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- Herausgeber: Clink Street Publishing
- Kategorie: Lebensstil
- Sprache: Englisch
- Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2023
The Le Mans 24 Hours is no ordinary race - it is the one race that every racing driver wants to win. Back in 1923, the Grand Prix of Endurance was created to prove that the motorcar could be sporty and reliable - 100 years later teams and drivers are still battling it out for supremacy at Circuit de la Sarthe. Racers like Tom Kristensen, Jacky Ickx, Derek Bell, and Allan McNish have all become legends competing in the world's toughest race. Manufacturers see the race as a prestigious way to promote their brand which has led to some fierce on track battles between automotive giants such as Ferrari, Porsche, Jaguar, Ford, Bentley, Audi, and Toyota. This book celebrates the history of the race, the innovations, the cars, the drivers, and the rivalries.
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The 24 hours of Le Mans
David Taylor
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With thanks to…
My Mum for her time, help and endless encouragement. To my Grandparents, especially my Granddad, his love of books and motor racing has been a massive influence on me, and to all my family and friends for their love and support.
CONTENTS
4
WELCOME
Hello and welcome to an illustrated history of the 24 hours of Le Mans – the most prestigious automobile race in the world. In 2023 the French classic celebrates its 100th year since the inaugural race back in 1923. This book will cover the great cars, the great drivers, the historic track, the highs and lows and so much more.
Le Mans 24 hours. The story so far
AN APPETITE FOR SPEED
THE VERY BEGINNING
The very first car was invented by Karl Benz back in 1886. The car was known as the “Benz Patent-Motorwagen” and only had three wheels. The motorcar had room for two people and had a top speed of ten miles per hour. The automobile was seen as an alternative to the horse and people quickly wanted to see how fast it could go.
In 1894, thousands of people gathered in northern France to watch a trial to publicise the motor car. It was an 80-mile drive from Paris to Rouen and back. The winner would be judged if the car “was easy to handle, without danger and cheap to run.” Twenty-one cars started and seventeen finished. Officially the event was not a race, but everyone there wanted to know who was the fastest. The unofficial winner was Count Albert de Dion driving his “steam tractor” averaging 11.6 mph. The trial was an enormous success, and de Dion organised a race from Paris to Bordeaux and back for the following year, the fastest car would be the winner. This was truly the moment when motorsport was born.
In 1895 the first ever official motor race took place – the Paris–Bordeaux–Paris. The rules were simple: cars had to carry two or more people and could be driven by more than one driver. There was also a time limit of 100 hours. The race spanned 11–13 June 1895. Twenty-one cars started, eleven made it to Bordeaux and nine made it back. French driver Émile Levassor was first to arrive, after 732 miles with a total time of 48 hours and 48 minutes. But because the car was a two-seater, it was ineligible for first prize. So, Paul Koechlin driving a Peugeot was named as the winner and received the main prize. Koechlin averaged 12.2 mph over the 732 miles.
On 28 November, the Chicago Times-Herald race took place in America. The prize money was $5,000, approximately $160,000 in today’s money. This was a race to help promote the motorcar and the first in the United States. The winner of the 57-mile race was Karl Benz in his own car. 7
After this, Grand Prix racing became more popular, and the sport began to grow. However not everyone favoured car racing – some said it was too dangerous. To prove them wrong, the Grand Prix of Endurance was created to show cars were safe over a long period of time. This race would take place at Le Mans in France.
THE FIRST LE MANS
1923
After the growth of Grand Prix racing – and the interest from France – the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) launched the Grand Prix of Endurance and the inaugural race took place in 1923. This is what we now know as the 24 hours of Le Mans. Categories for the race were decided by engine size, a total of four classes were created. Thirty-seven cars started the race from twenty different manufacturers. Eighteen of those being French with one Bentley representing Great Britain and two Excelsior cars entered from Belgium. Each car would have two drivers, doing roughly two-hour stints before swapping over. The track – the Circuit de la Sarthe – had previously been used for the 1906 French Grand Prix and was approximately ten miles long. It ran from the outskirts of Le Mans city; it ran on the main road southwards to the village of Mulsanne and back. The race began at 4 pm on the 26th May 1923, shortly after a hailstorm. Of the thirty-seven starters, thirty finished with Chenard-Walcker cars coming first and second. French drivers André Lagache and René Léonard won the race and the whole event was a massive success.
