1924 24 Hours of Le Mans

2nd 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race

The 1924 24 Hours of Le Mans was the 2nd Grand Prix of Endurance, and took place on 14 and 15 June 1924. It was the second part of three consecutive annual races for the Rudge Whitworth Triennial Cup, as well simultaneously being the first race in the new 1924 25 Rudge Whitworth Biennial Cup. With tougher target distances, as well as hot weather, the cars had to be pushed harder and this year only 12 of the 41 starters completed the 24 hours. The 4 litre Chenard Walcker of the 1923 winners René Léonard and André Lagache had the early lead, for the first three hours, until it caught fire on the Mulsanne Straight. Thereafter it was a battle between the three car Lorraine Dietrich team and the British Bentley. The first Lorraine Dietrich had been delayed on Saturday night, the second went off the road during the night and the third was held up with two punctures then a blown engine trying to make up the lost time. The Bentley also had its problems but with two hours to go it had a significant lead when it pitted for a precautionary wheel change. This soon became a big problem as one wheel could not be taken off and half an hour was lost. The delay meant its remaining laps would not be counted according to the new race regulations, as the average speed would be below that achieved to reach their target distance. Although the remaining two Lorraines pushed hard they fell just one lap short. The Bentley victory brought international acclaim and cemented the popularity of the race as a significant European event.

After the success of their inaugural 24 hour event, the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) set about making further improvements. Firstly, the race timing was moved to the summer solstice in late June to make the best use of the extended daylight as well as the higher probability of better weather. The ACO also recognised that the Triennial Cup format was unworkable after an unexpectedly large number of cars had qualified from the year before. The current trophy stayed active, but not renewed. Émile Coquille, co organiser and representative of the sponsor Rudge Whitworth was still keen on a multi year format, so a compromise Biennial Cup was initiated instead. Specifications were tightened up on chassis features like windshields, running boards and seats to prevent abuse by manufacturers trying to save weight. It became compulsory to carry one spare wheel on board, exhausts had to be aligned to not blow dust off the road, and cars had to have functioning headlights between designated hours of darkness (8.30pm to 4am). In the original interests of furthering the advance of touring car technology, convertibles had to come in after 5 laps and put up their hoods. Then after running for at least two laps with hoods up, they would come in and have them officially checked for robustness before dropping them back down. Failure would result in disqualification. Finally, the car companies also had to present written evidence of the requisite 30 production examples. Cars did not need to complete the final lap at the end of the 24 hours if they had met their target distance, but any extra laps had to be done at or above the average speed of the rest of their race to be counted. After the lenient minimum target distances of the previous year, these were lifted significantly particularly for the smaller engined cars The distances included the following:

