#0081 Courage LMP1, Courage LMP2

24 Hours of Le Mans 2006

#13
Drivers: Shinji Nakano, Jean-Marc Gounon, Haruki Karosawa
DNF: 35 laps

#36
Drivers: Claude-Yves Gosselin, Karim A. Ojjeh, Pierre Ragues
DNF: 84 laps

Originally signed by Shinji Nagano at the 24H of Le Mans 2006!

Yves Courage was born at Le Mans. His name has appeared on nearly every Le Mans racing program for the last forty years - as a driver on ten occasions between 1977 and 1987, and in cars of his own manufacture since 1982, with the early racers being called Cougars. Over the years he has had varying success with what is probably his greatest, a third place overall in 1987 with himself at the wheel. In 1995 he finished behind the McLaren in the works C34. In 2006 there were eight Courage vehicles taking part in the 24 Hours. In the foreground of the painting is the #13 car, driven by Shinji Nakano, Jean-Marc Gounon and Haruki Kurosawa, closely followed by an LMP2-Courage in the distinctive Gulf livery used by Paul-Belmondo-Racing. The number 37 car was in the hands of Patrice Roussel, Didier André and Yann Clairay at the start. Neither car finished - but two others did, including the other works LMP1. Courage sold his company to Oreca in 2007 but has always remained involved in racing. In 2016, after a long career, he said: "As long as I live, I don't think my passion for racing and the 24 Hours of Le Mans will ever leave me."