Automobile Club de l'Ouest

Last updated
Automobile Club de l'Ouest
AbbreviationACO
Formation1906 [1]
Headquarters Circuit de la Sarthe
Location
Region served
International
President
Pierre Fillon [2]
Associate President
  • Patrick Gruau
  • Marie Alvarez-Garzon
  • Dominique Foussier
  • Gilles Huttepain
[3]
Secretary
François Bourdin [4]
Staff
400 [5]
Website lemans.org

The Automobile Club de l'Ouest (English: Automobile Club of the West), sometimes abbreviated to ACO, is the largest automotive group in France. It was founded in 1906 by car building and racing enthusiasts, and is most famous for being the organising entity behind the annual Le Mans 24 Hours race. The ACO also lobbies on behalf of French drivers on such issues as road building and maintenance, the availability of driving schools and road safety classes, and the incorporation of technical innovations into new vehicles. It also runs a roadside assistance service for its members. [6]

Contents

History

The ACO's history begins with the Automobile Club de la Sarthe, the ancestor of today's ACO, which was founded in the town of Le Mans. In 1906 that group included Amédée Bollée and Paul Jamin, winner of the 1897 Paris-Dieppe race in a Léon Bollée tricar. [7] With the help of the larger Automobile Club de France they organised a race on local public roads, on a 65-mile triangular course connecting Le Mans with Saint-Calais and La Ferté-Bernard. The 12-lap race, titled the Grand Prix de l'ACF, was held over two days and won by Ferenc Szisz driving a Renault, [8] This race, the first Grand Prix, would eventually become the French Grand Prix.

After World War I, the ACO turned its attention to designing a shorter circuit on public roads to the south of the city. The organisation's chief secretary Georges Durand, together with magazine editor Charles Faroux of La Vie Automobile and tyre manufacturer Emile Coquille, came up with the idea for a 24-hour race. The first Le Mans 24 Hours was held on 26 May 1923. [9] The very first entry was lodged with the ACO by John Duff on a Bentley. [10] [11]

World War Two and aftermath

The Le Mans circuit was occupied by the Royal Air Force in 1940 and then by the Germans at the end of that year. Le Mans was liberated in August, 1944, but it was almost five years before the 24 Hours took place again.

Following the war, the grounds of the ACO and the circuit were in ruins, bombed by the Allies and further destroyed by the Germans. The ACO set about the task of reconstruction, aided by Government Minister and Sarthe députée Christian Pineau who provided the first millions. In addition the ACO launched a loan. [12] In 1946 the British Racing Drivers' Club opened a "Le Mans Fund" for the benefit of the ACO, raising a grand total of £358 and 11 shillings, to assist with the rehabilitation of the facilities at the Le Mans circuit. [13]

Rebuilding of the circuit started on February 7, 1949, and the first post-war event at Le Mans was held on 25–26 June of that year. [14] Pineau, standing beside Charles Faroux, gave the starting signal. [15] Two new spectator stands were named for racing drivers and resistance fighters Robert Benoist [16] and Jean-Pierre Wimille. [17]

1955 Le Mans disaster

During the ACO's 24 Hours of Le Mans event in 1955, an accident occurred which killed 84 people, regarded as the worst accident in motorsport history. It led to many actions by the ACO to subsequently change buildings and the procedures used at the circuit, as well as to redesign the pit lane and front stretch where the accident occurred. It also led to a change of ACO rules for the type of cars permitted in the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the following years, as well as applying a fuel-consumption formula. [18]

Presidents

Racing

The 1967 French Grand Prix was a Formula One race held on the Bugatti Circuit, Le Mans, on July 2, 1967. Motor Sport called it "The Grand Prix of the Car Parks." It was an innovation not repeated. [20]

The ACO is responsible as a ruling body for race series, specifically sportscar series. The ACO has run or backed the following races or race series:

Current


Former

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">American Le Mans Series</span> Auto racing championship in the United States

The American Le Mans Series (ALMS) was a sports car racing series based in the United States and Canada. It consisted of a series of endurance and sprint races, and was created in the spirit of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Endurance racing (motorsport)</span> Motorsport over long distances and time periods

Endurance racing is a form of motorsport racing which is meant to test the durability of equipment and endurance of participants. Teams of multiple drivers attempt to cover a large distance in a single event, with participants given a break with the ability to change during the race. Endurance races can be run either to cover a set distance in laps as quickly as possible, or to cover as much distance as possible over a preset amount of time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Le Mans Prototype</span> Sportscar endurance racing class