After being initially sceptical the previous year, W. O. Bentley was now a firm convert, and offered to provide John Duff full factory support for a return to Le Mans. Learning from the previous year, his new Bentley 3 Litre now had four wheel brakes, and wire mesh put over the headlights and matting wrapped the fuel tank – both measures put in to reduce potential damage from flying stones. A new range of the La Lorraine Dietrich B3 6 3.5 litre cars were unveiled at the end of 1923, including a Sport version deliberately built for racing. Now with a 4 speed gearbox, the new engine put out 115 bhp, getting the car up to 145 kp/h (90 mph). Three cars were entered, two running on Michelin tyres and the other on Englebert. Ariès was a new entrant this year and arrived with four cars. It was founded in 1903 by former Panhard et Levassor engineer Baron Charles Petiet and had competed in the early inter city races. Two shortened GP versions of the standard Type S were prepared, one with a 3.2 litre and the other with a 3 litre engine. There were also two 1100cc cars entered: an older CC2 and a new CC4 4 seater. Getting back into post war racing in 1924 Petiet assembled a team of well known drivers. Fernand Gabriel was leading the ill fated 1903 Paris Madrid race when it was stopped. Arthur Duray had set land speed records before the war and finished second in the 1914 Indianapolis 500 behind René Thomas. Robert Laly had been Thomas’ riding mechanic in the same race. Rolland Pilain again had four cars entered. The latest C23 version had a 2 litre engine capable of 50 bhp and 120 kp/h (75 mph). For the race the company entered lengthened four seat tourer versions. Brasier returned with another pair of its 2.1 litre TB4 model with its 4 speed gearbox. Charles Montier also returned with his modified Ford special, now fitted with 4 wheel brakes. Again Montier drove it himself with his brother in law Albert Ouriou. Oméga Six was another new entrant this year. A venture founded in 1922 by Gabriel Daubech, who had made his money in timber. He wanted to get into the mid range car market with a new option – a high end 6 cylinder. The cars had a torpédo bodystyle, 4 speed gearbox with a 2 litre engine produced 50 bhp capable of 120 kp/h (75 mph). Louis Chenard (unrelated to Chenard Walcker) had a small self named Parisian car factory. He ran one of his torpedo style Type E tourers having a 1.2 litre Chapuis Dornier engine, with his brother Émile. Likewise Georges and René Pol, who made taxis and delivery vans, wanted to venture into the sports car field. So they built a simple 1.7 litre car, named the GRP, and entered it into the race. This year Corre La Licorne had three of its new model, the Type V16, now with a 10CV 1.5 litre SCAP engine. The “boat tail” chassis had a 4 speed gearbox and 4 wheel brakes. New entry Alba also used the 1.5 litre SCAP engine, and also had its patented servo less four wheel braking also used by the Citroën Type C.

SARA had three of its ATS 2 seater model, one entered in the Triennial Cup and the other two in the Biennial Cup. This year Amilcar brought two cars – the same privately owned CV that had done well the previous year, and a new Type C Grans Sport. Its 1074cc engine produced 33 bhp and was driven by works drivers André Morel and Marius Mestivier. Majola had been racing cycle cars after the war, but arrived at Le Mans with a bigger 1.1 litre 7CV 4 seater tourer.

Once again, with no official practice session, several teams arrived earlier in the week before the scrutineering on Friday to do some practice laps. However, Maurice Rost crashed his Georges Irat and it could not be repaired in time to take the start. At the end of the first lap, it was the 3 litre Bignans of de Marne and Ledure with Lagache's big 4 litre Chenard Walcker between them setting the pace. Louis Chenard's only appearance at Le Mans also ended early when a stone through the radiator stopped it seven laps before the 20 lap replenishment point. But the Rolland Pilain team was in even direr straits – they had fitted their cars with fuel tanks that were too small. De Marguenat ran out of fuel after 18 laps, and the others (after being frantically told to slow down) only just made their first stop. Thereafter the cars had to be driven very conservatively to make it through to each stop. Marinier miscalculated and ran out of fuel on Sunday morning, but the other cars survived and, from not having been driven hard, ran well and still exceeded their race targets. then was delayed. The leading four cars had done 33 laps. The 12CV Chenard Walcker running 7th lost two laps when de Zúñiga burnt his hand doing engine repairs, but his co driver Dauvergne could not be found to take over and had to be hailed over the loudspeakers. As it transpired, Brasier leading the competition would not return to compete for the Cup. Financial troubles meant the company was sold in the early months of 1926.

