For the 41  rookies in the field at this the 82^nd running of the Le Mans 24 Hours there will be a myriad of new experiences to get used to before they even get in the car to tackle the fabled 8.7 mile track.

The tally of this year’s rookies corresponds in a similar vein to that of recent years with 43 in 2013, 40 in 2012 and 36 in 2011. In LMP1 this year there are just two new drivers, as Audi Sport Team Joest’s Filipe Albuquerque and Rebellion Racing’s Fabio Leimer are set to make their debut. The LMP2 class boasts 21 rookie drivers, including the youngest driver aiming to start the race on Sarturday afternoon, Matt McMurry.

In GTE Pro there are six new faces while in GTE Am there are 11 drivers from 8 different nationalities who will notch up there first Le Mans 24 Hours.

For one of the rookie drivers in the GTE Am, nerves and apprehension don’t even come in to it. For Fabien Barthez has tasted the extreme end of the sporting spectrum already and when it comes to keeping cool under the pressure the former French international goalkeeper can cope with just about anything.

Driving his SOFREV-ASP entered Ferrari 458 Italia on Michelin tires; the 1998 World Cup winner is relishing the prospect of realizing another sporting dream by becoming a fully-fledged Le Mans racer.

“I had a good year last season in French GT and also in the FIA GT Series, especially at Nogaro where I scored a double class victory with the SOFREV-ASP team,” says Barthez. “Now, coming to Le Mans, as a driver I am as prepared as I could be and I have two great teammates in Soheil (Ayari) and Anthony (Pons). If we keep to our recent form we will be in a good position on Sunday afternoon I am sure.”

42-year-old Barthez will be pressed on how either his home country will fair or who will win the competition. “I never make predictions, especially about my home nation. All I know is they will do their best but ultimately the South American nations will have a slight advantage this year, for sure,” said the former partner of Canadian supermodel Linda Evangelista.