1951 24 Hours of Le Mans

Last updated
1951 24 Hours of Le Mans
Previous: 1950 Next: 1952
Index: Races | Winners
Le Mans in 1951 Le Mans Circuit de la Sarthe 1932-1967.png
Le Mans in 1951

The 1951 24 Hours of Le Mans was the 19th Grand Prix of Endurance, and took place on 23 and 24 June 1951. It was won by Peter Walker and Peter Whitehead in their works-entered Jaguar C-type, the first Le Mans win for the marque.

Contents

The arrival of Jaguar's and Cunningham's first purpose-built racers in direct competition with Ferrari, and the first showing for Porsche and Lancia, marked the beginning of an era of intense competition between manufacturers of sports cars. The more powerful new sport racers would develop rapidly and put a final end to luxury touring cars and their derivatives as top contenders at Le Mans. It was the final outing for Delahaye and Bentley (for 50 years) and the sports prototype tide would overwhelm Talbot-Lago in the next couple of years. The race was marred by the death of French driver Jean Larivière within the opening laps of the race.

Regulations

This year there were no significant changes to the regulations, by either the CSI or the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO), except to create a Reserve list as a back-up to the basic sixty entrants.

Entries

Peter Walker and Peter Whitehead won the race driving a Jaguar XK-120C Jaguar Heritage Racing (7151624875).jpg
Peter Walker and Peter Whitehead won the race driving a Jaguar XK-120C

Works entries were entered by Aston Martin, Frazer-Nash, Healey, Jaguar, Jowett, Panhard and Renault as well as self-built cars from Allard, Cunningham, DB, Delettrez, Gordini and Monopole. The biggest sensation were the three works cars from Jaguar after their private entry the year before. Designed in complete secrecy specifically for Le Mans, the XK-120C, or C-Type (‘C’ standing for ‘Competition’) was 450 kg lighter than before and its 3.4L engine developed 205 bhp with a top speed of 160 mph (257 km/h). [1] Along with Fairman, Whitehead and Johnson, team manager “Lofty” England paired them up respectively with debutants Stirling Moss and Peter Whitehead and multiple Mille Miglia winner Clemente Biondetti. Sydney Allard again had the biggest cars, returning with a pair of his J2s with their 5.4L Cadillac engines. [2] John Wyer’s works Aston Martin team fielded three DB2 coupés, bolstered by a pair of privately-entered DB-2s. In the 3.0L class, their reliable 2.6L engines had improved to develop 138bhp. [3]

Cunningham C-2R driven by Wacker and Rand. It did not finish. Cunningham C2-R no 5103, front right (Greenwich 2018).jpg
Cunningham C-2R driven by Wacker and Rand. It did not finish.
Talbot-Lago T26C driven by Rosier and Fangio. It did not finish. Talbot-Lago T26C Rozier 1951.jpeg
Talbot-Lago T26C driven by Rosier and Fangio. It did not finish.

Briggs Cunningham also returned, this year with three cars of his own design – the first serious American entry for victory in 20 years. Although heavy, the C-2R with its big 5.4L Chrysler V8 engine, could develop a powerful 225bhp and had a top speed over 240 km/h. Defending French honour, after the previous year’s victory, were six private-entrant Talbots, including four of the two-seat Formula 1 conversions. With works backing, 'Tony' Lago hired the top Argentinian drivers from F1: Juan-Manuel Fangio drove with last year’s winner Louis Rosier, while José Froilán González was paired with the young Onofre Marimón. [4] This year also marked the final entry by Delahaye.

The biggest entry from a single marque were nine Ferraris (including three entered by US Ferrari-agent & triple Le Mans winner Luigi Chinetti). Although there was still no works team, they did include four of the exciting new ‘340 America’ in the big-engine class. [2] After winning the Mille Miglia, they arrived as one of the pre-race favourites: the 4.1L V12 engine (based on the F1 4.5L engine) matched the Cunninghams, producing 230 bhp and a top speed around 240 km/h. There were also three new ‘212 Export’ models with 2.4L engines and a pair of the older 2.0L, race-proven, ‘166MM’ models. The other Italian entry was a lone Lancia, here for the first time. [2] Vittorio Jano’s Aurelia B20 design was a development of the B10, the first production car with a V6 engine. Entered by the Milanese Scuderia Ambrosiana team of Count Giovanni Lurani, it was the first car at Le Mans to race with radial tyres. [5] Finally, both the Bentley sedan and Delettrez diesel returned for the last time. [2]

In the smaller categories, there was a significant new entrant: Race director and founder Charles Faroux had approached Porsche to be the first German car in the post-war races. [2] Five of its modern new 356 SL (Super Leicht) model were built but two were wrecked in road-testing, but two did make the entry-list. [6] Its 1086cc engine developed just 46bhp but that still gave a top speed of 100mph (160 km/h). [7] Again, French makes dominated the small classes, with 16 entries from Panhard, DB, Monopole, Renault, Simca, Gordini and several one-off specials (all with an assortment of Panhard, Simca or Renault engines) [2] Up against them, aside from the Porsches, was a single Czech Aero-Minor, a pair of Jowetts, an MG and a new American Crosley.