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CIRCUIT DE LA SARTHE
TRACK GUIDE
Circuit de La Sarthe is one of the most iconic circuits in the world. It is also unique as half the track is permanently a race facility and part public road. The course is also one of the longest still being used today, a total of 8.467 miles being the current length. The permanent track is called the Bugatti Circuit, which in 1967 hosted the French Grand Prix. Circuit de la Sarthe turns off at turn two of the Bugatti track and sweeps through the Esses section. It re-joins at the last corner of the track through a chicane, whereas the Bugatti circuit ends with a double-apex hairpin.
Circuit de la Sarthe is a demanding track on man and machine, as 85% of the lap is on full throttle but certain corners like Mulsanne 11Corner and Arnage prove to be punishing on the brakes. Also, due to half the track being public road, there are various changes of surface making it ultimate test for any car and driver. Before two chicanes were added on the 3.7-mile long Mulsanne Straight in 1990, a top speed of 251 mph was set by the Peugeot in 1988.
Circuit de la Sarthe was first used for the French Grand Prix in 1906 and since then the track has changed multiple times becoming the circuit it is today.
PIT LANE
The pits at Le Mans have developed with the track over time. The start/finish straight and pit lane began with some small pit garages which gradually has become a two-storey building with roof terrace. In 1971 a pit wall was added, it was simply just one piece of Armco splitting the track from the pits. It stayed this way for some time until an entirely new complex along the front stretch was built, housing modern pit boxes, garages, and an observation suite above the garages. Now the pit lane is full with sixty-two garages ensuring Le Mans will continue to have a packed grid.
DUNLOP CURVE
The Dunlop Curve is the first corner of the lap and is a fast right-hand bend. The corner has got tighter over time, mainly because of the chicane that was introduced in 1987.
DUNLOP CHICANE
The Dunlop Chicane is the first hard braking point on the track, and it is a left then right going downhill under the Dunlop Bridge towards the Esses. The Dunlop Bridge is in the shape of a giant tyre and is a Le Mans landmark, and it is also a footbridge. 13
ESSES
One of the most challenging sections of the track, the Esses, are a slightly banked quick complex of corners. Before 2002, there was just one corner known as the Esses leading onto Tertre Rouge.
TERTRE ROUGE
Arguably the most famous corner on the track – Tertre Rouge, is a nearly flat-out bend that leads onto the Mulsanne Straight. Tertre Rouge corner is named after the colour of the surrounding soil. The corner links the racetrack to the public road.
MULSANNE STRAIGHT
The Mulsanne Straight is 3.7 miles, one of the longest straights in the motorsport world. The straight starts at the exit of Tertre Rouge where it is important for drivers to get a good exit, because if not it can compromise your speed down the long straight. This long straight has proved to be a suitable place for pushing a car to the limit. The fastest speed recorded during a race was 251 mph, this was in 1988 driven by Roger Dorchy in his Peugeot P88. Due to the safety concern after many tragic accidents, in 1990 two chicanes were added to help keep speeds down. When races are not taking place, the Mulsanne Straight is public road, the first part of the Circuit de la Sarthe which is not permanent race facility. It is called the Ligne droite des Hunaudières, which leads to the town of Mulsanne. 15
MULSANNE CORNER
Mulsanne Corner is one of the most demanding turns on the Le Mans circuit due to the harsh work on the brakes through the entire race. At the end of one of the longest fastest straights is the toughest braking point on the track. Next to the little town of Mulsanne, the right-angle corner leads back onto another very fast section of track. Mulsanne corner can make or break a race, particularly in the early morning when cold brakes and misty weather can lead to unusual mistakes.
SIGNALLING PIT
The old signalling pit is located on the exit of Mulsanne corner. Due to modern in-car radio technology, the signalling area does not exist anymore. However, in the days before a driver could communicate to the team by radio, he would use hand signals and a man would phone the team saying what the problem was. This system also worked in reverse, if the team wanted a driver to make a pitstop, a phone call was made from the pits and message would go out on a pit board from the signalling pits.
FROM MULSANNE CORNER TO INDIANAPOLIS
This section of track does not have an official name, however it is one of the fastest sections of the track. A series of blind crests and a gradual turn to the right can prove challenging, especially in the early evening as the sun goes down and is at eye line.
