Le Mans 24 Hour Race - 1952 | Shell Historical Film Archive

Every June, the French Automobile Club stages the Le Mans 24 hour race at one of the most famous motor racing circuits in Europe. This film documents the drama and excitement of the 1952 Le Mans challenge.
The Le Mans circuit, which comprises of purely public roads, is 8.5 miles (14 km) long. With nearly sixty cars racing, the fastest competitors will be travelling at 160 mph down the three mile straight. The vehicles racing are road cars that must carry standard equipment along with all the spares and tools needed for the race. Some of the finest sports cars from France, Italy, Germany, England, and the USA take part. All 57 cars are lined up for the traditional Le Mans start with a crowd of 180,000 people watching in anticipation.
On lap three an Italian Ferrari goes round at an average of 107 mph (172 kmph), shattering the lap record previously held by Stirling Moss. Signals from the pits call the drivers in for refuelling and inform them of their position after two hours of racing. Through the night the French Gordini sets the pace at the highest average speed on the circuit, but by 3 am is out with brake trouble.
At 10 am on Sunday morning only 24 of the original 57 cars are still running. Pierre Levegh, ahead by 35 miles (55 km), has a clear lead over the German Mercedes. With three hours to go Levegh refuels for the last time and with victory in sight, despite extreme fatigue, decides to continue driving. Ninety minutes later he retires with a broken crankshaft.
Levegh reaches the pits a tired and disappointed man after having victory snatched from his grasp. With only 17 cars still running, the German Mercedes take first and second place, followed by the British Nash Healey in third. In years to come there will be much discussion about whether Levegh should have handed over to his second driver, but no one in France will forget his magnificent drive in the 1952 Le Mans 24 hour race.
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#Shell #ShellFilmUnit #HistoricFilmArchive #Documentary #LeMans #LeMans24 #1952 #Motorsport #MotorRacing #Cars #CarRacing
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[@simonf8902]

Racing on open roads. Wonderful. Thank you Shell. ❤

[@barath4545]

Love that Shell uploads these! Historic footage and the absolute best coverage in long format of the 1950s to 1960s racing. Kudos!

[@sergioleone3583]

Elegant machines from a more civilized era. Beautifully put together film by Mr. Bill Mason and the crew at Shell. Thank you Shell, not only for posting these now, but for the original creation of these and the wonderful Grand Prix History films that Mr. Mason and his team edited together. Fantastic records of one of the greatest art forms and some of the heroes of the 20th Century.

[@paulreilly3904]

Thank you Shell. This is a fascinating insight into another world. I adore this era of motor racing. I'm also envious of Briggs Cunningham. A good looking American multi millionaire who raced cars. I must find out more. What a life to lead in post WW2 America. I've seen film of Jaguar and Aston Martin's later wins but not this year.

[@SpeedBrazilOficial]

AMAZING GUYS ❤ THANKS

[@MrJohansen]

Some really cool footage, thank you for posting these Shell

[@user-tg5bx1je2h]

Thank you for uploading this video! The C-type #17 being raced by Moss in this video is in my custodianship. Unfortunately, she didn't last long! 💔

[@ThomasD1962]

Levegh drove a pre-selector gearbox. Due to fatigue he shifted from 3rd to 2nd instead of 4th which resulted in the aforementioned broken crankshaft.

[@user-zt5xz5fz4q]

SHELL.❤.

[@sandrokeine4365]

🏁🏁🏁🏁👏👏👏👏

[@simonf8902]

Gull wing Mercedes. ❤

[@oldschool1993]

Poor Levegh was offered the ride for Mercedes in 1955 and it was he who hit the back of the slowing Lance Macklin's Healey launching him into the crowd killing himself and 80 spectators.

[@sofiilham9380]

Shell Indonesia

[@simonf8902]

No seat belts. Bless.

[@dongrandmaster3787]

للأسف الشراكسة حاليا يتصدرون أجهزة القمع الأمني فى المخابرات العامة و تورطوا فى أعتداءات مطلوب عليها حقوق