Practice

The Jaguars immediately showed their pace, although Peter Walker complained that the lights were insufficient in the night-practice. When it was pointed out he had his tinted glasses on, he took them off and went out and immediately did an unofficial lap of 4:46. But it was Phil Walters’ Cunningham that set the fastest official practice lap at 5:03. [8] [9] The later practice sessions were compromised by very wet weather. Rudolf Sauerwein suffered severe leg injuries when his new Porsche crashed and rolled, almost collecting Moss's Jaguar and Morris-Goodall's Aston Martin following close behind. [7] A number of cars had engine problems in practice that were traced to the fuel supplied by the ACO – nominally 80-octane, but that was suspect. Many teams needed to do last minute engine modifications. [10]

Race

Ferrari 166 MM of Simon/Haig during the race, in which they finished 15th overall 1951-06-23 Le Mans Ferrari 166 0042M Simon Haig.jpg
Ferrari 166 MM of Simon/Haig during the race, in which they finished 15th overall

Start

After all the rain in practice, race-day also started wet but it was dry for the start. Tom Cole's Allard was first away, but at the end of the first lap, it was the Talbot of González ahead of Moss and Cole. After three laps the young, very fast, Stirling Moss dashed into the lead and took on the role that was to become his signature - the hare sent out to break the pursuing hounds, running to an assigned pace. [2] However tragedy struck on the sixth lap: French driver Jean Larivière crashed his Ferrari 212 heavily into a sandbank at Tertre Rouge, getting airborne. He was killed instantly when virtually decapitated by a wire fence. [11] [12] [Notes 1]

The race continued though, and Moss set a blistering pace, repeatedly lowering Rosier's 1950 lap record (eventually, over 6 seconds quicker). After an hour, Moss led González, ahead of the Jaguars of Biondetti and Walker, then the Talbots of Chaboud and Rosier. By the end of the second hour, Moss had put a lap on the whole field. At the four-hour mark Moss & Fairman had a lead of over 2 laps, with the Jaguar team running 1-2-3, ahead of the Talbots of González and Fangio.

Soon afterward, the rain returned and stayed for the rest of the night. The pace was starting to take its toll: Both Allards had gone off track, and repairing the damage put them well down. Chaboud's Talbot was out with radiator problems, and a loss of oil pressure caused a similar problem stopping the Biondetti Jaguar. Louis Chiron, running in the top 10, ran his Ferrari out of gas on-track, but when the officials found out a mechanic had driven out to him with a tank of fuel to top up he was disqualified. [13]

In the smaller classes, the 1500cc Gordinis were comfortably ahead of their English competition (the Jowetts and MG) – at times 40 seconds a lap faster [14] - Manzon and Trintignant running as high as 15th and 16th respectively, mixing it with the bigger cars until both were put out with engine problems after only 4 hours.

Night

Just before midnight, after his car had held the lead for more than 7 hours, Moss’ impressive run came to an end – a conrod broke due, like Biondetti, due to a major loss of oil pressure. Soon after, Rosier was stopped by a split oil tank. The remaining works Jaguar of Walker/Whitehead inherited the lead, a lap ahead of González/Marimón. The Britons extended the lead to 7 laps, easily matching the Talbot's pace through the night until the latter car retired with a blown head gasket at the halfway mark. [15]

The Ferrari challenge never really materialised, although wealthy Englishman Eddie Hall, who had driven solo the previous year to 2nd place, had his Ferrari 340 up to as high as 3rd during the night. The big heavy Cunninghams suffered in the greasy wet conditions; two had been held up in the first couple of hours and were well down the order. Huntoon, co-driving the boss’ car, slid off at Indianapolis wrecking the steering, then soon afterward Rand spun his car in traffic at the Dunlop curve. He missed the other cars but slammed into the roadside bank. The third car though, of Fitch/Walters, had been in the top 10 throughout, steadily picking up places as others fell out, and was up to 2nd when the Talbot retired. The Allard/Cole car had charged through the field up to 4th after its initial delay, but was finally stopped at the end of the night by a broken gearbox.

