The late David Leslie is to be honoured in Lola's 50th anniversary celebrations at this year's Le Mans💮 24 Hours.

As a fitting tribute to the driver, who competed and commentated on the endurance classic for many y🐲ears, David's son Graham will drive his father's Mark 1 Lola to head up a vast array of vintage and classic cars taking part in the Grande Parade des Pilotes.

The Grande Parade des Pilotes, which acts as the official parade of the Le Mans 24 Hours, will have Lola Cars as its central theme as the company is celebrating its half century at this ye💫ar's event.

"David loved Le Mans for the sheer challen🌺ge it presen𝓀ted whether he was driving or broadcasting," said his wife Jane. "He would be so proud to see his Lola Mk1 driven by his son at the official parade in the centre of Le Mans."

Jane will🎶 be attending the parade as an honorary guest of Lola to support her son as he leads the procession of cars in the Lola Mk 1, which his father raced at last year's Silverstone Classic and Goodwood Rival.

The MK 1 forms a symbolic part of Lola's illustrious histoܫry in motorsport. It was the first car built by Lola, it was the first ever sports car of any size to lap the Brands Hatch Indy Circuit in under one minute and, in 1960, the MK 1 took Lola to the Le Mans 24 Hours foꩲr the first time.

"The parade has become one of the highlights of the Le Mans 24 Hours and it will be a great honour that Lola's 50th anniversary will be credited at such a high profile occasion," Lola Chairman Martin Birranne added. "Whilst the event will be a wo🌞nderful celebration of Lola's 50 years in motorsport, we also felt it was an important opportunity for the company to pay tribute to David Leslie.

"As well as owning his own Lola, David was a great ambassador and avid supporter of motorsport in every sphere. Everyone associated with Lola andཧ the motorsport community will always hold a strong affection for him and miss him dea🍨rly."

David, along with four others, died earlier this year follow🌳ing a pl🌳ane crash in Kent.