It appears to be tradition in America to do things bigger and better than anyone else. Except apparently in the case of Petit le Mans, which by all accounts is a shorter and less important version of the race from which it takes it's name.

Road Atlanta is our destination for the next 10 hours, as not for the first time this year Sidepodcast follows the escapades of but one man.

Yeah, I know it's not Formula One, but frankly when it comes to a certain Montagny exceptions have to be made.

Being clueless about this sort of thing, here are a couple of facts I've managed to blag from Wikipedia.

• The race uses the rules established for the 24 hours of Le Mans.
• The rules have been slightly modified, mainly to allow additional cars to compete.
• The race covers a maximum of 1,000 miles (approximately 394 laps), or a maximum of 10 hours, whichever comes first.
• In its history the leading team has never failed to complete 1000 miles.
• Last year's LMP1 winners were Allan McNish and Rinaldo Capello in their Audi R10 TDI
• Last year after 1,000 miles the race was won by less than a second.
• Franck has qualified in 7th position.

The race starts at 11:15am local time, which should be 4:15pm here in the UK. We'll be watching the action on TVU Networks. If you're around please do let us know. No doubt you're far more clued up than we are, and we could use the insight.