Results taken from Quentin Spurring's book, officially licensed by the ACO Although there were no official engine classes, the highest finishers in unofficial categories aligned with the Index targets are in Bold text. Class Team Drivers Chassis Engine Tyre Targetdistance* 1 3.0 8 Bentley Motors Limited John Duff Frank Clement Bentley 3 Litre Sport Bentley 3.0L S4Rapson115 [T]120(125**) 2 5.0 6 Société Lorraine De Dietrichet Cie Henri Stoffel Édouard Brisson Lorraine Dietrich B3 6 Sport Lorraine Dietrich 3.5L S6119119 3 5.0 5 Société Lorraine De Dietrichet Cie Gérard de Courcelles André Rossignol Lorraine Dietrich B3 6 Sport Lorraine Dietrich 3.5L S6119 [T]119 4 2.0 31 Chenard Walcker SA André Pisart Joseph Chavée Chenard WalckerType TT 10/12CV Chenard et Walcker 1973cc S4101111 5 2.0 30 Chenard Walcker SA Christian Dauvergne Manso de Zúñiga Chenard WalckerType TT 10/12CV Chenard et Walcker 1973cc S4101 [T]109 6 2.0 17 Établissements AutomobilesRolland et Pilain SA Gaston Delalande Georges Guignard Rolland Pilain C23 Sport Rolland Pilain 1997cc S4102 [T]107 7 3.0 15 Société des Automobiles Brasier Eugéne Verpault Marcel Delabarre Brasier TB4 Brasier 2.1L S4103 [T]112*** 8 3.0 16 Société des Automobiles Brasier Migeot Léopold Jouguet Brasier TB4 Brasier 2.1L S4103 [T]105 9 2.0 19 Établissements AutomobilesRolland et Pilain SA Louis Sire Louis Tremel Rolland Pilain C23 Sport Rolland Pilain 1997cc S4102 [T]104 10 2.0 28 Établissements IndustrielsJacques Bignan Baron Raymond de Tornaco Francis Barthélémy Bignan 2 Litre Sport Bignan 1979cc S4102 [T]102 11 1.1 51 Société des Automobile Ariès Fernand Gabriel Henri Lapierre Ariès CC4 Ariès 1085cc S48591 12 1.1 46 Société des Automobilesà Refroidissements par Air André Marandet Louis Francois SARA ATS [7CV] SARA 1099cc S48589 13 1.1 50 Société des Automobile Ariès Louis Rigal Roger Delano Ariès CC2 Sport Ariès 1085cc S48589 14 1.1 52 Société Nouvelle del'Automobile Amilcar Maurice Boutmy Jérôme Marcandanti Amilcar CV Amilcar 1004cc S483 [T]87N/C****1.538 Chenard Walcker SA Pierre Bacqueyrisses Georges Delaroche Chenard Walcker Type Y 9CV Chenard Walcker 1496cc. S493 [T]84N/C****1.540 Constructions Métallurgiques Usines Alba Raoul Roret Bruno Calise Alba S4 10/12CV SCAP 1481cc S49279
Note *: [T]= car also entered in the Triennial Cup. Note **: Final laps not counted, as average speed was too slow. Note ***: Unknown why this many laps did not place the car 3rd overall, but still 1st in the Rudge Whitworth competition. Note ****: Not Classified because did not meet target distance.

