24h Le Mans
In association with Rolex, the Automobile Club de l'Ouest is exhibiting at the Geneva Motor Show (March 6-16) 21 cars of the history of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Among them, the Ferrari 16 MM, victorious in 1949.
Photo : Nicolas COUSSEAU / ACO
The 1949 edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans was historic for two reasons: it marked the relaunch of the race after a nine year interruption due to World War II, and beheld the first big international victory for Ferrari, which had at that time only been in existence for two years. Prior to reigning over Formula 1, created in 1950, the builder would first begin to craft its legend in Le Mans, with a total of nine victories between 1949 and 1965.
June 25th & 26th, 1949: 17th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans
Ferrari 166 MM race results
Winners: Luigi Chinetti-Lord Selsdon (No. 22)
Retired: Jean Lucas-Robert Louis Dreyfus (No. 21)
Note
-Luigi Chinetti won three victories at Le Mans under two different nationalities: first as an Italian (he was born near Milan) in 1932 and 1934, then in 1949 as an American (he became a citizen in 1946).
-In 1949, Ferrari used a V12 engine for the first time at the 24 Hours.
Jean-Philippe Doret / ACO
For more information, please visit the official website of the Geneva Motor Show.
The 82nd edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans will take place June 14-15, 2014 (ticket information and entry list).
Click on the following link for more information about the 1970 Porsche 917 K, another Le Mans winner exhibited in Geneva.