Back in the junior classes, with only the reserve-entry Jowett left, the Gordinis were making good progress, with a 9-lap lead, when disaster struck – both remaining Gordinis were retired late in the night with yet more engine problems.

Morning

As dawn broke, the Jaguar had a comfortable 8-lap lead over the Cunningham, the Macklin/Thompson Aston Martin and the Rolt/Hamilton Nash-Healey. Hall's Ferrari gave up with a flat battery and would not restart. The two Talbots of Mairesse/Meyrat and Bouillin/Marchand followed, trying to stage a fightback, split by the Abecassis/Shawe-Taylor Aston Martin. This order stayed fairly constant through the morning, until midday when the Cunningham hit the pits with engine problems. The crew made repairs and it crawled around doing occasional slow laps, waiting for the race-end. By pushing hard, Mairesse and Meyrat picked off the Nash-Healey in the early morning, then passed the Aston Martin into 3rd about 11am, which became 2nd when the Cunningham stopped.

Meanwhile, even being the sole survivor of the S1500 class, it still took the Jowett over an hour to overtake the leading Gordini on distance – they eventually cruised home to finish 21st. [16]

Finish and post-race

In the end, the Jaguar won at a canter, with a 9-lap lead over the Talbot. Despite 16 hours of rain, the Jaguar easily broke the distance record, covering over 3600 km. Even though Mairesse put in his fastest lap in the last hour, and they covered two more laps than Rosier's winning Talbot last year, Meyrat and Mairesse were not going to catch the Jaguar and they again finished second. Debutants Pierre Bouillin (racing under the pseudonym Levegh) and René Marchand, driving Mairesse's 1949-race Talbot finished a creditable 4th. The Aston Martins again proved extremely reliable: five entered, five finished with the three works cars coming in 3rd, 5th and 7th and 1-2-3 in class. Macklin & Thompson in 3rd were less than a lap behind the Talbot, having spent only 10 minutes in the pits during the whole race. [11] Like the previous year, the Anglo-American Nash-Healey of Rolt/Hamilton had proven very reliable. Even with its bigger engine, its heavier weight meant it could never compete with the Jaguars and Talbots in its class for pace, but that reliability had got it up to 4th in the morning, until overtaken by the Talbot and the leading Aston Martin and finishing 6th. [17] Only one of the big Ferraris finished – Chinetti's own, in 8th, although three of the smaller ones did make it to the end. The Lancia had run like clockwork finishing 12th. Incredibly it had covered nearly 2000 miles on just a single set of tyres, and was then driven back to Turin after the race. [5]

Bentley 4 1/4 litre driven by Hay and Clarke. It did not cover the required distance. 1939 Bentley 4 1 4 litre "Embericos" Pourtout coupe (3829366210).jpg
Bentley 4 1/4 litre driven by Hay and Clarke. It did not cover the required distance.
Porsche 356 SL driven by Veuillet and Mouche, which won the S 1.1 class Porsche Museum 012.jpg
Porsche 356 SL driven by Veuillet and Mouche, which won the S 1.1 class

After the tribulations getting to the start, the new Porsche of Auguste Veuillet (the Porsche agent in Paris [7] ) won its class at first attempt; a promising start to an exceptional association with Le Mans. For the second year running the Biennial Cup and the Index of Performance both went to the works Monopole by Pierre Hérnard & Jean de Montrémy [18] [19] Despite their best attempts, neither Fitch's Cunningham, the second Allard nor the Bentley were classified – the former two could not get their final laps done in the minimum time and the latter missed its minimum required distance by just 4 miles (half a lap!). [20]

The popular American adage of the time – “Win on Sunday, sell on Monday” – was particularly apt for Jaguar. It was later estimated that extra sales of US$12 million were generated in the USA alone from their Le Mans win. [9] By contrast, the negative press for Gordini's failure led to Simca withdrawing its engine supply to the team. [14]

