Feel like a 24 Hours of Le Mans driver with the street versions of the brutal racing cars

This weekend marked the 93rd edition of one of the most anticipated races of the year for motorsport fans. The 24 Hours of Le Mans draws more than 300,000 spectators to the Le Sharte circuit and is considered one of the most iconic races on the track calendar, alongside events such as the Monaco GP and the Indianapolis 500, recently won by Alex Palou.

At Le Mans, there are three categories of vehicles, all of them high-performance. The lowest-performance, so to speak, is the LMGT3, whose main attraction is that they are not prototypes, but models derived from homologated road cars but suitably evolved.

Nine different models

At this year's Le Mans, nine different LMGT3 models were on display. If your budget allows, these cars can be driven and enjoyed on a daily basis. To promote equality and competition, the regulations for this category impose certain restrictions on factors such as weight and engine power, but these are more than offset by improvements in areas such as aerodynamics, weight, and brake power.

Read also 1. Aston Martin Vantage GT3

Designed by Aston Martin Racing and Aston Martin Performance Technologies, this GT3 is an evolution of the road-going Vantage, featuring a lightweight welded aluminum chassis and powered by a 4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine capable of producing 535 hp. The bodywork is spectacular and stands out for its athletic design and refined aerodynamics. Its lightness is another of its virtues, with a curb weight of 1,265 kg.

2. BMW M4 GT3

For its entry in this category, the Bavarian firm is turning to an evolution of its spectacular M4 coupé. The EVO model is powered by a 3-liter, inline-six engine, delivering up to 590 hp. To improve its performance, the suspension has been upgraded, with new stabilizer bars, larger brakes, and easier differential adjustment for drivers.

3. Corvette Z06 GT3.R

This model is not officially on sale in Spain, but it is a prominent feature in the French event. It's based on the street car manufactured in Kentucky and features a spectacular naturally aspirated 5.5-liter V8 engine, limited to the permitted 600 hp. Developed by the GM Motorsports Engineering Competition division, the racing version of the Z06 shares its chassis and suspension with the production model.

4. Ferrari 296 GT3

This track-bred is the racing variant of the road-going 296 GTB and 296 GTS models. It's powered by a 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 engine with a maximum power of 600 hp, designed to take full advantage of the regulations of this category. It achieves a low center of gravity and significantly reduces the overall weight, which is a mere 1,250 kg, thanks also to its aluminum chassis.

5. Ford Mustang GT3

The American brand competes with the best in endurance racing, thanks to the GT3 version of its iconic Mustang, developed by the Ford Performance division in collaboration with Multimatic. It's equipped with a 5.4-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine, and modifications such as an aerodynamic package, carbon fiber panels, and specific suspension have been introduced to achieve maximum performance.

6. Lexus RC F GT3

The Japanese manufacturer enters this category based on the RC F, a suitably evolved model. Its rigid chassis is complemented by refined aerodynamics, lightweight components to achieve a weight of 1,300 kg, and hood openings for improved cooling. This bodied racer's engine is a 5.4-liter V8, capable of producing a maximum power output of over 500 hp.

7. McLaren 720S GT3

Although the British brand has launched an evolution of this model, the 750S, the 720S GT3 remains its flagship on the racetrack. At 4.54 m long, it is one of the most compact models in the category, and in its latest evolution, McLaren Motorsport engineers introduced aerodynamic improvements combined with superior mechanical performance. It weighs 1,285 kg and is equipped with a 4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine.

8. Mercedes-AMG GT3

The star brand competes through its AMG sports division, a guarantee of success. Its wonderful GT3 coupé is powered by a 6.4-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine, comfortably achieving 600 hp. The use of carbon fiber in multiple elements allows for the necessary lightness, a curb weight of 1,285 kg. The package is completed with a spectacular and effective aerodynamic package.

9. Porsche 911 GT3 R

Le Mans wouldn't be the same without the presence of Porsche, always a fixture in the category and winners in the 2024 edition. The 911 GT3 racing car is based on the road-going model, which features a 4-liter, six-cylinder boxer engine with a maximum output of 510 hp. The racing version, called the GT3 R, incorporates several developments that improve its aerodynamics and performance.