Aero Minor Sport Back on the Starting Grid with Number 59 and a Legendary Legacy
Le Mans, July 2025 – The roar of historic engines once again echoed across the legendary Circuit de la Sarthe, and among them was the Czechoslovak gem, the Aero Minor Sport. The crew of Jaroslav Větvička and Josef Šmíd lined up at the start of the prestigious Le Mans Classic for the second time sporting the symbolic number 59 – the same number carried by Jacques Poch and Ivan Hodáč during their memorable 1949 entry.
🖊 MUDr. Jaroslav Větvička | Zbyněk Hozák
More than just a number, it was a tribute and a continuation of a story 76 years in the making. The meticulously restored car featuring a twin-cylinder two-stroke engine, characteristic cooling vents, dual fuel fillers and its typical ‘French blue’ colour, was a faithful reminder of the historical original and a symbol of Czech-French motorsport tradition.
Also taking their place at the start was the sister crew in car number 58, following in the footsteps of the legendary performance by Kratner and Suttnar in 1949, when they finished second – the best Czech result in the history of the 24 Hours of Le Mans to date.
However, the race was beset by unexpected complications from the outset. The engine began running on a single cylinder during the qualifying session. A quick reaction from the team and a spark plug change allowed the car to complete the necessary laps to qualify for the grid. “It was nerve-wrecking. One eye on the temperature gauge, the other on the rear-view mirrors,” recalls Josef Šmíd.
The troubles persisted into the start of the race, with the car losing power once again. The true cause, a damaged ignition cable, was eventually uncovered by experienced head mechanic Jiří Císař. A subtle fault, yet one capable of completely knocking out a cylinder. The recovery was further bolstered by the solidarity of the second Czech team, who shared their own spare parts. “At that moment, it was about more than just technology – it was about solidarity,” says Jaroslav Větvička.
Once the fault was removed, the Aero Minor roared back to life. Despite having the lowest power output in the field, it managed to maintain the pace and complete the race without further major issues. The crew ultimately finished 56th out of 82 starters, repeating their 2023 result. Given the car’s capabilities, this was a significant achievement.
The race also delivered dramatic moments. In torrential rain, Jaroslav Větvička was forced to swerve around a crashed car on the Hunaudières straight, while Josef Šmíd faced a hair-raising moment when overtaking at the Mulsanne corner. The night stage tested the drivers’ concentration to the limit – the speed differences between the cars exceeded 80 km/h. “When you’re doing barely 120 km/h in the rain and cars tear past you at over 200 km/h, it’s a massive adrenaline rush,” both drivers agree.
The Aero Minor not only captured imaginations on the track but also in the paddock. It drew the attention of fans and historians alike, including members of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest. For the team, this was a clear signal that the brand’s legacy at Le Mans is very much alive.
“Le Mans Classic is the pinnacle for us – a blend of tradition, engineering and emotion. We are already preparing for the 2027 edition,” concludes Jaroslav Větvička.
The Aero Minor Sport has thus reaffirmed that even a small car can write great stories – with courage, respect and heart.