Official results

PosClassNoTeamDriversChassisEngineLaps
1S
5.0
20 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jaguar Cars Ltd [21] Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Peter Walker
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Peter Whitehead
Jaguar XK-120C Jaguar 3.4L S6267
2S
5.0
9 Flag of France.svg Pierre Meyrat
(private entrant)
Flag of France.svg Pierre Meyrat
Flag of France.svg Guy Mairesse
Talbot-Lago T26 GS Biplace Talbot-Lago 4.5L S6258
3S
3.0
26 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Aston Martin Ltd. Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Lance Macklin
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Eric Thompson
Aston Martin DB2 Aston Martin 2.6L S6257
4S
5.0
10 Flag of France.svg Pierre ”Levegh”
(private entrant)
Flag of France.svg Pierre "Levegh"
Flag of France.svg René Marchand
Talbot-Lago T26 Monoplace Décalée Talbot-Lago 4.5L S6256
5S
3.0
25 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Aston Martin Ltd. Flag of the United Kingdom.svg George Abecassis
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Brian Shawe-Taylor
Aston Martin DB2 Aston Martin 2.6L S6255
6S
5.0
19 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Donald Healey Motor Company Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tony Rolt
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Duncan Hamilton
Nash-Healey Sport Coupé Nash 3.8L S6255
7S
3.0
24 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Aston Martin Ltd. Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Reg Parnell
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg David Hampshire
Aston Martin DB2 Aston Martin 2.6L S6252
8S
5.0
15 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Luigi Chinetti Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Luigi Chinetti
Flag of France.svg Jean Lucas
Ferrari 340 America Barchetta Ferrari 4.1L V12246
9S
3.0
29 Flag of France.svg N.-J. Mahé
(private entrant)
Flag of France.svg Norbert Jean Mahé
Flag of France.svg Jacques Péron
Ferrari 212 Export Coupé Ferrari 2.6L V12244
10S
3.0
28 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg N.H. Mann
(private entrant)
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Nigel Mann
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mortimer Morris-Goodall
Aston Martin DB2 Aston Martin 2.6L S6236
11S
5.0
21 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg R. Lawrie
(private entrant)
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Rob Lawrie
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ivan Waller
Jaguar XK-120S Jaguar 3.4L S6236
12S
2.0
33 Flag of Italy.svg Scuderia Ambrosiana Flag of Italy.svg Comte Giovanni Lurani
Flag of Italy.svg Giovanni Bracco
Lancia Aurelia B20 GT Lancia 2.0L V6235
13S
3.0
27 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg P.T.C. Clark
(private entrant)
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Peter Clark
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg James Scott-Douglas
Aston Martin DB2 Aston Martin 2.6L S6233
14S
2.0
35 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Automobiles Frazer Nash Ltd. Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Eric Winterbottom
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg John Marshall
Frazer Nash Le Mans Replica Bristol 2.0L S6232
15S
2.0
32 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Luigi Chinetti Flag of France.svg Yvonne Simon
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Betty Haig
Ferrari 166 MM Berlinetta Ferrari 2.0L V12231
16S
3.0
31 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Charles Moran Jr.
(private entrant)
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Charles Moran Jr.
Flag of Italy.svg Franco Cornacchia
Ferrari 212 Export Spyder Ferrari 2.6L V12227
17S
5.0
11 Flag of France.svg A. Chambas
(private entrant)
Flag of France.svg André Chambas
Flag of France.svg André Morel
Talbot-Lago SS Spyder Talbot-Lago 4.5L S6226
18S
2.0
34 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mrs P. Trevelyan
(private entrant)
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Richard "Dickie" Stoop
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Peter Wilson
Frazer Nash Mille Miglia Bristol 2.0L S6217
19S
1.1
46 Flag of Germany.svg Porsche K.G. Flag of France.svg Auguste Veuillet
Flag of France.svg Edmond Mouche
Porsche 356 SL Coupe Porsche 1086cc Flat-4210
20S
1.1
48 Flag of France.svg Automobiles Deutsch et Bonnet Flag of France.svg René Bonnet
Flag of France.svg Élie Bayol
DB Sport Panhard 851cc Flat-2206
21S
1.5
66 Flag of France.svg M. Becquart
(private entrant)
Flag of France.svg Marcel Becquart
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Gordon Wilkins
Jowett Jupiter Jowett 1486cc Flat-4203
22S
750
50 Flag of France.svg Régie Renault Flag of France.svg Francois Landon
Flag of France.svg André Briat
Renault 4CV-1063 Renault 747cc S4197
23S
750
60 Flag of France.svg Établissements Monopole Flag of France.svg Jean de Montrémy
Flag of France.svg Jean Hémard
Monopole X84 Panhard 614cc FLat-2194
24S
750
61 Flag of France.svg R. Gaillard
(private entrant)
Flag of France.svg Raymond Gaillard
Flag of France.svg Pierre Chancel
Panhard Dyna X84 Panhard 611cc Flat-2190
25S
750
54 Flag of France.svg Régie Renault Flag of France.svg Jacques Lecat
Flag of France.svg Henri Senftleben
Renault 4CV-1063 Renault 747cc S4184
26S
750
58 Flag of France.svg Auguste Lachaize
(private entrant)
Flag of France.svg Jean-Paul Colas
Flag of France.svg Robert Schollmann
Callista RAN D120 Panhard 611cc Flat-2183
27S
750
53 Flag of France.svg Régie Renault Flag of France.svg Just-Emile Vernet
Flag of France.svg Jean Pairard
Renault 4CV-1063 Renault 747cc S4181
28S
750
56 Flag of France.svg Automobiles Deutsch et Bonnet Flag of France.svg Michel Arnaud
Flag of France.svg Louis Pons
DB Sport Panhard 745cc Flat-2179

