Le Mans cars hit London

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More than 5000 visitors to the Royal Hospital Chelsea made the inaugural Chelsea Auto Legends a great success, as 50 cars from the 90-year history of the Le Mans 24 Hours went on show.

Such was the response to the event, organised to raise funds for the refurbishment of the Chelsea Pensioners’ home, that a date has already been set for a repeat in 2011 at the site of the famous Chelsea Flower Show.

“I’ve always dreamed of bringing Le Mans cars to London, but from a standing start a few months ago what’s been achieved has exceeded even my wildest expectations,” said event founder Michael Scott. “It’s clear we have created an event that can grow over the years and become a regular diary date in early September.” The next Auto Legends has been set for Sunday September 4, 2011.

Along with the display of race cars from Aston Martin, Audi, Bentley, Ferrari, Ford, Jaguar, McLaren and Porsche, hundreds of classic cars and modern supercars packed into the hospital grounds.

“I am very honoured to be opening such a fantastic event,” said Sir Stirling Moss. “I’ve lived in London all my life and have always believed it to be the greatest place in the world. There’s no other city like it. I do feel a bit of a fraud, though, as I never won Le Mans!”

“What a fantastic show,” said five-time Le Mans winner Derek Bell. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen quite so many Le Mans cars in one place before outside France.”