Framed oil on canvas, 83cm x 83cm

The story:

This is a painting of the sound of a recording of the Le Mans start in 1969 - the last year of the famous ‘Le Mans’ style ‘depart’, where drivers would run across the track to their cars, fire them up and race off. The idiosyncratic style start attracted much controversy after William Mairess crashed at the Mulsanne Straight in 1968 while he was attempting to shut his door while racing. The unsecured door was owing to Mairess not closing his door properly while rushing to set off following his hasty Le Mans start. Many objected to the ‘Le Mans start’, including Jacky Ickx, who in 1969 walked to his car and took his time in protest. Despite this, Icks went on to win the 1969 Le Mans. This is the sound of the drivers walking to their cars and setting off - as indicated by the dramatic change in the wave form.