Award-winning author Richard Williams tells the remarkable story of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, one of the most iconic events in motor racing, which celebrates its centenary in 2023. The event was created by a group of Frenchmen in 1923 and remains uniquely attractive to spectators, major car manufacturers who still see it as an opportunity for invaluable publicity, and drivers who hope to add their names to the distinguished list of winners.
In the period between the wars, the manufacturers included Bugatti, Bentley, and Alfa Romeo. Subsequently, Ferrari, Jaguar, Mercedes, Aston Martin, Ford, Porsche, Audi, and Toyota have become recurring winners, ensuring the continuation of fierce rivalry among companies. Over the decades, the race has acquired rich folklore, including stories of fuel sealed with chewing gum, competitors making their final pit stops for refueling and a glass of champagne, or the woman who drove her MG through the night wearing a fur coat. Competitors have included princes, debutantes, drug smugglers, and a Nazi spy.
The romantic atmosphere of the race attracts top Hollywood directors, such as Steve McQueen, who conceived and starred in Le Mans in 1971, and James Mangold, who created Le Mans '66 in 2019. However, 1955 was also the setting for the greatest tragedy to hit motor sport, when 82 people were killed by a competing car, an accident that threatened the future of the sport for a time.
From the Bentley Boys of the 1920s, record-holding winners Jacky Ickx and Tom Kristensen, to modern stars like Allan McNish, the 24 Hours celebrates the skill, bravery, and technical brilliance of the men and women who have given the race its worldwide fame.
Pages: 512, Year of Publication: 0523, Dimensions: 13x13cm
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