LM24: McMurry makes history at Le Mans

RACER.com's extensive coverage of the 24 Hours of
Le Mans is presented by Circuit of The Americas. Visit

circuitoftheamericas.com/wectudor

Becoming the youngest starter in 82 editions of the 24 Hours of Le Mans is what most people will remember about Matt McMurry's participation in this year's event.

The 16-year-old (ABOVE), who eclipsed the record set by Ricardo Rodriguez in 1959, earned a place in the history books that will likely stand forever. Displaying maturity and poise throughout his driver development program with Dyson Racing, McMurry's scheduled and articulated road to race in the heart of France is easily the most impressive aspect of the story.

"It feels awesome to finish the race," said McMurry, who is also a columnist for RACER.com and is coming off his sophomore year of high school. "I was a little bit worried when we had the gearbox issue, but we fixed it and the car was great the whole race. It feels great to accomplish that (setting the new record). It took so much work to get here. We started in Skip Barber three years ago, and I moved to USF2000 for a bit and then I was in Prototype Lights, and now I am in Prototype Lights and this (Le Mans). Plus I'm in school!"

When this writer reminded McMurry of our conversation ahead of the race week, where he admitted that his only fear was the rain, the young racer laughed about that aspect of his Le Mans 24 experience, having made it through some tough moments early in the race as he raced on a wet track with slick tires.

"Of course, I was the only one who got the rain!" said McMurry about the weather fate that befell him but not co-drivers Chris Dyson or Tom Kimber-Smith. "I was just angry at the sky! I didn't like the rain. I was on dry tires so couldn't do anything but putter around. But in the end, I got more comfortable and guess I had good times with them on as the track got better."

Stepping out of the car just moments after finishing the biggest race of his career, McMurry hadn't thought much about the possibility of someone else breaking the mark, but knows that if someone wants to go for it, a challenge would await them.

"I think it could be tough because the way the rules are written, someone would have to be born between my birthday (November 24) and December 31st, and you would have to be a race car driver and you would have to want to do it!"

McMurry had built his progression in the sport with an early start in single-seaters, but that curve got a big upward boost when Dyson Racing signed the young Phoenix native to initiate its Young Driver Development program.

"What can you say? We came here with three objectives, and we accomplished two of the three," offered Chris Dyson, after making his third Le Mans start some five years after his most recent one. "The first goal was to not only break the record for the youngest-ever driver in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, but also to be the youngest finisher. Both milestones were set today by our protege, and we are proud of that. It is great to bring the record back to America. This (24 Hours of Le mans) is a truly international forum. Anyone who was here today saw a great car race with diversity and technical excellence."

"Our third objective was for him to be the youngest ever podium finisher and winner. We came up short in that regard, but from a personal standpoint it was great to bring him here and extend the Dyson brand back into Le Mans," said Dyson. "I love being back here competing and I can't wait to come back. It just makes me hungry to do better next year. Some of the best sports car racing in the world is going on right here right now. You only have to look at the paddock with the activation that is going on. And you look at the fans, there is no coincidence there. The cars are exciting and there is genuine enthusiasm about this. There is something new every year. From a competitor standpoint, it is a great forum. You are up against the best of the best. This is as big as the Indy 500 as far as world racing."

McMurry was able to enjoy the moment with his family here to cheer him on, although the focus was so much on the race, neither Matt or his father Chris had remembered about a family holiday.

"I didn't even realize it was fathers day until a couple of hours ago!" said the elder McMurry. "It's quite a gift (for him to accomplish this). I am really just happy for Matt. He set this gigantic goal, and the amount of effort he had to make to achieve it, and the sacrifices he makes—he sleeps, works out, races, goes to school and that's it. He was rewarded today with not only youngest starter, but also youngest finisher. Part of this story is that importance of setting goals, and making them big, and to not let things get in the way of accomplishing them. We had so many obstacles to go through, bureaucratic obstacles, racing obstacles, preparation obstacles networking with the right people obstacles. But we just kept going. If you set your mind to something, you can do it."

The only question is what Matt McMurry has decided to do next.