Race
With the end of the Bentley project, there were no official factory teams from major manufacturers in LMP at this year's race, theoretically leaving it open to anyone. However, the Audi R8s proved their abilities, even in privateer hands, by taking a 1-2-3 victory over the competition.
Once again, Tom Kristensen was in the winning car, an Audi entered by the Japanese Team Goh, setting a record fifth straight victory and tying Jacky Ickx with 6 overall wins.
The GTS-class Corvettes avenged their loss to Ferrari the previous year by winning the class following mechanical difficulties for the Ferraris late in the race. GT-class also went to an American squad, White Lightning Racing, which featured three Porsche factory drivers. LMP2 was again a test of survival as only two cars finishing, with Intersport Racing completing the American trifecta. Dodge ended its participation this year.
Read more about this topic: 2004 24 Hours Of Le Mans
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—W.E.B. (William Edward Burghardt)
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—Oscar Solomon Straus (1850–1926)