The French department of Sarthe is gearing up to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans from 10-11 June 2023 (16.00 to 16.00). First run in 1923, the race has left an indelible mark on world motorsport history and is part of Sarthe’s identity. Expect an epic battle between Toyota, Ferrari (back in the top-tier category after a 40-year hiatus), Porsche (record holder for the most Le Mans wins), Peugeot and Cadillac. To mark the centenary, the 24 Hours Museum on the circuit is hosting a special exhibition (1 June–2 July) of 86 cars that have either won the race or left a mark on its history.
Motorsport is also getting greener. The ‘Mission H24’ project launched by ACO (the Automobile Club de l’Ouest) is to produce a completely green racing car that only emits water. The first LMPH2G prototype was introduced in 2020 and was an impressive performer, reaching a top speed in excess of 300 kph, and is set to debut at Le Mans in 2025. What’s more, discounted race tickets have been offered this year to racegoers travelling by bike or carshare. These initiatives both offer a glimpse of the future of motor racing, which aims to achieve zero greenhouse gas emissions.
Why was the 24 Hours founded in Sarthe?
L’OBÉISSANTE, ONE OF THE WORLD’S FIRST CARS, CAME FROM LE MANS
In 1873, local inventor Amédée Bollée created L’Obéissante, the very first road-going, steam powered vehicle. The ease with which his ‘locomobile’ could be driven contrasted sharply with other cars from the same period. Despite weighing in at four metric tons, it could reach a speed of 40 kph and transport 12 passengers. In 1875, L’Obéissante accomplished the feat of travelling from Le Mans to Paris – a distance of 230 km – in 18 hours; Amédée Bollée picked up 75 fines, but won his bet! The Bollée family built cars until 1931. Nine models are on show at the 24 Hours Museum, including La Mancelle, the first car put into series production.
THE FIRST GRAND PRIX DE L’AUTOMOBILE CLUB DE FRANCE TOOK PLACE IN SARTHE
In the early 20th century, the Gordon Bennett Cup was one of the world’s most prestigious motor races – but the Automobile Club de France was dissatisfied with the rules, which put French manufacturers at a disadvantage, and created its own race. Sarthe was chosen as the setting for the event. On 26-27 June 1906, 34 cars set off on a 103.18-kilometre course made up of dusty roads – and sometimes wooden boards – linking Le Mans with Saint-Calais and La Ferté-Bernard. Just over 12 hours later, the Renault AK driven by Ferenc Szisz claimed victory. Only 11 cars finished the race.
GEORGES DURAND’S INGENIOUS IDEA: THE 24 HOURS OF LE MANS
Having previously secured Sarthe’s bid to host the ACF’s Grand Prix in 1906, Georges Durand scored another achievement in 1922 at the Paris Motor Show. The local visionary born in Fresnay-sur-Sarthe sealed an agreement with Charles Faroux, head of L’Auto newspaper, and Émile Coquille, a wheel manufacturer, to set up an auto race that they would call the 24 Hours Grand Prix of Speed and Endurance/Rudge-Whitworth Cup. Durand aimed to give manufacturers an opportunity to test the reliability and solidity of their cars over 24 hours every year. In 1923, 33 cars were unleashed on the 17-kilometre (13.626 km today) circuit for the first ever 24 Hours of Le Mans.
A look back at six milestone races between 1923 and 2023
There have been 90 24 Hours of Le Mans races to date, some of which have left a lasting mark on the event’s history.
1923: THE FIRST RACE
On 26-27 May 1923, 33 cars lined up for the first 24-hour race on the Sarthe circuit. It rained for much of the event, which was won by the Chenard & Walker driven by André Lagache and René Léonard at an average speed of 92 kph.
1930: THE FIRST WOMEN TAKE PART IN THE 24 HOURS OF LE MANS
On 21 June 1930, Odette Siko and Marguerite Mareuse took part in the 24 Hours of Le Mans with a Bugatti Type 40. They finished seventh after 132 laps. Two years later, Siko and teammate Louis Charavel did even better, finishing fourth in Siko’s own car. Her exploit remains the best result for a woman at the circuit to date. A total of 65 women have raced in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
1955: THE MOST SERIOUS ACCIDENT IN MOTORSPORT HISTORY
The 23rd running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans was the scene of an unimaginable motorsport tragedy. On 11 June, the Mercedes-Benz 300, with French driver Pierre Levegh at the wheel, went airborne and crashed into the crowd. The car’s explosion and the debris it projected killed 84 people. The scale of the tragedy shocked the world. Several countries temporarily banned races on openroads and more stringent safety rules were introduced. Mercedes pulled out of all motorsport and only returned to Le Mans in 1998.
1980: THE ONLY WIN FOR A DRIVER/CONSTRUCTOR
Having previously entered a handful of Le Mans races, local driver Jean Rondeau set about building his own racing cars. Produced in five short months, two cars lined up for the 24 Hours in 1976 and made it to the chequered flag, finishing eighth and 21st. In 1980, up against an armada of manufacturers such as Porsche and their unlimited resources, Rondeau clinched the win and put two M379s bearing his name and design on the podium. An exploit that remains unique to this day.
2016: A QUADRI-AMPUTEE DRIVER MAKES HISTORY
Frédéric Sausset lost both arms and both legs to a serious infection. While in recovery, he set himself the ultimate challenge: competing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. In 2016, he took to the track in a specially adapted car, with two rods connecting the pedals to his thighs and a device fitted to the steering wheel enabling him to accelerate, brake and steer. The team finished 36th (out of a grid of 60 cars) and Frédéric became the first disabled driver to take part in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
10-11 JUNE 2023: THE RACE OF THE CENTURY
The 24 Hours of Le Mans Centenary will be a historic event. With the new regulations introduced in 2020 replacing the LMP1 (Le Mans Prototype) class with hypercars (LMH and LMDH), the big-name manufacturers who helped shape the Le Mans legend are back!
Further information
Visit the 24 Hours of Le Mans website
Visit the 24 Hours Museum website
Visit the Sarthe Tourism website
Browse and download the Sarthe press kit
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