to celebrate his memory in June, shortly before the official start of the 2011 24 Hours of Le Mans in France.
The fourth annual Friends of Steve McQueen Car Show features a long list of former Le Mans drivers along with other distinguished guests, for a weekend scheduled to include a sale and silent auction, autographs and book signings, and a short film screening. On the guest list: Vic Elford, Jonathan Williams, Hal Hamilton, Michael Keyser, John Klawitter, Chad McQueen, Marshall Terrill and Motor Trend’s Matt Stone.
Vic Elford, deemed one of the fastest drivers, was the first to lap the circuit at Le Mans in 1970 in less than 3:20 minutes, averaging a speed of 150.804mph. Three-time Monza Lottery winner, Jonathan Williams, has raced for the Formula 2 Ferrari team in 1967 and even had the privilege of driving McQueen’s Porsche 908. Hal Hamilton, a working actor in Europe, befriended McQueen and shared their love for racing. McQueen sought after all these drivers to appear in the Le Mans film.
Matt Stone, senior editor at Motor Trend and editor of Motor Trend Classic, will serve as the Master of Ceremonies Friday night before the show. An Evening Behind the Scenes of Le Mans with Michael Keyser, headed by the three-time Le Mans competitor himself, will open with the sale, auctioning off never before seen Le Mans photographs. Emmy Award winning writer/producer John Klawitter’s short film, Le Mans: The Race, The Movie, is also scheduled to screen that night.
McQueen’s collection of cars and bikes will be on display on Saturday for the public to view, along with live music, slot car racing, autographs and book signings. The festivities take place at the Boys Republic (McQueen’s old school) in Chino Hills on June 4, with gates opening at 8:00 a.m. Registration is available to those who wish to display their vehicles alongside McQueen’s prized possessions. For more information visit www.FriendsOfSteveMcQueen.com, or call (909) 627-0017.
Source: Friends of Steve McQueen
