For me, well I was only 15 years an old that time. And not much attention by the Finnish media that time also. Eurosport showed the Le Mans of course, but I did not managed to watch it; don't know why perhaps we were on holiday in Europe that time. That must be the reason, I don't remember that very well.
But immediately after the win; I knew GTR McLaren is Le Mans winner. Followed these cars from Eurosport that year and so on.
Then I read that race from Vauhdin Maailma Magazine (I have scanned those stories here also) and things started to go clear. I remember to be angry not to see that race on live.
So my feelings and memories are quite short unfortunately. That time I followed very closely Mika Hakkinen's career in McLaren and that Le Mans win was not really huge news here in Finland. Unfortunately.
And much later on; when I found this old passion again; the thing has become very clear; what JJ did that Le Mans is The Legend job. In the night, in the rain; 30 secs quicker than anyone else, taking the car to second place after night; the plan what Paul did to the race...All has become very clear, it was something very special what happened.
Fortunately later on also have been managed to collect some things about this Le Mans and so on. Coming Members Meeting in Goodwood next March I really hope finally to see #01R and the XP1 LM; perhaps even see Mr. Murray, Paul Lazante and so on, that would be very great. Even to take a long distance shot of these Legends.