INDIANAPOLIS
Formally known as the Arnage Esses, Indianapolis is a banked corner, just like the racetrack in America. A 90° left bend is a slow corner and underneath are 3.2 million bricks – some from Indianapolis motor speedway – to give the corner its steep shape.
ARNAGE
Arnage is the slowest corner on the track. It is where a good qualifying lap can be lost, with not much opportunity to gain time. Situated near the end of the road section of track, Arnage is named after a local village.
FROM ARNAGE TO THE PORSCHE CURVES
Similar to the section from Mulsanne corner to Indianapolis, this part of track has no official name. It is one of the fastest sections of track, a few brisk curves and the last part of public road. This is also one of the narrowest sections of track – just the two lanes. The next sweeping right bend turns onto permanent racetrack known as the Porsche curves.
PORSCHE CURVES
The Porsche Curves are one of the most demanding sections on the modern Le Mans track. Previously the complex was one fast-left hand corner which led onto the start/finish straight but has gradually developed into a fast sequence of corners similar to the Esses. A car with high downforce will benefit in the Porsche curves as well as a driver with oodles of bravery!
FORD CHICANE
Similar to the Porsche Curves, the Ford Chicane was once just a straight road leading back to the start/finish line. Now it is a sequence of tight corners in quick succession. The first curves of the complex were built in 1968 and was paid for by Ford, hence the name. As the Porsche Curves developed, the Ford Chicane had to as well, which has become the Chicane we have today. Also, the entrance to pit lane is now a chicane too. 20
LAP RECORDS
Over the 100-year history of Le Mans, the track has evolved and changed. These are the lap records for each layout 22
THE FIRST YEARS
1924–1939
In 1924, Bentley entered a full factory team and, as Excelsior pulled out of the race, they became the only non-French team to enter the race. From the start of the race, 1923 winners André Lagache and René Léonard in the Chenard-Walcker took an early lead for the opening hours. Unfortunately, after 3 hours the French car caught fire putting them out of the race. After this, a fierce battle developed between the Lorraine-Dietrich team and the Bentley. After 6 hours there were only twenty-five of the forty-one starters still running. The Bentley driven by John Duff made an unscheduled pitstop, with a blocked gearbox and they had to spend half an hour in the pits. This put the Lorraine-Dietrich team into first and second by midnight but soon after the Bentley had caught them up. This battle raged on until the leader skated off the road, which damaged the chassis. The car was able to continue after spending a while in the pits. This left the second Lorraine car in the lead dicing with the Duff-driven Bentley. But at 9 am the Lorraine got a puncture leaving the Bentley with a one lap lead, which was maintained to the finish. The “Bentley Boys” John Duff and Frank Clement took their first win at Le Mans with their three-litre sport.
In 1925 André Rossignol and Gérard de Courcelles struck back in their Lorraine-Dietrich and took victory, and the following year the French team dominated again with a 1–2–3 finish. In 1927 pre-race favourites Bentley took a second win at Le Mans, but it didn’t go smoothly. The race is most famous for the White House crash, a wreck which involved eight cars including all three Bentleys. Back then the track was narrow and this incident blocked the road, yet the racing was able to continue. The crash damaged the leading Bentley driven by Dudley Benjafield and Sammy Davis but they were able to continue to win by a staggering twenty laps, the biggest gap in Le Mans history.
Bentley were still the team to beat in 1928, but a packed grid of entrants from France, Italy, America and England meant the defending champions were up against it if they wanted to defend 24their title. This was also a significant year because it was the first time foreign cars outnumbered French ones. However, the French teams were right up the front and the race is best known for the leading duel between French Stutz team and the British Bentleys. After 24 hours of battling the #4 Bentley took victory with Woolf Barnato and Bernard Rubin at the wheel, one lap ahead of the Stutz. 1929 was an important year for the track as a new spectator area was made between Indianapolis and Arnage helping create more publicity for the race. The “Bentley Boys” triumphed again with a dominant 1–2–3–4 result, the first time that had been achieved in Le Mans history. The race was one of the toughest yet, with only ten cars making it to the finish line.
