Yesterday, Sunday 26th May, it was exactly 90 years ago that the first Le Mans 24 Hours got under way. Since then what was called the 24-Hours Endurance Grand Prix has become one of the greatest motor races in the world.
A quick flashback to the first event during the spring of 1923:
On 26th May 1923 at 16h00 the start to what would become the greatest endurance race in the world was given in pouring rain.
Thirty-three cars crewed by two drivers each set off to do battle with one another in
dreadful weather conditions (rain, wind and hailstones) on a rutted gravel road that soon became pock-marked with muddy potholes as the stones began to litter the surface.
Everything that makes the race what it is today was already revealed to the spectators: refueling done with the utmost haste, cars thundering through the night headlights blazing in front of the full grandstands and a huge illuminated sign giving the places. Despite the gusts of wind the party was in full swing at the circuit! While there was no question of a fireworks display because of the weather jazz bands got people dancing at the balls, and strong cocktails warmed up the clients at the American Bar that had come straight from the Champs Elysées, while Radio Eiffel Tower broadcast concerts. In these appalling conditions victory went to a French car and drivers as Lagache and Léonard in their Chenard & Walcker took the flag in first place, while Duff and Clement put on a stunning performance by clinching the fastest lap in their Bentley.
Thus, the discussions at the 1922 Motor Show between Charles Faroux, boss of l’Auto newspaper, Georges Durand, ACO General Secretary, and their faithful financial partner Emile Coquille from the Rudge-Whitworth Company were transformed into concrete form.
Since then, ninety years have passed, and 80 Le Mans 24-Hours races have taken place overcoming the financial crash of 1929, the events linked to the Popular front in France in 1936, WWII, the 1955 catastrophe, the recurring petrol crises since 1974, the dissensions with the world championship, and
the 90-year-old-lady is still as fit and spry as ever!
Of those makes in the first race only Bentley and Bugatti remain in the firmament of the motor car in terms of worldly prestige. The Le Mans 24-Hours circuit has become the temple for motor sport events.
Improved road safety is due in great part to the huge contribution of the Le Mans 24 Hours through some 15 major technical innovations introduced especially for the event (front-wheel drive, disc brakes, radial tires, light emitting diode headlights, etc) without mentioning road infrastructures (tarmac surfaces, signs…).
At a time when the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) is working all over the world to save 5 million lives (victims of the lack of road safety infrastructures in emerging nations), let’s bet that the Le Mans 24-Hours race has helped to save millions of lives throughout the world thanks to its on-going research to improve the everyday driver’s motor car.
Since the start, the economic fallout of the event is equivalent to the organization of three Olympic Games in Le Mans. It brings France, the region and the department a windfall like the snow in Courchevel or the sea at Saint Malô, and to the town of Le Mans itself such renown that after Paris and Bordeaux, it is the third-best known French city in the world!
The Le Mans 24-Hours race has become a legend; it has forged links between the people involved; it has revealed people with irresistible charisma and written pages of thrilling history that have inflamed the ardour of its fans, racing enthusiasts and people everywhere.
The expected revolution linked to the gradual disappearance of fossil fuels is being anticipated, and while the electricity-powered racing car still needs further tweaking, the hydrogen fuel cell that will race in this year’s event thanks to the Green GT proves that human ingenuity knows no bounds. Future generations will understand this by paying tribute to the inventiveness that this race dedicated to progress will have fostered.
Check out our special
24 Hours of Le Mans 2013 forum where we countdown towards the start of the race of the year on June 22-23 2013.
