24-Hour Le Mans Race Changes 1986 Dates

The 1986 edition of the Le Mans 24 Hour auto racing classic will be held May 31-June 1 in an attempt to avoid clashing with world championship Grand Prix events, the organizing Automobile Club de l’Ouest said.

The date is early for the event, which normally is held in mid-June. This year the original date was June 15-16. However, the Detroit Grand Prix also is scheduled for June 16, preventing Le Mans from attracting top Grand Prix drivers.

The race also has to avoid the second weekend of June when the final of the French Open tennis tourney in Paris will be competing for television time.