1923 24 Hours of Le Mans

The 1923 24 Hours of Le Mans was the very first Grand Prix of Endurance, and took place on 26 and 27 May 1923.

The original intention of the race was for a winner to be declared following three straight years of competition. The Rudge-Whitworth Cup would be given to the driver combination to complete the farthest distance total over three years. Unfortunately the idea would be abandoned after the end of the first three year segment, in 1925.

After 24 hours of racing,the competition remained high for some crews. As proof, the fastest lap in the race of the Bentley 3 Litre No. 8 in 9min 39s was established during the last hour of the race, while this car had already exceeded its target mileage.

Statistics

• Fastest lap – #8 Bentley – 9:39
• Distance – 2209.536 km
• Average speed – 92.064 km/h

Official results

Pos	Class	No	Team	Drivers	Chassis	Engine	Lap
1	3.0	9	No Team Name	André Lagache René Léonard	Chenard et Walcker Sport	Chenard et Walcker 3.0L I4	128
2	3.0	10	No Team Name	Raoul Bachmann Christian d'Auvergne	Chenard et Walcker Sport	Chenard et Walcker 3.0L I4	124
3	2.0	23	No Team Name	Paul Gros Raymond de Tornaco	Bignan 11HP Desmo Sport	Bignan 2.0L I4	120
4	3.0	8	Capt. J.F. Duff	Capt. John F. Duff Frank Clement	Bentley 3 Litre Sport	Bentley 3.0L I4	112
5	2.0	24	No Team Name	Philippe de Marne Jean Martin	Bignan 11HP Commercial	Bignan 2.0L I4	112
6	8.0	1	Compagnie Nationale Excelsior	André Dills Nicolas Caerels	Excelsior Albert 1er	Excelsior 5.3L I6	112
7	3.0	11	No Team Name	Fernand Bachmann Raymond Glaszmann	Chenard & Walcker Tourisme	Chenard & Walcker 3.0L I4	110
8	5.0	7	No Team Name	Gérard de Courcelles André Rossignol	Lorraine-Dietrich B3-6	Lorraine-Dietrich 3.4L I6	108
9	8.0	2	Compagnie Nationale Excelsior	Gonzaque Lécureul "Flaud"	Excelsior Albert 1er	Excelsior 5.3L I6	106
10	1.5	28	No Team Name	Max de Pourtealés Sosthene de la Rochefoucauld	Bugatti Brescia 16S	Bugatti 1.5L I4	104
11	3.0	17	No Team Name	"Migeot" Eugène Verpault	Brasier TC4	Brasier 2.1L I4	99
12	1.1	34	No Team Name	Lucien Desvaux Georges Casse	Salmson VAL3	Salmson 1.1L I4	98
13	3.0	16	No Team Name	"Belbue" Paul Torchy	Delage DE 11HP	Delage 2.1L I4	98
14	3.0	19	No Team Name	Charles Montier Albert Ouriou	Montier Speciale (Ford Model T)	Ford Montier 2.0L I4	97
15	1.1	33	No Team Name	Maurice Benoist Luis Ramon Buenovinci	Salmson VAL3	Salmson 1.1L I4	93
16	2.0	21	No Team Name	M. Cappé Jean Dourianou	Georges Irat 4/A3	Georges Irat 2.0L I4	93
17	3.0	14	No Team Name	Jean de Marguenat Gaston Delalande	Rolland-Pilain B22	Rolland-Pilain 2.3L I4	92
18	1.1	35	No Team Name	Maurice Boutmy Jérôme Marcandanti	Amilcar CV	Amilcar 1.0L I4	89
19	5.0	5	No Team Name	Robert Bloch "Stalter"	Lorraine-Dietrich	Lorraine-Dietrich 3.4L I6	88
20	3.0	12	No Team Name	Edouard Probst "Redon"	Berliet VH 12HP	Berliet 2.6L I4	88
21	3.0	15	No Team Name	Louis Sire Georges Guignard	Rolland-Pilain R	Rolland-Pilain 2.2L I4	84
22	1.5	29	No Team Name	Louis Pichard René Marie	Bugatti Brescia 16S	Bugatti 1.5L I4	82
23	2.0	25	No Team Name	Jean Pouzet Edmond Pichon	Rolland-Pilain RP	Rolland-Pilain 1.9L I4	80
24	2.0	24	No Team Name	Jules Robin Gérard Mariner	Rolland-Pilain RP	Rolland-Pilain 1.9L I4	80
25	1.5	30	No Team Name	Louis Balart Charles Drouin	Corre La Licorne	Corre La Licorne 1.4L I4	80
26	2.0	27	No Team Name	Léon Molon Lucien Molon	Vinot Deguingand BP 10HP	Vinot Deguingand 1.8L I4	77
27	3.0	18	No Team Name	"Maillon" Léopold Jougeut	Brasier TB4	Brasier 2.1L I4	76
28	2.0	20	No Team Name	Albert Colomb W. Lestienne	Corre La Licorne EV 12CV	Corre La Licorne 2.0L I4	74
29	2.0	22	No Team Name	"Milhaud" Pierre Malleveau	Georges Irat 4/A3	Georges Irat 2.0L I4	73
30	1.1	32	Société des applications du refroidissement par air (S.A.R.A.)	Lucien Erb Robert Battagliola	S.A.R.A. ATS	S.A.R.A. 1.1L I4	57

Did Not Finish

Pos	Class	No	Team	Drivers	Chassis	Engine	Laps
31	5.0	6	No Team Name	Henri Stoffel R. Labouchére	Lorraine-Dietrich B3-6	Lorraine-Dietrich 3.4L I6	50
32	3.0	13	No Team Name	Roland Jacquot Georges Ribail	Brasier VH 12HP	Brasier 2.6L I4	44
33	1.1	31	Société des applications du refroidissement par air (S.A.R.A.)	François Piazzoli André Marandet	S.A.R.A. ATS	S.A.R.A. 1.1L I4	14