Although everybody expected the OAK Racing Costa Art Car to be unveiled at Beaubourg on 31st May, the Official Art Car of the 90th anniversary of the Le Mans 24 Hours will finally be presented in its natural environment, that of the Sarthe event, at the Le Mans 24-Hours test day on Sunday 9th June in the Automobile Club de l’Ouest’s Welcome at 13:00.
The press and a few privileged guests will be able to discover the work of art created by French sculptor, Fernando Costa, in homage to the Le Mans 24 Hours and road safety in the presence of the artist, Jacques Nicolet the owner of the OAK Racing team, and Pierre Fillon, President of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest.
Jacques Nicolet, President of OAK Racing:
“I’m very touched and honoured that President Pierre Fillon and the ACO decided to make this Art Car the Art Car of the 90th anniversary of the Le Mans 24 Hours, thus confirming OAK Racing’s place in the family of the Le Mans 24 Hours. Through this Art Car I wanted to express the fact that in the world of the Le Mans 24 Hours, everybody at his own level no matter what his age, activity or involvement can find a way of sharing his passion. That’s the great strength of the Le Mans 24 Hours, to enable the greatest number to share the passion of endurance racing. When I met Fernando Costa I immediately felt that it would be the case. His form of artistic expression, road signs, is in total osmosis with the subject and his art speaks to everybody. The OAK Racing Costa Art Car is a bridge between motor racing and society, art and technology, a gateway to the world of dreams and a promise for the future. I hope it will touch everybody deeply as well as giving them a big surprise!”
Pierre Fillon, Automobile Club de l’Ouest President:
“The Le Mans 24 Hours and art go back a long way. Painters, poets, writers, cinema directors, musicians and sculptors have all honoured our race since 1923 by turning it into a work of art. Since 1975, the Art Car legend has been written out there on the track by the greatest painters. To the lineage of Calder, Warhol, Koons and so many others the car with bodywork by Fernando Costa can now be added in what is a red-letter year in which we’re celebrating the 90th anniversary of the event.”
Fernando Costa, sculptor:
“I’m delighted that this Art Car is being presented at Le Mans in the prestigious context of the 24 Hours for which it’s been created, an event I’ve followed with passion for more than twenty years. It was honoured by the ACO and it’s going to be unveiled in front of the professionals of endurance. I’ve been really overwhelmed with delight by this experience since the start. In addition, this presentation is only a step in this adventure. The second one will open for it and for me in the coming race.”
courtesy of OAK Racing