Pos Class No Team Drivers Chassis Engine Tyre Targetdistance** Laps ReasonDNF5.04 Société Lorraine De Dietrichet Cie Robert Bloch Stalter Lorraine Dietrich B3 6 Sport Lorraine Dietrich 3.5L S6119 [T]112 Engine (21 hr)DNF2.029 Établissements IndustrielsJacques Bignan René Marie Henri Springuel Bignan 2 Litre Sport Bignan 1979cc S410288 Engine (21 hr)DNF1.537 Chenard Walcker SA Robert Sénéchal Raymond Glaszmann Chenard Walcker Type Y 9CV Chenard Walcker 1496cc. S493 [T]83 Engine(morning)DNF1.145 Société des Automobilesà Refroidissements par Air Lucien Erb Léon Fabert SARA ATS [7CV] SARA 1098cc S485 [T]82? (afternoon)DNF1.147 Société des Automobilesà Refroidissements par Air Julio de Ségovia Alcain SARA ATS [7CV] SARA 1098cc S48580 Engine(afternoon)DNF3.07 Société des Automobile Ariès Robert Laly Charles Flohot Ariès Type S GP Ariés 3.2L S411764 Engine (8hr)DNF2.020 Établissements AutomobilesRolland et Pilain SA Gérard Marinier Antoine Dubreil Rolland Pilain C23 Sport Rolland Pilain 1997cc S4102 [T] 60 Out of fuel(morning)DNF2.032 Georges et René Pol Louis Henry Jean Vaurez G. R. P. 9CV G. R. P. 1690cc S49759 Engine (15hr)DNF1.543 Société Française desAutomobiles Corre Paul Drouin Louis Balart Corre La Licorne V16 10CV Sport SCAP 1481cc S492 [T]58 Engine (15hr)DNF2.027 Automobiles Georges Irat Jean Dourianou Pierre Malleveau Georges Irat Type 4A Sport Georges Irat 2.0L S4102 [T]42 Accident(late night)DNF2.023 ÉtablissementsCharles Montier et Cie Charles Montier Albert Ouriou Ford Montier Speciale Ford 1996cc S4102 [T]40 Engine(late night)DNF5.03 Chenard Walcker SA André Lagache René Léonard Chenard Walcker Type U 22CV Sport Chenard Walcker 3.9L S812426Fire (4 hr)DNF1.149 Automobiles Majola Charles Follot Fernand Casellini Majola Type A Majola 1088cc S48522 Engine(evening)DNF2.018 Établissements AutomobilesRolland et Pilain SA Jean de Marguenat René Gaudin Rolland Pilain C23 Sport Rolland Pilain 1997cc S4102 [T]18 Out of fuel(evening)DNF1.148 Société Nouvelle del'Automobile Amilcar André Morel Marius Mestivier Amilcar CGS Amilcar 1089cc S48513 Oil tank(evening)DNF1.533 Louis Chenard Louis Chenard Émile Chenard Louis Chenard Type E Chapuis Dornier 1496cc S49313 Radiator(evening)DNF2.025 Automobiles Oméga Six Marcel Mongin Roland Coty Oméga Six Type A Oméga 1996cc S610211 Accident (evening)DNF3.011 Établissements IndustrielsJacques Bignan Jacques Ledure Jean Matthys Bignan 3 Litre Sport Bignan 3.0L S611510 Engine (3 hr)DNF2.024 Automobiles Oméga Six Jacques Margueritte Louis Bonne Oméga Six Type A Oméga 1996cc S6102 9 Engine (3 hr)DSQ3.010 Établissements IndustrielsJacques Bignan Philippe de Marne Jean Martin Bignan 3 Litre Sport Bignan 3.0L SI6115 [T] 8 Premature refill (2 hr)DNF3.09 Chenard Walcker SA Raoul Bachmann Fernand Bachmann Chenard WalckerType U 15CV Sport Chenard Walcker 3.0L S4115 6 Fire (2 hr)DNF1.544 Société Française desAutomobiles Corre Fernand Vallon Joseph Paul Corre La Licorne V16 10CV Sport SCAP 1481cc S492 5 Engine (1 hr)DNF1.542 Société Française desAutomobiles Corre Albert Colomb Waldemar Lestienne Corre La Licorne V16 10CV Sport SCAP 1481cc S492 [T] 3 Engine (1 hr)DNF3.012 Société des Automobile Ariès Arthur Duray Giulio Foresti Ariès Type S GP Ariés 3.0L S41153 Engine (1 hr)DNF1.541 Constructions Métallurgiques Usines Alba Hatton Dreux Alba S4 10/12CV SCAP 1481cc S4921 Radiator (1 hr)Sources:

Pos Class No Team Drivers Chassis Engine ReasonDNS2.026 Automobiles Georges Irat Maurice Rost Jean Lassalle Georges Irat Type 4A Sport Georges Irat 2.0L S4 Practice Accident DNA 8.0 1 Automobiles Delage SA Delage GL Delage 6.0L S6 Did not arrive DNA 3.0 2 Automobiles Delage SA Delage GL Delage 6.0L S6 Did not arrive DNA 3.0 13 Sunbeam Car Company Kenelm Lee Guinness Sunbeam 3 Litre Super Sports Sunbeam 2.9L S6 Did not arrive DNA 3.0 14 Sunbeam Car Company Dario Resta Sunbeam 3 Litre Super Sports Sunbeam 2.9L S6 Did not arrive DNA 2.0 21 Automobiles Ettore Bugatti Bugatti Type 30 Bugatti 1997cc S8 Did not arrive DNA 2.0 22 Automobiles Ettore Bugatti Bugatti Type 30 Bugatti 1997cc S8 Did not arrive DNA 1.5 34 Automobiles Ettore Bugatti Bugatti T22 Bugatti 1496cc S4 Did not arrive DNA 1.5 35 Automobiles Ettore Bugatti Bugatti T22 Bugatti 1496cc S4 Did not arrive DNA 1.5 36 Automobiles Ettore Bugatti Bugatti T22 Bugatti 1496cc S4 Did not arrive DNA 1.5 39 Automobiles La Perle La Perle 10CV Bignan 1493cc S4 Did not arrive

