188,747 kilometres. 377.5 million wheel revolutions. 44 cars. Those numbers tell the story of Goodyear’s largest-ever endurance racing operation at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where its Goodyear Racing Eagle tires delivered relentless performance across the LMGT3 and LMP2 classes.
That consistency allowed teams to maximize every set of tires, saving time in fuel stops without compromising on pace. Many LMGT3 teams ran four stints (40 laps) before changing tires while LMP2 teams were able to race a set for five stints. One LMP2 team kept a single set of tires for as many as 56 laps or 761 km (473 miles) – approximately the distance from Le Mans to Monaco or from Goodyear’s home in Akron, Ohio, to Charlotte, North Carolina.
Even with the tires running so many laps, there was no let up on pace. The fastest 100-lap average pace recorded by an LMGT3 car was 1.2 seconds per lap quicker than in last year’s race, making this the fastest Le Mans of the LMGT3 era.
Supplying almost three-quarters of the Le Mans grid requires a massive operation: more than 120 experts and 8,000 tires kept the on-track activity running all week and through the night.
The Goodyear presence around Circuit de la Sarthe was stronger than ever thanks to the Goodyear Blimp, new-look Goodyear Grandstand, hugely popular fan village activation, collaboration with the renovated M24 Motorsport Museum and the introduction of the Goodyear Passerelle.
« When you look at the distances covered without compromising on pace, it underlines the consistency and reliability of our Goodyear Racing Eagle tires throughout one of the toughest races in the world, » said Stephen Bickley, Goodyear Endurance Program Manager. « It was a special Le Mans for us, felt through our fan activation, partnership renewal and icons old and new at – and above – the circuit. »
Ahead of the race, Goodyear reconfirmed its commitment to LMGT3 in a joint announcement with the FIA and the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO). In 2027, Goodyear will enter its fourth season as the exclusive tire supplier to the category with a new tire made up of 66% sustainable materials1.
The FIA World Endurance Championship now turns its attention to the 6 Hours of São Paulo on 12 July but many Le Mans teams will be in action one week sooner at the European Le Mans Series’ 4 Hours of Imola on 5 July.
Goodyear Racing Eagles are also in action this weekend in the NASCAR races at Pocono Raceway and in the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway.
Jake Kilshaw,