Garage 56

Garage 56 is a special single-entry class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans race that allows one experimental car to compete outside normal racing rules to test new automotive technologies.

Unlike regular racing categories with strict technical regulations, Garage 56 gives engineers and manufacturers complete freedom to try radical designs and cutting-edge innovations. The entry doesn't compete for overall victory or class wins - instead, it serves as a rolling laboratory to showcase what's possible when creativity meets motorsport.

Safety remains the top priority despite the relaxed technical rules. The FIA (motorsport's governing body) carefully reviews each Garage 56 proposal and works with teams throughout development to ensure the experimental car meets safety standards for the demanding 24-hour endurance race.

The program has produced some remarkable vehicles since its 2012 debut. The first Garage 56 entry was the Nissan DeltaWing, which looked nothing like a traditional race car with its narrow front end and wide rear. In 2014, the Nissan ZEOD RC demonstrated hybrid technology by completing an entire lap using only electric power.

Garage 56 has also created inspiring human stories. In 2016, quadruple amputee Frederic Sausset raced a specially modified car with hand controls, proving that motorsport innovation extends beyond pure technology to accessibility and inclusion.

More recently, NASCAR used Garage 56 to bring American stock car racing to Le Mans for the first time in 2023. Their modified Chevrolet Camaro, driven by former Formula 1 champion Jenson Button and NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson, introduced European audiences to a completely different style of racing car.

The technologies tested in Garage 56 often influence future racing regulations and eventually find their way into road cars. This makes the program valuable not just for motorsport fans, but for anyone interested in automotive innovation and the future of transportation technology.