Pos Class Team Drivers Chassis TargetLaps LapsOver 1 3.0 15 Société des Automobiles Brasier Eugéne Verpault Marcel Delabarre Brasier TB4103112*** +9 2 2.0 30 Chenard Walcker SA Christian Dauvergne Manso de Zúñiga Chenard Walcker Type TT 10/12CV101109 +8 3= 3.0 8 Bentley Motors Limited John Duff Frank Clement Bentley 3 Litre Sport115120 +5 3= 2.0 17 Établissements AutomobilesRolland et Pilain SA Gaston Delalande Georges Guignard Rolland Pilain C23 Sport102107 +5 5 1.1 52 Société Nouvelle del'Automobile Amilcar Maurice Boutmy Jérôme Marcandanti Amilcar CV8387 +4 6= 3.0 16 Société des Automobiles Brasier Migeot Léopold Jouguet Brasier TB4103105 +2 6= 2.0 19 Établissements AutomobilesRolland et Pilain SA Louis Sire Louis Tremel Rolland Pilain C23 Sport102104 +2 8= 5.0 5 Société Lorraine De Dietrich et Cie Gérard de Courcelles André Rossignol Lorraine Dietrich B3 6 Sport119119 +0 8= 2.0 28 Établissements IndustrielsJacques Bignan Baron Raymond de Tornaco Francis Barthélémy Bignan 2 Litre Sport102102 +0

Pos Class Team Drivers Chassis TargetLaps LapsOver 1 2.0 31 Chenard Walcker SA André Pisart Joseph Chavée Chenard Walcker Type TT 10/12CV101111 +10 2 3.0 15 Société des Automobiles Brasier Eugéne Verpault Marcel Delabarre Brasier TB4103112*** +9 3 2.0 30 Chenard Walcker SA Christian Dauvergne Manso de Zúñiga Chenard Walcker Type TT 10/12CV101109 +8 4 1.1 51 Société des Automobile Ariès Fernand Gabriel Henri Lapierre Ariès CC48591 +6 5 2.0 17 Établissements AutomobilesRolland et Pilain SA Gaston Delalande Georges Guignard Rolland Pilain C23 Sport102107 +5 6= 1.1 46 Société des Applications àRefroidissements par Air André Marandet Louis Francois SARA ATS8589 +4 6= 1.1 50 Société des Automobile Ariès Louis Rigal Roger Delano Ariès CC2 Sport8589 +4 6= 1.1 52 Société Nouvelle del'Automobile Amilcar Maurice Boutmy Jérôme Marcandanti Amilcar CV8387 +4 9= 3.0 16 Société des Automobiles Brasier Migeot Léopold Jouguet Brasier TB4103105 +2 9= 2.0 19 Établissements AutomobilesRolland et Pilain SA Louis Sire Louis Tremel Rolland Pilain C23 Sport102104 +2 11= 5.0 5 Société Lorraine De Dietrich et Cie Gérard de Courcelles André Rossignol Lorraine Dietrich B3 6 Sport119119 +0 11= 5.0 6 Société Lorraine De Dietrich et Cie Henri Stoffel Édouard Brisson Lorraine Dietrich B3 6 Sport119119 +0 11= 2.0 28 Établissements IndustrielsJacques Bignan Baron Raymond de Tornaco Francis Barthélémy Bignan 2 Litre Sport102102 +0