THE BEGINNING OF A MAGNIFICENT STORY
Georges Durand and his fellow racing pioneers see competition as a test bed for new production cars. Durand organized the first Grand Prix de France in 1906, on a 100 km circuit of public roads passing through Montfort le Gesnois, La Ferté Bernard and Vibraye.
Sarthe hosted the Grand Prix from 1911 to 1913, before it was suspended during the First World War. In the meantime, the Automobile Club de la Sarthe became the Automobile Club de l'Ouest and organized the first post-war motor race, in 1920.
In 1922, Georges Durand introduced a new discipline, endurance racing. The aim was to “push sports competitors and manufacturers towards ever more meticulous preparation of the models marketed, and, to this end, to increase the difficulties by increasing the duration of conventional races.”
The world's greatest endurance race, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and the epic of French motor sport, were thus born in Sarthe.
THE LEGEND
On May 16, 1923, 33 competitors set off on the Sarthe circuit. The first edition is won by Chenard & Walcker. A legend was born.
By the time war interrupted the annual event, prestigious brands such as Bentley, Alpha Romeo, Bugatti and Delahaye had already put their names to the roll of honour. The post-war period saw triumphs for Ferrari, Ford, Jaguar, Matra, Alpine, Porsche and Audi, as well as legendary clashes such as Ferrari versus Jaguar, Ferrari versus Ford and Porsche versus French manufacturers Matra, Renault and Rondeau.
Endurance racing is a test of technology, but also of human skill. The drivers who take up the challenge often become household names: Henri Birkin, Mike Hawtorn, Luigi Chinetti, Juan Manuel Fangio, Jacky Ickx, Henri Pescarolo, Derek Bell, Tom Kristensen and many others.
Renowned for its circuit, Le Mans enjoys the same popularity as other world-famous races: the Monaco Grand Prix or the Indianapolis 500 miles. In fact, these three legendary races make up the “Triple Crown”, the ultimate grand slam that every racing driver dreams of winning.
Today, the 24 Hours of Le Mans is the pinnacle of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC).
