Radio Le Mans - History

History

Although the commentary was broadcast on local ('special event') radio in 1986, in 1987 headed by a sportscar and radio enthusiast, Harry Turner, backed by Jim Tanner and Chris Crewe-Smith, founders of TTC radio. Backed by Silk Cut Jaguar the station quickly found favour with the tens of thousands of English-speaking fans at the race. The early years provided for only a very rudimentary service, no pit reports and a music loop played overnight.

Throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s the station evolved adding new features like the 'Mad' Friday Campsite Tour in 1989. This show, conceived and presented by a newcomer, John Hindhaugh, was to prove almost as popular as the race coverage, and propelled Hindhaugh, with his distinctive North-Eastern accent and irreverent attitude, to a similar status with the fans as the commentary team. Resident sportscar expert Paul Truswell, famed for remaining standing at his microphone throughout the 24 hours (and more) has been ever-present on the Radio Le Mans commentary team since 1988.

Haymarket Publications, publishers of Autosport had been involved almost from the start. At first only giving ad pages which were then "sold on" by Radio Le Mans to raise funds. When Studio 6 and Landon Brown, the first operators of the service stepped aside, Haymarket took over the running of the service, and remained in control until 2005.

Radio Le Mans has been available to listeners at the circuit every year since 1987. In 1997 it began streaming on the internet.

From 2004 to 2006 the service was also available to digital satellite listeners, as it was carried on the Globecast Radio channel on the Sky Digital (UK & Ireland) platform in the UK. Globecast Radio also carried coverage of the American Le Mans Series. Globecast Radio ceased broadcasting in January 2007.

Since 2006 the service has been run by Radio Show Ltd., RSL was formed specifically to ensure the continuation of Radio Le Mans when Haymarket Publications declined to renew their contract with the ACO. RSL was given an initial five year contract, and in 2010 beat competition from Haymarket Publications to win the rights for a further term.

The website www.radiolemans.com now runs a sportscar and automotive audio stream all year which includes live coverage of other races from around the world, including those of the FIA World Endurance Championship, European Le Mans Series, Nurburgring 24 and Britcar 24. In addition there is an extensive, free archive of all of the Radio Show Limited broadcasts.

New ways to listen to the Radio Le Mans coverage of the 24 hours are being added. In 2008 the service was added to the Kangaroo TV system at Le Mans, and in 2009 Radio Le Mans made its debut on Sirius satellite radio in the US and Canada.