[22]

Did not finish

PosClassNoTeamDriversChassisEngineLapsReason
29S
8.0
2 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg S.H. Allard Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Peter Reece
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alfred Hitchings
Allard J2 Cadillac 5.4L V8230not classified
last lap too slow
30S
8.0
4 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Briggs Cunningham Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg John Fitch
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Phil Walters
Cunningham C-2R Chrysler 5.5L V8223not classified
last lap too slow
31S
5.0
14 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg H.S.F. Hay
(private entrant)
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jack ‘Zoltan’ Hay
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tom Clarke
Bentley 4¼ Paulin Bentley 4.3L S6204not classified
insufficient distance
32S
750
51 Flag of France.svg Régie Renault Flag of France.svg Jean-Louis Rosier
Flag of France.svg Jean Estager
Renault 4CV-1063 Renault 0.7L I4194accident (24h)
33S
750
57 Flag of Belgium (civil).svg L. Eggen
(private entrant)
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Louis Eggen
Flag of France.svg André Beaulieux
DB Sport Panhard 745cc Flat-2184Disqualified (23h)
outside assistance
34S
750
52 Flag of France.svg Régie Renault Flag of France.svg Jean Sandt
Flag of France.svg Paul Moser
Renault 4CV-1063 Renault 747cc S4177fire (21h)
35S
8.0
1 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg S.H. Allard Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Sydney Allard
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Tom Cole Jr.
Allard J2 Cadillac 5.4L V8134gearbox (13h)
36S
1.1
45 Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg R. Caron
(private entrant)
Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Roger Caron
Flag of France.svg André Guillard
Simca Huit Sport Simca 1090cc S4133engine (19h)
37S
5.0
17 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg William Spear
(private entrant)
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg William "Bill" Spear
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Johnny Claes
Ferrari 340 America Barchetta Ferrari 4.1L V12132clutch (17h)
38S
1.5
37 Flag of France.svg Equipe Gordini Flag of France.svg Pierre Veyron
Flag of France.svg Georges Monneret
Gordini T15S Simca 1495cc S4130engine (13h)
39S
5.0
7 Flag of France.svg Henri Louveau
(private entrant)
Flag of Argentina.svg José Froilán González
Flag of Argentina.svg Onofre Marimón
Talbot-Lago T26 GS Biplace Talbot-Lago 4.5L S6128radiator (13h)
40S
5.0
18 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg E.R. Hall
(private entrant)
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Eddie Hall
Flag of Italy.svg Giuseppe Navone
Ferrari 340 America Barchetta Ferrari 4.1L V12125battery (13h)
41S
8.0
5 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Briggs Cunningham Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg George Rand
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Fred Wacker, Jr.
Cunningham C-2R Chrysler 5.5L V898accident (11h)
42S
5.0
6 Flag of France.svg Louis Rosier
(private entrant)
Flag of France.svg Louis Rosier
Flag of Argentina.svg Juan Manuel Fangio
Talbot-Lago T26 GS Biplace Talbot-Lago 4.5L S692oil tank (9h)
43S
5.0
22 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jaguar Cars Ltd
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Stirling Moss
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Stirling Moss
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jack Fairman
Jaguar XK-120C Jaguar 3.4L S692engine (9h)
44S
5.0
62 Flag of France.svg H. Leblanc
(private entrant)
Flag of France.svg Henry Leblanc
Flag of France.svg Robert Bertrand
Delahaye 135CS Delahaye 3.6L S688brakes (11h)
45S
1.5
43 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg G.E. Phillips
(private entrant)
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg George Phillips
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alan Rippon
MG TD EX.172 MG 1250cc S480engine (9h)
46S
1.5
40 Flag of France.svg Equipe Gordini Flag of France.svg José Scaron
Flag of France.svg Aldo Gordini
Gordini T15S Simca 1495cc S477fuel pump (13h)
47S
8.0
3 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Briggs Cunningham Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Briggs Cunningham
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg George Huntoon
Cunningham C-2R Chrysler 5.5L V876accident (9h)
48S
2.0
64 Flag of France.svg René Bouchard
(private entrant)
Flag of France.svg Robert Bouchard
Flag of France.svg Lucien Farnaud
Ferrari 166 MM Barchetta Ferrari 2.0L V1275engine (13h)
49S
5.0
23 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jaguar Cars Ltd
Flag of Italy.svg Clemente Biondetti
Flag of Italy.svg Clemente Biondetti
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Leslie Johnson
Jaguar XK-120C Jaguar 3.4L S650oil pump (5h)
50S
1.5
39 Flag of France.svg Equipe Gordini Flag of France.svg Maurice Trintignant
Flag of France.svg Jean Behra
Gordini T15S Simca 1495cc S449ignition (5h)
51S
1.5
41 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jowett Cars Ltd. Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tommy Wisdom
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tommy Wise
Jowett Jupiter R1 Jowett 1486cc Flat-448engine (5h)
52S
750
59 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Crosley Motors Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg George Schrafft
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Phil Stiles
Crosley Hotshot Super Sport Crosley 726cc S440alternator (5h)
53S
750
49 Flag of France.svg J. Poch
(private entrant)
Flag of France.svg Jacques Poch
Flag of France.svg Maurice Vaselle
Aero Minor Aero 749cc S2
(2-Stroke)
40ignition (9h)
54S
750
55 Flag of France.svg Satecmo Flag of France.svg Georges Claude
Flag of France.svg Pierre Clause
Renault 4CV-1063 Renault 747cc S438ignition (9h)
55S
5.0
8 Flag of France.svg E. Chaboud
(private entrant)
Flag of France.svg Eugène Chaboud
Flag of France.svg Lucien Vincent
Talbot-Lago T26 GS Biplace Talbot-Lago 4.5L S633radiator (4h)
56S
5.0
16 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Luigi Chinetti Flag of Monaco.svg Louis Chiron
Flag of France.svg Pierre-Louis Dreyfus ("Heldé")
Ferrari 340 America Barchetta Ferrari 4.1L V1229Disqualified (3h)
premature refuelling
57S
1.5
38 Flag of France.svg Equipe Gordini Flag of France.svg Robert Manzon
Flag of France.svg André Simon
Gordini T15S Simca 1495cc S426engine (5h)
58S
5.0
12 Flag of France.svg Etablissements Delettrez Flag of France.svg Jean Delettrez
Flag of France.svg Jacques Delettrez
Delettrez DieselDelettrez 4.5L S6
(Diesel)
24ignition (5h)
59S
1.5
42 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jowett Cars Ltd. Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Bert Hadley
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Charles Goodacre
Jowett Jupiter Jowett 1486cc Flat-419electrics (3h)
60S
3.0
30 Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Johnny Claes
(private entrant)
Flag of France.svg Jean Larivière
Flag of France.svg André Guelfi
Ferrari 212 Export C Ferrari 2.6L V125fatal accident (1h)