A Le Mans Prototype (LMP) is a type of sports prototype race car used in various races and championships, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans, FIA World Endurance Championship, IMSA SportsCar Championship, European Le Mans Series and Asian Le Mans Series. Le Mans Prototypes were created by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO). The technical requirements for an LMP include bodywork covering all mechanical elements of the car. As of 2023, there are two classes within Le Mans Prototypes, designated LMP2 and LMP3.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mercedes-Benz CLR</span> German sports prototype race car

The Mercedes-Benz CLR is a sports car developed by Mercedes-Benz in collaboration with in-house tuning division AMG and motorsports specialists HWA GmbH. Designed to meet Le Mans Grand Touring Prototype (LMGTP) regulations, the CLRs were intended to compete in sports car events during 1999, most notably at the 24 Hours of Le Mans which Mercedes had last won in 1989. It was the third iteration in Mercedes' 1990s sports cars, succeeding the Mercedes-Benz CLK LM, which in turn was born of the CLK GTR. Similar to its predecessors, CLR retained elements of Mercedes-Benz's production cars, including a V8 engine loosely based on the Mercedes M119 as well as a front fascia, headlamps, and grille inspired by the then new Mercedes flagship CL Class

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Circuit de la Sarthe</span> Race course in Le Mans, France

The Circuit des 24 Heures du Mans, also known as Circuit de la Sarthe located in Le Mans, Sarthe, France, is a semi-permanent motorsport race course, chiefly known as the venue for the 24 Hours of Le Mans auto race. Comprising private, race-specific sections of track in addition to public roads which remain accessible most of the year, its present configuration is 13.626 km (8.467 mi) long, making it one of the longest circuits in the world. The capacity of the race stadium, where the short Bugatti Circuit is situated, is 100,000. The Musée des 24 Heures du Mans is a motorsport museum located at the main entrance of the venue.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2002 24 Hours of Le Mans</span> 70th 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race

The 2002 24 Hours of Le Mans was an automobile endurance race held for Le Mans Prototype and Grand Touring cars from 15 to 16 June 2002 at the Circuit de la Sarthe, close by Le Mans, France. It was the 70th running of the event, as organized by the automotive group, the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) since 1923. A test day was held five weeks prior to the race on 5 May. The No. 1 Audi Sport Team Joest car of Tom Kristensen, Frank Biela and Emanuele Pirro won the race overall and Audi's third consecutive victory in Le Mans, extending back to the 2000 event.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2001 24 Hours of Le Mans</span> 69th 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race

The 2001 24 Hours of Le Mans was the 69th Grand Prix of Endurance, and took place on 16 and 17 June 2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1936 24 Hours of Le Mans</span> Scheduled to be the 14th 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race, not held due to worker strikes

The 1936 24 Hours of Le Mans was originally planned to be the 14th Grand Prix of Endurance to be held on 14 and 15 June 1936. However, France was in the middle of the turmoil and civil unrest sweeping over Europe. A general strike across the country in the wake of the recent electoral victory of the Popular Front had only been resolved days before scrutineering was due to start. In response to the dominance of the German teams in grand prix racing, the Automobile Club de France (ACF) had chosen to run their Grand Prix to a sports-car formula, which would in turn be eligible to run at Le Mans. Owing to the strikes, many of the teams had been unable to prepare their cars sufficiently, and even such matters as getting fuel, transportation or fuel for entrants and spectators would be difficult.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2007 24 Hours of Le Mans</span> 75th 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race

The 75th 24 Hours of Le Mans was a 24-hour automobile endurance race for Le Mans Prototype and Grand Touring cars, which took place at the Circuit de la Sarthe, near Le Mans, France, from 16 to 17 June 2007. It was the 75th edition of the event, as organised by the automotive group, the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) since 1923. Unlike other events, it was not a part of any endurance motor racing championship. A test day was held two weeks prior to the race on 3 June. The event was attended by 250,952 spectators.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2003 1000 km of Le Mans</span>

The 2003 1000 km of Le Mans was a one-off sports car event run under the organization of the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) in preparation for the Le Mans Endurance Series that began in 2004. It was run on 9 November 2003 at the Bugatti Circuit near Le Mans, France.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 24 Hours of Le Mans</span> 76th 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race

The 2008 24 Hours of Le Mans was the 76th Grand Prix of Endurance, taking place on 14–15 June 2008 at the Circuit de la Sarthe, Le Mans, France, organised by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO). The test day was on June 1. The race was attended by 258,000 spectators. The Audi team's progress and victory was documented in the 2008 film Truth in 24.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">24 Hours of Le Mans (motorcycle race)</span> Motorcycle endurance race in France

The 24 Heures Motos is a motorcycle endurance race held annually since 1978 on the Bugatti Circuit, Le Mans, Sarthe, France. The race is organized by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) and is part of the Endurance FIM World Championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2009 24 Hours of Le Mans</span> 77th 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race