1929 results
The 1930 race was once again dominated by Bentley coming first and second. Only seventeen cars started the race, the smallest grid in Le Mans history, yet the entrants were competitive. Especially 26Mercedes who were keen to make an impact and pushed the Bentleys very hard. However, during the night the German car was retired with a flat battery. The Fox & Nicholl Talbot team finished third, seventeen laps off of the winning Bentley. This was to be the British team’s last Le Mans victory until 2003. In 1931, after the Bentley team decided not to continue in Le Mans, the competition was wide open with Bugatti, Mercedes and Alfa Romeo all strong contenders. The private British team Earl Howe of Alfa Romeos won in a gruelling race where only six cars made it to the finish. The following year was an Italian invasion at Le Mans as the Alfa Romeo team stepped up their endurance racing programme to take a 1–2 result. The Italian team had previously had success at the 1,000-mile Mille Miglia and the 24 hours of Spa. The supercharged cars were separated by just two laps and the winner was thirty-eight laps ahead of the third placed Talbot AV105. 1933 was a significant year for the track with the long Pontlieue suburb being shortened to create a long-curved turn one, down a short hill and through a complex of corners known as the Esses. The race proved to be one of the most exciting yet.
The Alfa Romeos were still the most competitive car on the grid and a total of five privateer teams brought the Italian car to Le Mans with world competitive driver line-ups. The 27competition was up against it and quite soon into the practice session the Alfas were running very strongly and the race would become a battle between the Italian cars. All the opposition were European based with cars coming from Aston Martin, Amilcar, Riley, MG and Bugatti. The race started on a bright sunny day and 50,000 traveled to watch the eleventh Grand Prix of Endurance. The Bugatti teams tried to take the fight to the Alfas but the pace was huge and the race quickly developed into a race of driving skill, luck and the most efficient team/crew. By the second lap, Raymond Sommer in the leading Alfa Romeo had lapped the British Austin car. He continued to build up a lead and by the second hour he had lapped all the cars apart from the three Alfa Romeos in second, third and fourth. Having handed over to his teammate, Tazio Nuvolari put in a super stint in the evening and as this was Nuvolari’s first Le Mans and it was best to leave the night driving to the experienced Sommer. After 12 hours the pair had a two-lap lead, but developed leaking fuel tank and it took 18 minutes to fix it. By the morning Nuvolari found he needed to make up 4 minutes behind Franco Cortese in the Alfa Romeo. An hour later though Nuvolari had retaken the lead and then extended it to almost a lap. As Franco Cortese tried to keep up, he crashed at Indianapolis and chassis damage put him out of the race. Nuvolari had settled into the lead but in the early afternoon the car developed a fuel leak and a series of pitstops were needed to properly fix the problem. This meant Philippe Varent in the #8 Alfa Romeo took the lead. Nuvolari struggled with fading brakes but somehow managed to close in on the leading car, with Luigi Chinetti at the wheel. With just 8 minutes to go Chinetti had to pit for a fuel top-up and came out with a slim lead. But on the final lap he missed a gear and braked too late meaning Nuvolari was able to get passed to win by just 400 metres.
Chinetti managed to put right what happened the year before and take his second Le Mans win in 1934 with Philippe Étancelin as his co-driver. The 1935 race was another tense one, decided on the last lap with the Lagonda team taking its only Le 28Mans win beating the Pierre Louis-Dreyfus Alfa Romeo team. 1936 was scheduled to happen on the 14th and 15th June but due to the French going on strike there was a lack of workers to modify the streets for the race. The race took place a year later and Bugatti took their first of two Le Mans wins. In 1938 the privately entered Delahaye 135CS won the race with Bugatti winning again in 1939. By the end of the ’30s, motor racing was really starting to take off and become more popular but due to the Second World War there was a ten-year hiatus until racing could continue at Le Mans.
SPORTS CAR RACING
Sports car racing, also known as Endurance or long-distance racing, is a unique form of motorsport where two, three or four drivers share a car, switching throughout the race. A predetermined distance can be covered in a set number of laps in an endurance race, or a given amount of time might be set aside for competitors to cover as much distance as they can. Most typical distances for endurance events is 1,000 km (620 m), or around 6 hours, but longer races can be 8 hours, 1,000 miles, 12 hours or 24 hours. This means racing through the night is common and sports car racing is seen as a real test of skill, bravery and determination for the teams and drivers. The Le Mans 24 hours is the oldest active endurance race.