Did not start

PosClassNoTeamDriversChassisEngineReason
61S
1.1
47 Flag of Germany.svg Porsche K.G. Flag of Germany.svg Rudolf Sauerwein
Flag of France.svg Robert Brunet
Porsche 356 SL Coupe Porsche 1086cc Flat-4Accident in practice

[23] [24]

17th Rudge-Whitworth Biennial Cup (1950/1951)

PosClassNoTeamDriversChassisScore
1S
750
60 Flag of France.svg Établissements Monopole Flag of France.svg Jean de Montrémy
Flag of France.svg Jean Hémard
Monopole X841.376
2S
750
61 Flag of France.svg R. Gaillard
(private entrant)
Flag of France.svg Raymond Gaillard
Flag of France.svg Pierre Chancel
Panhard Dyna X841.351
3S
5.0
20 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jaguar Cars Ltd [21] Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Peter Walker
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Peter Whitehead
Jaguar XK-120C 1.326
4S
1.1
48 Flag of France.svg Automobiles Deutsch et Bonnet Flag of France.svg René Bonnet
Flag of France.svg Élie Bayol
DB Sport1.308
5S
3.0
25 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Aston Martin Ltd. Flag of the United Kingdom.svg George Abecassis
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Brian Shawe-Taylor
Aston Martin DB2 1.306
6S
750
58 Flag of France.svg Auguste Lachaize
(private entrant)
Flag of France.svg Jean-Paul Colas
Flag of France.svg Robert Schollmann
Callista RAN D1201.297
7S
3.0
24 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Aston Martin Ltd. Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Reg Parnell
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg David Hampshire
Aston Martin DB2 1.288
8S
5.0
19 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Donald Healey Motor Company Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tony Rolt
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Duncan Hamilton
Nash-Healey Sport Coupé1.254

