The two Pescarolo Sport cars, no. 17 and no. 18, participating this year to the legendary 24-hours Le Mans race in France, are ‘boosted’ by space technologies. Space composite materials have cut 29 kg off body weight – crucial in a race where lower weight means faster laps. In addition, thermal shields based on the same technology used for Ariane launchers are used to insulate exhaust pipes and manifolds. An innovative cooling system to refresh helmets and suits, successfully used first time at this years Paris-Dakar race, will provide higher comfort to the driver. The image shows no. 18 during the test day at Le Mans, 4 May 2003.