11th June 1955 should have been a celebration of motorsport, the Le Mans field littered with talented drivers from across the motorsport, however by the end of the event, over 80 spectators and 1 driver had died in one of the most horrific motorsport accidents in history. The world of motorsport reacted almost instantly, the effects of which, are still felt to this day.
WHAT IS 24 HOURS OF LE MANS?
Le Mans, or to give it it’s official title 24 hours of Le Mans (24 Heures du Mans), is revered in the motorsport world, part of the famous triple crown, along with the Monaco GP, Indy 500. The prestige of the event garnered attention from Hollywood with actors such as Steve McQueen, who begged the producers of the movie to allow him to compete, they said no! Matt Damon and Christian Bale, who portrayed the talented Ken Miles in the film Ford v Ferrari (Le Mans ‘66).
Le Mans, the idea of the Automobile Club de L’Quest, spurred on by national enthusiasm for automobiles, first started in 1923. The track, called the Circuit de la Sarthe, named after the river, which runs through the town of Le Mans was designed, it was a fast circuit using both specifically designed elements and public streets, also it was long measuring in at 10.7 miles per lap. The track has been altered throughout the years, with the track length now sitting at 8.467 miles.
Although the race is now considered one of the jewels in the crown of world motorsport, it was originally intended as a trial ground for automobiles to test their mechanical endurance.
The first winner was Andre Lagache and Rene Leonard, who travelled a total of 1,300 miles in 24 hours. Amazingly 63 of the 66 drivers that started completed the race.
The race continues yearly until 1936, when general strikes in France forced the cancellation of the race, it was forced to go into a decade long hiatus due to World War 2, where it didn’t nor run from 1939 to 1949.
The return of the race saw 100 entries; however, this was reduced by half for the race, the 1949 race was Ferrari’s first ever Le Man victory. As a result of this popularity the World Sportscar Championship was formed, with Le Man being part of the Championship.
Due to the increase in competition, manufacturers such as Ferrari, Mercedes- Benz and Aston Martin all started to take multiple cars to the race in the hopes of outdoing their rivals.
1955 – Build-Up
The 1955 24 Hours of Le Man was held on June 11th and 12th of June. The event would attract 87 entries, with 60 finally making it to the race. Notable Formula 1 drivers included Juan Manuel Fangio, Mike Hawthorn and Stirling Moss.
Overall the 1955 grid was one of the strongest ever seen, not only due to the calibre of driver but also due to the fact that three manufacturers at the peak of their powers were involved, Ferrari was the Le Mans reigning champions, Jaguar had thrown all but the kitchen sink at the race in an effort to take the Le Man crown from the Prancing Horse, Mercedes, who were using, arguably the most advanced sports car ever developed with the 300 SLR, with its light weight magnesium-alloy body that was being driven by Fangio and Moss. It was set up to be a memorable race.
It was memorable, but for very different and tragic reasons.
1955 – THE RACE
The crowd of around 250,000-300,000 were ready, the drivers were ready, it was time to race.
The race began as the crowd had hoped, with Jaguar and Mercedes treating it like a sprint, Fangio and Hawthorn traded lap records, Mike Hawthorns open apathy towards the German manufacturer after he lost a family member during World War 2, was another ingredient in the tense race.
LAP 35
The race continued to be a battle between Fangio and Hawthorn until lap 35, an accident that involved Hawthorn, Mercedes driver Pierre Levegh and the Austin Healy of Lance Macklin would change the course of motorsport forever.
Mike Hawthorn, who had not realised he was being called to the pits decided to pass the Austin Healy of Lance Macklin. In an attempt to enter the pits, Hawthorn veered across the track, breaking sharply and in front of Macklin, the manoeuvre caused Lance to react, drifting off the track, he returned to the track into the oncoming Mercedes of Pierre Levegh, the Frenchman was driving at 150mph at the point of impact, leaving the Frenchman with no time to react, his car would be launched off the rear of the Austin Healy. The car flew throw the air and smashing into an embankment, killing Pierre Levegh instantly. Debris from the crash, including the engine block flew into the crowd, the bonnet would scythe through spectators, decapitating those in it way, like some kind of automotive guillotine.
Confusion and death reigned, with at least 82 spectators and Levegh dead and scores more injured, advertising boards were being used to take the wounded away for treatment. Others searched for their loved ones, while last rites were being given to the mortally wounded.
The Race Would Continue
Mike Hawthorn, who had overshot the pits, came in a lap later distraught, Pierre Levegh’s co-pilot John Fitch urged Mercedes to withdraw from the race. He would argue that only 10 years since World War 2, it would not be a good idea for a German company to seem so cavalier about French bloodshed.
The decision to withdraw was finally made at around 12 midnight, with the final Mercedes car withdrawn at around 1.45am. They were running 1st and 3rd at the time.
Jaguar were approached by Mercedes regarding the withdrawal of the British team in an act of solidarity, however this was declined.
The decision not to cancel the race, was at best seen as cavalier from the race organisers, the organisers would argue that cancelling the race would cause a panicked crowed to cause gridlock, hampering emergency vehicles to attend to the injured. This reasoning seemed illogical as the race could have been cancelled in the early hours of the morning, when the crowds were at their thinnest.
As it was the race continued, with Mike Hawthorn and Ivor Bueb taking the win with an average speed of 106mph. Hawthorn, who was still distraught about the accident was caught in an ill-timed photo by a French journalist, smiling and drinking post-race champagne. This led to the French magazine L’Auto Journal to caption it with the bitter “A votre sante, Monsieur Hawthorn” (“To Your Health, Mr Hawthorn.”)
THE FALLOUT
The fallout would be immediate, with the official enquiry stretching into months, absolving all drivers of fault, deciding to point the blame solely at the track. The track had seen only minor adjustments since its opening in 1923, at a time where the cars max speed was 60mph. in 1955 cars were now racing on the track at speeds in excess of 150mph.
To Your Health, Mr Hawthorn (A votre sante, Monsieur Hawthorn)
Although the official enquiry did not blame drivers, it didn’t stop accusations being levied against drivers, most notably Mike Hawthorn, with many suggesting that his cutting in front of Macklin led to the crash. Macklin himself would also blame Hawthorn.
Some people would also accuse Mike Hawthorn of admitting culpability in the immediate aftermath of the accident. Even if this was true, Hawthorn would quickly change his mind, stating that was not to blame for the accident.
The fallout between Mike Hawthorn and Lance Macklin, became legal, when in his autobiography, Mike Hawthorn would again deny any wrongdoing. Lance Macklin would see this as Hawthorn implicating him as the cause sued for liable. The claim was still unresolved when Mike Hawthorn died in an accident in his jaguar on a wet day in January 1959.
Ripples of the accident were felt everywhere with changes made the Le Mans track. The stand on the pit straight was demolished and improvements made to the track to improve safety.
Racing in several countries across Europe was banned until safety standards were increased, Switzerland has still not lifted the ban on Motorsports.
A number of drivers retired from racing at the end of the season including Macklin and Fitch, Fangio would never race at Le Mans again. Mercedes would withdraw from racing altogether until the late 80’s.
The reactions of the drivers, manufacturers, and countries pale in significance when measured against the loss of over 80 people. Their lives cut short when they were watching a sport that they loved.