24 Heures du Mans 1933 : Alfa Romeo claims top three spots
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24 Heures du Mans 1933 : Alfa Romeo claims top three spots

On June 17, 1933, the team to beat was Alfa Romeo: after two consecutive wins in 1931 and 1932, the Italian manufacturer was the quasi-favorite, especially since the competition was very sparse. However, it was to be one of the closest finishes in the history of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The previous year’s winner, Raymond Sommer, took the lead shortly after Colonel Lindsay Lloyd, Vice-Chairman of the Royal Automobile Club in London, gave the start.  The French driver, supported by Tazio Nuvolari, even managed the fastest time in the race during the 24th lap.  The monstrous Duesenberg, driven by Prince Nicolas of Romania, did not even get that far: marshalls excluded him as of the 2nd lap for failing to comply with the mandatory time interval between refueling.

Raymond Sommer, victorious in 1932 after 20 hours behind the wheel, quickly dusted his pursuers, but mid-race bombshell: the fuel tank of the No. 11Alfa Romeo was leaking.  When it rejoined the track, precious minutes were lost, forcing the Franco-Italian duo to attack relentlessly in order to catch up to the leaders, which eventually resulted in brake problems.

During the attempted repair, the duo of Louis Chiron - Franco Cortese in the No. 15 Alfa Romeo took the lead, but not for very long as Raymond Sommer and Tazio Nuvolari clocked fast laps and made up time.  However, the fuel tank issue had not been resolved and the team feared being unable to meet the required number of laps between pit stops, a circumstance that had already been fatal to the Duesenberg.  Fortunately, a remarkable accident proved not fatal for Odette Siko who was driving the No. 20 Alfa Romeo 6C, yet the car was totaled.

A bright idea by Raymond Sommer eventually saved the race:  to use chewing gum to plug the hole!  As the repair could only be executed with available tools, Sommer and Nuvolari left each pit stop with pockets full of gum and had to "tinker" while fervently chewing because the duo of Luigi Chinetti - Philippe Varent was back on their heels.

On the last lap, both Alfa Romeo 8C cars, driven by two Italians, were neck and neck and passed each other repeatedly, but it was Tazio Nuvolari who crossed the finish line as the winner…with a lead of 401 meters!  It would take 60 years for that record to be broken...

 

Thierry Arman et Cécile Bonardel / ACO - Translated by Rainier Ehrhardt / ACO

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