Statistics

Trophy Winners

Notes

  1. This occurred a half-hour into the race on Larivière‘s 5th lap, but the leaders had started their 6th

Related Research Articles

Leslie George Johnson was a British racing driver who competed in rallies, hill climbs, sports car races and Grand Prix races.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1968 24 Hours of Le Mans</span> 36th 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race

The 1968 24 Hours of Le Mans was the 36th Grand Prix of Endurance, and took place on 28 and 29 September 1968 on the Circuit de la Sarthe, in Le Mans, France.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1965 24 Hours of Le Mans</span> 24-hours race

The 1965 24 Hours of Le Mans was the 33rd Grand Prix of Endurance, and took place on 19 and 20 June 1965. It was also the twelfth round of the World Sportscar Championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1964 24 Hours of Le Mans</span> 32th 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race

The 1964 24 Hours of Le Mans was the 32nd Grand Prix of Endurance, and took place on 20 and 21 June 1964. It was also the ninth round of the 1964 World Sportscar Championship season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1963 24 Hours of Le Mans</span> 31st 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race

The 1963 24 Hours of Le Mans was the 31st Grand Prix of Endurance in the 24 Hours of Le Mans series and took place on 15 and 16 June 1963. It was also the tenth round of the 1963 World Sportscar Championship season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1962 24 Hours of Le Mans</span> 30th 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race

The 1962 24 Hours of Le Mans was a motor race for Experimental cars and Grand Touring cars, staged at the Circuit de la Sarthe, Le Mans, France on 23 and 24 June 1962. It was the 30th Grand Prix of Endurance and the eighth round of the 1962 International Championship of Manufacturers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1961 24 Hours of Le Mans</span> 29th 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race

The 1961 24 Hours of Le Mans was a motor race for Sports cars and Grand Touring cars staged at the Circuit de la Sarthe, Le Mans, France on 10 and 11 June 1961. It was the 29th Grand Prix of Endurance and the fourth race of the 1961 World Sportscar Championship. Ferrari and Maserati were the main contenders, with Aston Martin an outside chance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1960 24 Hours of Le Mans</span> 28th 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race

The 1960 24 Hours of Le Mans was the 28th 24 Hours of Le Mans Grand Prix of Endurance, and took place on 25 and 26 June 1960, on Circuit de la Sarthe. It was the fifth and final round of the F.I.A. World Sports Car Championship as well as being the fifth round of the inaugural FIA GT Cup. It was held just a week after the tragic Belgian F1 GP in which four drivers, including Stirling Moss were either killed or seriously injured. The prospect of a duel between the 3-litre (180 cu in) Ferrari versus the 2-litre (120 cu in) Porsche championship-leaders was enough to draw large crowds to the 24 Hours race and some 200,000 spectators had gathered for Europe's classic sports car race, around the 13.5 km (8.4 mi) course.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1959 24 Hours of Le Mans</span> 27th 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race

The 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans was the 27th 24 Hours of Le Mans, Grand Prix of Endurance, and took place on 20 and 21 June 1959, on Circuit de la Sarthe. It was also the fourth round of the F.I.A. World Sports Car Championship. The prospect of an exciting duel between Ferrari, Aston Martin and giantkillers Porsche was enough to draw large crowds and some 150,000 spectators gathered for France's classic sports car race, around the 8.38-mile course.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1958 24 Hours of Le Mans</span> 26th 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race

The 1958 24 Hours of Le Mans was the 26th running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Grand Prix of Endurance, and took place on 21 and 22 June 1958, on the Circuit de la Sarthe. It was also the fifth round of the 1958 World Sports Car Championship, which was running to new regulations introduced at the beginning of the season. Some 150,000 spectators had gathered for Europe's classic sports car race, around the 8.38-mile course. The prospect of an exciting duel between Ferrari, Jaguar, Aston Martin and giantkiller Porsche was enough to draw large crowds to the 24 Hours race.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1957 24 Hours of Le Mans</span> 25th 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race

The 1957 24 Hours of Le Mans was the 25th running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Grand Prix of Endurance, and took place on 22 and 23 June 1957, on the Circuit de la Sarthe. It was also the fifth round of the F.I.A. World Sports Car Championship. Some 250,000 spectators had gathered for Europe's classic sports car race, around an 8.38-mile course. The prospect of an exciting duel between Ferrari, Maserati, Jaguar, Aston Martin and Porsche was enough to draw large crowds to the 24 Hours race, now back at its usual date and reintegrated into the World Championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1956 24 Hours of Le Mans</span> 24th 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race

