The legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans race celebrates its 100th anniversary! A great opportunity to recall the most important events in the history of PEUGEOT on the mythical circuit in Sarthe.
Memories of a mechanic at the 24 hours of Le Mans
II was a mechanic in the Peugeot Talbot Sport team, which took part in the 1992 Le Mans 24 Hours and I remember perfectly the 20th of June 1992.
That morning, the sun was rising timidly on the Le Mans circuit. Already, an indescribable effervescence reigns in the Peugeot pits: the mechanics are busy around the car, checking every setting, making sure that nothing is left to chance. I watch the drivers: like actors in a theatre, each one has his own little mental preparation routine. Derek (Warwick) spends his time chatting to the mechanics, asking about the latest checks on the cars. With his thick British accent, communication is not always easy! Mark (Blundell) is in his bubble, he doesn't seem to see or hear anyone around him. Karl (Wendlinger) is chatting with Le Normand (Alain Ferté) while J.-P. (Jabouille) is endlessly replaying the course in order to get to know every single turn.
But beyond the gleaming machines and the palpable excitement, there is a profoundly human story unfolding on this track. Our focused faces hide years of passion and sacrifice. Much more than just a race for PEUGEOT, the 24 Hours of Le Mans has always been an opportunity to compete with the greatest, to push the limits and to leave an indelible mark on the history of the automobile.
At the time, my trick for relieving the stress before a race was to immerse myself in the history of this adventure, from its origins. Shall I take you there?
1926 - 1937: The beginning of the epic
All because of the windscreen!
Peugeot took its first steps on the Le Mans circuit in 1926. It was a time when motoring was still evolving and endurance and reliability were the watchwords. The 174 S of André Boillot and Louis Rigal was in 2nd place at the halfway point (82nd lap) when it was eliminated (in accordance with the regulations of the event, which stipulated that the car had to be "strictly in conformity with the description in the commercial catalogue" and had to be in perfect working order at all times) ... for a broken windscreen pillar!
After this mishap, Peugeot abandoned the Manche track for a while.
Darl'mat in the spotlight
The return to the 24 hours of Le Mans was made in 1937 under the impetus of the Parisian dealer Emile Darl'mat with three 302 DS (Darl'mat Sport) or otherwise called 302 "Special Sport". These roadsters were the result of a collaboration between the manufacturer and his representative. The three cars lined up all finished this event in 7th, 8th and 10th place. A great performance, especially when you consider that 65% of the teams entered dropped out. After this very promising start, three 402 Special Sports were entered in 1938. The car, driven by Charles de Cortanze and Marcel Contet, finished 5th overall and was first in the 2-litre category.
Even though I was not yet born at that time, the mere mention of these cars gives me goose bumps every time!
We had to wait until the mid-sixties to see the return of the Lion on the Manche track.
1966 -1988: The race for speed
In 1966 and 1967, following the mixed success of engineer Charles Deutsch's cars (the CDs) with a Peugeot engine, the Lion did not return to the forefront until the 1980s.
The CD of engineer Charles Deutsch
After a brilliant 4th place in 1980 for the WM crew (the initials of Gérard Welter and Michel Meunier, the Peugeot design duo), it was with the WM P88 (equipped with a Peugeot V6 engine of 2664 cm3 - 500 bhp at 7700 rpm - indirect injection, 2 turbo-compressors) that Roger Dorchy beat the speed record on the Manche track in 1988 by reaching 405 km/h (a record that is still unmatched following modifications to the circuit). What a thrill for the passionate and ambitious young mechanic that I was! At that time, I was only dreaming of competition and my time would indeed come soon...
The 90s: Victory with the PEUGEOT 905
PEUGEOT 905
While the 1991 edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans was a learning experience with several retirements due to repeated damage to the three 905s in the race, 1992 was crowned with a success that I was privileged to experience live, within the Peugeot Talbot Sport team, where I was finally fulfilling my childhood dream.
The competition was going to be tough, but despite a few small technical problems and the dreadful weather conditions, the 905 n°1 and n°2 finished first and third respectively. A great reward for the hard work of an over-motivated team! In 1993, the World Sports Car Championship having disappeared, the only race in the top-level sports programme remained the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Three 905s were entered. With the withdrawal of Mazda, Porsche and Jaguar, the only declared opponent was the Toyota team. The Peugeot and Toyota drivers go head to head. The situation remained undecided until the night and the early morning saw the Peugeot trio finally take victory.
After proving the excellence of Peugeot's technology, this historic podium was a fine way for the Lion Brand to temporarily bid farewell.
2007-2012: The adventure of endurance racing in the PEUGEOT 908
In 2007, Peugeot made a successful return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans by taking second place in the final race with the new Peugeot 908 HDi FAP. The results were extremely positive for the Peugeot Total Team, whose stated objective was to gain experience for the future.
PEUGEOT 908
From being very fast, the Peugeot 908 HDi FAP became dominant in 2009. That year, Peugeot Sport called on nine drivers, relying on those who had given it satisfaction during the first two years in endurance racing: Sébastien Bourdais (France), David Brabham (Australia), Marc Gené (Spain), 26-year-old Christian Klien (Austria), Pedro Lamy (Portugal), Nicolas Minassian (France), Franck Montagny (France), Stéphane Sarrazin (France), and Alexander Wurz (Austria). After a third consecutive pole position for Stéphane Sarrazin, the three factory 908 HDi FAPs finished together under the chequered flag.
The legendary PEUGEOT 905 and 908 are on permanent display at the Peugeot Adventure Museum in Sochaux (Doubs). To find out more
2023 - PEUGEOT 9x8 at Le Mans: new chapter, new victories?
PEUGEOT 9X8
After the 908 programme was discontinued at the beginning of 2012, Peugeot is making its return to the discipline ten years later, contesting the last three rounds of the 2022 FIA World Endurance Championship.
On display at the 24 Hours Museum last year, the Peugeot 9X8 will make its debut in the Sarthe for the Centenary edition. With three victories and six pole positions to its name, will the most successful French manufacturer in the 24 Hours be able to offer itself a fourth success?
PEUGEOT 9X8 designed by DEMSKY
Here is the point of view of Jean-Marc Finot, head of the competition activities of the Stellantis group, whom I had the opportunity to meet recently: "To bring Peugeot back to Le Mans, we needed hybrid technology, an affordable regulation corresponding to Peugeot's DNA. Today, with 9X8, all the boxes are ticked. As for the pressure, it is present at all the practice sessions and all the races, and we will be going all out for the centenary edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, like all the others!
As for me, on 10 and 11 June, I will be watching the battle from the stands this time, still filled with the strength and emotion that make you climb the mountains and reach the summits.
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