The 2009 24 Hours of Le Mans was the 77th Grand Prix of Endurance, an endurance auto race run over 24 hours. It took place at the Circuit de la Sarthe, Le Mans, France, and was organised by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) over 13–14 June 2009 and was started by Fiat and Ferrari chairman Luca Cordero di Montezemolo at 15:00 local time. A test day was initially scheduled for 31 May that year, but was canceled by the ACO due to economic concerns. The race was attended by 234,800 spectators.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">FIA World Endurance Championship</span> Auto racing championship held worldwide

The FIA World Endurance Championship is an auto racing world championship organized by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) and sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). The series supersedes the ACO's former Intercontinental Le Mans Cup which began in 2010 and is the first endurance series of world championship status since the demise of the World Sportscar Championship at the end of 1992. The World Endurance Championship name was previously used by the FIA from 1981 to 1985.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2013 Asian Le Mans Series</span>

The 2013 Asian Le Mans Series was the second season of the Automobile Club de l'Ouest's Asian Le Mans Series endurance auto racing championship. The series was initially launched in 2009 at the 1000 km of Okayama, but did not resume the following year. The project was reinitialized by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) in 2012, with the Chinese S2M Group serving as the series promoter and TS Motorsport serving as organizer. It is the fourth 24 Hours of Le Mans-based series created by the ACO, following the American Le Mans Series, European Le Mans Series, and FIA World Endurance Championship. The four event season began in Inje, South Korea on 4 August and ended in Selangor, Malaysia on 8 December 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Petit Le Mans</span> Auto race in the United States

The Petit Le Mans is a sports car endurance race held annually at Road Atlanta in Braselton, Georgia, United States. It has often used the rules established for the 24 Hours of Le Mans by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO), which are slightly modified if necessary, mainly to allow additional cars to compete.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 European Le Mans Series</span>

The 2018 European Le Mans Series was the fifteenth season of the Automobile Club de l'Ouest's (ACO) European Le Mans Series. The six-event season began at Circuit Paul Ricard on 15 April and finished at Algarve International Circuit on 28 October. The series is open to Le Mans Prototypes, divided into the LMP2 and LMP3 classes, and grand tourer-style racing cars in the LMGTE class.

Michel Cosson was a French businessman. He was Director-General of Les Mutuelles du Mans Assurances from 1986 to 1992 and President of the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) from 1992 to 2003. A prominent figure in motor racing, he was known for aiding the financial recovery of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the 1990s and the creation of similar competitions abroad.

References

  1. ↑ "Who We Are | ACO - Automobile Club de l'Ouest". lemans.org. Retrieved 2023-09-10.
  2. ↑ "Executive Committee". lemans.org. Retrieved 2023-09-10.
  3. ↑ "Executive Committee". lemans.org. Retrieved 2023-09-10.
  4. ↑ "Executive Committee". lemans.org. Retrieved 2023-09-10.
  5. ↑ "Automobile Club de l'Ouest | LinkedIn". fr.linkedin.com (in French). Retrieved 2023-09-10.
  6. ↑ "Who We Are | ACO - Automobile Club de l'Ouest". lemans.org. Retrieved 2023-09-10.
  7. ↑ Official Program, 24 Heures du Mans, 13–14 June 2009, Page 97.
  8. ↑ Joe Saward, The World Atlas of Motor Racing, Page 35, Hamlyn, 1989.
  9. ↑ C. Clutton & J. Stanford, The Vintage Motor Car, Page 201, B.T. Batsford Ltd., London, 1961.
  10. ↑ Georges Fraichard, The Le Mans Story, Page 121, The Sportsman's Book Club, 1956.
  11. ↑ "History | ACO - Automobile Club de l'Ouest". lemans.org. Retrieved 2023-09-10.
  12. ↑ Georges Fraichard, The Le Mans Story, Page 58, The Sportsman's Book Club, 1956.
  13. ↑ Motor Sport, June 1946, Page 121; See also: Motor Sport, July 1946, Page 147; Motor Sport, September 1946, Page 201.
  14. ↑ Motor Sport, July 1949, Pages 270-271, 274-276.
  15. ↑ Georges Fraichard, The Le Mans Story, Page 73, The Sportsman's Book Club, 1956.
  16. ↑ Motor Sport, August 1945, Page 156; Motor Sport, October 1945, Page 216.
  17. ↑ Motor Sport, March 1949, Page 69.
  18. ↑ Motor Year Book 1957, Temple Press, Pages 166-171.
  19. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Pierre Fillon Eighth president of the Automobile Club de l'Ouest - automobilsport.com". www.automobilsport.com. Retrieved 2023-09-10.
  20. ↑ Motor Sport, July 1967, Pages 722, 724-725. See also cover photograph.


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