The 1956 24 Hours of Le Mans was a race for Sports Cars which took place on 28 and 29 July 1956 on the Circuit de la Sarthe. The race was won by Ron Flockhart and Ninian Sanderson driving a Jaguar D-Type for the new Ecurie Ecosse team. This race also marked the golden jubilee of the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) founded in 1906, however because of the previous year's disaster, celebrations were deferred to 1957 to go along with the imminent 25th anniversary of the race.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1955 24 Hours of Le Mans</span> 23rd 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race

The 1955 24 Hours of Le Mans was the 23rd 24 Hours of Le Mans and took place on 11 and 12 June 1955 on Circuit de la Sarthe. It was also the fourth round of the F.I.A. World Sports Car Championship. During the race, Pierre Levegh crashed into a crowd of spectators, killing 84 and injuring 120 in the deadliest accident in motor racing history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1954 24 Hours of Le Mans</span> 22th 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race

The 1954 24 Hours of Le Mans was a 22nd race for Sports Cars, and took place on 12 and 13 June 1954, at the Circuit de la Sarthe, Le Mans, France. It was also the fourth race of the 1954 World Sportscar Championship. The race was won by José Froilán González and Maurice Trintignant driving a Ferrari 375 Plus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1953 24 Hours of Le Mans</span> 21th 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race

The 1953 24 Hours of Le Mans was the 21st Grand Prix of Endurance, and took place on 13 and 14 June 1953, at the Circuit de la Sarthe, Le Mans (France). It was also the third round of the F.I.A. World Sports Car Championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1952 24 Hours of Le Mans</span> 20th 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race

The 1952 24 Hours of Le Mans was the 20th Grand Prix of Endurance, and took place on 14–15 June 1952 at Circuit de la Sarthe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1950 24 Hours of Le Mans</span> 18th 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race

The 1950 24 Hours of Le Mans was a motor race for sports cars, staged at the Circuit de la Sarthe, Le Mans, France on 24 and 25 June 1950. It was the 18th Grand Prix of Endurance. The race was won by the French father-and-son pairing of Louis and Jean-Louis Rosier driving a privately entered Talbot-Lago.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1949 24 Hours of Le Mans</span> 17th 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race

The 1949 24 Hours of Le Mans was the 17th Grand Prix of Endurance, and took place on 25 and 26 June 1949. Luigi Chinetti won the race for a third time in the first Ferrari barchetta by driving 22.5 hours. This race also saw the death of British driver Pierre Maréchal when his Aston Martin DB2 was involved in an accident between Arnage and Maison Blanche around 1:00 a.m. Marechal had attempted to pass another car there and he hit an embankment and the hapless Briton was crushed by the overturning car.

The 1953 World Sportscar Championship was the first FIA World Sportscar Championship. It was a seven race international motor racing series for sports cars contested from 8 March to 23 November 1953. The championship was won by Ferrari.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1958 12 Hours of Sebring</span>

The 1958 12-Hour Florida International Grand Prix of Endurance for the Amoco Trophy took place on 22 March, on the Sebring International Raceway,. It was the second round of the F.I.A. World Sports Car Championship, which was running to new regulations introduced at the beginning of the season. The most influential of these regulations changes would be the 3.0 litre engine size limit. This was seventh running of the 12-hour race.

References

Citations
  1. Spurring 2011, p.90
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Clausager 1982, p.82
  3. Spurring 2011, p.95
  4. Spurring 2011, p.93
  5. 1 2 Spurring 2011, p.104
  6. 1 2 Moity 1974, p.44
  7. 1 2 3 Spurring 2011, p.96
  8. Clarke, Autocar 1951
  9. 1 2 Spurring 2011, p.92
  10. Spurring 2011, p.88
  11. 1 2 Moity 1974, p.45
  12. Spurring 2011, p.100
  13. Spurring 2011, p.99
  14. 1 2 Spurring 2011, p.107
  15. Pomeroy & Walkerley 1952, p157
  16. Spurring 2011, p.101
  17. Spurring 2011, p.105
  18. Spurring 2011, p.97
  19. Clausager 1982, p.83
  20. Spurring 2011, p.72
  21. 1 2 Spurring 2011, p.86
  22. Spurring 2011, p.114
  23. lemans-history.com
  24. Racing Sports Cars