AUDI looks to continue its freight train with its two factory Joest R8's #1, #2 and the privateer entries of Champion #3 and Johansson #4. A couple interesting points stand out. For one of the few times since 1983 a Joest run machine will not carry the lucky #7 that has ordained four of the five winning cars from the powerhouse German Team Boss. Second all four cars will be using updated aero. packages for the event.

CADILLAC comes back to La Sarthe with two updated 2000 spec LMP Northstars. #4, and #5 are to be run by the DAMS outfit. DAMS had one car running in a relatively strong fourth place after 21 hours last year but it would seem that Cadillac will just be looking for a relable run in anticipation of a return in 2002 with all new machine.

PANOZ returns to Le Mans this year with two all new LMP07 machines. The Zytec powered cars #11 and #12 have had numerous problems since their introduction but look for the cars to be really quick come May and especially June.

CHRYSLER makes it second appearance in LMP900 with three all new prototypes designed by Dallara. The beautiful machines which plan to run with an updated version of the World Outlaws V8 Team Oreca debuted last year with little success. The team have just got around to testing the V8 in the new chassis in the past week alongside their testbed car that has been powered by a Judd V10.The #14 and #15 machines entered under the Team Oreca banner were allowed to use their two automatic entries under special compensation since the vehicle is still listed as a Chrysler. The third car #16 is entered under Team Playstation.

DOME returns to Le Mans with two private teams running the all new S101-Judds. The #9 Racing For Holland team led by Jan Lammers and the #10 Team Den Bla Avis car spearheaded by John Nielsen could be fast but will the Judd V10 be able to have a reliable 24 hour run.

COURAGE will have three C60 chassis in the race. Two come from Pescarolo Sport #17 and #18 with the Peugeot V6 turbo power. The team's third place along with being a French based team surely helped in receiving two entries for this years race. Can the C60 hold up like the C52 did for Pesci last year. SMG will have #19 C60-Judd that the team ran so strong with in 2000. This car should be one of the quicker machines at pre-practice in May and could surprise if the Judd V10 can hold together.

ASCARI return to La Sarthe with A410-Judd after missing out on the 2000 contest. Two entries were sent in but only one has been given an entry #20. #21 is one of six reserves that will take part in the May testing trials but it looks as if we will just see one Ascari in June. The car has been heavily tested over the past year and if everything goes good, it could surprise.

BENTLEY returns to the site of its famous wins of the past this year. They have of course opted for the closed cockpit LM GTP class with two EXP Speed 8. Cars #7 and #8 could possibly be the biggest threat to the Audi juggernaut since both cars are powered by the identical 4.0L V8 Twin Turbo powerplant used in the R8's. Along with an exceptional driving squad could Bentley possibly bring home another Victory at Le Mans.