24h Le Mans
The competitor exploits, shocking twists and caliber of racing at the 24 Hours of Le Mans between 1932 and 2012 have all made it one of the most legendary races in history. As we await the 2022 running on 11-12 June, enjoy this retrospective starting in 1932.
After Bentley's run from 1927 to 1930, another period of domination is underway at the 10th 24 Hours of Le Mans with the second of four consecutive wins for Alfa Romeo. That edition of the race also saw the first major exploits by women in motorsport.
18-19 June 1932 (10th running)
Distance covered by the winners: 218 laps or 2,954.088 km (an average of 123.084 kph)
Luigi Chinetti's rookie 24 Hours of Le Mans culminated in victory. He won a second time two years later also with Alfa Romeo (after joining forces with Philippe Etancelin) then gave Ferrari its first win in 1949. Chinetti is the only driver to triumph at the race before and after World War II. He added a fourth victory to his track record in 1965 as a team owner with the Ferrari shared by American driver Masten Gregory and Austrian driver Jochen Rindt.
In 1932, Raymond Sommer took the start in his second 24 Hours after his Chrysler was forced to retire the previous year. He remained loyal to Alfa Romeo until 1939, representing Ferrari in his final 24 Hours in 1950. In nine participations, he only finished the race twice…both as winner (in 1932 and 1933).
The other outstanding showing was given by Odette Siko. At the wheel of her own Alfa Romeo, she finished fourth along with Louis Chavarel. The performance remains the best overall result by a female driver at Le Mans, making Siko a major pioneer in women's motorsport. Her fourth place finish contributed greatly to Alfa Romeo's extraordinary domination that year when added to Chinetti/Sommer's win and the second place finish for the other 8C driven by Franco Cortese and Giovanni Battista Guidotti.
Another noteworthy pioneer figured in the top 10 in 1932: ninth overall at the 24 Hours along with Roger Labric, Yves Giraud-Cabantous was one of four French drivers to take the start in the first Formula 1 Grand Prix at Silverstone on 13 May 1950. He finished fourth at the wheel of a Talbot-Lago.
Also with Alfa Romeo, Italian driver Tazio Nuvolari won the fourth Monaco Grand Prix. For his sole participation in the 24 Hours, he won the 1933 running of the race along with Raymond Sommer for the latter's second win in a row. Nuvolari was the first driver to triumph at both Le Mans and Monaco.
Another great female feat – American pilot Amelia Earhart became the first female aviator successful in crossing the North Atlantic solo.
A concerto like no other – Following the amputation of his right arm during World War I, pianist Paul Wittgenstein created the Concerto for the Left Hand on 5 January, composed for him by Maurice Ravel.
From the Olympics to Hollywood – Five-time Olympic gold medalist in swimming Johnny Weissmuller brings to life the character of Tarzan for the first time on the silver screen.
Several famous individuals born in 1932 – Author Umberto Eco (5 January), composers John Williams (8 February) and Michel Legrand (24 February), actress Elizabeth Taylor (27 February), pianist Glenn Gould (25 September) and former French President Jacques Chirac (28 November).
PHOTO (Copyright - ACO ARCHIVES): LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES, 24 HOURS OF LE MANS, 19 JUNE 1932. Ninety years after the fourth place finish of Odette Siko (here at the wheel) and her Alfa Romeo, the 24 Hours of Le Mans has become a major international race for women's motorsport in recent years.
